Disclaimer: All the opinions below are mine, and no offence to anyone is intended. Information provided for in this blog post are according to my personal experiences and knowledge.
So here are my 2 cents thoughts ^^
Main reasons compelling people to lose weight
Number 1: Beauty and Society & the MEDIA.
I feel that the media plays a huge huge role in this issue. The media makes us perceive from young that skinnier = more attractive.
Yup, it is just a perception. Why is it that people in Africa think that women with big frames are more beautiful? PERCEPTION. Thus, the same reason applies with people in our society.
Some people might feel that they gotta fit in to the crowd by being slimmer to be accepted and loved by their close ones or the society as a whole.
Number 2: Health reasons
Being obese increases the risk of heart diseases, hypertension and diabetes. Thus people try to lose weight for health purposes to decrease the risk and keep fit.
A Common Misconception of Losing Weight
Basically, for losing weight, you must shed kilograms and keep it off.
But most people fail to realise that the problem with some diet plans or weight loss products/services is that even IF it MIGHT help shed many kilograms, there is a bounce-back effect. Meaning that weight creeps back after losing it. However, the focus with losing weight is instead the shedding of the number of kilograms within how many months.
Thus, it is essential to draft out a diet plan or weight loss plan where it would effectively shed the pounds and keep it off.
How to lose weight
For me, perhaps my greatest weight loss achievement was in secondary 2 when I lost 12 kg in 4 months.
This was done by:
-Dieting
Not eating any carbohydrates at all at the first month, and then
introducing carbs back into the diet but VERY LITTLE
(This helps to stabilize the sugar levels in the blood, and helps to reduce
cravings for sugary and carbohydrates).
-Exercising 5 times per week
-Right Mindset
This is by having a very clear goal to work towards, and considerable
amounts of determination
(For me,it was a very long story.But basically I did it for chinese dance).
Above all the slimming centres and weight loss products, I still believe that cutting your intake and increasing physical activity is the key to losing weight.
There is simply no other way, other than the slow and hard way.
Why lose weight for acceptance? Dont !
As mentioned earlier, sometimes people lose weight to be accepted by their loved ones and the society..
While it's not wrong to WANT and NEED to be accepted because it's a humanly need, it would do a huge amount of injustice to oneself to lose weight solely to gain the approval of others.
Embrace yourself. love yourself
regardless, I repeat, regardless, of your weight.
Losing weight for health VS Losing weight for beauty
In my opinion, it's also not completely WRONG for people, especially women, to lose weight for beauty and I have completely no issues with losing weight for health.
Losing weight for beauty is O.K. because every woman desires to be beautiful, to be cherished, to be held and loved.
If it makes one happier, GO AHEAD and lose weight ! No one's stopping you :)
However, this is very very key that one would ask themselves:
Would you still accept yourself if you're chubby rather than skinny?
One should always accept oneself and hold oneself in esteem, regardless of weight, race, or nationality. This is self esteem and unconditional love.
Also, I find losing weight for health a more valid reason than beauty. This is because losing weight for health emphasizes on a long term commitment, but sometimes losing weight for beauty emphasizes on a "quick fix".
Why it is wrong to call people fat
Many overweight and obese people have suffered considerable amount of insults due to their weight.
I will be just citing one of the commonly used words slurred at these people:
"FAT" - This word has a negative connotation. It is to call an overweight/obese person, overweight AND unattractive.
People who label overweight/obese people with such words not only show a lack of empathy, but are also judgmental towards them.
You see, we all know about racial discrimination.
But there's also discrimination against overweight people.
Yes, the truth is all of us judge.
Yes, the truth is overweight people are indeed overweight!
But put yourself in their shoes for a moment.
1) Have you ever thought about how it feels to be called fat?
2) Have you ever thought that yes they might be overweight and obese, but they have other redeeming qualities?
3) How would you feel if someone has passed a judgement or discriminated against you before even getting to know you?
And NO, calling overweight people FAT because you think that you're doing them a huge favour by motivating them to lose weight is NOT a valid reason!
Negative stereotypes against overweight people
#1 All fat people are lazy
Lol. I'm definitely a living proof against this stereotype. >_<
Personally, I've been struggling with my weight ever since childhood. And about laziness?
Yes, I do have my lazy sundays and siestas.
But at work and school, I work hard. Sometimes even too hard. Ask any one of my project mates, classmates, ex-classmates or colleagues and you'll know what I mean.
And when I'm not at work and school, I live for my passions by cooking and engaging in other hobbies.
So all fat people are lazy? The answer is definitely a NO.
#2 All fat people have low self esteem
Self esteem is self worth, or how much you value yourself.
One can value themselves and love themselves REGARDLESS of their age, race, religion and weight.
Yes, fat people might be discriminated against or being judged upon. BUT it's up to an individual to triumph, if not gradually, rise above what society thinks of them.
#3 All fat people are smelly
We all have different natural body scents. Yes, we might sweat more. But unpleasant smells could also arise from poor personal hygiene, or body odour. It is not just sweat. And it is not just fat people as everyone sweats.
Thus if you ask me, no, not all fat people are smelly, as there are many factors that might lead to an unpleasant body smell.
Conclusion
Until proven wrong, there is no other way to lose weight other than cutting your intake and increasing physical activity.
I'm not saying it's right to carry excess weight.
I'm just saying, be slow to judge and be more careful with words. Empathize with others and their pain.
So the next time you see an overweight friend/family member, tell them you love them and that they're beautiful (and mean it!).
That's all for today. Goodnight lovelies.