Hmmm...certainly a touchy subject for many! I am a large woman, always have been and likely always will be. However, within the last year or so, I have lost a significant amount of weight. One of my best friends, who was the same size as myself, if not a bit larger, had her stomach stapled. Last summer, she was wearing a size 4. She looks pretty darn good.

Fast forward to this spring. My friend has gained a little weight back and still looks good. I am still overweight and well, I don't look as good as she does. That's life. However, I am in excellent health. Diabetes is under control (my ENTIRE family with the exception of one cousin is diabetic...so is mine weight related or family...hard to say), my blood pressure is normal and my cholesterol levels are well within the limits. My friend is not in such good shape. The folds of her remaining stomach (inside) are rotting, an ulcer has developed, she still pukes all the time but is getting better at hiding it....she's a mess and likely will require more surgery to help alleviate some of her problems.

So....in my mind, this whole thin/fat issue really comes down to individuals and what is right for each person. If you don't like your body or it's hurting you...do something to change it. If you are comfortable with yourself and you feel good...why in the world does it matter to anyone else?

As far as discrimination, it goes on all the time...open your eyes and look around!!!! I think there is a ton of stereo-typing going on as well. Lots of people (even as seen on this very thread) think that fat people are lazy or don't care enough to take care of themselves by eating right or exercising. I hate to burst your bubble folks, but the majority of large people I know DO exercise and DO eat pretty healthy. Yes, I know, that's not for all fat people....but honestly, it frosts my ass when that assumption is made.

You know what else? I have a friend who is naturally thin. I'm talking THIN....she's 5'10 and weighs maybe 120 pounds soaking wet. She eats and eats and eats....it's just the way she is wired. She runs into discrimination as well. People think I eat too much and that my friend must be starving herself or is anorexic. We both have sat through bullshit conversations with doctors about our weight....both of us leaving with the impression that doctors don't know what the hell they are talking about. I don't know. It's a messed up world. If you don't fit into the mold of the world, you must be unhealthy, crazy or something. *YAWN* People are people. I think people should worry about their own bodies...tend to that and let others tend to their own as well.

I could go on and on. As I said earlier, touchy subject for many...myself included. Don't we all have more important things to tend to besides another person's body weight???!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

A very large, healthy and happy woman,

Michelle