Too Fat to eat in public?

I have to say I'm speechless.




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The Bill

HOUSE BILL NO. 282

An act to prohibit certain food establishments from serving food to any person who is obese, based on criteria prescribed by the state department of health; to direct the department to prepare written materials that describe and explain the criteria for determining whether a person is obese and to provide those materials to the food establishments; to direct the department to monitor the food establishments for compliance with the provisions of this act; and for related purposes. Be it enacted by the legislature of the state of Mississippi:

SECTION 1.

(1) The provisions of this section shall apply to any food establishment that is required to obtain a permit from the State Department of Health under Section 41-3-15(4)(f), that operates primarily in an enclosed facility and that has five (5) or more seats for customers.

(2) Any food establishment to which this section applies shall not be allowed to serve food to any person who is obese, based on criteria prescribed by the State Department of Health after consultation with the Mississippi Council on Obesity Prevention and Management established under Section 41-101-1 or its successor. The State Department of Health shall prepare written materials that describe and explain the criteria for determining whether a person is obese, and shall provide those materials to all food establishments to which this section applies. A food establishment shall be entitled to rely on the criteria for obesity in those written materials when determining whether or not it is allowed to serve food to any person.

(3) The State Department of Health shall monitor the food establishments to which this section applies for compliance with the provisions of this section, and may revoke the permit of any food establishment that repeatedly violates the provisions of this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2008.

uhm... wow!! that is rediculous! But seriously, if they want to help with the obesity problem in this country they should change what goes into our foods. get rid of the chemicals and unnecessary junk thats in there. But then again thats what happens when you have the food & drug administration as one single unit. they allow the junk into the foods that make us fat and sick so they can send us to the doctor for the meds that get prescriped that in the long run are ineffective or more dangerous than the initial problem. :rolleye2:

aren't like 50% of americans technically "obese" ? that sure is cutting out alot of your customers lol

Its a great idea, if people slimmed down our health care costs would drop a whole bunch!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL, come on people. You know it won't pass....
On a side note, mississippi is the leading state for obese people....

Dont worry, I aint slamming ya, Michigan is close behind. *sigh

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Originally Posted by Entropy

SECTION 1.

(1) The provisions of this section shall apply to any food establishment that is required to obtain a permit from the State Department of Health under Section 41-3-15(4)(f), that operates primarily in an enclosed facility and that has five (5) or more seats for customers.

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so in other words... keep the obese people at the drive through - fast food restaurants instead of possibly sitting down in regular restaurant and eating something healthier???

oh ya that makes loads of sense!

I'd like to see the first restaurant owner try and take a measuring tape to my hips to see if I could eat there. His ears would be ringing for weeks. :evileye:

What's next, grocery stores that have to be responsible for what they are allowed to sell to obese people? :no:

Fast food lobbies are probably pushing this so people don't go into a chain and see that their food makes you obese. This is kind of like being cut off in a bar for overindulging.
"Sorry sir, looks like you've had enough. Why don't you go walk it off". This is just asking for another set of BK freakout commercials.

Thats gotta be a joke. Either that or I'm going to have to start using the drive through more often. :D

If obese people don't recognize that they can't look down and see the tops of their feet, and continue to eat fast food, let them...its only themselves that they are hurting in the end.

That being said, I don't want to live in a world where the government can tell me what, when, and where I can and can't eat. Ever heard of the "slippery slope?" I'm all about making the world a healthier place to be, but government regulation isn't the answer...lifestyle and laziness is the cause of it all...

That bill is probably a joke.....

Much to my dismay this a real bill that we in this state are facing. It is part of a statewide smokeing ban they are trying to pass called their Public Health and Wellness act. There are several parts.

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

so in other words... keep the obese people at the drive through - fast food restaurants instead of possibly sitting down in regular restaurant and eating something healthier???

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Only thing is...that meal at Friday's or Outback is probably just as bad as the fast food. Portion sizes are wayy too big and sit down restaurants don't skimp on the butter, oil, and other calorie bombs......tand they don't have to post their calorie and fat content like fast food chains do either....

