I'm Fat, And That's Okay

Hi, my name is Melanie, and I'm a fatty. I am not unhealthy. I do not have diabetes nor am I on my way to having it. My blood pressure is wonderful. I eat whole foods. I work out four days a week. I monitor my calories to keep them under 1600, and my fat grams under 20, five days a week. I splurge on the weekends and have eggs and bacon, or a burger, or ice cream, or whatever else it is I want. I am not on a diet. I eat in a way that makes me feel good every day. You do not need to tell me, "You are not fat." I am fat. Fat is an adjective which describes me, and I'm owning it. I am 5' 9" and weigh 219 right now. I wear an 18 pant, a 16 dress, and a 12/14 top. I'm not trying to lose weight. I've gained and lost and gained and lost and this seems to be where my body is comfortable. So instead of fighting it and doing unhealthy things in order to try and look the way society thinks I should, I decided to just be healthy instead. Mission accomplished.

Studies show that 95% of people who diet, gain the weight back. Those who don't have to live like someone with an eating disorder. I am not interested in starving myself so that people will think I am healthy. I know that I will do far more harm to my body fad dieting and dropping weight, then gaining again, so I choose not to do that. Also, I have never met a person who lost a few pounds and suddenly all their problems were solved. I decided to be happy with who I am, and who I can be in the future, without taking a number on a scale in to consideration. That doesn't mean I don't weigh myself. I do. I don't wish to be any bigger than I am. But I don't wish to be any smaller either. If my eating and working out cause me to lose weight, I'm okay with that. I'm okay if that doesn't happen too. So far it hasn't, so I don't see a skinny Melanie anywhere in my future, and that's just fine with me.

I am constantly working on not judging other folks based on appearance. It is hard not to look at someone and assume you know how they live their life. But it's also a huge waste of time. How sick is it to look at someone else and judge them because you think they live an unhealthy lifestyle? Pretty dang sick. I don't know that that skinny girl needs to eat a sandwich. She's probably in the same place I am. She may want to gain weight and her metabolism just won't allow her to no matter what she does. It's time for women to be empathetic and supportive, rather than catty and judgmental. If we spent more time working on being good people and liking ourselves, we wouldn't have to worry about what Tom, Dick, and Harry are doing. 'Cause it wouldn't be important. We need to stop making comparisons, and just work on us.

How about instead of saying to someone, "Wow, have you lost weight?" We just say to them, "Wow, you are looking hot today. You're glowing!" Take weight out of the equation.

Our society pushes that fatties like me are an epidemic. We are causing your healthcare to be more expensive. We are ruining the world. Well, I'd like to see the evidence. There are just as many thin unhealthy folks, as fat ones. I, for one, am not buying the BMI that says "You're obese." I am fat. I am healthy. People can live with it. I know I can.

I don't work out at a gym, because I think running on a moving sidewalk is weird. I think riding on a bike that goes nowhere is ridiculous. I don't need an elliptical machine. We seem to be the only society obsessed with gyms. If you love the gym, more power to you. I need to run outside. I have to ride a real bike. I work out with weights in my back yard. The only machine I use to help with my fitness is my wii fit, for when I want to have a day of yoga, and silly cardio stuff. I like my wii fit. It's fun and it's nice for when the weather isn't cooperating.

I don't eat "lite" or diet foods, except for Smart Ones and Lean Cuisines, which I eat because I'm lazy. I hope to phase those out of my diet in the next year or so. I believe in eating normal things like butter, full fat ice cream, and other things in moderation. I believe in enjoying the food you eat and appreciating while you are chewing. I believe in mindful eating and thinking about how food is nurturing your body, while you eat.

Most of all, I believe in working to fight stereotypes. I do not go home and stuff my face full of twinkies. I do not sit on the couch with a 64 oz. soda in my hands watching Housewives. Weight loss is not a simple calculation of "calories in/calories out." Metabolisms vary. People vary. Not everyone needs to look like you. It would be a mighty boring world if they did.

That's me, working out in the back yard with a 20 lb. kettlebell. Behind the kettlebell is my huge belly, and holding the kettlebell is a large arm. It's a fit body, but it's not a stereotypically fit body. I'm coming to terms with it. I wish other people could do the same.