My Secret History

I have been fat for my entire life. As I progressed into my teens and adulthood, overwieght turned into obesity, no matter how well I ate or how much I exercised (hiking, bike riding, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, gymnastics, ice-skating, field hockey, soccer, sea kayaking...should I go on?). The prevailing attitude I receive from people who don't know me is that I must be shoveling junk into my mouth at the speed of light and that I never move away from the couch/bed/trough. The reality couldn't be further from the truth. I usually end up telling my skinny friends and family ways to eat healthier and kicking their tails when it comes to fitness. I have been in the position of staying behind and coaxing someone into finishing a climb up a 3500 ft. mountain and to not give up. We made it to the top and she sat down and caught her breath while I continued along the mountain ridges to catch back up with the rest of the group. This was a person whom, by society's look and judge standards, was supposedly in "better health" than me. I regularly receive compliments from other people in my gym on how I inspire them to do as well as I do. Yet I face discrimination every single day. It takes more courage, guts (pun intended), and determination to go through life as a unique individual than it is succomb to societal pressures to be Barbie doll clones of one another. It also takes a great amount of courage to go against the current and tell the world "Hey! Wait a minute! That's NOT right! That's NOT acceptable!". Although I do wish I was able to go down in my dress size, at least I know I'm fit and healthy. And that is what is important. Thank you, Megan, for telling your story and for your courage to (finally) stand up for your beliefs.

Has anyone here heard of Glycemic Indexing? Hundreds of studies have been done in the UK, Canada, Australia, other countries, and plenty of evidence proves the value of it. Our US medical system is spiraling into economic ruination and dying from lack of 'wellness'. The US is still in the "Dark Ages" regarding managment of body fat. The US government, the media, and the so-called medical authorities are still stuck in counting calories from 1930, low/no fat from the 1980's, and cholesterol craze for meds that endanger the health of those who choose to take them, and fatten the wallets of the pharmaceutical officers and stock holders. Wake up, folks, remember that quotation....something about 'insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results!'

Has anyone here heard of Glycemic Indexing? Hundreds of studies have been done in the UK, Canada, Australia, other countries, and plenty of evidence proves the value of it. Our US medical system is spiraling into economic ruination and dying from lack of 'wellness'. The US is still in the "Dark Ages" regarding managment of body fat. The US government, the media, and the so-called medical authorities are still stuck in counting calories from 1930, low/no fat from the 1980's, and cholesterol craze for meds that endanger the health of those who choose to take them, and fatten the wallets of the pharmaceutical officers and stock holders. Wake up, folks, remember that quotation....something about 'insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results!'

Has anyone here heard of Glycemic Indexing? Hundreds of studies have been done in the UK, Canada, Australia, other countries, and plenty of evidence proves the value of it. Our US medical system is spiraling into economic ruination and dying from lack of 'wellness'. The US is still in the "Dark Ages" regarding managment of body fat. The US government, the media, and the so-called medical authorities are still stuck in counting calories from 1930, low/no fat from the 1980's, and cholesterol craze for meds that endanger the health of those who choose to take them, and fatten the wallets of the pharmaceutical officers and stock holders. Wake up, folks, remember that quotation....something about 'insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results!'

As a guy that's gone from 323 down to 260 in the last year or so I think what some people miss is the fact that over-eating is an addiction to some people. It's not lifestyle or lazy all the time. At least smokers and drinkers get a few early years before they start their addiction. I think food addiction starts with making bad choices from the time some of us are able to pickup a spoon. Weight-watchers has been a great help to me and even tho they shy away from framing the weekly meetings as being modeled like AA the steps are all to simular. The first step is admitting you have a problem.

Posted By: Getreal00 @ 12/09/2007 12:52:05 AM
Comment: Being fat is a choice.

