BS: Why did god make me fat?

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 29 Aug 03 - 12:35 AM

It has always been an asset for me. People in my audiences can SEE ME BETTER !!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 28 Aug 03 - 12:48 PM

Well, I suppose another viable approach would be to be happy with yourself and accept the way you are, if you feel you can't change it. But most things actually can be changed. Even what is termed "stupidity" is most often simply a lazy mental habit...lack of focus. It's surprising sometimes how apparently stupid people can, so to speak, smarten up and pay attention and take appropriate action when circumstances absolutely demand it. Suddenly they become smarter.

Granted, there probably are exceptions to that. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 04:25 PM

I agree with your point Janice (to a certain extent). Yes, the word GOD is used as a manner of expression as some of your examples suggest, however in this particular case I do not think it applies as guest seems to be suggesting that there is some other power causing this affliction other than the reasons I suggested which surely to most rational people would appear to be nearer the truth.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: GUEST,Thread Launcher
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 04:20 PM

I would have to argue that one's innate intelligence is not something that one has a whole lot of control over. You can do the best with what you're given, however. A similar argument can be made in regards to body type.

I suppose that's what I was bemoaning in my initial post. Although it's hard to remember what I was thinking at the moment I hit submit, it was a long time ago.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 03:40 PM

It would be an equally futile and meaningless question, but would get more to the crux of the basic issue at hand...the habit of blaming some mysterious "other" for one's own innate (and probably self-created) qualities/weaknesses/shortcomings/etc.

Of course, I shouldn't overlook the possibility that the poster was merely being humorous, should I?

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: GUEST,Thread Launcher
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 12:05 PM

Why is that, Little Hawk?

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 11:55 AM

Well said, Janis. That is indeed what many people mean when they say the word "God".

Still, I think the person who launched this thread should really think about launching another one under the title "Why did god make me stupid?"

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Amos
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 08:44 AM

Janice,

Delightful!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 08:20 AM

"God" becomes an easy-to-use shorthand for "that which I do not understand or which I choose not to understand or which cannot be understood." I'm a free-thinker, but I often use the word "God" in expressions like "Thank God you weren't killed!" to "I'll be there tomorrow, God willing!" or in songs like God Save Ireland and God Bless America. Sometimes even in questions like "Why did God make me a fat, bi, commie, mick, atheist who at age 57 still has trouble barring an A three frets up to play a C chord?"

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: GUEST,Ribkie
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 04:42 PM

Not meaning to cause any more hurt guest, however your genes from your mother and father most probably contributed to making you fat or overweight. This idea that god makes us this and that, causes conflict, provides miracles etc., is not very scientific. The inability of your body's system/metabolism to burn fat probably has a lot to do with it as does the consumption of foodstuffs which exasperate this process, along with lack of excercise through one reason or another. People must take more responsibility for their actions, health, low self esteem etc., however sometimes circumstances do not permit this. Can you explain the inclusion of the WORD god in this question?, as I am completely perplexed as to the participation of a WORD (imaginary being), in this predicament.
Although medical conditions play a significant part in obesity, consumables are the only substances which enable humans to put weight on as lack of consumables lead to starvation, weight loss, ect. It also puzzles me why god never made the skeletal figures of Ethiopia obese or overweight, or maybe he took pity upon them!

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: GUEST,Chubs
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 02:29 PM

Lady Jean,

Could you promise me you will never call your grandmother ugly again ?

No people are ugly ! Your grandmother must have been a wonderful person.

You can still call me fat though !
Thanks !

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: LadyJean
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 12:51 AM

I look like my great grandmother. She was not what you'd call slender. Neither was her father. The family home was a station on the underground railroad. Her father risked his life to help slaves become free. Great grandmother carried food to the slaves, and helped her father. People figured that a little girl was less likely to be suspected.
She went on to become the first college graduate in my father's family. If I have to look like an ugly relative, I'm glad it was her.
The diet industry doesn't want you to get thin. They want you to diet. They want you to obsess over food, and spend a small fortune on diet cookies, and health club memberships. They want you to binge eat. Some diet gurus even reccomend it. Get a new doctor. Dump the diet industry.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 08:16 PM

To get to the other side.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: skarpi
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 07:49 PM

Way to go, and don´t give up you are gonna have some hard days
I´ve been there but what does the book says one special day every
week ( saturday ) maybe you have to have special day once a week or you blow, first 18 month I did not and there was no proplem
but my body was screaming for suger and stuff , I took everything
away .
I am proud for you go on girl.
All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: GUEST,Chubs
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 06:23 PM

I am fat. Please don't say " don't say that!" because I AM fat. I don't mind the word. I appreciate the beauty in people whether they are fat or thin, and I am ok with calling myself fat.