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

Much to my dismay this a real bill that we in this state are facing. It is part of a statewide smokeing ban they are trying to pass called their Public Health and Wellness act. There are several parts.

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Wow.

1984 anyone?

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Much to my dismay this a real bill that we in this state are facing. It is part of a statewide smokeing ban they are trying to pass called their Public Health and Wellness act. There are several parts.

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Well in that case, its probable that whoever created this obesity bill did it as a red herring in order to derail the smoking ban as well. If you actually read the obesity bill, its so poorly put together it couldn't help but fail.

This is insane. Who is the government to judge someone based on how heavy they are? I can completely see why smoking is banned inside restaurants; it harms other patrons who have no choice but to sit near smokers. Do I think that a closed-off smoking section, for those who either smoke or are with smokers and don't care, is bad? Nope.
The whole time I was reading it, I was looking for what the hell they were saying nwas a reason for this. I see no good reason for it, and I think that it is just more government getting its jollies out of controlling the population more and more. I really hate this type of thing.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

LOL, come on people. You know it won't pass....
On a side note, mississippi is the leading state for obese people....

Dont worry, I aint slamming ya, Michigan is close behind. *sigh

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I smiled a little when I read "behind" :D

All this talk is making me hungry!:D

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Only thing is...that meal at Friday's or Outback is probably just as bad as the fast food. Portion sizes are wayy too big and sit down restaurants don't skimp on the butter, oil, and other calorie bombs......tand they don't have to post their calorie and fat content like fast food chains do either....

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yes but the patron DOES have a choice of getting a healthier choice as most restaurants have a salad section (although the dressings are full of fat) etc.

i guess what i'm trying to say is... there is nothing worse for you than fast food... and it seems that is where they are deligating the overweight members of society. :(

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Originally Posted by monk90222

All this talk is making me hungry!:D

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Platanos and Collard Greens!

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

Much to my dismay this a real bill that we in this state are facing. It is part of a statewide smokeing ban they are trying to pass called their Public Health and Wellness act. There are several parts.

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Illinois just put a statewide smoking ban in effect on Jan. 1. You can't smoke in ANY public building, or within 15' of any entrance. I don't know shy a state would choose to loose a TON of money by having people stay home and have friends over to socialize, drink and smoke a cigarette. I've saved about $450 since the ban started by not going to restaurants or bars. What a crock. Like any smoker is going to a bar if they have to take a walk outside every 20 minutes when it's 20 below 0? The plus side is, now there are massive piles of cigarette butts all over the sidewalks outside bars and restaurants.

I thought we lived in a free country. I wonder if our government is ever going to stop putting their nose in other people's business. And, I bet there are no overweight senators or senators with overweight people in their family in Mississippi.

Our government is a joke folks.

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Originally Posted by royalkreationz

I thought we lived in a free country. I wonder if our government is ever going to stop putting their nose in other people's business. And, I bet there are no overweight senators or senators with overweight people in their family in Mississippi.

Our government is a joke folks.

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This is why we need Ron Paul! He wants the government to stay out of people's business. He's the only candidate who's even a reasonable choice and he absolutely can win.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBjOtl1Y1qM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMLa1WI4jhU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sICXSaiQExE

jake, how about quitting smoking? that would be another option :)

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Originally Posted by PythonWallace

Illinois just put a statewide smoking ban in effect on Jan. 1. You can't smoke in ANY public building, or within 15' of any entrance. I don't know shy a state would choose to loose a TON of money by having people stay home and have friends over to socialize, drink and smoke a cigarette. I've saved about $450 since the ban started by not going to restaurants or bars. What a crock. Like any smoker is going to a bar if they have to take a walk outside every 20 minutes when it's 20 below 0? The plus side is, now there are massive piles of cigarette butts all over the sidewalks outside bars and restaurants.

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Yeah. It makes me wonder when drinking will be illegal in bars! Granted, there is no actual "secondhand drink" like secondhand smoke.. But they will say that drunk people are aggrevating to those in the immediate vicinity or something stupid like that probably....
Argh!

