MAKING MY FAT ASS SWEAT

A lot of people hate exercise.  I do – and I don’t.  It depends.

It depends on what I’m doing and why I’m doing it.

A sure way to make me hate to exercise is to tell me I’m doing it for weight loss.  I used to go to Curves – really enjoyed the circuit training; but could NOT stand all the diet and weight loss talk.  Drove me nuts.  And because of the nature of circuit training (you have audio cues of when to change machines and when to check your pulse), you can’t just put on your earphones and tune it out. 

And if the form of exercise is something I don’t like to do (i.e., walking – I just don’t like walking for exercise), forget about it – it’s just not going to happen; at least not on any kind of regular basis.   However, I recently had a blast spending a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium – lots of walking – a full day of it.  So I guess I don’t mind walking, I just need a different goal.

I do much better if my goal is to feel better, move better, become stronger and more flexible, as long as I’m doing something I enjoy (dancing, swimming, etc.)

But what works best for me is to exercise for one or more definite goals.  Getting ready for an audition or show, learning a dance routine – bring it on. 

And I have found a new goal that is working for me right now (at least) –having a clean(er) house.  Heavy duty housework is exercise!  Scrubbing floors, moving furniture, hauling boxes of stuff to take to Good Will.  It makes you sweat, it gets your heart going – don’t tell me this isn’t exercise.  So I’m getting stronger, more flexible and end up with a cleaner house (triple win)! 

I keep falling for the proposition that exercise has to be something specific.  It has to be something clearly recognized as exercise – and that’s nonsense.  Exercise is whatever works for you, where you find it, and what you make of it. 

You don’t have to join a gym or invest in special clothing or equipment.  If you like that, go for it, but if you don’t have the funds, time or desire – find something else.  Go rake your yard, give the shower a good scrubbing, – give your cat or dog a bath (that will make you sweat for sure!).  Or not. 

All I’m saying is people often think they don’t exercise – but they’re not looking at everything they do that is exercise.  Movement is movement.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Happy Christmas!

I’m going to post the follow-up to my hypothetical question next week, when there will be more people around to see it. In the meantime, have a great holiday!

Filed under: Uncategorized

The Hurt We Can Cause

This is really a people issue rather than a fat issue, but I think that fat people may be more at-risk because we are taught to think negatively about ourselves and not trust our own instincts about what is true.

From Junior High to High School, I had the biggest crush on a boy.  Now he was not a hunka-hunka love – skinny, pimply, unsocialized, geeky, red head; but he was so smart and talented and funny.  And at one point he told me that I was not smart.  He claimed to have seen my IQ tests in my files and that I was at best average.  And I believed him.  And I have lived much of my life believing this was true of myself and fighting to prove him wrong (even though he moved away shortly thereafter).  So afraid this was true.

Well, it isn’t true.  Now this may have made me push myself to excel; but it has caused me to doubt myself and not stand up for myself in many ways.  One stupid statement.

He also told me that I was talented.  After seeing me play the lead in Hello Dolly, he told me that I was good – not just high school good, but good-good.  And I believed him then too.  And that is probably why I have gone out for roles that nobody would think a fat girl could play.  One kind statement.

So try to remember that what people say to you is not necessarily true.  It’s their opinion, and the only opinion that really counts is your own – and you should live accordingly. 

But also remember how just one thoughtless statement (or one compliment) can hurt or help someone; especially when they are young. 

Just think twice before you speak or before you believe.

By the way, I did finally tell him how I felt; but by then he had already hooked up with a girl at his new school – a fat girl.  Yet another lesson learned – tell someone how you feel, you never know!

Filed under: Uncategorized

Launching Size-Acceptance Study (via Michaela)

The wondrous Michaela Null is a doctoral student in Sociology at Purdue University, and she is asking for volunteers for “a  study about the embodiment of size-accepting fat women”.  More info can be found here:  http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~mnull/

Filed under: Uncategorized

My Fat Ass on a Train

A couple of weeks ago, Bill and I took Amtrak (Coast Starlight) up to Seattle.  I have taken shorter train trips, but this was 24 hours and we got a “roomette” (translation:  a closet with seating and fold out bunk beds).

We learned a lot on our trip — like only take what you absolutely need on the train, and check the rest.  There is no place to put your luggage in a roomette. 

Now for the fat-friendly aspects of this type of train travel.  Not horrible, not perfect.  The bathrooms are about the size of airplane bathrooms.  I could use it, but it was not easy to “clean up” – so anyone who is fat but not supersized, they should have little or no problems.  AND, the Amtrak does have “accessible” bathrooms on the lower levels of sleeper cars; and the (regular) bedrooms have their own private toilet and shower (but I have no idea how fat friendly those are).

The seats in the roomette were quite wide and comfortable, recline and have foot rests.  I’m thinking they are probably about the same as the “reserved” coach seats, but I’m not sure. 

The lower berth is about as wide as a twin bed and if you think I tried to get my big butt up into the upper berth – you must be high (and I don’t mean on life).  Bill took the upper – no place for anyone with claustrophobia – no window up there.  They have “steps” to get up it, but it is just little ledges/places you can put your feet to step up and not a staircase or ladder – and getting down again can be an adventure (just ask Bill).  I’d say sleeping on the bottom bunk is comparable to sleeping on a fold out sofa; and it’s very sturdy.

 Getting anywhere means dealing with fairly narrow halls – about the width of the aisles on an airplane, but there is a lot more swaying and bumping going on than on a plane.  I pretty much had to walk kind of sideways everywhere. 

 Be warned, the dining tables are all booths, and the tables are not movable.  They also expect you to sit next to somebody – I told them, no, that was not going to happen because I took up too much room.  They were not happy about it, but they didn’t do anything about it, and they didn’t give me any trouble about it.  If you have a regular bedroom, you can have your meals brought to you.

 The dining is all upstairs, so if you use it, you will have to deal with the stairwells.  OMG.  These are even narrower than the hallways and steep.  I found it pretty difficult to maneuver in it.  You can’t see the stair you are stepping on (because it is so steep) and it circles.  Another, if you are claustrophobic, you don’t want to do it.

 All that said, I had fun traveling on the train.  I liked the privacy and comfort of our seats.  We had coffee, water, and juice 24/7 at the end of the corridor.  They do have showers (downstairs – so there are those flipping stairs again); but I didn’t try them.  Bill did, and he thought I could have managed.  We met some wonderful people on the train, and one nasty old lady.  The staff is very nice and helpful. 

 We had such a wonderful time in Seattle, we’re hoping to do this again (and again), so maybe next time we’ll do the regular bedroom and I can tell you about that.  Ditto with coach (for maybe a shorter trip down to LA).

 Traveling by train is slower and just as (if not more) expensive than plane.  If you are not supersized you will probably have no problems with the train accommodations.  For supersize folks like me, train travel is not especially fat friendly, but I bet it can be pretty comfortable and accessible if you do your research more thoroughly than I did and take advantage of some of the options.  Like I said they have accessible bathrooms (which I did not check out), and having a lower level compartment would mostly avoid the stair issues.  The seats are wide enough that I can’t see them ever needing to charge someone for a second seat.  I saw quite a few fatties checking in for coach. 

 So it is definitely something you may want to check out for yourself when you have time to make the trip (and not just the destination) an important part of your travels.

Filed under: Size Acceptance, Uncategorized

Fat and the ADA

In the fat kids and bullies post, the head researcher said that fat folks have a brain disorder (!)

Balls.

Why can’t society accept fat folks as a variation on a theme?  People aren’t different colors because of a “skin disorder”.  People aren’t different genders because of a “Y” or “X” chromosome disorder. 

 However, if society is determined to view fat people as having a physical or mental impairment that causes them to be fat, then fat people have a disability and we should demand all the protections granted by the ADA.

 Not just “disabled” fat folk – ALL fat folks.  Society can’t have it both ways. 

 Under the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who: (i) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; (ii) has a record of such an impairment; or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment.

 I don’t like the idea of fat being considered a disability.  I don’t believe being fat is (necessarily) a disability; however, the ADA is supposed to protect people who are “PERCEIVED” as having a disability (whether they are actually disabled or not), and I think there is an excellent argument to be made that society in general does “perceive” fat people as disabled in some way, and discriminates against us because of that perception.

 According to the ADA: 

“An individual meets the requirement of ‘being regarded as having such an impairment’ if the individual establishes that he or she has been subjected to an action prohibited under this Act because of an actual or perceived physical or mental impairment whether or not the impairment limits or is perceived to limit a major life activity.” [Emphasis added.]

 Boy would that shake things up, because the ADA has LOTS of protections fat people could take advantage of. 

 So, if society doesn’t want to treat me as “normal”, fine —- they can damn well treat me as “special” (which I am, but that’s another story).

Filed under: Fat Activism, Size Discrimination, Uncategorized

Fat Kids Targeted by Bullies.

 Oooooh, there’s a real news flash. 

