Lululemon and the Fat Acceptance Movement Part 2

This is part two of the posts, which explains why there is almost no mention of Lululemon. I suggest reading the earlier post below (and the disclaimer) before you dive into this one.

I've never been sure of what to make of the so-called Fat Acceptance Movement. To me, it's very much a two-sided issue. Obviously, making someone feel bad about their appearance is never going to help them, and will almost always hurt. There are often psychological issues involved in weight gain, and some people are naturally bigger than others. On the other hand, numerous studies have shown we are way heavier than we were a couple decades ago, suggesting genetics is not the sole problem--and in most cases, it isn't even the major one.

What bothers me about the Fat Power gang is that their movement is based on a couple premises that I think are either untrue or just oversimplifications: that "diets don't work" and that health is independent of weight.

While I agree that "dieting" is not a good way to improve one's health (because it is, by definition, a temporary state, and often depraving), a healthy diet (one that minimizes processed/restaurant foods) absolutely will. You may not lose all of the weight you would like to, but you will certainly feel a lot better, especially if combined with exercise. And no, weight is not an absolute indicator of health. But being overweight absolutely does increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain cancers.

One thing I do agree with the Fat Acceptance Movement on is that overweight and obese people do face discrimination. They are invariably judged and frequently ridiculed. I consider myself quite sensitive about these issues and I still admit that I'll probably never meet an overweight person and have it not affect my view of them at least slightly.

And while I judge almost everyone at the grocery store for buying foodstuffs rather than actual food, I judge overweight people extra hard. This is absolutely not fair because no one should eat a potato chip, even though I sometimes do. I wish I could change that (and I've mostly done so consciously, but unconsciously, I think almost everyone has this in their nature. I blame television.).

As far as health being independent from weight goes and the societal perceptions of weight, I don't want to speak in generalizations, because that's almost certain to bother someone. But I can speak to my personal experiences with weight gain/loss.

Back in high school, I used to be a fast food junkie. I worked at Pizza Hut, ate out at McDonald's, Taco Bell or Wendy's at least four times a week, and I drank a significant amount of pop. I ate, basically, the worst diet one could imagine--and not one person in my life seemed to question this. Meanwhile, I was going from a fairly skinny kid in Grade 10 to a downright bulky kid in Grade 12 and the couple years beyond. Sure, my dad would offhandedly mention something about exercising more, but there was no serious discussion of my weight or lifestyle by anyone. I remember one time when I was doing one of those 6k runs in gym class. I partnered up with a smoker thinking I would be able to at least keep up with him. I could not, and had to stop running about halfway through.

After high school, when I was in my early twenties, I decided to transition into vegetarianism--and later veganism. Since this was combined with moving towards healthier living and eating, I lost about 50lbs and I now reside in the ideal BMI range for my age (I'm actually in the section that suggests longevity, according to some). I've always had a skinny build so I'm aware it was probably easier for me than most, but it certainly took a lot of work, health and education--and about four years' time. But the funny part is is that it's now people question the healthfulness of my lifestyle--since I don't eat meat, eggs, dairy or any other animal products. In general, I have the most energy I've ever had and I'm in the best shape I've ever been in.

While this is somewhat of a microcosm, I think it illustrates the following:
a) People don't question shitty food choices; only weird food choices
b) It's really easy to be unhealthy in our society, but we have to try to be healthy
c) Healthy living can (and I think the Biggest Loser proves it almost certainly will) have an impact on weight. It may not be the impact you want, but it certainly will have an impact.

While making someone feel bad is never the answer, are we not at least somewhat responsible for the health of the people in our lives?