Are We A Society Of Fatists?

Weights can hold us down, but can our weight hold us back? Size, Size, EVERYWHERE a Size, taking up my jeans and breakin' my mind! Have we become a society of Fatists?

For a huge majority of the population our weight is a constant battle. We battle if we're skinny and want to stay skinny. We battle if we're fat and want to lose weight. Plus Size Babes battle against the "skinny" girl getting "the" jobs, "the" men, "the" wannabe bodies; and the Pencil Princess's battle if they're "too skinny", not curvy enough, or feeling like they're stuck in a kids' body...

I'm personally somewhere between a size 12-14. I'm 5'4" and considered Obese. Not pleasantly plump, not Rubanesque, not even big-boned. Clinically I'm type two Obesity. I work out about four times a week, and have been on Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Proenzii, Hydrocycut, Thermogenics, Euphendrine & Caffeine pills, you name it I've done it. The only time I was a size 9 was when I was on diet pills and drinking five cups of coffee and smoking a pack a day... highly unhealthy. But I was SKINNY!

I think its funny: We've become a society of Fatists, and the new minority is the plus size.

To prove my point, there was a woman at my old place of employment who had worked there for over four years. She had a corner cube, she was motivated, extremely smart, yet never really got promoted. Two years ago, she went on Weight Watchers and lost over 80 pounds and got a promotion. Coincidence? I think not! Especially because two other employees were inspired by her success and took her lead - they each lost over 30 pounds, and suddenly they, too, were promoted!

I recently went to an agency, which was excited to meet with me. But when they saw that I was shorter and over a size 10, they said people who advertise products don't want the population to think that their products caused weight gain. I was told I had a pretty face and jaw structure, and to come back when I was a size 8. Hmmm.... gee, thanks for your honesty.

But not only were my curves effecting my career - they were affecting my relationships as well. Two guys I dated last year didn't exactly make me feel the greatest.

In one case, I was getting in my grove with my honey, and suddenly he whispers "man I love fat chicks." To which I responded, "P.H." as in "P.h.a.t."? (Pretty Hot And Tempting)

He shook his head and was like, "no, Fat chicks... you guys are so much more appreciative, can I squish your jelly?" Needless to say, I felt like smacking him, but I didn't. I just left and dumped him. Then there was the trainer I dated. One night whilst in the throes of a sexy romp he says to me, "I love the thickness of your thighs, but if you gain any more weight ,I'll have to dump you." I was livid! Out of respect for myself, I dumped him!

I recently have been attending classes almost daily at Flirty Girl Fitness in Toronto. I do Yoga, Pilates and Weight Classes. It's a great way to stay fit, it's an all girls facility so I don't feel weird, and they teach you how to love your body, stay healthy and have fun. I've never felt that size is an issue there with them. With me a bit, because I still feel like the biggest girl there. But regardless, I won't be forever.

Ultimately, I've come to the conclusion that it's not the "weight" that holds us back, it's the stigma attached to it. I used to hear friends of mine go, "Oh it's because I'm black" and that's what was holding them back. So I started saying, "Oh it's because I'm fat" and that's what's holding me back!

Sounds ridiculous doesn't it?

I'm slowly learning that the only thing that holds us back is ourselves... If you don't believe in the stereotype, then break it.

Marilyn Monroe broke the mold, and not because she weighed too much, but because she had beautiful curves, she wanted to be loved, and she knew she was meant for more then just cooking and cleaning for her husband! So are we a society of Fatists? Or is it just in our minds?