Fat Camp on MTV

[kirk26]

yeah i know it not just amrika but you'll find that the 90% of ppl who cry about it are amerikan and i'd like to say to them

LIVEING MOTHERF*****ER DO YOU DO IT?

Oops, forgot to add yuri to my ignore list. Updated!

[apollos]

I used to be pretty huge (as a result of lack of self discipline at first) but I resorted to what I knew best (eating) when people used to tease me so it made it harder if anything to lose weight... until I got to the point I couldn't take anymore and jumped to the extreme of being anorexic. I've been up and down like a yoyo but the last year I've managed to stay quite fit and I've slimmed down quite a lot and go to the gym regularly.

Being fat was a huge insecurity, and when I lost the weight and got the attention of others, the ability to feel a bit of self worth I prostituted myself down town all the time to maintain the fragile belief I was worth something.

It is the sad state of society to laugh at other people who are easily targetted minorities... I guess it's even sadder when the real reason people go out of their way to mock others is because they too have insecurities they want to mask so badly and not let anybody else see... that they will make the world burn around them to show other people's issues before their own.

It's sad... I guess I don't get angry at people who mock fat people or those who do not... my opinion of whether it's good or not rests in the middle... ridicule is never good as it only re-enforces issues within people... though persuasion and support into realising a healthier lifestlye is ultimately rewarding for someone who finds it a difficulty to get up the stairs without being out of breath.

I've sene glimpses of fat club or whatever it is, but I don't watch TV, most of it is trash dumbing down an already dumb population that seems to lack the ability to think for itself before turning to others for reassurance and even opinions... but once again, I pity those who feel the need to make such programs... both gloating you are fit and healthy, mocking fat people, as well as being severly lost in depression and a feeling of worthlessness with the unhealthiness of obesety are sad things... both extremes just as bad and in just as much need to be tackled.

As for people above calling others ######'s... is their a point? Other than relieving anger and making other people grin that they've managed to **** you off... what's the point? People believe what they do for reasons... no matter how harsh or angelic they sound, I'm sure every last person who has said what they have on this thread has a conviction in the truth of their belief... don't shout at them, understand them and offer help.

Anyway, rant over, goodday all.

[Yorak]

It is the sad state of society to laugh at other people who are easily targetted minorities... I guess it's even sadder when the real reason people go out of their way to mock others is because they too have insecurities they want to mask so badly and not let anybody else see... that they will make the world burn around them to show other people's issues before their own.

You know I've never thought about it that way. But now I do get your point. I admit, I have a handful of insecurities and I sometimes take it out on others whom I feel stand out more than I do. I've been trying my best not to act this way. I was watching TLC and there was this 500 lbs. woman getting her stomach stapled. I thought OMG people like that don't deserve to look good again if they've done this to themselves. But then she said obesity ran in the family and had some type of disease where her body gained more body fat than normal people. So it's not always self negligence. And even if it is, and as I should also realize...people make mistakes. I do. Everyone does. That doesn't mean you should be an outcast and be unequal to others. Come on now people...

[apollos]

And even if it is, and as I should also realize...people make mistakes. I do. Everyone does. That doesn't mean you should be an outcast and be unequal to others. Come on now people...

Totally, even somebody who could be mocked as being self righteous by posting something like the post I did above is riddled with issues. I admit I am, if it's normal and everybody has issues then sure, it makes sense to help each other realise them so we can tackle our own issues too.

The example you said about the 500lb woman, sure, I did the same thing after I lost weight. It seemed that just because I'd lost that weight, I felt I was able to mock her and look down on her. But why? I am only looking down on the person I was yesterday... who wholly is the result of who I am today!

It's a shame though we've come to a stage where we fail to create our own attitudes and opinions in fear of being mocked and rejected from social circles (cause let's face it, no man is an island... we all sell ourselves out either a lot or a bit from time to time to feel and be accepted)... it's much easier to live by the premise "ignorance is bliss"... but then again, if this is true... how can we separate ourselves from animals? If we react in the way society and the media can tell us (i.e. fat is horrible, being Paris Hilton or somebody muscular)... then we are no different from animals, mindlessly following the herd... whatever we believe is automatically right because everybody else said so.

