The Fat Debate

Let's get this out on the table being skinny does not mean one is healthy and neither is being fat, overweight or obese. Lately there has been a resurgence on the topic of being overweight and the health implications. Over the years, studies have linked various diseases to being overweight or obese. Yet somehow, another study comes out to contradict the reports on being overweight or obese suggesting that it is okay to be fat and healthy. These mixed messages can really confuse or create the perfect pass for those who are struggling to accept their excess weight.

In fact, many celebrities who proudly announced that they are fat and fabulous have at some point worked on losing weight. Oprah, Carnie Wilson, Ricki Lake and Star Jones initially declared how proud and confident they were of being big. Queen Latifah enjoyed her body, Comedian Monique wrote a book Skinny Women Are Evil,hosted a show for fat models and starred in movies that confidently portrayed her character.

Furthermore, super model Tyra Banks wore a bathing suit and told her live audience as well as the television viewers how proud she was of every cellulite, dimple, curve on her body and ended with a smack to the hip and telling those who did not like it to kiss her fat @$$. Meanwhile, Tyra hosted America's Top Model show where she criticized the thin models who gained a pound or two. Well shortly after these declarations, these same proud to be "thick, women with curves" celebrities all worked on losing weight. They explained that they felt it was important to improve on their health and wellness - losing the weight included surgical intervention, signing up as a weight loss program spokesperson, dieting, etc.

There are many sites that celebrates big women, model agencies developed to accommodate the increasing demands for representation of the growing population. They stand up against discrimination and protest on seats being too small on trains,buses, airplanes and restaurants. Obviously, this is more about the embarrassment of it all. Getting to the point of the topic, being fat, overweight or obese takes a toll on the body. No matter how confident you feel about your looks, the internal system is not as confident. As fat settles in, one can develop diabetes,stroke, heart disease and even cancer.

Most importantly, one who is overweight knows it when they find that walking up the stairs can be an incredible task. Not only are they out of breath, they also experience problems with their knees, swollen ankles among other weight related stress on the body. Your body sends you the signals to warn you that all is not right on the inside.

Keeping one's weight within the guidelines for health control can be quite a challenge - one that is worth it.

Begin with Small Steps