Agreed. I am a guy who had finally reached 210 pounds on a 5'10" frame (50 pounds over the "ideal" weight set by health sites everywhere) when I decided I did not want to be fat anymore. I decided not to eat the extra candy bar, eat fried and processed foods to excess, drink beer everynight and sit on my fat ass all day. I decided to get up, start working out and eating right. You know what? It was hard, very hard. Working out is hard and at times painful. There were no easy days because all around me were free samples of everything from donuts to ice cream. Cakes that co-workers brought in and TV ads trying to overtly and subliminally trying to tell you, "Eat more of our product". I looked at all the diet products and saw that most of them were flavor less, reduced sized versions of the real thing. So in order to satisfy any craving, you had to eat two of them ??? which means calorie wise, you might have well just have eaten the real thing. I realized you could eat that ???real thing???, but you had to take the stairs instead the elevator. For every action, there is a reaction. I realized that portion control and regular exercise worked, some thing I knew all along. So I decided to restrict my diet to healthy foods and indulge only when I deserved it. At first I went to bed hungry because I was not used to eating the right way. I decided to drink a glass of water in the middle of the night and not raid the fridge.

I decided all this and lost the weight ??? and you know what? It was worth it. I???ve lived all over the world, including Europe which has every modern convenience including McDonalds and you know what, they are no where near as fat as Americans. America is fat because it???s easy ??? and we all know it???s easier to eat that extra cookie than run that extra mile. So I am critical of overweight people because I know the vast, vast majority of them choose that lifestyle ???you either run/walk/bike/row/climb your fat ass off or you sit it in front of the TV. Which is easier? You decide.

I come from a family of overweight people. Many of whom have died as a direct result of their morbid obesity. My mother had gastric bypass in the 70's when it was still experimental and my sister had the surgery in 2001. I am fighting a good fight trying to control my weight but it is difficult. I maintain weight at an average caloric consumption of 1500 calories per day. As a female of 5'10" this is what most would eat to lose weight. I believe that everyone has their own metobolic rate and that it is genetic in nature. Agreed, lots of people make poor choices and gain weight because of those choices but there are many that have a genetically slower metabolism which makes it difficult to lose weight. Don't assume all "fat" people are fat because of poor choice and lack of control. It simply is not true.

jared_b... sigh. The *pancreas,* via cells called the Islets of Langerhans, make insulin. The kidneys function is to regulate salt and water content in the blood. Geez, at least do a google search before you start pontificating on your medical opinions. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/438368 Oh, and "choise" is actually spelled "choice."

Type 2 diabetes is often caused by being overweight, which can be remedied by diet and exercise, but often the first thing that needs to happen is that a person gets their diabetes under control. Diabetes has an effect on all of your systems, and having diabetes is, in fact, a reason that a person may not be able to exercise for weight loss. Dieting can also be problematic, unless it's followed by a good endocrinologist. And finally, diabetes can wreak havoc with mood stability, which is directly tied to energy levels and food intake.

There are no simplistic answers to this, but your lack of basic physiology can lead to simplistic thinking.

jared_b... sigh. The *pancreas,* via cells called the Islets of Langerhans, make insulin. The kidneys function is to regulate salt and water content in the blood. Geez, at least do a google search before you start pontificating on your medical opinions. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/438368 Oh, and "choise" is actually spelled "choice."

Type 2 diabetes is often caused by being overweight, which can be remedied by diet and exercise, but often the first thing that needs to happen is that a person gets their diabetes under control. Diabetes has an effect on all of your systems, and having diabetes is, in fact, a reason that a person may not be able to exercise for weight loss. Dieting can also be problematic, unless it's followed by a good endocrinologist. And finally, diabetes can wreak havoc with mood stability, which is directly tied to energy levels and food intake.

There are no simplistic answers to this, but your lack of basic physiology can lead to simplistic thinking.

Megan-
Thank you so much for putting so truthfully exactly how I Fell. A year and a half ago I weighed 209 pds I now weigh 127 and wear a size 2-4! I did it with diet and exercise not medical intervention but the drastic results are the same. I also find myself unfortunatly distancing myself from that old fat girl I used to be and hiding behind my new attractive appearance. I also ignore the comments and hide those shameful pictures. Your date story hits especially close to home as several men i've gone out with have made similar comments I ignored when I should have spoken up. I trully hope I can get to that place someday where I can be proud of who I am now and my wonderful accomplishment of getting healthy and still be respectful and accepting of who I was. Thank you again for articulating this struggle!