[edit] sorry for being offtopic... but does anybody know first of all if I can without re-registering, change ,my username, and if so, who to task? Secondly... what is with the warning thing under my name? Is that because I am a newbie post wise? Thanks, if you could PM me please, don't wanna de-rail the topic!

Edited February 19, 2006 by apollos

[DanManIt]

I admit that I do look down upon over weight people because not only did they cause this problem on to themselves (for the most part), but if they really wanted to get in shape or at least loose some weight they could.

They choose to be fat and do nothing about it. Now as for calling them names and making fun of them I don't do that and I don't think anyone should do it but sometimes I wonder how getting riddiculed on a daily bases isn't enough motivation to try to overcome their weight problem.

[apollos]

I admit that I do look down upon over weight people because not only did they cause this problem on to themselves (for the most part), but if they really wanted to get in shape or at least loose some weight they could.

As valid a a point as it might be I have a question. Has there ever been in a time in your life where you have been frustrated because you have really wanted to do something for yourself but you have felt (at the time anyway) that it was like trying to knock down a mountain? Have you ever felt defeated? If yes to any of the above... then surely, is it not a little harsh to look down on overweight people who have the ability... just as you might have if you have ever felt defeated, to 'do something about it'?

Just because you will something to be done, and may be fully physically capable of sorting it out it does not mean by a long shot that you can 'just do it'. What about the person who is overly shy and overly paranoid and can't be out with a lot of people without feeling anxious and stupid? Can he just 'sort it out' or might there be a little more to the situation than categorising the people as 'irrational' or 'fully able bodied' to change. Anybody who has suffered depression or ever felt defeated surely must be able to relate with the painful difficulty it is to change a life habit (because that's what being overweight is largely about to)... it's a comfort thing, a life style, just as maybe the trap you put yourself into by being quick to judge others and look down upon them because you are not in their situation.

Please do not see this post as an attack on you, I respect where you are coming from totally and would be a hypocrite to say I have not said the same thing... but do you not ever wonder that... y'know, we could be a little harsh and unforgiving ourselves too?

[LOC Veteran]

Thank you to those in this thread that understand, or at least know what I was talking about. I don't know why I even commented in this thread to begin with, I guess it's because at one point I was 400 lbs myself and these sorts of views just really tick me off beyond belief.

It's views like some of those in this thread, that drive people like me to take a literally, deadly choice to have surgery to fix the issue of weight in their lives. I took the risk and won (for the most part). I dropped down to about 215 lbs thanks to the surgery and feeling better about myself. Of course now I've gained some of the weight back, since the surgery isn't a cure, only a tool to help me lose weight. But I'm in control over my weight now, unlike before.

[DanManIt]

As valid a a point as it might be I have a question. Has there ever been in a time in your life where you have been frustrated because you have really wanted to do something for yourself but you have felt (at the time anyway) that it was like trying to knock down a mountain? Have you ever felt defeated? If yes to any of the above... then surely, is it not a little harsh to look down on overweight people who have the ability... just as you might have if you have ever felt defeated, to 'do something about it'?

Just because you will something to be done, and may be fully physically capable of sorting it out it does not mean by a long shot that you can 'just do it'. What about the person who is overly shy and overly paranoid and can't be out with a lot of people without feeling anxious and stupid? Can he just 'sort it out' or might there be a little more to the situation than categorising the people as 'irrational' or 'fully able bodied' to change. Anybody who has suffered depression or ever felt defeated surely must be able to relate with the painful difficulty it is to change a life habit (because that's what being overweight is largely about to)... it's a comfort thing, a life style, just as maybe the trap you put yourself into by being quick to judge others and look down upon them because you are not in their situation.

Please do not see this post as an attack on you, I respect where you are coming from totally and would be a hypocrite to say I have not said the same thing... but do you not ever wonder that... y'know, we could be a little harsh and unforgiving ourselves too?