I am also starting to notice birthdays, and to be honest I think ageing is worth than being fat. It also makes my fat go a bit lumpy, which I don't like.

Anyway, I have always regarded myself as attractive, and have never had any probs getting guys. Now the age thing has got me thinking so I have started to lose weight. I am eating loads, but I got myself a good book and I am making sure it's all healthy. Loads of fruit, veg & fish. The most difficult thing is being organised enough to buy all the right foods and plan how I am going to combine them. Loads of herbal teas really fill me up too.

I felt better immediately. I have more energy and I am not bloated, which made me look better straight away. That spurns you on. I may be wrong, but I feel I have changed my way of eating. The weight is coming off and everything feels so much better.

I don't think God made anybody fat. I think our figures are pretty much a result of our modern day lifestyles....the figures we see walking about didn't exist 50 years ago. Some people look great; I mean it can give you great boobs ! But I had had enough and after a few days reading up & getting organised I can honestly say I felt better as soon as I had ny first HUGE plate of fruit. Yum YUm !

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: skarpi
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 04:09 PM

Halló 17, I have a question, have been fat all your live? If not
do you have some proplems with your feelings?are you eating to foreget and feeling better? do not panic I was fat but I got over
it . I lost 52kg in two years it was hard but I did it and I am still working on my body my motto is " fit for live " I can do it so can you , but answear those questions first you should try to find out why you are eating so much ( if thats the proplem )
I´ll be back for those answears .
All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: GUEST,becky
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 03:09 PM

god made you that way so you wil actually find a husband with a heart instead of a jerk and he will appreciate and love you for who you are and not what your appearance is. everyone is BEAUTIFUL in their own way.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: CarolC
Date: 21 Feb 02 - 03:45 PM

Hi JudeL. I agree that this thread is not entirely or even mostly about skinny bashing. But I disagree with your assessment that it's not a significant part of the thread. But that's ok, because we're all entitled to our own opinions.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: JudeL
Date: 21 Feb 02 - 05:35 AM

Carol C: Just for the record this thread was not "skinny bashing" if you read it all you would see that most of the posts were encouraging 17 to be what she and she alone choses to be, and to be happy with it. If that's, as one person put it "actively" thin, then this is going to take not just a diet, but a change of lifestyle, which she may or may not want to do. The bicycle comment was a joking (or so I believe) reaction to someone (male) suggesting that big was unattractive). The only truly nasty and prejudiced comment came from John Grey on 18th feb @8.39 (who I think must have shares in slimfast or something similar). As someone else pointed out just because you're big does not mean you eat lots or even eat the wrong sort of things. Some of us as someone pointed out have underlying reasons why we stay big even on a healthy diet.

Finally 17, it's your life, it's your body, it's your choice, do what will make you happiest. Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Jolene
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 10:49 PM

I'd like to put this thread to rest. To be honest, I'm a bit embarrassed about it now. I typed out the first post in a moment of internal chaos that I would much rather forget! :-)

Thanks for every post on this thread, positive, negative, and in between.

I am of the opinion that all input is valuable. Just because I don't like the response, doesn't mean I can't learn a great deal from it.

If anyone would like to give me further advice or criticism, I'd be happy to accept it via PM.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: CarolC
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 10:29 PM

Hi Brett. I hope you didn't think any part of my post was aimed at you, because it wasn't. I don't think I've ever heard or seen you engage in any sort of bashing behavior whatever.

Thanks for the kind words. And I think you're quite a fine looking fellow yourself. Rebecca is a very lucky woman.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Naemanson
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 10:22 PM

Like I said, I didn't read the posts. If I'd known this was a bashing thread I would have avoided it like the plague, or a young Republican club meeting. They're about the same thing.

Oops, was that bashing? Sorry. I won't let it happen again.

Also, WYSIWYG, I don't think I'll read through this. I have little enough time these days to read anything that might upset my happy little world. In my world everyone is happy and smiles a lot. Or maybe that's my new perception.

Carol, non iligitimi corborundum. You have a lovely body and if I weren't so far away (and committed to another) I would pay court to you in a heartbeat because you have a pretty good personality and mind to go with that lovely body. Just remember the fable of the sour grapes.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: CarolC
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 09:47 PM

Re: the skinny bashing that seems to be a significant part of this thread...