Megan-
Thank you so much for putting so truthfully exactly how I Fell. A year and a half ago I weighed 209 pds I now weigh 127 and wear a size 2-4! I did it with diet and exercise not medical intervention but the drastic results are the same. I also find myself unfortunatly distancing myself from that old fat girl I used to be and hiding behind my new attractive appearance. I also ignore the comments and hide those shameful pictures. Your date story hits especially close to home as several men i've gone out with have made similar comments I ignored when I should have spoken up. I trully hope I can get to that place someday where I can be proud of who I am now and my wonderful accomplishment of getting healthy and still be respectful and accepting of who I was. Thank you again for articulating this struggle!

I used to be fat too. Not obese, just plain old FAT. I didn't like fat people and I didn't want to be one. I was tired of being gross. I didn't go for the easy quick fix of gastric bypass or even a commercial diet. I simply changed my diet and got my butt off the couch. I lost 140 lbs in about 6 months. I don't hide the fact that I used to be HUGE, I tell people all the time, because I'm proud of what I've done. I don't think everyone has to skinny as a rail, but I think everyone can he healthy. I'm now at the low end of my ideal weight range and I love it. I love being able to wear stylish clothes and being included in groups that I was previously excluded from. Congratulations on the weight loss, even though you did it through surgery. But, don't make people who don't want to be fat, or don't want to hang out with fat people out to be evil .. we're not. I prefer friends that take care of themselves. Call me bitchy if you want, but I'm sure there are lots of people who read this that agree and would never admit it.

Who are you people to say "thank-you"? Thank-you for what? Would you rather have people say nothing when they look at someone who is literally killing themself? Is this how you feel standing in the same room with someone who is oozing second hand smoke? Thank-you for smoking??? Being obese, just like smoking, is a conscience self-motivated and directed decision. Don't tell me about your thyroid, or your hormones. I have severe hypothyroidism and I maintain a healthy weight. This article is just helping to sustain the American believe that it is acceptable to be fat. It is your choice to be overweight, but because you made that choice, you better be able to live with other peoples' opinions of you.

I also used to be fat. Not "obese" .. just plain old fat. I ate the wrong foods and never exercised. I didn't opt for the quick fix of gastric bypass or even a commercial diet plan. I simply tweaked my diet and got my butt off the couch and lost a ton of weight. I don't hide the fact that I used to be FAT. I tell people all the time. They never believe it. I don't think that everyone should be thin as a rail, but I think everyone can be healthy. I don't like fat people, for my own reasons, and I didn't want to be one.

Way to go Megan! It's wonderful you're a healthy weight now. I too find myself keeping quiet when people I work with discuss others in a less than desirable way and am ashamed. I work with a man who continually makes rude comments about anyone that's not within his parameters of perfect. I take exception to Matthews comment also, for many, like myself some overweightness is because of our lifestyle and I do not make excuses for that myself but for a majority of the morbidly obese that is not the case and just because you see them eating candy doesn't mean that's why they're fat for there are millions of people out there who eat horribly and stay skinny. If they're skinny when they live that lifestyle why would anyone think that every fat person out there is necessarily living the same lifestyle and staying fat? I know people who eat much, much better than I do and are twice my size and I'm just barely over the threshold of obesity. I recently purchased a eating plan by Michael Thurmond who is a famous body makeover guru and if the people in Megan's little skinny world could read what he says about all of us having different metabolisms and the need to eat different based on those metabolisms they may wake up and smell the coffee. The Human Body is not a cookie cutter world people. I'm very proud of you Megan for taking a risk and writing this story. It's time the world stopped looking through their tunnel vision.

Thank you! As a gastric bypass patient myself I enjoyed reading and relating to your own feelings. I've lost my weight and have gone through a few rounds of reconstructive surgery to remove excess skin for no matter how hard I train with a personal trainer there would always have been the "melted candle" look that often accompanies massive weight loss.

Certainly some MO (morbidly obese) people are such because of poor choices, but I truely feel the majority of us have metabolic issues. In my case both type 2 diabetes and hypothyroidism. The two together make it nearly impossible to lose weight and then after so much weight gain movement its self is restricted.