I guess you could say I look down upon them more for not having the willpower to lose weight more than the fact of them being fat. I understand that you say they are uncomfortable with change, but I think when something that is dangerous to their health they should change it even if they don't want to. But then again my opinion is somewhat biased because I try to stay as healthy and fit as I can.

[Smigit]

Shows like this I find pretty disgusting to be honest. Yeah perhaps it will have its funny moment or 2 but I would also find a thin guy lieing about sneaking out for food funny too. The weight thing there really wouldnt be a factor in that situation.

Anyway yeah, I find it sad that people can let themselves get like this but then again it's not always as easy for an obese person to just say "ok i should go on a diet" like some people seem to believe. I certainly dont see how rediculing them helps, all that will do is drive them into a state of depression where they no longer care about their self worth and most likely would eat more or at least not have the motivation to want to change anything. The right way to help them would be to encourage your sister/friends to loose weight by sending a postive message. Heck perhaps if you flat with them you could cook the dinner or go on jogs or play some games with some friends or something. Just ideas, but putting people down and thinking they will then change is totally wrong.

Also some people said obese people deserve the redicule. I'm sorry but I can't buy that. SOmeone deserves to be called a fat ****** because they eat more than someone else? Give me a break and grow up. These arent bad people and do you think your perfect physically (and more important intelectually as if your mocking people over their weight then clearly you have issues too)

Personally I'm actually close to underweight if not under according to the BMI index. I eat as much as the next person, infact I eat alot of junk in that (not all but and I love my stir frys ect) and I never really put on much weight. I believe it's more to do with my metabolism than anything and in the future I may have to pay closer attention to what I eat. I reckon if I worked out and gained some muscle I'd prob gain a few Kg's too, but I've never been that interested in working out but and I don't think i really am at a stage where I would need to. I guess the point is that it's pretty easy for me to see that if theres people like me that can eat whatever they like and never put on a KG then the opposite where people dont eat alot or just an ordinary amount and put the entire lot on is just as likely. However society prefers thin people so I have never been rediculed over being thin and am luck for it, the obese people unfortunatly do.

[MadFerIt]

It's nice to see that kindness has overthrown any discrimination in this thread. :). Btw just to let you guys know I'm chubby. Not really overweight (though of course that depends on someone's opinion). However I've also suffered from severe depression which has been the main source of my inactivity.

Everyone has their reasons for being overweight.. Whether it's some form of disease or family gene's.. Perhaps it's someone with a very low metabolism who just can't seem to overcome those physical restrictions.

Is there individuals who are just plain lazy and deserve to be called "Fatass"? Sure! There definetly is. But how the hell can you know that by just looking at someone? You don't know them, you don't know their story. To judge someone prematurely without real thought is the same type of human stupidity that has allowed things such as racism and other forms of discrimination to live on in this world.

[kombolcha]

There are many other factors that cause someone to be overweight.

Which, other than self-negligence?

perhaps a dysfunctional hypo-thalamus gland? one of a few reasons..

otherwise i make fun of fat people... family included, they all get the same amount of verbal beatings.. not to their faces though.. i find fat people sorry and highly comical.. days i see my sister start eating too much i tell her that her gut is hanging out and she's got ###### on her back and sometimes grab that bit of fat on her arm.. that seems to make girls very self conscience about their body..

she'll reply with something like.. oh i'm fat, i'm gonna go kill myself.. and i say, ok, make sure you watch true life first, then post a bulletin on myspace before you do it..

imo i'd say about 90% of the fat people are fat because they just eat to damn much.. and don't excercise.. wtf is up with that..

my cousin's got bigger boobs than some girls i know.. that there is just really sad..

who sucks who's titty - "The Nutty Professor", dave chappelle

[LOC Veteran]

Wow, you are a terrific brother and human being my friend.

[kombolcha]

Wow, you are a terrific brother and human being my friend.

thanks..

i'm just trying to teach my sister not to buy into the seventeen magazine bull**** and MTV bull****.. that her "friends" in high school are really not her friends and will not be there for her when she needs it.. which she has already learned the hard way..

i told her she had to be smarter than everyone and be something instead of wasting time with high school drama.. how fortunate she is to have all the things she has (not to become an emo) how she needs to take advantage of everything she's got and to learn from my mistakes.. etc.. etc..

now she's the student body president! though i make fun of her about that too.. its all good.

so ya.. i think i'm an excellent brother.

