Talking about weight and covid

[Iamsososoexcited]

In the 44-53 age group, 73% of people in the UK are overweight to obese. This is a government statistic according to the House of Commons library.

Does anyone else think this is massively concerning?

This awful virus arrived a year ago. It has a disproportionate effect on people who are overweight and obese.

People are washing hands, wearing masks, keeping their distance, isolating with families to stay safe. Why aren’t people losing weight to stay safe as well?

I don’t understand. It is like being told there is a course of action you can take (losing weight) that will drastically improve your chances of surviving this terrible virus, and yet people are not doing it?

Please help me understand?

@moomin11

I disagree, I have a colleague who clearly can't stand fat people...it is abundantly clear from lots of comments he has made over the years. Its fair enough to get frustrated when people damage their own bodies, whether that be by overeating, alcoholism, drug addiction or whatever, and then don't take responsibility for how they have treated themselves. I get that. But it is very naive to think that people are just fat because they are greedy (or alcoholics because they like getting pissed, or drug addicts because they just like getting high) - there are often underlying mental health issues or issues from childhood (many fat adults were overweight as children - who was responsible for choosing, buying and cooking food for them then?!). So yeah it isn't as simple as just eat less. No shit sherlock. The reasons behind the overeating are what need to be addressed and they can be very complex and deep rooted.

There is a difference between the vast majority of people, and the the odd AH in society. I acknowledge that it is addiction. Believe me, I have struggled with it every year since adolescence. It has never been far from my mind in a society that is progressively getting fatter and fatter, I was fat as a teen when real stigma existed. It is an addiction. The sugar acts on the brain, and the caffeine induced pain to deter withdrawal.

But, do not be fooled into thinking I am fat for any other reason that I buy chocolate and cola and shove them in my mouth. That is exactly what I do. No-one pins me down and force feeds me. There is no magic chocolate fairy who turns up at my door with a hamper of chocolate and then threatens that if don't appreciate the gift I'll be cursed for seven years. I am fat because I eat crap and I am lazy. I know hundreds of fat people who are exactly the same and will lie about it and pretend they are not lazy.

Lazy - That is not to say I am not industrious. I am successful. I earn well. I am not bone idle when it comes to educating myself. I am just physically lazy.

And yes, alcohol addiction is the same. They buy it. They drink it. And yes, cigarette addiction or drug addiction is the same, they buy them. They consume them. Addiction is a hard thing to accept in yourself, and I do understand that people have to pretend that it is not their responsibility, that the world made them do it. But it is that very shifting of responsibility, and unwillingness of accept responsibility, coupled with all the BS, whining, and demands that they be treated like special delicate little flowers that drives most people mad with their attitudes. It is their attitudes people hate, not them.

Now, if you happen to know one AH who is just an ignorant bigoted AH, then I'll call him out for what he is. But in my experience of being a 18st he is not representative of the majority of people who have an issue with the fat pride brigade. I have always found that being honest with people is received more warmly than lying to them and asking for them to empathise with my flight as a victim of this world..

@moomin11

Oh and I heard about the link between obesity and increased risk of serious illness and death all over the place since they first established it. So yeah I am obese and well aware of the link. Sadly I can't just click my fingers and change that but I am losing weight slowly, and hopefully sustainably.

Good for you. I wish you all the best. May you have the success that I have not managed to find myself in your endeavour. You've really cheered me up.

I think identifying my reasons for overeating have helped massively. I retired from sport and was feeling lost and had some very low moods. I got into a toxic and abusive relationship. I turned to food for comfort and something to hide behind. It became a habit which has stayed with me long after the relationship ended. Also, I've been active doing the wrong things, mostly driving around my dc who are both into sports or cleaning the house. I've made absolutely no time for myself for years and it shows.

I hate to sound dramatic but I have forgiven myself and feel I can move on now. I've surprised myself at how much I love the gym, I work hard, every single time and I love it. Can't wait for it to reopen.