Thursday, September 10, 2009 ; 11:09 PM
Hi.
Recently I stumbled upon this article and needless to say,
it got my wheels turning..
As far as my body weight is concerned,I believe I am alright.Although I could do with a bit of toning,my BMI shows I am perfectly healthy with my weight and height.
So should this make me happy?
I don't think it is necessarily so.
Yea, I like the fact that I don't have to do a lot of work in order to not feel self-conscious and I"ll even admit to this shame of mine: having a tummy gut makes me feel self-conscious.
Getting back to my original point however, should it, in the first place? Should I be happy without a gut? Is this the "correct" (for which some have traded meanings with "healthy") way to live a life? By whose standards? Why do I feel self-conscious? Does everybody's opinion matter? I know I would automatically say, "Nay," but that would be a half-lie. In this case, their opinions DO matter, unfortunately. The question is "Why?". Furthermore, since they matter, does that mean my happiness lies in their hands? I shudder to think that! An independent person such as myself has learnt to rely on herself; I have always been and I wouldn't want to start relying on others for happiness now! If it ever happens,I would know who to blame, but that's an entirely different story.
If someone like me with a correct BMI feels ashamed with having a little gut on her, imagine how those who defy their BMIs would feel about their weight? I bet a lot of you will think, "Maybe they're sad people; getting emo with their weight"..Now, if you do, think: why would you start thinking negatively like that?
I never have taken an interest to see how judgmental one can be against fat people.. until now. In fact, "fat' is a politically incorrect term for it "has stigma and aggression attached to it" but before I go any further, I believe everybody has their own definition of "fat", because I hear it all the time. A girl may be skinny as hell and thinks she's fat when she ate more than her usual portions; a woman with flabby, untoned birds' wings or cellulite would consider herself fat and so on.
The question everyone should ask is:
Is the overweight person happy? Am I happy?
Those who are "healthy" would think being overweight mean automatic unhappiness because in the long run, they may run into complications which may endanger their lives. That may be true, but do you not have the slightest idea that they may already HAVE thought about this, long before you started on your lecture? AND being at peace with that idea?
Someone said that being "fat" does not come in a month, that it takes time to build up all these fat yet they do nothing; in other words, these people let go of their own body, therefore causing negative effects in long term hence they're irresponsible, bad people. Personally, I think for some,they have already accepted the fact and are happy with it. Sure they may want to lose a few kilos but it should be up to THEM. Moreover, I do not recall a rule saying one should stay thin, one should stay at his or her correct BMI, NO! It is generally preferred but no one is forced to comply to it.
If there was ever such thing, 3/4 of American citizens probably wouldn't exist, if they do, they'd die..cos they're overweight.
yes, I'm exaggerating.
Sonya Covert wrote,
"The only difference in my weight problem and someone's drinking problem is that theirs cannot be seen by everyone. My flaws are written all over my body. Do I find that unfair? Maybe. I am judged when I walk in a room but others can hide their vices."
My point is, let these "not-thin" people live their own lives, stop trying to make them follow your idea of what's healthy, and judging them by YOUR standards! Furthermore, blatantly trying to shame them into becoming thin would just show the sort of person you are, and not in a good light. I personally believe by doing so, you have successfully showed how uncomfortable you are with your own body - for your actions onto others would only reflect what you worry about in yourself, either that or you are a control freak.
Think about it.
Perhaps they already have done something with themselves but their attempts remain fruitless;maybe they are at peace with their bodies and the happiness and acceptance showed in the size - like the saying that we have here in Brunei, to explain when someone has obviously gained weight, which, for most parts, is true. For others, genetics may contribute to their big sizes, though through no fault of their own. However, these do not mean these people are useless, pathetic or evil for letting themselves go. Then again, why should they listen to you when you act like they are not worthy as humans in society?
Being judgmental on your part is not the answer.
This coincides with my next point: "fat" people does not necessarily mean unhappy people. Since when does "happy = thin"? If this were true, I'm sure we won't see a lot of hefty Americans now, and fast food restaurants would be unheard of! In addition, anorexics will have smiles on their faces, instead of dark rings under their eyes, cocaine up their noses with sneers lacing their mouths!
Now that I think about it, perhaps the very reason why "fat" people are unhappy with themselves is because society tells them not to be happy, that they should be thin, that they should be able to shop at stores just like everybody else, that that defines healthy..
Yet skinny or "healthy" people smoke, can become anorexic & bullimic, drink like a fish; these also contribute to unhealthy lives, don't you think? Moreover, some of the "thins" keep wanting to be thin-ner. Are they not already happy with how thin they are? But doesn't being thin mean happy galore?
People and their meddling
To summarise,
I am not saying they should stop caring for themselves; but for people like YOU to stop acting like know-it-alls and setting your own standards against people who are not as "thin" as you. For the rest of you, I learn that you should never let anybody set a Happy button on you, you should have your OWN Happy button whether or not you fall into your correct BMI values or otherwise.
As for myself,
I will stop worrying about my little pouch
and concentrate on being HAPPY with me.
~Whatever Floats Your Boat~
Labels: fat;gamuk;org kambang kurus; BMI; thin