 A new study from University of Michigan (which makes sense, because I am from Michigan and let me tell you, it is the land of my people, my people) concluded:

 Conclusions Children who are obese are more likely to be bullied, regardless of a number of potential sociodemographic, social, and academic confounders. No protective factors were identified. Effective interventions to reduce bullying of obese children need to be identified.

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-0774v1

 I’ll take “no shit” for $2,000 Mr. Trebek.

 A fat kid can be rich, smart, talented — all kinds of wonderful — but the fat kid is still going to be bullied because they are FAT. 

 Dr. Julie Lumeng (who heads the study), does seem to “get” the real problem.  She believes the findings were so consistent because prejudice against fat people is “so pervasive that it’s acceptable.”  And she adds, “Obesity is really complex.  It’s not all about willpower.  It’s a brain-based disorder.”

 Well, I don’t think my fat is a “disorder” of any kind.  I think my fat is just part of who I am naturally.  But that’s an argument for another day.

 And why are we spending all this money to research the obvious?  Why can’t we spend some of that money to fix the problem — and I mean working on educating people to eliminate (or at least drastically reduce) the prejudice against fat people?

 When will we see research on the bullies to find out WTF is wrong with them? 

 When will I have some happy news to blog about?

Filed under: Size Discrimination, Uncategorized

Too Fat to Fight

I don’t know why the Brits are worried about our kids being too fat to fight —- oh wait, that’s right we have been called upon to pull Europe’s bacon out of the fire. 

BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8655651.stm) is reporting on American Generals who are calling on better school nutrition – NOT because it’s good for kids but because they are afraid our kids will be too fat to be in the military. 

Oh gee.  Too fat to be sent to a foreign land to kill or be killed. 

What a load.  Come on.  Military training is to make soldiers fit — right?  And being fat doesn’t make you less angry with the world.  Trust me on this one.  So you presumably would end up with big, fit, angry soldiers.  And the problem is?

I think everyone who wants to defend their country should be allowed to do so; and I have all the respect in the world for people who make that choice because God knows, it is not an easy life.

If fat people want to go into the military, the military should count themselves lucky to have them.  If the fat soldier cannot physically do what is necessary (after boot camp), then fine — discharge them; or find some non-combat job for them.  But don’t tell me every average size soldier is fit and ready to go before they go through boot camp. 

So once again, there is a group that wants to do something that is good for kids —- every kid — but apparently “good for kids” is not a good enough reason to do something; you have to scare people into it by blaming the fatties. 

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Filed under: Size Discrimination, Uncategorized

FAT STEREOTYPES & SOCIETY

 (You know I’m on a rant when the title is in all caps!)

There is a “myth” that fat women are sluts.    You know, because we are all so desperate to be loved we’ll let anybody do anything to us.

 Like many myths/stereotypes there is a pinch of truth.  Many fat women do feel so unworthy of love that they will put up with a lot just so they won’t be alone. 

 Happily, more and more fat women are realizing that they deserve to be respected, treated well, and LOVED.

 More and more fat women will not “settle”.

 Of course, many thin and average-sized women are promiscuous and often for the same reasons fat women are – because of self hatred/feeling unworthy.    Lots of people get screwed up about their self image, regardless of their size.  But, the big difference is that fat people are constantly told by society, as a whole, that they are unlovable. 

 Talk about things that make me go GRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

 And what really hurts me is that society doesn’t take responsibility for the harm that fat bigotry causes.  Society creates a hostile environment for fat people, and then claims that all of the problems fat people have are because they are fat!   Excuse me? 

 How often does a fat person forego getting exercise because they just can’t deal with how they may be treated?  Or forego medical treatment?  Or forego trying for a better job?  Or forego making friends? 

 And even if society wants to say that not all fat people are treated badly … it does not even have to be the actual treatment — it can be just the fear of the possibility.  And no one can say that fear is unjustified. 

 You can’t smack somebody upside the head every time they smile, and then ask why they are so gloomy! 

 If society wants me to take responsibility for my fat body, fine.  I want society to take responsibility for the damage it has causd to each and every fat person. 

 I’ll be waiting right here for my apology — and it better be good.

Filed under: Size Acceptance, Size Discrimination, Uncategorized

Dr. Phil Making a Spectacle Out of Fatness? Say It ain’t So!

What do Kelly Osbourne, NAAFA, and hurtling cupcakes have to do with one another? Apparently, Dr. Phil.