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Originally Posted by monk90222

All this talk is making me hungry!:D

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Lets go have a Big Mac with double meat and double cheese!!!:)


Then maybe a smoke and a drink right there in the parking lot!!

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

jake, how about quitting smoking? that would be another option :)

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I'm ordering the patch off Amazon this weekend. Hopefully it goes ok. It's still a stupid law.

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Originally Posted by cardell75

Lets go have a Big Mac with double meat and double cheese!!!:)


Then maybe a smoke and a drink right there in the parking lot!!

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I don't eat McDonalds. It's not good for you. :D I've been clean for 6 years, with maybe 2-3 Big Mac relapses in that time.

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Illinois just put a statewide smoking ban in effect on Jan. 1. You can't smoke in ANY public building, or within 15' of any entrance. I don't know shy a state would choose to loose a TON of money by having people stay home and have friends over to socialize, drink and smoke a cigarette. I've saved about $450 since the ban started by not going to restaurants or bars. What a crock. Like any smoker is going to a bar if they have to take a walk outside every 20 minutes when it's 20 below 0? The plus side is, now there are massive piles of cigarette butts all over the sidewalks outside bars and restaurants.

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Being an x-smoker (6 years this February 18th) I'm actually pretty happy that my county passed a smoking ban on bars and restaurants. Now I can go to bars and restaurants again without my sinuses feeling like total crap the next morning. Passing a law against smoking in public places is a great idea because YOUR smoke DOES affect the air I'M breathing. Fat people eating doesn't affect my environment or the air I'm breathing (unless it's a Mexican or Indian restaurant of course :D:D:D )

Mark, I obviously see your point, but smokers should have a place where they don't have to stand out in a parking lot when it's 20 below. In Illinois you can't even open a place for smokers unless 94% of your income comes from tobacco. Places should be able to offer a closed off smoing room or open a smokers club and be able to serve liquor.

i acutally think that its quite funny. that something like this would actually get as far as it is, shows a lot about this countries priorities! While we have our own troops dieing overseas were worried about fat people...hahahahaha

Here in WA there is a state wide smoking ban. It's wonderful to go into a public place without being forced to breathe in that disgusting crap.
I do support the smoking bans because they DO have detremental effects on other peoples health.

Wow. Here in the US we kepp losing rights left and right. I also heard in some Cities it is now illegal to wear pants that are more than 2 sizes too big. Its getting a little crazy.:mad:

I also support the smoking bans and have people that live in areas where they do not serve alcohol in "gentlemen's clubs" along with no smoking.

The smoking ban does not only benefit other patrons, it benefits the employees of those establishments and benefits smokers too. I used to smoke, most of my family used to smoke, a lot of my friends used to smoke. They never gave themselves a good enough reason to quit until it became inconvenient for them to smoke.

I just recently moved from SE Wisconsin (was there for several years) and I have quite a few friends in the Chicago area, my brother is from Washington, I have family all over the country. 23 People I know have quit smoking directly from smoking bans.

They couldn't be happier and neither could I.

But I don't support this fat bias at all....

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Originally Posted by jeffjr464

aren't like 50% of americans technically "obese" ? that sure is cutting out alot of your customers lol

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I see MILLIONS of lawsuits being filed ;).

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Originally Posted by herpmajor

Wow. Here in the US we kepp losing rights left and right. I also heard in some Cities it is now illegal to wear pants that are more than 2 sizes too big. Its getting a little crazy.:mad:

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Thats a attempt to shut down the gang banger trash :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by joepythons

Thats a attempt to shut down the gang banger trash :rolleyes:

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Is that really a bad thing? Have you SEEN some of those pants? Heck, you could hide a few Uzi's in there an no one would know. Not to mention it's a safety hazard, it's amusing to see the people who wear those pants attempt to run. ... Then again I could just be mean.

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Originally Posted by Entropy

Is that really a bad thing? Have you SEEN some of those pants? Heck, you could hide a few Uzi's in there an no one would know. Not to mention it's a safety hazard, it's amusing to see the people who wear those pants attempt to run. ... Then again I could just be mean.

