Jumping back many years, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, put out a song called “Bad”. It, naturally, was a hit. Not long after, again naturally, oddball musician Weird Al Yankovic did a parody of it titled, “Fat”. In it, he asked, “Who’s fat?” At that time, it certainly wasn’t me. Jump forward thirty years and ask the same question. “Who’s fat?” This time, I have to raise my hand.
I know I’m not alone in this “bodily configuration”. There are millions who sport the round look. Many people are just fine with it and comfortable in their skin. Bravo! It takes all sorts of shapes and sizes to make us who we are. Short, tall, curvy, thin, fit, flabby… Never be ashamed. It is easy to be embarrassed by something you, or even an outspoken loved one, find different from society’s “perfect” image. I’m telling you to ignore that voice. Be you.
Well, well, well
The exception to that rule of acceptance is health. A little belly on the right person can be cute. Junk in the trunk can catch a person’s eye just as easily. There is the old joke of being “big-boned”. Actually, some people are built solidly and can be tall and wide. What that person weighs is likely fine for them. Put that same weight on somebody a foot or two shorter and it could lead to serious health issues.
Heart disease, diabetes, stroke, breaking wicker furniture… You’ve heard all the risks. Maybe you’ve stopped hearing the warnings. Maybe you don’t care. Or, maybe you do care and are helpless against the cravings. Some people, myself included, are trapped by taste buds and bad choices. It can be akin to alcoholism, with the added danger that if you abstain from eating, you die.
Down the rabbit hole
Back in 1988, when Weird Al’s song, “Fat”, came out, I was young and thin. I wouldn’t say fit. I had a sedentary job in an arcade, where I sat on my butt and doled out quarters to gamers. The power of the flab was just waiting for the correct time to strike. One afternoon, I purchased a big bag of corn chips. I figured it would take me a day or two to eat it. I sat there and talked with my friends and it hit me. I’d somehow killed the entire bag in under an hour! My buddy was impressed. I suppose I was too. And a little scared. Mindless eating is the way obesity gets you.
I worked a lot and tried to keep active. As a teen, I swam and hiked everywhere with my friends. Later, I went to college and roamed my campus daily. I climbed mountains. Studying abroad, I moved to London and walked around the city constantly. I kept busy. Eating was an afterthought. I looked and felt good.
After graduating, I worked with a fantastic group of people I couldn’t get enough of. We had a lifestyle that was totally detrimental and at the same time, totally awesome. We worked hard all day and partied harder all night. Life was good… too good. This was indicated by my gut.
At the turn of the century, I was finally beginning to put on weight. Living excessively will do that to you. I couldn’t believe the size of my jeans was going up. I figured I was still young and had nothing to worry about. I could eat and drink whatever I wanted. Wrong. After a very severe and painful attack, I had to have my gall bladder removed.
What you eat and how you live can absolutely affect your health. Combine that with age and life’s changes and you begin to accrue obstacles to safe living. I did fair for some time. Corn chips still called to me, as well as ice cream, pizza, and soda. Bad choices were made and the weight gain continued. I’ve surpassed pleasantly plump. Cuddly is in the rearview mirror. I am in the danger zone now.
Equilibrium in all things
This is a cautionary tale. Everybody is different, which is wonderful. If Bill looked exactly like Phil or Tara was built just like Sara, life would be boring. As with anything, however, too much can be a bad thing. I am an over-eater. I don’t mind being a little heavy. Heavy gets snuggles. Being dangerously obese is another matter entirely.
Watch for the early warning signs that you might be on the wrong track. Eat and drink in moderation. Get outside and move. If you don’t, you’ll fall into the same unhealthy trap as I have. How do you get out? We can find a balance in life. It takes practice, better choices, and time. Put down that family-sized bag of chips, think of me, and know I get how you feel. Being fat is like an escape room. Together, we can find a way out.