This new club of "thin" is but an illusion as well. If we do not deal with the emotional component of this disease then we risk regression. This surgery is but a tool in the arsenal against this disease and people who think it is the "easy" way out are very much misinformed. After the initial 6 months following surgery most of us must work hard to continue losing and exercise is an important component.

I trust that you will speak out in the future. It will take guts to do so for you will put yourself at risk of social censure, but it is important that we educate those around us that fat does not equate ignorance, nor does fat define who we are as people.

I love the comment your mother made. You are rich indeed to have such wonderful family support. Congratulations on your accomplishment and best wishes for a rich and rewarding healthy life.--Trisha

Ok this is a rebuttal towards The_Lioness. While it is true that many people out there are obese do to medical conditions, i.e diabetes, a slower metabolism, maybe even the so-called recently discovered 'fat' gene, most of the cases, as matthew.fumia stated are do to the ever increasing over indulging, and laziness of North American society. Recent studies have shown that nearly 50% of the American populaiton could be above the recommended BMI scale. The BMI, or body mass index, is a scale based on comparing your weight to your height, and examined against a medically proven range of healthy BMI ratings. The amount of obese people in the this country has increased steadily, not do to an increase indisease, but a decrease in healthy lifestyle choices made by individuals. Also, The_Lioness, depending on what type of diabetes you have, your disease most likely resulted from being overweight. There are two types of diabetes. The highest percentage of diabetes today is a result from being overweight. You see, when you are overwieght the body is unable to perform normally and keep your body going, so it begins to deteriorate. The most common result of being overweight is developing kidney problems. Your kidney's regulate the amount of insulin in your bloodstream. So while your diabetes may have resulted in rather uncomfortable diarhea, your diabetes was a direct result form your unhealthy lifestyles, which led to you being overwieght. Granted, there are some people that would be unable to lead a healthy lifestyle. These could include MS, paralized persons, bedridden from sickness, etc. They have a legitimate excuse for not being able to excercise. Choosing to eat a piece of cake as apposed to eating a salad, or taking the car instead of walking the 10 minutes to the convienient store is YOUR choice, and you have no excuse for the choices you, or anyone for that matter, for the choise they made.

I was so delighted to read your insightful article. You have known firsthand the physical and emotional pain of being obese and now you are enjoying a life so many people take forgranted. I'm so glad that you were not ashamed to ask for and receive medical help. I think it's great that you included that fact in your article because so many people feel that all it takes is discipline to consume fewer calories and excercise. The truth is....life isn't always that easy. What is easy....is judging others when you haven't experienced their personal pain. What an insensitive doctor (hope your first date was your last date) who should know better. Does he really think overweight people don't deserve to be blessed with children??? hello!! The beautiful love and compassion your mom shared concerning "the girl that use to be" was wonderful. Everyone needs a friend like her. And everyone needs someone to love them unconditionally. She is a woman of wisdom. As a pastor (and mother) I would encourage you to speak up whenever and wherever possible...someone out there needs to hear from you. To be silent is to agree. To be silent is to say that the comments made to you (the girl that use to be) were correct. Have a great day!! Enjoy your success!!! Pastor Pam

This comment is in rebuttal to matthew.fumia, to whose remarks I take great exception. While it may be true that some people are overweight because of lifestyle choices, I feel very certain that the overwhelming majority of the morbidly obese are that way because of some as yet undiscovered or diagnosed metabolic disorder. I was recently diagnosed with diabetes. My endocrinoligist tells me that I've probably had diabetes for at least 8 years. During the last ten years, I saw six different doctors (2 gastroenterologists, 2 family doctors, 2 gynecologists) and asked them all the same question: why am I gaining weight, when I have diarhea attacks 6 times a day? Not one of these doctors ever once suggested that the problem might be something other than "nervous picking," "not enought exercise," etc. It was only my latest family doctor who bothered to do a blood study and discovered that my sugars were high. After being placed on a variety of diabetic medications, I lost 20 lbs in a month, with no change in diet. And oh, by the way, I also learned that my mother's family has a history of diabetes, something I did not know until then. WHEN IS THE MEDICAL PROFESSION GOING TO WAKE UP AND STOP BLAMING THE VICTIM?