Why can't we discuss how fat we've all become?

[Nodinnernogift]

Obesity is becoming the norm. Why aren't we allowed express concern or any views that are less than celebratory about this?

I mean seriously why?

If whole parts of your country were in the grip of a meth addiction we would be allowed have a discussion about it.

National campaigns to stop people smoking are applauded.

Look around you. Look in the mirror. We are all getting bigger and bigger. It reminds me of when people would visit the US in the 80s / 90s and come back with tales of huge people and massive portion sizes.

Does nobody care? It's like the Emperors New Clothes. I don't get why it's a sacrosanct topic.

Yabu - it's nobody's business
Yanbu - it's fine to address this as a societal problem

My local council run leisure centre charges just under £10 a class or swimming session or £50 a month. I live in the South East England, this is an affluent area even for the SE but having worked in the community for over a decade I know there is a great deal of poverty too. We are fortunate enough to have a national park and near the sea although it's certainly not free to get to, or easy if you rely on public transport or cheap to park near. But many other areas do not have these facilities and they have a pretty sizable cost to use leisure centres/gyms if income is tight.

It's not just money though, I've used gyms here where if you are not in the right clothes or the right size it's hell on legs, there can be a great deal of bullying using leisure facilities, not everyone has the self esteem to ignore it. Couple that with not being able to afford fresh food, or the time to always cook from scratch and you end up in a situation where you can't afford it, there is a lack of facilitites to use, and the people around you are not supportive either.

Getting fit is not simple or cheap for everyone, it's not anecdotal, it's factual, there are research papers and impact assessments available on this subject

https://www.sportengland.org/research-and-data/research/lower-socio-economic-groups

https://jech.bmj.com/content/72/3/252

https://sphr.nihr.ac.uk/news-and-events/impact/impact-case-study-the-impact-of-reducing-the-cost-to-access-local-authority-leisure-facilities-in-the-north-west-of-england-on-health-inequalities/

I actually think in terms of poverty and exercise, one of the issues rather than not having the money, is not having the headspace available to focus on it

That's a very good point to make but money is quite an important factor to when you can't afford bills £50 a month seems impossible

Why do you think overweight people have to ‘excuse’ themselves? We’re not answerable to you. Or anyone, come to that.

Honestly, let’s not kid ourselves here. Those objecting to obesity on this thread really aren’t just doing it because they’re worried about the toll on the NHS. They’re also enjoying the opportunity to give their sizeist prejudices a good old scratch.

Why? My daughter is on the spectrum and wears a petite size 6-8.

I'm assuming this post is addressing me.

I have made no judgements.

I have read that book, twice in fact and have recommended it to many people.

I don't think I've ever said Eat Less, Move More unless it was sarcastic.

Because it's boring Mumsnet is weirdly obsessed with weight.

Berlin is very bike friendly.

So is Oxford 😂

Walking cost £0
Running costs a pair of trainers
Exercising at home costs £0

No one has to go to a gym to keep fit

It is depressing me so much to admit that having read the replies here you are right.

I'm starting to understand why people are quick to assume that wanting a conversation about rising obesity means you really just want to slag off fat people.

I guess we all live in our own little world and believe it is representative but I am shocked at the nastiness going on here; seriously wtf with expecting posters to justify their obesity.

In my fitness studio there are all shapes and sizes celebrated and the same in my running club. I know large women and men doing serious mileage. I found it too hard when I gained weight rapidly but I'm getting back into it now. If I thought anyone would be looking at me returning silently sneering my weight gain it would have seriously put me off. And then that would have hindered my progress.

I truly believed fat shaming was over. It is and attitude that makes no sense to me given how common it is to be overweight or obese. I don't even get the 'fat people' thing. Most people are different weights at various life stages. Just fucking weird.

On one hand, I am glad I started the thread because it gave some insights but to the bullies and sneerers; do YOU realise that you're part of the problem as your nasty attitudes are putting people off exercising or even trying as you're making them feel like shit?

I was simply replying to a comment about Berlin. 🫣

And if you have arthritis or some other condition which makes walking painful?

These kind of comments drive me nuts - yes some people will have conditions which limit exercise. But 64% of adults in the UK are overweight and 28% are obese. Most, not all, people should be to find a cheap, if not free form of exercise.

I don't care if pointing out reality drives you nuts.

But you won’t lose weight from walking unless you spend vast amounts of time doing it very day. The 10k steps won’t cut it.

i mean to be fair- you won’t lose much weight from any exercise. Only diet

So, she's allowed to have her say.
Life would actually be better if people minded their own business.

There might be some very slim people out there but they smoke and drink.
Which is better, nobody is perfect.

Thanks @InWalksBarberalla
The majority of people can exercise for £0. Using gym costs and availability as an excuse is nonsense.

Of note it’s important for all people including those with arthritis to lose weight.
As is well known

You .missed out the skipping rope very cheap and skipping is good for you.

A combination of the two
Walking up slight inclines is very beneficial as is walking at a slight speed to raise the heart rate.

The government could possibly do something about it like they have done with smoking but everyone would hate it and say they were being the nanny state and it would be detrimental to the economy so they don’t.

Good one 👍
plus walking and running up and down stairs

Again, hopeless for those with arthritis and other joint pain issues, never mind those with balance issues.

We've unleashed the ableists and privileged folk again. 🫣

No one is arguing any of that, in fact if you read my post you'd know I mentioned walking and sea swimming but these two things that on their own won't get you fit, they help, but you either need a lifestyle where you regularly move and lift or you start to need specialist equipment after the initial couple of weeks if you want to get fit and lose weight.