There was an interesting discussion on KnoxBlab the other day about weight and the continuing crisis of obesity in the U.S. Its obviously a major problem and Americans are just getting more and more obese.
I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been concerned with my weight most of my adult life. I’d like to say I’ve struggled with it, because that would imply I was working on it, but that’s not really true, mostly I eat what I want and stay a little chubbier than I’d prefer to be. My weight doesn’t really fluctuate, though and I’m pretty active. I’m not so fat I can’t do the things I enjoy (except for sunbathing in a string bikini, but that’s not really something I enjoy, just something I’d like to be able to do, you know, if I wanted). I digress.
People’s opinions of weight are interesting to me. I know people judge me because I’m not skinny. I had someone blatantly ask me how on earth I was going to make it when I told him I was going on an 18-mile backpacking trip. (Granted, I’m in better shape than I look.) I worked as a Personal Trainer for years. Some people didn’t want me to train them because of how I look. Some people, of course, preferred it.
An interesting point that many people, those same people who judge me, don’t realize that there are plenty of skinny people that aren’t fit. When I worked at the gym, we called it “skinny-fat”. As in, “I got a new client, she’s skinny-fat though so I’m going to have to ease her into the cardio.” My childhood best friend is that way. I’m not saying anything bad about her, she’d agree with me if she was reading this. Its a conversation we’ve had many times. Of course, her whole life has been unwanted quips from strangers about how lucky she is or that she must never eat. Of course she eats all the time, whatever she wants, and is no more “lucky” than you or me. And truth be told, she feels as uncomfortable when someone comments on her weight as I do when someone comments on mine.
I’d like to be more fit, and who wouldn’t, but I’m never going to be skinny. I know that. Will we ever, as a society, care more about how fit we are than whether we are skinny or not?
If you joined the Y with me, we could get fit together. I am very out of shape, so I guess that makes me skinny fat, huh? I just know I wouldn’t go work out by myself much. I got to stop smoking to get anything accomplished though. And it wouldn’t hurt Drew to stop either. Boo on the people that focus on what people weigh.
By: karissa on August 3, 2007
at 7:30 pm
I actually have been going to the Y on Saturdays when B is still asleep. And walking to work on Tuesdays. And I had a salad for lunch two days this week. So I’m doing a little!
By: ckmarler on August 3, 2007
at 7:49 pm
That’s good. are you a member already? we are thinking about joining soon. I’m sure I’ll get a work out this weekend. We’re taking the canoe out for a bit, I’m sure you know this already though. Hey, being a mom is exercise, right?
We’ll see you soon. Be back Sunday! I’ll bring you back a Chattanooga souvenir! Can you have my house cleaned up by the time I get back? Just kidding!
By: karissa on August 3, 2007
at 7:58 pm
By: karissa on August 3, 2007
at 7:59 pm
:{)
By: karissa on August 3, 2007
at 8:00 pm
ok…the one with a moustache didn’t work. i’ll stop junking up your site now.
By: karissa on August 3, 2007
at 8:02 pm
[...] (oh, the thought of that) or if I was going to gain weight and struggle like she does. Obviously, I struggle. And for me, I know it wasn’t anything she did or didn’t do. My reasons are my own, as I [...]
By: Weight a minute « My Life Was Changed By A Train on June 19, 2009
at 5:59 pm