People with genuinely healthy self-esteem don't feel a need to put others down, regardless of weight or any other considerations about appearances. So it looks to me like the heavier people who are putting skinny or thin people down maybe aren't quite as at ease with their apprearance as they are suggesting here on this thread.

And this statement...

My sister is much heavier than I am, is married to a guy with eye-popping surfer good looks

...suggests to me that appearances are a lot more important to some of the people on this thread than they are willing to admit.

And saying that skinny women are like bicycles is no less cruel than saying that heavy women are cows. This seems like quite a double standard to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 06:29 PM

Nae, read my posts, see links.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Naemanson
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 06:26 PM

I haven't read all 136 posts. Did you ever get an answer? Can we apply your answer to a broad spectrum of huamnity (i.e., including me)?

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: GUEST,Melani
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 04:50 PM

Hey, 53, I have to say I think it's a lousy idea to just eat whatever junk you want and be "fat and happy." My mother made that decision about 25 years ago, and gained about 100 lbs. She is now almost totally disabled by weight-related medical conditions. I think a better idea is to splurge on whatever you want occasionally, but mostly try to eat good stuff, and not more of it than you need.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: GUEST,AnnA
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 12:31 PM

This is so true. Having spent years in the 'fat' category till finally I can stand it no longer. Getting the communication working and 'listening' to your inner self is the way to go. 'The real me' the one that has been in hiding all this time - is about to reveal herself. Unless you are content with yourself being overweight - the formula is quite simple - eat less and exercise more. Nothing to be frightened about - embrace it - have fun - open up a whole new world for yourself. Go for it.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Alio
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 05:00 AM

Hi Seventeen Stone. I've just come into this discussion. It's great to see all the support for you. I was your weight (or more!) last September, and decided that for heaalth (and vanity!) reasons I needed to do something about it. What I found though is that I had to make that decision - it didn't make any difference what anyone else said ( in fact, at times it just made me ***** mad!!) I joined Weight Watchers, and so far I've lost just over 2 1/2/ stone. One tip I can give you if you decide you're going to lose weight is never to deny yourself anything, as if you do, you'll give up. If I'm eating the same meal as the rest of the family I just put mine on a smaller plate, and that way I'm not missing out.If we go out for a drink - I'm very partial to wine or Jamieson's! - I start off with diet cokes early on, and then move on to the alcohol later. You sound much more together than I was, and I have to admit that I'm now feeling much better about myself. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Ali

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: technission
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 03:21 AM

I saw a tee-shirt in a catalog years back that told it straight: "I came into this world fat and bald, and I'm going to leave it the same way!"

There wouldn't be so many blues songs lauding the larger ladies if they were really undesireable. 8>)#

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Bert
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 02:18 AM

You're right MG. A low carb diet will help. I was thinking about fad diets and starvation diets. A low carb diet doesn't mean eating less food, it means cutting down on carbohydrates. You can still eat until you are full, which is not what most people think of as a diet.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From:
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 09:25 PM

Bert, why do you say dieting won't cure it. I have stumbled across their websites, and it seems to me that some do extremely well on a low-carb, insulin reducing diet...maybe cure is not the right word..but many go on to have babies...it is a factor in many cases of infertility... everyone, please do a web search if you are interested in health issues on high insulin levels...it seems to be the common factor behind so many diseases..you can get your levels checked...and compare them to your blood sugar levels..blood sugar levels on their own are not as meaningful...mg

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Bert
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 09:14 PM

Every overweight woman should be checked for PCOS (PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome). Many times this goes undiagnosed and dieting WON'T cure it.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 09:06 PM

Luck of the genetic draw made me fat so I'd float when the 747 goes down in the polluted brine called an ocean when it happens. I would be at least 105 years old then --- and travelling to get a Lifetime Achievement Award for never having had any other musician on any of my recordings except me and my guitar and/or banjo and/or jews harp --- from the Intergallactic Folk Alliance convention held on Venus that particular February.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 07:28 PM

Everyone is entitled to their personal view about women's underwear. But the purveyors of same ought to cater adequately for different sizes and shapes. And they ought to realise that feeling good about how you look starts with your foundation garments. LtS, you might think that you have problems, but being a 32H /30HH in London really limits your choices to Selfridges, Rigby & Peller and DH Evans.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Desdemona
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 06:54 PM

I think our society's general view of what constitutes "fat" is pretty broad; it seems to me, as a woman, that anything more than actively THIN is now considered "fat". Hard to know what the truth is when talking about relative sizes of humans! I guess the intelligent outlook is to ask yourself if you're able to do the things you want to, that you need to, and that make you feel good, at your current weight & size. If the answer to those questions is "yes", and your health is good, then I guess you're all right. Barring major health-related issues that could impact on whether you're around to raise your kids, look after those you love, etc., the rest is pretty much a matter of aesthetics, and I can say from personal experience that Madison Avenue's been allowed to fuck around with waaaaaay too long already!