[film_girl]

I caught this show this morning, and was actually impressed that it was less exploitative than I would have imagined. Its focus was really more on the social organism of the camp rather than any real "weight loss" stories of triumph or failure. And I guess, really, the social benefits of going to a camp like that probably outweigh any physical or medical benefits for the campers themselves. What is most interesting (though hardly surprising), is how similar social-norms/problems/dramatics/histrionics were at the camp as compared to a regular teenage social situation, ie. high school. Just because all the kids shared a common goal: losing weight, doesn't mean that they don't pull the same sort of **** on one another and have the same set of judgments, jealousies and petty-outbursts that you would find in any other social setting. I mean, you could have profiled drama camp or cheerleading camp and had basically the same set of storylines and characters. Whether or not this helps/hurts "fat acceptance" can be debated, but really, I'm tired of the whole "fat acceptance" argument anyway.

While overweight people may still be subject to scorn/ridicule in their daily lives, in America anyway, it is much less socially acceptable to make a joke about someone being fat than it is to make a joke about someone being anorexic. I'm not saying the jokes don't happen - but it is much harder to find people willing to call overweight people "fatass" to their face than it is to find someone call a thin person "Mary-Kate Olsen." Now, to be fair, I say all this as someone who is considered by BMI standards (which are woefully inaccurate, I mean BMI assumes every body-type is the same which is just untrue) to be anorexic. Nevermind the fact that I am not anorexic (and never have been), but because I'm 5'5 and weigh just under 100 lbs, I suddenly become Kate Moss according to a set of standards. Truthfully, I'd much rather be thin than fat -- I'm not arguing that -- but thin people get made fun of too (especially women), and usually more to their faces and by people in more authoritative positions. For instance, I could never see a teacher or college professor tell one of their overweight students to "go on a diet," but I was subjected to the "too thin/anorexic/gaunt" comments by teachers throughout high school and even last week by one of my college professors.

Having said that, I have never made a fat-joke to an overweight person or judged anyone negatively because of their weight. ****, my dad is overweight (although in his case - it IS his fault -- he was very athletic and let his body go, thus he converted muscle into fat), as are some of my best female friends. I'm the weight that I am because of genes and hormones/metabolism. Just as many people are pre-dispositioned to be overweight, I'm pre-dispositioned to be thin.

What it comes down to is that anyone can be made fun of for anything. The purpose of this program, title aside, was not to ridicule, judge or even enlighten people about what it is like to be overweight - it was simply an overview of what summer camp (albeit, camp for people trying to lose weight) is like. Like I said, you could have basically the same program if you profiled a sports camp or arts camp instead.

[h3xis]

vice king, you're my new hero.

[randomuser532]

I do not feel bad for fat people.

I exercise every day and eat very healthily. I've spent an overly huge portion of my life staying in shape (14-15 hours a week, every week). I could have been watching TV, eating junk food, or playing video games (and I would have probably enjoyed it more) but I chose to go outside, go to the gym, fight through the pain, and burn my muscles so I could lead a more productive life and have the energy to do the things that matter the most to me. People make fun of me all the time because I order salads at fast food restaurants, because I cannot play Halo 2, because I can't name a desperate housewife, and because sometimes I don't go out and party because I need to take my evening run. It goes both ways.

I feel that overweight people lead subpar lives because they simply cannot do things that they would be capable of otherwise if they were in shape.

I've wrenched my own neck sometimes trying to get myself to go to the gym because I was simply not in the mood, but my self-motivation has never failed me. Not surprisingly, this self-motivation helps me in every other aspect of life.

I've earned the right to make my own decisions about people who lack self-motivation, self-respect, and self-decency. There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing a new, overweight member at my gym. I know that their motivation to get healthy probably even surpasses my own, and, as many commercials and TV programs would not have you believe, a good number of these people meet or exceed their goals.