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Dont get me wrong as i was rolling my eyes at them thinking thats going to stop the gang bangers.To be truthfull i think they look retarded :P.Nope never had the pleasure to watch one try to run in them pants they cant walk in them :rofl: :rofl:

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Is that really a bad thing? Have you SEEN some of those pants? Heck, you could hide a few Uzi's in there an no one would know. Not to mention it's a safety hazard, it's amusing to see the people who wear those pants attempt to run. ... Then again I could just be mean.

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Yes but where does it stop? When does the government start regulating fashion? What if the next gang banger fashion statement is multicolored floral pattern hot pants? If the government regulates against those too, then the rest of us won't be able to wear them. And thats just not fair..... :D:D:D:D

I don't think its the governments position to control who can eat where and what they can eat. That is just pretty ridiculous. The only reason I could see that being effective is if we went to a universal healthcare system. I don't want to have to pay more in taxes than I have to because other people are eating themselves to death. I don't even understand the concept of becoming morbidly obese. I have a lot of trouble keeping weight on even though I eat 5 to 6000 calories a day during the swimming season.

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Originally Posted by Swmrguy11

I don't even understand the concept of becoming morbidly obese. I have a lot of trouble keeping weight on even though I eat 5 to 6000 calories a day during the swimming season.

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Isn't that self-explanatory? You're active...you probably have muscle mass that requires a significant portion of those calories just to maintain itself. And, you can probably eat all the fast-food you want without a second thought about it.

Being overweight is one thing, linked to genetics, age, lifestyle, etc, but to me, there's no excuse for being morbidly obese. Morbid obesity is usually the result of either depression or a related eating disorder that causes a person to eat and gain so much weight that they can't live a normal life. I think that these people need help - but turning them away at the fast-food counter isn't the way to go about it, they will find a way to get their food.

Passing a bill like this one would just stigmatize these people even more and push them further in seclusion where they would be even less likely to get the help that they need.

Food is literally like a drug addiction for some of these people...taking the dealers off the street doesn't curb the demand...

Next they will want to stop selling low calorie food to skinny people because they may be anorexic.

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

Next they will want to stop selling low calorie food to skinny people because they may be anorexic.

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aaaahahahahahaha :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

My aunt is actually morbidly obese. She has no eating disorders, has been active (she competes in equine endurance races) and eaten healthy all of her life, she eats fast food maybe two or three times a year. She has thyroid issues and is on medication for it, her blood pressure, and cholestoral are great. Why is she morbidly obese? Even her doctor doesn't know.

My sister is also obese. She has always been this way. Once again, she eats fast food a few times a year if that. She's active ( a live in nanny and also trains horses) also has thyroid issues and is careful with her diet.

I have to say going out with them and seeing how people respond and what they whisper... it's easy to say 'oh that person is fat because they are a pig and never stop eating' but it's not always the case. It's easy to believe the stereotypes and what you see on tv, people stuffing their faces and eating like no tomorrow but the reality is usually much much different. You're pretty much damned if you do and damed if you don't. If you buy 'normal' food they say you eat too much of it. If you buy 'diet' food they say that you're only eating that in public and in reality you stuff yourself at home.... Heard it all.

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Originally Posted by Entropy

My aunt is actually morbidly obese. She has no eating disorders, has been active (she competes in equine endurance races) and eaten healthy all of her life, she eats fast food maybe two or three times a year. She has thyroid issues and is on medication for it, her blood pressure, and cholestoral are great. Why is she morbidly obese? Even her doctor doesn't know.

My sister is also obese. She has always been this way. Once again, she eats fast food a few times a year if that. She's active ( a live in nanny and also trains horses) also has thyroid issues and is careful with her diet.

I have to say going out with them and seeing how people respond and what they whisper... it's easy to say 'oh that person is fat because they are a pig and never stop eating' but it's not always the case. It's easy to believe the stereotypes and what you see on tv, people stuffing their faces and eating like no tomorrow but the reality is usually much much different. You're pretty much damned if you do and damed if you don't. If you buy 'normal' food they say you eat too much of it. If you buy 'diet' food they say that you're only eating that in public and in reality you stuff yourself at home.... Heard it all.

