Irresponsible "Heavy" People?

[VaughnT]

As a fat man, I do take offense at the title of this thread. There are just as many irresponsible "featherweight" people in this world, and I would argue that there are actually a lot more. It is the arrogance and ignorance of imbecillity that gets people in trouble, not physical ability or the lack thereof.

My job entails a lot of walking and heavy lifting. When I first started with this company (4yrs ago), I weighed 450lbs and could beat anyone in the branch for speed. Today, I'm down to 320lbs and can still out-lift/move anyone I set my mind to.

The ninth of this month marks the end of my first month in a gym. It's the first time in my life that I've joined a gym and I'm having a lot of fun, but I couldn't have handled myself quite well before joining. Mind-power is far more important than firepower or footpower.

Ever notice that the hero in the movie is never obese? They are always the villain, comic relief, or nobody. When's the last time John Goodman saved the world? Obesity is the last physical characteristic that it is perfectly acceptable to hate. Make a joke about someone's race, religion, or sexual preferance and you'll be castigated by society. Be fat and all of society will castigate you.

 

[gburner]

Help

We need to curtail this waste of bandwidth. How's this......

If you're overweight, try to lose a few;
not because you're a pariah in other's eyes, but because it's good for your health and longevity. I'm currently on the zone low carbo diet and hope to make permanent changes in my eating behavior.

If you're fit, try and approach this issue with a little tact and understanding. No one wants to be fat and those of us that are have fought a rather confounding lifelong battle against the extra pounds.

I'm asking the moderators to shut this one down......please.

 

[Dregan]

My 2 cents...

Me = fat.

I know this. I always have been. I always will be. Even if i had 0% body fat, I would still look big. It's simple genetics.

Let me toss some numbers out. At my worst, I weight 443. That's a lot. That was in October. It's now August, and I now weigh 355. That's a loss of 88 pounds (as of Friday.) Go me, it's my birthday...

Here's the thing though. I've always been physically active. I played football and marched in the band (different years) in HS. I got into powerlifting. I could (and probably still can, although I haven't tried lately) leg press a Honda. I fence saber, foil, epee, and kendo (Beorn - wanna see who's faster? I'm always up for the possibilty of getting my butt kicked... ) I also am fairly good with a broad sword, but no ever wants to step to the line when you're holding a 6-foot claymore and say "en gaurd, anyone?"

I've studied several martial arts, from aiki-jitsu and ju-jitsu and most recently, trying to wrap my head around jeet kun do. (what, no forms?!?!) I also run, as in A LOT. I finished my daily four (miles) about 3 hours ago, in fact. I did it today in 39 minutes. And that after having been diagnosed with asthma and with a reconstructed knee...

I've done part time stints as a security gaurd, bouncer, "escort" ( - read unarmed body gaurd, or cannon fodder) and a few other physically demanding roles.

I dunno what my choleterol is, but my BP is usually 115/75 or so. I would have to say that at 25, I'm in the top half or even 40% of the population as far as overall health.

Am i in perfect health? No. Am I able to wipe the smirk off the guy who thinks he's a bad mamma-jamma because he just punched his GF? Yes, and I have. And all 4 of his buddies. Without having to use the knife I had, the OC in the pocket, the rattan sticks by the door, or the (bar owner's) Mossburg under the bar.

My point in this little tirade is that while yes, there are some people who are both fat and irresponsible, there are also people who merely seem that way. Just the same as there are people who are always jerks, and there are people who only come off that way in online forums. What you need to do is look at each person individually, get to know them, walk a mile in their shoes , and then, not judge. It's that last part that throws people off.

Now, I'm going to get off my soapbox, and put it back in the closet.

-D.

 

[JohnBT]

"I'm talking about those who would depend on their CCW in a simple fistfight."

That would probably include my father. Of course he's 81 and weighs 180 and probably couldn't whip anybody's butt like he could when he was just back from the South Pacific in WWII and a State Trooper.

John

 

[Correia]

This thread has outlived its usefullness.