Some People Just Don't Get It

The following is a list of clueless phrases that come from thin people to fat people who are struggling to lose weight.

1. Don't diet, diets don't work, just lead a healthy lifestyle.
2. Drink more water
3. Drink less Soda
4. Eat less, that is all!
5. Make better food choices.
6. Have chicken less meat.
7. Have no meat! Go vegetarian.
8. Just walk more. That is not hard!
9. You don't need to eat sweets, have fruit!
10. Have more vegetables!
11. Just have soup before you eat.
12. I am here to support you (which translates to "I am going to give ongoing commentary on how your chosen method to lose weight is really a bad choice")

They mean well. But they just don't get it. They have never had a relationship with food like a fat person has. heck some couldn't even get fat if they wanted to, yet they feel they know the keys to the "thin kingdom." To these people, being thin makes them experts to comment on the habits of fat people.

There are myriad reasons for being fat. Physioligically, psychologically, physically, etc. Countless are the studies on the reasons behind obesity. Just watch TV news between December 15th and January 15th. You will hear and see all kinds of studies.

My favorite is the "It's not about diet, it's about lifestyle" Oh REALLY? Wow, I did not know that. So now not only am I fat, I am stupid too! Gee golly, thanks. Or how about "Get a side salad instead of fries!" Really, it's just THAT simple. WOWEE!! And you haven't marketed that idea, genius? What are you waiting on, you will make a million selling copies of your books, go on Oprah with this secret and all of America will be saved!

Well intetioned as the skinnies may be, their comments are often callous and thoughtless. Just phrases they picked up from reading the magazines at the check out stand while they were buying their stalks of celery and Healthy choice Ice Cream.

The point is. I have made a choice. Chosen a plan. And that's it. You want to give you're two cents? Keep the change, go buy a Twinkie. You want to support, then do so. But do not think it gives you license to destroy the morale in the room just because you read something in Redbook last month after you finished reading the latest "positions to make him go wild TONIGHT!"

Angry? Why, yes. Fattness, in all it's glory is because of addiciton. It is deeply seated and not easy to conquer. It often takes extreme measures. It is a long road to unpave. And quick fix pithy comments are no solution nor help in the effort. It is a WAR. Fought every minute of every day of every week of every month of every year. And as in any war, granola type hippies are of little help.

To quote Wyatt Earp in "Tombstone:"
      Damnit Ike, either get in the fight or get out of the way!

So you want to help that fat friend of yours who is trying an unconventional way to lose weight. Pick up your gun and strap yourself to his/her back and fight off the Skinny Hippies who come at you. All they will do is hold you back.