Comments on: Thoughts on Blogging and Obesity

By: Pamela

Pamela — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 01:53:08 +0000

Thank you all for your supportive and thought-provoking comments! I’m glad I’m not alone in thinking some of this!!

By: Tonya

Tonya — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:58:12 +0000

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post!! As you can see a lot of us can relate to what you’ve written. I too am struggling badly and trying to get back on track. It’s tough, no two ways about it. I too am sick of all the browbeating about how evil fast food is. I’m sorry a Big Mac occasionally is not going to kill anyone (I at least hope not), but the problem is nowadays fast food is the norm not the exception. Parents don’t actually COOK well-rounded healthy meals for their kids anymore, it’s easier to take them through a drive thru or give them something frozen or prepackaged. When I was a kid, we had to play OUTSIDE everyday, not in front of the computer or video games. Society has made things to convenient and easy for our youth, which creates a whole litany of problems that just don’t include obesity. Stay strong girl, take all the time you need to get your head together. You’ve been an inspiration to many of us, regardless of what you weigh.

By: MB

MB — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:34:29 +0000

I hope you continue writing no matter where you are on your journey. I’ve lost and regained so many times but I’m determined to get it right this time. I think it’s good to step away from blogging when it starts taking time away from living your life. Take what you can, give what you can, read when you want, comment if it moves you, and please continue to share you story.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:28:11 +0000

I know I’ve told you before….but I’ve regained half of my 160 lbs weigh loss….so I totally relate to how you feel. As far as all the “awareness” and “programs” for obesity…I agree…if that was the cure everyone would be skinny. We are bombarded everyday by information about weight loss. I’m frankly quite sick of it.

Anyhow I know I haven’t been a longtime follower of your blog, but I want you to know that I get it!!! Totally

By: Charli

Charli — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 22:00:37 +0000

This is my first time to read your blog… and this is the only post that I have read. Your words moved me deeply because I have been struggling recently myself. Please read my last post.

Be encouraged my friend!

http://www.extantwoman.wordpress.com

Many Blessings!
Charli

By: Ruby

Ruby — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:00:27 +0000

I don’t need you to write about the weight “epidemic” or anything like that. When I read a blog I want to hear about your personal journey and struggle, I don’t read blogs for awareness, I read them for people.

You aren’t a failure for gaining some weight back or for losing some motivation. All of that is cyclical, and its normal for us to find it all loses some luster. I also get overwhelmed by the blogging world and the WW message boards. I want to be more involved but I start to read and post and when I finally look up, its bedtime and I’ve missed things. And honestly? Weight loss for me is about getting a life I want to live and I’m not sure spending all of my time on my butt in front of the computer is the standard of living I want as a result!

Anyway, I don’t have a whole ton to say but I’m glad you are still here.
.-= Ruby´s last blog ..Day 291 =-.

By: Alan

Alan — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:51:15 +0000

Pamela, that was so thoughtful. Thank you. I’ve been commenting on a few blogs that the weight loss blogosphere seems to promote an unrealistic expectation of losing 2, 3, 4 pounds a week, forever. I would move on from your blog if you’ve given up, but I don’t think you have. Re: the anonymous thing, I decided to go public right away, which is a real risk because I have the kind of job where a lot of people would do Google searches before hiring me. But I just need the accountability. I need to stop pretending if I don’t acknowledge the weight, it doesn’t exist. It does, and my blog is a way of making it real and putting on the front burner for me to deal with it.

Best wishes to you.

By: Beth

Beth — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:08:27 +0000

When I was in elementary school (the time when I became overweight), I was required to take PE classes. I learned about health and nutrition in science class. I had recess. I was taught what was good for me to eat. We went through a battery of physical fitness tests in PE each year. Admittedly, the cafeteria food wasn’t always the best back then, but in every other area that they’re pushing, I would say my school was great.

And I still became fat.

That’s the thing. They don’t get it. The powers that be think that if we just make everything low fat and make kids run around for half an hour and tell them McDonald’s is evil, obesity will all go away. They don’t understand that most of us use food as a coping mechanism and THAT is the real problem. If we don’t figure out what we’re using food for, outside of true physical hunger, we won’t conquer this thing for good. Not that the nutrition of school food shouldn’t be improved. It should. Not that PE isn’t important. It is. Everyone should be encouraged to eat healthy and exercise. But that is only a small part of the solution, and I think the crux of the problem is being overlooked.

I found you through Tony’s blog and I’m glad you’re sticking around so I can subscribe.
.-= Beth´s last blog ..A Basement Would be Good =-.

By: Hanlie

Hanlie — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 07:55:09 +0000

No ship jumping here! Bravo on a very honest post, Pamela. I was nodding as I read it… much of what you said resonated with me.

I don’t think you’re a failure because you regained some weight and I doubt that many people in the blogging community will. I get it! You are still YOU!

I am also cutting down on the amount of blogs that I read. Life is out there to be lived and I can’t lose myself in the lives of others at the cost of living my own life. I’ve tried that and it just doesn’t work!
.-= Hanlie´s last blog ..A quick and healthy dinner =-.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 03:16:38 +0000

What a breath of fresh air! Thank you so much for writing these thoughts. I wish more bloggers would tell it from the heart. The obesity hatred in this country has gone so far beyond anything I thought I would see in my lifetime, it sickens me. Many of the diet bloggers describe behavior that reminds me of what used to be viewed as EDs. I’ve observed extreme exercise fanaticism (purging through exercise), binge eating in the form of rebound from excessive restriction, and just a lot of weird stuff being labeled “healthy behaviors” that may or may not lead to long term good health.

I also see a lot of privileged bloggers (employed and white, for instance, or supported by spouses), who don’t even realize that they aren’t forced to face the same kinds of stressors that many other obese people must live with every day. We love to pretend in this culture that we are a classless society, or that socioeconomic class and racial prejudices do not influence health. We love to pretend there is an even playing field. We love to pretend that life is fair, for the most part. “Pretend” isn’t really the right word. It is more of a mass social denial about the reality of oppression, the health impact of stress, and the huge variations in individual differences.

Take me, for instance. LOL.

I eat between 1200 and 1600 (max) calories per day. I exercise at least 30 minutes a day, often more than 60. For the past 2 months my weight has remained at about 245. Am I gonna increase my exercise or cut my calories, or “shake things up” to “break through this plateau?” Fuck no. I have no desire to return to that narrow diet mentality where I feel driven or compulsive or obsessed. Life is too short. If more weight comes off, well, that will be nice for me because it will increase my chances of getting better employment. If I stay at this weight, well, that will be okay too.

Being fat, and having to struggle with obesity in this culture, has given me compassion for others that I would not have found if I had been naturally thinner.

In my worldview, compassion is a very good thing. In fact, compassion for others, and for oneself, is one of the most important values available to human beings. I’m pretty sure that your compassion for your fellow human beings is the main thing that has kept me coming back to your blog Pamela. Plus, your great sense of humor, sincerity, and fun-loving nature are a huge attraction. You are really unique and special. You get it. You get this strange thing called life. That is rare.