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So where does the weight come from?

I have alot of fat people in my family and they all swear they are "active". When I see them at the family parties they always tell you about the next great diet they are going on while they stuff their face with everything put in front of them.

How is it that we have so many huge people in this country who are so "active" and eat so "healthy"?

Theres a difference between being active and exercising. At work I'm constantly active but don't work up a sweat really or have to catch my breath. For exercise you have to get your heart rate up.

Yes, there are medical conditions that make it extremely difficult to lose weight. I have hypothyroidism as well. I decided to try and lose that last bit of weight (inspired by all you wonderful people on the weightloss thread) and joined a gym. I work out 5 days a week for 1.5 hours a day. (in fact when I missed going this past week while I had the flu, they called to check up on me) I usually do 30 minutes cardio, followed by a class that rotates weight lifting, yoga, pilates, and cardio. I have not lost a single pound in 6 months. :( So yes, weight loss is not all about food and exercise for some.

I find it very hard to judge someone without knowing what they've tried or what they've been through. Not to say that it's not easy to make that sweeping judgement at first glance, but I try not to.

welcome to the rise of socialism the new american liberlism. They believe that they know what is right for everyone and that we are all a bunch of stupid little people who need to be told how to do everything.It started with the smoking bans the roadside manatory checkpoints for sobrity checks,and unless it get's stopped soon it will continue.They are also pushing making it mandatory for resturants to have to use only one type of oil to fry foods in because it's better for everyone. Crime is on the rise and it's not the criminal's fault society made them do it.Ohh and don't think it's not the agenda of both polictial parties they want total contoll of us,Because they know whats best for us.America it's time to wake up this is really just the begging of the end have you read what the patriot act really allows the government to do to us citiziens.I persoanlly believe this country needs a major change in direction and leadership.I would suggest anyone intrested in helpling america return to the ideas of the founding fathers check out the ideas behind the Tri states manifesto.Secondly We the working middle class and the working poor need to look at our intrests and start advocating for canadiates from our social and economic backgrounds the rich arn't looking after our intrest's they are looking after theres. If you don't want to see more laws like this it's time to wake up and become active. There is a statement from the rise of Hitler or about the rise of hilter that goes somthing like this. They asked a Citizen why didn't you step up when they came to take away the jews. He said they wern't like me so I didn't think it was my problem. They asked him why didn't you step up when they came for the Catholics, He again answerd they arn't like me so I didn't think it was my problem. When they came for him he looked around and there was no one to speak up for him. It is rapidly becoming that time hear in the US. So what if someone wants to eat at a fast food joint and is 300 pounds it's their right. A business owner wants to allow smoking in his resutrant then how is it any of our right to tell him what he can or cant do in his establishment, he's put up the capital to run it, it will succed or fail on it's own without gov't interfernce.If you don't like eating in a resturant that has smoking don't eat there your choice. Don't like drinking don't go to a bar there are other places for you to do as you wish but your right to do as you wish ends when it interferes with somone else wish to do as they wish.Yes we need some basic set of laws based on common sense but what america needs to return to is the personal sense of responsiblity that made this country the greatest on the face of the earth. Now it seems that it's never anyone's fault Well where will you be when they come for you.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

If obese people don't recognize that they can't look down and see the tops of their feet, and continue to eat fast food, let them...its only themselves that they are hurting in the end.

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Brad- I agree, I thank God daily that I have big feet so I can still see my toes.
Also, it is not only me who I am hurting...Its me and whoever I fall on..........

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

I think that these people need help - but turning them away at the fast-food counter isn't the way to go about it, they will find a way to get their food.

Food is literally like a drug addiction for some of these people...taking the dealers off the street doesn't curb the demand...

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You don't understand, There is no stronger feeling than a Mac Attack.


In this country, it is more socially acceptable to be a herion junky than a food addict.

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

Yes, there are medical conditions that make it extremely difficult to lose weight. I have hypothyroidism as well. I decided to try and lose that last bit of weight (inspired by all you wonderful people on the weightloss thread) and joined a gym. I work out 5 days a week for 1.5 hours a day. (in fact when I missed going this past week while I had the flu, they called to check up on me) I usually do 30 minutes cardio, followed by a class that rotates weight lifting, yoga, pilates, and cardio. I have not lost a single pound in 6 months. :( So yes, weight loss is not all about food and exercise for some.

I find it very hard to judge someone without knowing what they've tried or what they've been through. Not to say that it's not easy to make that sweeping judgement at first glance, but I try not to.

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i agree with you christie. i tried so many different things to release excess weight in the last 9 years. nothing worked. i went to the gym and worked out 6 days a week for three months... didn't release a pound but did tone up a bit.

it's not easy. when you are overweight your energy level goes way down... then depression and guilt kicks in and then the spiral begins! trust me, every overweight person would LOVE to be thinner. they don't want to be obese or overweight.

as a former obese person... i understand this so well. it took totally changing my life and going 100% raw for me to release the weight. now i go to the gym 6 days a week and haven't released a pound in 2 months... but i am loosing inches.

so please - the next time you see someone overweight, don't add to their guilt and depression by giving them that "look"... instead send out love-filled thoughts and wrap them in understanding and compassion. :hug:

because when i felt horrid about myself... a bag of chips or a chocolate bar became my best friend. at least it took away the sting for a little while (of course the guilt of eating it kicked in shortly after the wrapper was empty of its fix):tears:

How would they decide who is 'too fat'? A friend of mine has sever diabetes and can't help being overweight. It is doubly hard on him because prior to the decline of his health, he was a star athlete. Now some self-righteous politicians want to punish him further? Sheesh.

Just popping in to say that some of your friends/family who seem perfectly fine, active and health/food conscious may not be as okay as they appear. I have binge eating issues--I've had them since I was nine or so. I never got into illegal or prescription drugs or booze, but food was my drug of choice. I've been overweight since the age of 9 and at 14 (after being prescribed Prednisone to treat Ulcerative Colitis and gained a lot of weight fast), I was briefly considered "obese". There are many emotional issues tied into food. Those fortunate people who have never been picked on for being the "fat kid" or ever had to worry about food effecting their weight are often the ones being judgmental.

I got off on a bit of a tangent. What I was meaning to say is, binge eaters are good at hiding it. When I began my serious weight loss journey two years ago, I began digging at why I was fat. I began to talk to my family and friends about it--none of them had any idea that I was a binge eater. When I would binge, I would do it alone--most binge-eaters do. Had a bad day? Milk and an entire bag of oreos would help, or a whole pizza, or half a dozen doughnuts.

Well...it helped briefly, before the guilt and depression over what I'd done sank in. My family and friends never saw me that way, and I was good at hiding the evidence of my binges. No wrappers lying around, no powdered sugar on my clothes. So, while you might think your overweight or obese friends/family are mysteriously overweight, there may be no mystery about it. Binge eaters are guilt-ridden people. We will lie to those we love to hide our shame.

I've managed to lose 30 pounds, but it's taken two years of roller coastering to get there. It's been an emotional struggle, and I didn't have much to lose--50 pounds tops. Many overweight or obese people are facing the possibility of needing to lose 80, 100, 150, 200 pounds. It's frightening to stand where you are and imagine how hard it's going to be to do it. Your insurance company won't help you pay for a gym membership or a few sessions with a personal trainer and nutritionist...but they might pay for gastric bypass (this is a pet peeve of mine). Your insurance company might not even pay for therapy to help you figure out what the emotional causes of your binge-eating are. So even if you do manage to lose some weight, you're in danger of falling prey to the same traps and gaining it all back.

I still have a few pounds to lose to get into the shape I want, and it's still a struggle against my binge-eating tendencies. It isn't an easy thing. Obese and overweight people are often hurt people, depressed people...they need love and maybe some therapy. The last thing they need is a world full of adult people pointing and laughing at them because of their problem.