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So one of my favorite magazines is Utne Reader. (NOTE: the cover above is not from the current issue. I just thought ol' G-Wash drinking a beer was rad). If you're not familiar, first off, you should check it out. It collects lots of really great articles from several really great independently published magazines and puts them in one nearly add free issue every month. They also update their website daily with fresh content as well. It's a great one-shot stop for those who don't have time or money to read 15-20 magazines a month.
Anyhow, this month they featured several articles about American society's obsession with obesity and how it has distorted facts, instigated discrimination, and set up a size-class system in our country that only forces the overweight to "prisons of self loathing."
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(Picture from the article)I could recap the articles, but it is much more rewarding if you read them yourself. C'mon you know you have time at work or late at night when you are up for hours importing even more CDs into your itunes . . . .or is that just me.
So please check them out. Just click on the article titles below. I'm anxious to hear your opinions on what they have to say.
Shame on Us
Love Your Fat Self
The Food Police
I can sympathize with a lot these articles have to say. I've always had my weird share of "fat pride" and while these articles don't foster that approach, they do make me feel connected to my husky brothers and sisters through our connection to this group.
We're this group of people struggling with weight for hundreds of different reasons, each of us connected, but dealing with separate issues as well. We are united in a struggle, one that can only be understood by those who are or have been in our shoes. It is never as simple as "eat better" or "just exercise." And while we get support and encouragement from our non-fat friends we can't help but wonder if they look down on us. "Come on, it's not that hard. Just do it."
It's the battle of a lifetime, one that we fatties are going at mostly alone because society is too far off course.
Wow! Sorry I got all militant on you, internets. Now seriously check out this article about Huey Lewis and some of his biggest fans. It has been my favorite discovery from an Utne Reader. It is brilliant. "Brilliant," I say.
2 comments:
losing weight's a rough thing. i lost about 6 or so clothing sizes my last 2 years in high school. i know you've got a lot further to go, but i know it can be done.
i didn't read the articles because i'm lazy.
but i look up to you, man, not down. you're like a role model to me. and weight's got nothing to do with it.
You know what I'm thinking? I'm thinking that somewhere in this you need a partner/nemesis. Say, someone approximately your size, with a family about the same size who is struggling through the same thing. But, where would we find such a man?
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