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Martian · 07-20-2009, 01:11 PM

My current weight: 155 lbs.

My diet so far today: Two slices of toast with peanut butter, two stalks of celery, some cauliflower and some broccoli (about a quarter cup each), one grilled cheese sandwich, three sausages on bread. I'll eat again around 9:00, but don't know what I'm making. I'll also likely snack on some fresh fruit either before or after dinner -- either an orange or some grapes, depending on what mood I'm in when I open the refrigerator door.

Being overweight doesn't necessarily mean eating more. Most athletes consume far more food than average due to increased energy demands, and are also more likely to injure themselves than a sedentary individual (thus require hospital care). I consume more than average when I'm feeling good simply because I'm reasonably active and have a naturally high metabolic rate to begin with, yet I've never in my life weighed over 165 lbs. It's a struggle for me to avoid being underweight.

I'm not a fan of obesity, and have openly stated multiple times that I can't comprehend how someone could ever allow themselves to get to the point of weighing in excess of 300 lbs. At the same time, I recognize that it's a personal choice, and in terms of social consciousness it's certainly not the most devastating one to be made.

Skinny people can carpool. Go out to the freeway and take a look at how many vehicles have single occupants. Take a look at how many are big SUV's or trucks.

If someone chooses to live an unhealthy lifestyle, that's their call. If they get fat as a consequence of it, it's no skin off my nose. I suppose one could argue that there are greater economic effects, but I'm not buying that it's a significant impact in the grand scheme of things. I may not understand the decisions that go into it, but if a person is truly happy with themselves as an overweight individual (or at least content to the point that they're not willing to make the necessary changes to correct the issue), then I don't see where it's my place to tell them any different.

It's easy to try to villify one group. Fat people/smokers/soccer moms/bald guys are ruining the world because of this, that or the other. The reality is never so simple, but people as a rule don't like complicated.

07-20-2009, 01:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	My current weight: 155 lbs. My diet so far today: Two slices of toast with peanut butter, two stalks of celery, some cauliflower and some broccoli (about a quarter cup each), one grilled cheese sandwich, three sausages on bread. I'll eat again around 9:00, but don't know what I'm making. I'll also likely snack on some fresh fruit either before or after dinner -- either an orange or some grapes, depending on what mood I'm in when I open the refrigerator door. Being overweight doesn't necessarily mean eating more. Most athletes consume far more food than average due to increased energy demands, and are also more likely to injure themselves than a sedentary individual (thus require hospital care). I consume more than average when I'm feeling good simply because I'm reasonably active and have a naturally high metabolic rate to begin with, yet I've never in my life weighed over 165 lbs. It's a struggle for me to avoid being underweight. I'm not a fan of obesity, and have openly stated multiple times that I can't comprehend how someone could ever allow themselves to get to the point of weighing in excess of 300 lbs. At the same time, I recognize that it's a personal choice, and in terms of social consciousness it's certainly not the most devastating one to be made. Skinny people can carpool. Go out to the freeway and take a look at how many vehicles have single occupants. Take a look at how many are big SUV's or trucks. If someone chooses to live an unhealthy lifestyle, that's their call. If they get fat as a consequence of it, it's no skin off my nose. I suppose one could argue that there are greater economic effects, but I'm not buying that it's a significant impact in the grand scheme of things. I may not understand the decisions that go into it, but if a person is truly happy with themselves as an overweight individual (or at least content to the point that they're not willing to make the necessary changes to correct the issue), then I don't see where it's my place to tell them any different. It's easy to try to villify one group. Fat people/smokers/soccer moms/bald guys are ruining the world because of this, that or the other. The reality is never so simple, but people as a rule don't like complicated. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame