fatness

I doubt the anorexic population places the type of strain on our resources that the tens of millions of obese Americans do over the course of their lifetimes.

Originally posted by aquageek I doubt the anorexic population places the type of strain on our resources that the tens of millions of obese Americans do over the course of their lifetimes. "Chet", the original poster is trying to overcome anxiety about being fat, and getting in the water to help do something about it. How is treating that person rudely because they put a strain on our resources going to help get them moving and doing something about it. It is more likely to drive that person to emotional eating, and more problems.

I think it is disgraceful the way overweight people are treated in our society. Yes, I recognize the health issues, but nothing excuses the rudeness & contempt with which the overweight can be treated (even with retail situations!). There have been situations where a 'fat person' has carried a hidden camera & the reaction of apparently 'normal' people to them is shocking. They wouldn't treat their dogs that way. It has nothing to do with the issue of overconsumption, just bad manners. The less we 'buy into' that way of thinking, the less stressed we will be about some extra pounds, the more willing we would be to do something about it in public. And of course, the whole condition of anorexia & related eating disorders is the flip side of the same issues (unhealthy societal fixation on body image), except those who are starving themselves to death gets lots of compliments right up until they're admitted to hospital.

When I shop for clothing they seldom have my size, I look and then ask if they have any men's clothing as all you have here is boy's clothing.

Originally posted by aquageek Conversely, they also place an enormous burden on our society by lost productivity, horrific health issues, etc. Are you talking about fat people or the Mal nourished skinny ones.

My experience has been that you "burn more sugar than you do fat" (Mr. Peirsol said so therefore...) and that my core hasn't changed much. After reaching my second highest weight ever then losing 15 pounds from swimming I threw the scale out. The point is you're moving! You're heart and mind healthy! :)

Squintytwinkie - Please, please, please...I beg of you....try to not let your body image get in the way of getting in the water!! We have all different shapes and sizes at our club - and honestly, when see the "heavier folks" donning a suit and working out, my one thought is "right on!!" That being said....on a personal note - I have lost and gained over 200 pounds in my time. I've been...shall we say, in bartender lingo - on both sides of the wood. I've suffered from a horrible body image since I was a teen and my life has gone something like this: skinny kid, overweight teen, anorexic/bulimic 20 something, neurotic 30 something and finally (and I hope it's not too little, too late!), in my 40s, I have settled down with my body rather than bucking against. Thankfully, I am more than likely in better shape than I was in my 20s! I now believe that food is fuel and helps me swim well. I'm not perfect, but I've learned a lot and putting on a suit is not one of life's easy things to do...but I encourage you, from the bottom of my heart, as someone who's kind of been there, to put on that suit and walk out on that pool deck.... Respectfully, Kari (who is cheering for you in my own corner of the swimming world)

Geek- but 'they' are us, our brothers, sisters, mom, dad, friends & deserve no worse treatment than everyone else. Anorexic people can place similar burdens on the health care system, yet they are frequently treated with compassion, even as victims.

I guess I am lucky I am proud of my body at all times fat and skinny times. I am neither mal nourished or feel oversized. Are you healthy when you are thin it all depends are you healthy when you are large it all depends. I am 6'3" tall weigh 260lbs my waist is 42" my butt is 46" my chest is 52", I have not cost the med system anything except half a knee. I am the way I want to be. If I train hard this year I will weigh in at about 225, which would be 110 lbs lighter than my heaviest weight. Did I feel bad about wearing a speedo when I was 335 - no. I felt the same as I do now. To much money is spent on trying to be thin.

At a moderate pace, a swimmer can burn 60% fat and 40% glucose.