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: 53
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 06:49 PM

I think that my diet is full of shit, and that i'm going to join the wagon full of fat people and have fun, the hell with the diet, if i kick out out early then so be it.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 06:04 PM

"for fat people it's almost impossible to have sex. And absolutely impossible to have good sex."

Like I said, you are not staying in with the right people!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: JudeL
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 11:04 AM

I didn't say you were inhibited or that sex between fat people was merely possible. Sex can be great or it can be awful or anything in between no matter how fat or thin you or your partner is. You are not the only one who's been a variety of sizes, and I repeat the difference between good and great does not depend on whether your figure has more in common with Ruben's models or those of Lowrie it has far more to do with attitude both towards yourself and your partner. Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 08:56 AM

Guess we must be having us a miracle then. *G*

And we are blessed so OFTEN!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: John Gray
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 07:08 AM

LTS & JUDEL
My sex life started at 14 and it has certainly not been inhibited. Generally it has been great fun.
My sailor mates sold me to the girls of a Hong Kong bar when I was 16. And it was me at 17 who grabbed the hat full of money, and 22 stone Sheree, and high-tailed it out of the Blue Mirror bar on the Boston waterfront in 1965.
The experiences I've had have been wonderful and hopefully will continue. I didn't say sex between fat people was impossible, I said great sex was impossible. And I think I've got enough research behind me to add veracity to the view.

JG/FME

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: GUEST,petr
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 08:56 PM

well my 2cents, I lived in Japan for a year, and when I arrived I weighed approx 225. Although I would have preferred to be lighter, I didnt diet, or try to lose weight, but I ended up having to walk (briskly to work) 45 min to an hour each day. I ate as much as I wanted, although Ido have to say the Japanese diet is healthier in some ways, more vegetables & seafood, less meat, smaller portions in general. On the other it can be salty, and high in preservatives. Anyway I started losing weight within the first couple of months, without even being aware of it, and by the time I came back to Canada, i was 185. (of course I no longer did as much walking, as the transit system is useless here and unless I want to spend 2 1/2 hours going to work, I drive) so gradually over the years Ive gained it all back and then some. (the food here doesnt help either)

the point is do not underestimate the effectiveness of walking, one doesnt have to do strenuous exercise to lose weight. It is a matter of getting into the habit.

Anyway, now that Im in a very happy relationship I no longer think about my weight, although I do focus on being active and healthy. Last summer I went on a hike almost every weekend and ran 2x a week, and really noticed the difference. I plan to make it a habit of going out and walking everyday.

one person above mentioned a Scandinavian study on the evolutionary advantage of fat storage. There was a similar study in the 90s on Pima indians in the US Southwest, who had extremely high incidence of diabetes 60% and other obesity related diseases. The highest in the country. IT turns out that they do have genes that help them store fat easily, which is a great survival technique. Store fat at times of plenty and use it when there is not enough. However in modern times that is a curse especially given the north american diet. Oddly enough, across border in MExico is another remnant of the same tribes that went south centuries ago, and yet there are no obesity problems at all. The differences are that the people are active, (working on the farm etc) and they eat a different diet, (low fat, hi fibre, etc).

the only other thing I would say is that whenever you are feeling down for some reason or other, think about the number of times a male ejaculates in his life and that in every ejaculation there are millions of sperm. (with probably no woman in sight half the time, much less an egg ready to be fertilized) And consider that of all those countless possibilities.. you made it!

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: vectis
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 06:48 PM

You're not overweight. You're probably just a bit on the short side for your mass.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Mad4Mud
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 06:18 PM

What I want to know is how does Kendall know what it feels like to sleep with a bicycle? ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: JudeL
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 05:27 PM

John, I'm sorry to hear that when you put on weight it affected your sex life but I guess it all depends on how flexible and imaginative you are in the first place. For an alternative view on skinny women please read kendall's post on 15th at 5.22 am.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 05:11 PM

"for fat people it's almost impossible to have sex. And absolutely impossible to have good sex."

Either you ain't getting out enough, or you ain't staying in with the right people!!!

There is such a thing as bad sex, but it is never impossible to have good sex. You just have to be a little more imaginative with your positioning. Even a skinny bod lying on top of you can hurt.... so experiment a little with X and Y formations and furniture supports..... go for it!!! And remember good sex doesn't have to be penatrative at all! Good sex isn't seeing who comes first or loudest, but who can give the most pleasure to the other. Good sex is about making your partner feel wanted and desired, and about feeling good and safe with each other.

