I have had a couple of people ask me recently if people are treating me differently since I have started losing weight? At first, I thought this was a weird question, but now I think about it, that question is incredibly honest and should be asked. I would have to say I don’t know. I do know that I have had more people talk to me and I have really opened myself up to people. Prior to losing weight, I think I used my fatness as a protection. As part of this process, I think that I have allowed myself to be transparent to help other people and because of that reason I have met and interacted with a lot of people that I probably would not have interacted with before I started my journey. I am not sure people know this but I am a pretty private person and it is painfully uncomfortable to me to live my life as an open book- but I believe this journey is not only to change me physically but it is to help others change their lives for the better.
I had a lady tell me that I have a pretty face, and now it seems like the rest of me is starting to match up. I thought wow what an honest statement. I never thought about it- in fact when I look in the mirror, I see flaws: double chins, pimples, and scars. Side note- I really hate those magnifying mirrors they are just terrible and don’t look down on one because the double chin will have it’s own zip code. So what is this post about? It is about how Fat People are treated by others or how Fat People treat others.
I have to say when you are fat or big you probably just want to be invisible, funny, or angry. All these emotions let you blend in with “normal” size people. How do I know this? Well I have done it and perfected it. I knew how to be quiet and not draw attention to myself sitting in the back, never asking questions, and just going with the flow. I was pretty funny too, when I would hang out with my “Skinny” friends I had zingers and sarcasm as my go to weapons. Anger- I could throw a tantrum with the best of them. If something was not right, I could make an argument and isolate myself from a situation or friends. Let me add this, I always dressed pretty good for a big girl, but I was always wondering when the button was going to pop because I probably bought the blouse in the size available not the size I was — I also know some skinny girls that do this too- so how about the fat and skinny unite and agree to buy clothes that fit?
So how are fat people treated differently, sometimes people stare at you especially when you are working out- I used to feel like people were always looking at me at the Y from the Observatory Window. Well they were, because they may have been trying to see what was going on in the class- or maybe they were thinking if she can do it – I can do it– I was someone’s muse. Your friends probably never say anything, but they want you to be healthy so they treat you just as they always have and will not bring up the topic unless you ask. If you ask, you cannot get mad at them if they are honest. (If you cannot make that promise- don’t ask!) The airlines treat you as 2 people and make you by an extra seat, but honestly they should- because that is a seat that could have been sold to another person.
So if you have a “Fat” Complex, and are looking at making a change– do it because you want to be healthy, happy, and not for someone else. I honestly think size will not affect your friendships because your friends will love you no matter what. I do however think it will affect your love of yourself and your ability to control how you deal with life and the people in your life. In reading an article by Joyce Meyer about weight, she says—
I have found that it is virtually impossible to operate in any of the other eight fruits of the Spirit talked about in Galatians 5:22,23 unless we are exercising self-control. For instance, how can you and I remain patient in the midst of an upsetting situation unless we exercise self-control? Or how can we walk in love and believe the best of someone after they have just repeatedly insulted us unless we use the fruit of self-control? Self-control allows us to be patient when we feel impatient, and it enables us to walk in love when we feel like getting even.
So am I different person now that I have lost weight, not really. I am an improved version of me (Angie 2.o). I am more transparent about who I am and what I believe because I have a heart to help others see and obtain their true potential which means the “Shy Angie” has to check herself at the door and live her live out loud on the cute and not so cute days. So this week I gained a pound, but I also gained perspective I am happy with me and I want everyone to have the freedom found in that happiness so I have press forward to success and reaching my goal.
