Why in the world do we only have 12 members in the obesity support group? I just don't understand it. Obesity is a huge epidemic in the western world. We are constantly bombardedby advertisements touting the newest diet foods, exercise programs, supplements, and medications to lose weight. And yet there's almost no one on our obesity support group, and for the most part we're not talking to each other. Have we been so beaten down by our "stick thin is in" culture that we're afraid to talk about our weight even with other fat people? I just don't get it.

Of course, I don't get our culture's image of beauty, either. Why in the world women in our country are all supposed to look like a bunch of anorexic 15 year olds with boob jobs is beyond me. I like having curves. (I just don't like having love handles, a Buddha belly and a double chin!)

I did put out an invitation at the fibromyalgia group to join me at the obesity, seasonal affective disorder, environmental allergies, emotional abuse, and social anxiety support groups. A few people joined me at the last two. But I was rather shocked that no one joined the obesity group. Last I heard, about 90% of people with fibromyalgia are overweight. I've read a couple of threads of people on the fm group complaining about their weight. But nobody joined us at the obesity group so far as I can tell. It's rather frustrating.

So, today I'm getting up on my soapbox and shouting, "FAT PEOPLE OF THE WORLD UNITE!" Let's talk about being fat. How do we feel about all of this? What baby steps can we take to get ourselves fit and healthy? Does anybody have any tasty, healthy recipes? Any good exercise tips? How do you deal with nasty comments from the uneducated? Enquiring minds want to know!

Have a terrific day!

i will pray for you heather hope you will stay in touch

love englishrose

I completely agree, I like my chest and hips. I like the fact that I have curves that are in prefect proportion to each other. I hate the love handles and not being as flexible as I was when I was a kid. I hate the fact that when I order a big Mac people snicker at me or look at me with pity or whisper how I should be ordering a salad. I just want to scream at them: "You don't know what I eat everyday, or how I ride my bike 5 miles to and from work everyday. You don't know anything about me so Keep your pity, Quit your snickering and treat me like a human being you obnoxious stick figured brats!"

I'm not proud of the fact that I'm fat. I'm proud of the fact that despite my weight, I'm in great health. I'm proud of the fact that I can ride my bike longer and faster than half the skinny people I know. I'm proud of the fact that despite the looks and the snickers I can walk into a room with my head held high my shoulders back and a smile on my face.

As for tips and tricks. I love special K protein water, I make sure I drink a 20oz of one of those everyday as well as regular water. I ride my bike every where. And while I'm riding I imagine that I'm in the Olympics and I've got to push just a little harder to win a medal. It's cheesy I know, but it works. I also keep light weights by my couch. Commercial breaks are great for a few quick moves. And every time I sit down to watch TV I see them there. I become more likely to use them.

Those are my tips and tricks.

I am trying to keep walking my dogs for a least a half an hour whenever I get the motivation. It depends on my mood and is hard to force myself when I am really depressed.

Tonight I was walking my dogs and this car with a couple of guys came up towards me and started rolling down their windows- what was my first thought?- that they were going to yell out something crude about my weight ("oh great, here it comes"). What ended up happening? They were asking for directions to an address!!!

wishing you well

englishrose

All the best,

Mishy