Lindsey and I had a great time in NY. Well, I did. And, while I was there, Lindsey and I discussed how this year, 2006, was going to be THE year of losing weight. We've said this many times before on previous new years, but this time we REALLY mean it. We'll we really hope we mean it.
So, because I'm so into this weight loss I went online to try to find some sort of exercise equipment. Because, let's be realistic, you can't lose weight without exercise...right?
Now, this is the fucked up part. All of the exercise equipment, that's in my price range that is, has a max weight limit of 200lbs. WEIGHT LOSS EQUIPTMENT NOT MADE FOR PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT.
I'll let you marinate in that for a while.
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Our treadmill is only for people up to 250 pounds, but I used it back when I was over 350, so take that as you will.
Wow. I never even considered checking the weight limit on my mom's treadmill that I've been using. Boy, won't everyone be surprised if my fat ass breaks the damn thing.
You have the best exercise equipment already in your possession, and you can start today. Go outside and walk for 15 minutes at your own pace. Walk the mall if you're embarrassed to walk in your neighborhood. Or even walk in place in front of the TV. Start slow, get comfortable with doing just a little everyday and increase your time/pace when you're ready. It doesn't need to be this full on, balls to the wall program. You'll be amazed what just a little activity will do for you.
I think you missed the point, Julie.
The site says L&E are not here to lose the weight, but to win our hearts, but this post says 2006 will be the year of weight loss...so, are we in a transition period?
The gym I exercise at has equipment with an "official" limit of 200 pounds, but I was over that when I started there (I didn't examine the equipment too closely, still working up my courage at that point) and I've seen plenty of people much larger than I was then (I'm short) using it, and nothing's ever broken.
They just don't want you to sue them if it breaks. Besides which, I guess 200 pounds is just a figure they pluck out of the air. I'd be amazed if they carefully engineered it to take 200 pounds and no more!
However you exercise, it's worth it, because after the initial period when you hate it, it makes you feel amazing. At least, that's the way it was for me.
And if you decide to go to the gym, where they *might* have more heavy-duty equipment, guess what you're going to find to wear.
(sound of crickets chirping)
And if you decide to take up swimming (I was 230lb when I started, 5'2") you don't do well in the swimsuit department either. What if I don't want 5yards of ruffles and bulge-control panels trying to make me a shape I'm not? What if all you want is something that covers the relevant bits and keeps them from flopping around too drastically? Because I'm, you know, swimming? Not lounging around on deck for people to look at?
The whole fat people should exercise or else they're lazy, but nobody is going to manufacture anything that would allow fat people to exercise in comfort, thing just pisses me off.
tr1c14-(and anyone else interested)
I came out of lurk mode just to say try Junonia.com. They have very nice, although fairly exspensive, work out wear and bathing suits for the fat girls. And almost fat models.
I see the point, but I think Julie made a good one.
I lost a ton of weight by walking [and eventually, running] around my neighborhood. It's the best cardio there is, and it's FREE.
Good luck, girls!
Um... your blog just sucked up the last hour of my life.
You guys rock, hard.
nothing more nothing less.
Thanks,
from a fat girl
Um, we probably won't do anything regarding exercise or diet...but we like to talk a good game. Thanks for your support though!
I think the issue with Julie's post isn't the content but the tone. It's patronizing. I'm willing to assume that the entire post is well intentioned, but the tone of the post makes it clear that Julie wants to tell the Fatty girls how they should live their lives differently. I don't think they asked for advice.
I don't like "eatingain'tbad"s flippant remark that diabetes arising from being overweight is a "lie" that "they" tell you. As much as I love the good old DNA excuse for my size this is just being a little too eager to pass the blame. Type 1 diabetes is genetic, as the pancreas do not produce or produce too little insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a vicious cycle that begins with having a high caloric intake and the excess body weight that generally goes along with it. Doctors can say you have a predisposition to it but it's not really genetic -- if your parents are overweight and/or diabetic then you probably learned poor eating habits from them.
Diabetes is influenced heavily (no pun intended) by weight, as is heart disease and countless other things. You can only blame DNA so much (as in "very little").
Two things:
1) The reason to exercise isn't weight loss. It's because you will feel better if you exercise. Find what your body likes to do - walk or swim or dance or bike or whatever
2) There's very good evidence for Type 2 diabetes being genetic and, in fact, for the insulin resistance involved in it to *cause* obesity. Studies of twins raised apart show that weight is about 80% genetic, not a matter of bad eating habits. The bad eating habits tend to result from dieting to lose the weight.
Um...can't we all just get along?
Okay, I know we can't, or anyway won't...but the passion and sensitivity that this issue inspires are certainly a fascinating testament to the moral values our culture appends to the issues of size and weight. Even though it's stating the obvious, I'd like to mention that weight isn't connected in any way to morality; being fat is neither bad nor good. (Of course, it's not exactly fun or easy, either.) Diabetes: neither bad nor good nor easy nor fun. We don't have to be ashamed of it; we don't have to blame ourselves (or anybody else) for having it; we don't have to one-up each other on who's the most diabetic or the most informed. And surely it's okay for the authors either to choose to lose some weight or to choose not to; they're not betraying any of us either way.
Have you ever noticed that 'girdles' or 'control panties' don't (at least in Australia) come in sizes over about 20?!
350 pounds:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2216752&cat=0&type=21&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4134%3A56687&xsell=1542671
that's why I bought mine. I love it (as far as I can be said to love any exercise).
Wow! I've never responded to a post before. In fact, I almost never even read blogs. Yours is the only one I've come back to more than once. I have to tell you that your blog is fantastic, funny and entertaining, and so are you. And some of the posts you get in response are great too. But what drove me to write this post is that I can't believe how many people seem to think you're asking for advice! Your topic was hilarious. We've all felt the irony of scales that only go up to 200 lbs. or gyms really only catering to skinny people. It would have been fun to see a lot more responses to your actual topic, rather than some of the self-congratulatory exercise advice. If I've understood your blog correctly, the site is intended to be about the daily giggles and struggles of being fat. I'm with you, girls!
Fattitude
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