Originally Posted by Gravitas

So THAT is your only redeeming quality? That you go to the gym and have a 32 inch waist? So you do something you HATE because someone arbitrarily sets some standard and you feel compelled to follow it. Or because BigDiet/Pharma (BARFMA) releases marketing campaigns you mistake for real health news because you don't want to do the research on your own. There is mental laziness as well. Your point is worthless to me, I can't respect anyone doing something they HATE just to go along with the crowd. I knew people who joined cults for the same reason!!!!!

Personally, I gave up my car in the interest of global warming! Sometimes walking in the rain and public transportation can be living hell, but I don't HATE it. I am proud to be able to make a real sacrifice for future generations. I also find ways to look at the positive and the advantages in not having a car.

I am a sociologist who has been researching the stigma of fat for over two decades. I don't write and post for the sake of the above posters. There are two reasons someone is a fat bigot. One, they are making money off of it. Two, they lack self esteem and a sense of accomplishment, so their weight is the only thing they have to gloat about. Either way, they are no more going to stop me from activism than a few flies will stop me from the beauty of nature. I post because weight obsession is ruining our society. It is a way billions go from the middle class to the richest people each year. It distracts us from important issues, and it allows us to be manipulated by guilt. I post for those who are intelligent enough to see through the b.s. or those just plain sick of the obsession.

"Weight obsession is a social disease. If we cared more about CO2 than BMI there would still be time."