Before I begin, I should admit to never having watched Dr. Phil before last Wednesday, March 10. I’d seen enough quotes from him to know his fat politics and mine didn’t exactly mesh, and I’m frankly annoyed at talk shows in general for totally ignoring the social in favor of the personal. Still, I knew very little about his show in general. I have to admit, I was pretty shocked – and, to my embarrassment, quite entertained – by the Jerry-Springer-esque flavor of the show I viewed.

Let me provide some context. About a week ago, several fat activists in the L.A. Area received emails inviting us to watch a Dr. Phil episode from the front row of the audience. The topic? The Fat Debate *insert ominous music*. Although I had to work that day and my schedule was enormously overburdened, I agreed, especially since I know and adore one of the panelists appearing on the show: Peggy Howell, NAAFA PR goddess.

Let me sweep aside the approximately eight tons of personal drama I endured getting to and from the studio. Our story begins in the front row of the audience, where I was pretty tickled to sit among some fat pride bigwigs in the SoCal Area. Ironically (although not at all surprisingly), the chairs were too small to accommodate my grandness. I had to sit with my arm around my sister, Kris, in order to have room to move my upper body.

After much ado, the episode began. The panelists included (from left to right, from my perspective): MeMe Roth; some random and virulently anti-fat personal trainer; Jillian Michaels (yes, she of The Biggest Loser fame); Kelly Osbourne (Really? I mean, really?!); a panelist (an actor, I believe) who denied she is “pro-fat” but who thinks fatties deserve to be treated decently (sounds kinda pro-fat to me, but what do I know?); Marianne Kirby, author of Lessons from the Fat-O-Sphere; and my homie, Peggy Howell.

From the very beginning, it was apparent to me that this wasn’t a serious debate on the topic of fat and health. (Kelly Osbourne? Really?) In fact, I thought the best arguments were the ones Dr. Phil mentioned in the introduction; sadly, most of them were never addressed. Right away, the format of the show and the nature of the guests (Who was that scary personal trainer with a t-shirt that screamed “No Chubbies”?), the show degenerated into the usual, tired discussion of whether fatties are bad, whether we deserve kindness or pity, and whether fat people can ever be healthy. YAWN! The highlight? The I’m-not-pro-fat-actor told MeMe Roth she thought MeMe’s rhetoric was reminiscent of the KKK’s. That garnered at least ten minutes of discussion, little of it productive.

As a sociologist, a human rights activist, and a scholar, I was depressed by how little actually got discussed. It’s not that each side didn’t try but that the format of the show directly pitted people against each other, that the guests (with a couple of exceptions) included people chosen for their sensationalism rather than their knowledge or critical thinking abilities, that Dr. Phil and the producers allowed arguing and screaming matches to replace intelligent discussions, and that the show picked an actor and singer, Kelly Osbourne, to act as panel moderator. I thought Ms. Osbourne did a surprisingly good job, but still, I would have appreciated having someone up there whose criterion for expertise was something a bit more, well, substantive, than recently losing a lot of weight. Well, and being born to a famous rocker. Sadly, the opportunity for calm, insightful, and logical discussions disintegrated in the face of name-calling and spectacle-making.

This was symbolized by the audience makeup. Squeezed into the left half of the first few rows of audience were the fatties, while the thin supporters (you could hear them chirp and scream when Jillian Michaels strode onscreen in her stiletto heels) hunkered on the right. Occasionally, they would make snide comments about fatties, and ever-so-often we would glare or ostentatiously laugh at anti-MeMe jokes (so wickedly immature, I know).

The point is, I realized (probably later than most) that this show was never created with the goal of promoting civil discourse. It was all about controversy, titillation, and raised voices. For all the positive influence it had on larger discussions of the issues, it may as well have been on Jerry Springer. This isn’t the fault of any one panelist; — although I did want to slap a couple for being consistently disruptive and inflammatory — it is instead a result of the “needs” of the medium for cheap ratings.

This is all from the perspective of a Ph.D. who has to beat* talk show culture teachings out of her students every single day. Now, had I written as a media consumer, I would have said the show was great fun and I had a blast blowing metaphorical raspberries at MeMe Roth and scary personal trainer guy. What? I’m human, too.

And by the way, the cupcake hurtling I mentioned before? It’s how personal trainer guy motivates his clients to push themselves harder in their exercise regimes. He also uses whips.

Thank god for the educational power of television.

* Not literally — I’m not the scary trainer guy.

Filed under: Fat Activism, health, Just Fun, Size Acceptance, Size Discrimination, Uncategorized, audience, dr. phil, health, jilliam michaels, kelly osbourne, meme roth, peggy howell, sensational, spectacle