weight gain, my perspective..long

[Guest guest]

If over the last few days I have offended anyone I apologize. I

certainly did not mean to do that. I of all people cannot tell anyone

anything about weight gain. Before my tumor was discovered I gained

127 pounds in one year. I am now at my heaviest ever, including

pregnancies and I weigh 280. The doctors are thrilled to still see

me under 300. As most of you know, I was told I would never be

skinny again and that has proved true.

I do agree that a person must watch what they eat, but that watching

does not mean there will be weight loss or even stability. There are

alot of factors involved. What you eat is only a very small portion

of it. Metabolism, the med's you take, exercise, genetics, and even

mental health play a roll in what we weigh,as does the weather and

many other factors scientists are just now getting around to figuring

out.

I, like those of you who are heavy, get very tired of everyone

looking when we go through a buffet line as if eating to much caused

the weight gain. (Do you realize it is only in the century that we

live in that women are supposed to be skinny?) In some countries

today heavy people are still revered.

I get tired of hairdressers giving all heavy people the same haircut

and it is only in the last 2 years or so that a heavy person could

even find clothes that were not a tent shape.

I do good if I can walk into a store to get on a cart, somedays I

don't get off the couch or out of the bed. Walking for exercise is

impossible for me as it is for many others. I have not always been

like this, infact I used to jog at least 5 miles a day, but I am this

way and I believe actually I am a better person because I do not base

my relationships on what people look like or how much money they

earn. I like genuine people. Not that skinny people, or good

looking people or even rich people are not genuine, but you surely

understand what I mean.

I personaly beleive that today's culture has put entirely to much

emphasis on weight. As I tell my kids what a person is like is so

much more than how they look.

I said all of that to say, do your best to take care of the body you

have, if you have done your best, who cares what others say? If you

have a body that requires med's then take them and have a quality of

life that you need. If you are heavy, as me, do what you have to do

to have a wonderful life.

My one son is a mortician and he tells me once a heavy person dies

they are so much easier to get ready to be viewed as they do not look

sickly like skinny people, so some day this extra weight will be a

blessing! Until then, look me up if ever in Kansas and we will go

give them something to stare at at our local buffet! Gwen

[Guest guest]

Gwen,

We are just round people while the rest of them are square

Heck, I've been a model - a photographer's face model and I weighed, at

the time, around 190.

Your son's viewpoint is hilarious. I do have a dark sense of humor at

times (does he watch 'Six Feet Under'? I'd love to know what an actual

mortician thinks of the show)..

>

> My one son is a mortician and he tells me once a heavy person dies

> they are so much easier to get ready to be viewed as they do not look

> sickly like skinny people, so some day this extra weight will be a

> blessing! Until then, look me up if ever in Kansas and we will go

> give them something to stare at at our local buffet! Gwen

Blessings,

Liz

[Guest guest]

Gwen,

It's obvious you have your priority's in order. Well said. I do wish

our culture was more open-minded to the differences among us all.

My boyfriend is guilty of judging people overweight. When I noticed

this when we began dating I made sure to make clear my feelings of

how offensive his opinions were. My mother and best friend are not

exactly thin people. My mother could eat better but her health is in

pretty good condition. She is heavy but she has great cholesterol.

My best friend probably eats better than I do and regularly

exercises but she is a big girl. I don't think this makes her any

less pretty or a great person and friend!

Your email has inspired me to explain to my boyfriend in more detail

why his opinions are offensive and that not all heavier people are

just " lazy " . I am 5'4 " and 129 but I have fibromyalgia and take

medications. I can't exercise like I would like to. If my metabolism

drops as it is sure to one day I may be in the same spot many here

are -just doing the best we can.

You have a great outlook Gwen. Compassion is an admirable quality in

people.

If I'm ever in Kansas I would definitely join you at the buffet!

" Gwen Oldenettel " wrote:

> I personaly beleive that today's culture has put entirely to much

emphasis on weight. As I tell my kids what a person is like is so

much more than how they look.

I said all of that to say, do your best to take care of the body you

have, if you have done your best, who cares what others say?

Until then, look me up if ever in Kansas and we will go

> give them something to stare at at our local buffet! Gwen