The major hurdle to "fat sex" is trusting each other enough to take your clothes off. Once you have got over that, anything is possible. And presumably if you want to have sex with this person, you trust them. Go looking for a friend first, one who loves you and trusts you for what you are now, not who you could be, or who they think you ought to be. If you are embarassed, have the lighting low or stay under the sheets (that's sheets, not duvet and 6 blankets!). If you really don't want to be seen naked, get some seductive undies/night wear that can be 'worked around'. Even just 'going commando' can be naughty enough..... Lying down on your back whilst semi clothed can make your belly seem flatter, but the support is still there so you don't get the 'nipples in the armpits' scenario.... wear something silky or velvety that's nice to stroke and they might not even want to take it off....

Of course, this is from the female point of view... I can't presume to speak from the male point..... fat or otherwise....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 10:41 AM

Look, God didn't do it, okay? God just provided the means and the mechanisms for your soul to do exactly what it wanted to do, and for its own particular reasons. Now your conscious mind doesn't like what your soul did, so take it up with your soul. If you succeed in actually establishing communication, the answer might surprise you, and you might even lose weight...or you might decide to be happy the way you are. :-)

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 10:31 AM

Guest Seventeen: As an atheist, I can't blame god for my weight problem. I choose to take it out on Frito-Lay, Entenmann's, Hostess, Pepsi, and all those other purveyors of nutrition-free junk food. Nad my genes. I already feel responsible for half the world's problems, I am not about to take responsibilty for my big butt.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 10:28 AM

LTS - Silhouettes on line has reasonably priced Plus Sizes including bras and panties. I don't know if they ship overseas but I could forward anything you like on to you.
Big At Heart.com has the greatest T-shirts for men and women starting at 3X. A little pricy for cotton tees but they go up to 12X and have quite a selection.
I have been working on losing some weight for health reasons. My doctor had me eliminate carbohydrates - no potatoes, rice, bread, pasta, cake, cookies, etc. and no Pepsi (my downfall). Everything else is virtually unlimited. When I stick to it, I average a 2 lb/week weight loss with no hunger pangs. I can have whole grains such as oatmeal. And there are some flour free breads on the market - very dense. Will I be able to go through life without ever again eating a potato chip? No. But at least I can control my weight to keep my cholesterol down. Interesting note: my cholesterol dropped 33 points in two months on this diet although I did not limit eggs, cheese, red meat, etc. Damned if I understand the science but it works.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: GUEST,Celtic Soul, sans cookies.
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 10:04 AM

I apologise if what I say here is a repeat. I thought I must have been about done with reading and looked at the scroll bar, only to find that I was not even half way.

In any case, there's a lot of good advice here, but some things I did not read in the first 1/3 of the postings:

Weight is an issue in the world at large...the world that applauds women such as Kate Moss over those like Mother Theresa. But it will be much less of an issue when it is not an issue *for you*. Some of the most vivacious, well liked, and charismatic people I have ever known have been *very* overweight. There was a woman who used to perform one of the same venues as I who was part of 2 different bawdy singing groups. She had the time of her life playing a seductress, and very few people ever had issue with the fact that she was Queen sized. Those that did, she would say; "**They're** the ones with the problem, not me". I have another friend who is more than 6 foot, and clearly greater than 300Lbs (likely close to 400). He is one of the most well liked men I have ever known, and attracts women to him like bees to honey.

I have also personally come to the conclusion that, whatever I do where my appearance is concerned, has to be for me, not for the world at large. I joined a gym recently, not to make it to a certain size, but so I can feel better. If I start sleeping better, and not feeling as wonky mentally, that will be enough for me even if I lose not one inch to my size.

In the end, you'll have to find what works for you. It's not an easy road, what with all the media attention to the very thin. The world does judge womens worth on their beauty first and accomplishments second. But if your self worth is not tied to the worlds judgments, you *can* be happy.

Self assurance, self love, peace and joy are more attractive to the right people, and sometimes, can even win over those who are so obsessed with whatever the media is pumping out as the "ideal" that year.

I wish you joy, no matter the circumstances.

Subject: RE: BS: Why did god make me fat?
From: Diva
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 09:55 AM

"Absolutely impossible to have good sex" REALLY!!!!!! By no stretch of the imagination could I ever be classed as thin but I have to say I have not missed out on good sex..well apart from when I was married but that is another story!!!!!

Diva