I choose to be a F.A.T.T.I.E.

Wouldn't it be nice if all the little white lies and partial truths that people tell us to avoid hurting our feelings were true?

You're not fat....You're just big boned.

 

No...those jeans don't make your butt look big

 

You're beautiful on the inside...thats what counts.

 

How many of us have heard any of these or perhaps said similar things to others?  I know I've heard them most of my life.  Yes, the people telling me these things were being polite.  They were being nice.  Unlike the people on the other side of the spectrum that delight in being cruel or hurtful.  The ones that take pride in tearing others down to make themselves feel more significant.  

In the end though, neither of them are very good for us in the long run.  The cruel jerks beat down on our self esteem and make us feel worthless or at the very least cause us to shed a few tears.  The friends however, in my opinion, are doing more damage.  By giving us the perception that we are far better off than what we actually are, we become complacent in regards to what we need to do.  Our "friends" wouldn't lie to us?  Truth is though, we are lying to ourselves if we accept the kind words because they are more comforting. 

Facts are facts. 

Any medical professional will tell you that men and women alike have definite height to weight ratios.  If you fall too far above, or too far below, that ratio....you're unhealthy. Sure, you may feel fine.   At your last check up, your cholesterol was good.  Your blood pressure was perfect.  All in all you were in good shape.  Ok, so you've gained some weight.  It's not a big deal , you'll lose it eventually right?  Here's the question though.  How do you plan on losing it?  When do you plan on losing it?

I have been overweight my entire life.  I was never happy with that fact but at the same time, I was never in any hurry to remedy it.  As the years went by, I slowly packed on the pounds and before I knew it, the scale was peaking at 320.  Not only that, I was in the early stages of Type II Diabetes.  Whoa!!!  How did that happen?  I've always had low blood pressure.  My cholesterol is perfect.  I've "dieted".  I was even on the High School Fencing team...way back when,  How did I end up over 300 pounds and diabetic? 

The answer is simple.  I ignored the truth.  No...I am not 'Big-Boned'  Yes...my butt made those pants look small.  And although I am beautiful on the inside, my outside needed alot of work.
I was in denial all my life.  Even though down deep I knew I was fat, I would rather be told the polite white lies than hear the truth from the ones close to me.  Their opinions are what matter, not the jerk that gets off on yelling 'Hey Fatso'.  It's the people who we admire and respect that need to be straight with us.  We need the cold splash of reality thrown in our face.  We need to act now before we wake up one day over 300 pounds and diabetic...or before we wake up in a hospital bed....or before we don't wake up at all. 

I've set myself on the road to a healthier reality.  I weigh less now than I did 15 years ago and my diabetes is currently dormant.  Although I still have quite a way to go before I fall back into my proper ratio, I'm determined to get there.  And when I do, I'll no longer be fat....but I will ALWAYS be a F.A.T.T.I.E.