National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I don't disagree that being fat is not healthy...however, studies also show that someone who exercises regularly and eats decently healthy, but is still overweight, can be healthier than a skinny person who sits around and eats junk food all day.

This is somewhat misleading, though - being "more healthy" than someone with an abhorrent lifestyle is not the same thing as having overall good health, you know?

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Oh and people need to get off the thought that you can't be overweight and healthy. If I could post my latest bloodwork and full physical reports, you'd never know that I'm the weight I am. The most unhealthy thing about me is the mild arthritis I have in my wrists and knees. Part of that is hereditary, and part is from playing sports that are damaging to these parts.

Don't you think your knees would respond to treatment a little better with less weight? In fact, most knee and leg issues are affected by changes in weight, some quite drastically. There's some homeostatic effects here, too - a holistic element, and while you can be overweight and not in poor health, all of us should strive for a healthy weight and lifestyle.

[BigRedBeta]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

This is somewhat misleading, though - being "more healthy" than someone with an abhorrent lifestyle is not the same thing as having overall good health, you know?

This is absolutely true.

Being healthy isn't about other people. It's about YOU. Almost by definition, you, at a lower weight - with all your habits and choices remaining the same - would be healthier. The "lighter you" would be at decreased risks for Diabetes, for coronary artery disease, for degenerative joint disease, for high blood pressure, and so on. Further, if you notice, I keep talking about future complications and risks. At this exact moment, you may have perfect exams and lab work, but that won't last forever - even in the healthiest, ideal weight individuals. But if you're carrying around extra weight, your relative risk is increased to start having major disease processes take place.

[SWTXBelle]

After losing weight and keeping it off, I threw out my back and then had to rest for 6 weeks after surgery. I am now back in the swing of things, watching what I eat and working out every #$%& day. My bloodwork now is great - but I know that the extra 20 lbs. will eventually cause problems. So as much as I hate the work required, I know that I have to get back into shape. Accepting my fat self is not an option - it would be an exercise in self-delusion.

[tld221]

while some of their aims seem interesting and worthwhile, this one is great:

* Empower the large number of people regarded by the medical profession as "obese" to accept themselves, to live more fulfilling lives, and to promote acceptance of fat people within society.

1. NO ONE noticed that glaring pun before it went live?
2. right, cause we fatties just sit around watching the Price is Right eating Twinkies and trying to hoist ourselves out of bed? oh, we don't go out for fun, or have jobs...
3. this reminds me of the "fat" sorority... well, it looks like they can have a philantrophy they can identify with...