DISCLAIMER: Okay, Let me begin by saying I will probably come off sounding angry on this subject. I am angry, which is unusual for me to begin with. But I am not angry at what people had to say as much as I am angry with myself for feeling the same ways at times(especially since I am overweight). So let me apologize first and foremost from the beginning.
when they could have a nicely functioning body
Just because a person is overweight does not mean that is what they chose. I'm overweight, now, because my body quit functioning nicely. I'm glad that you at least try not to judge.
I've acquired a healthy fitness/nutrional equilibrium with myself
I agree with Abstract that this lies with you. This equilibrium you feel you have achieved is great, for you. But why should you care what another is doing to their body. You get to choose what you do to your body. They should get to do the same. We all make unhealthy choices. There are also choices we make because we think they are "healthy" and the "best" way to treat ourselves, but that doesn't mean what we now believe won't change to show it didn't matter or it wasn't that healthy after all. This is the way life is.
I don't chew gum because the process of tricking your body into thinking it's about to receive food/nutrients..and then doesn't - secretes insulin, lowering your metabolism and causing you to store fat in your adipose tissue.
This is one example that not all medical establishments or nutritionists believe this. There have been some small studies that proved the opposite. So it really is a matter of choice as to what you believe. And, yes, I looked it up and read both sides. Won't say what I learned because I'm not here to force you to believe what I believe.
Here is the unfortunate thing for me right now, I am always afraid that people look at me the way you say you look at people who have not conformed to your way of thinking and it saddens me. It saddens me that you are so angry and it saddens me that I should worry about it. I grew up with a dad like that, except worse(being told, while growing up, that I would get fat like my mom and no man would want me. Btw, turns out that isn't true). I always treated my body healthy and it still failed me. Unfortunately, we can't always control things.
I am definitely overweight, I wasn't always that way. I'm sure my butt looks like I eat bad things on a daily basis. I don't and never have. I have one son like that, though he enjoys food(with my upbringing I truly don't). I have another who likes to do what I call garbage gut(eats things that are bad for you). I don't bring those things into the house, though his dad, who does work out, does from time to time. And, so everyone knows, my cardio doc suggested I watched what I ate and my sister almost jumped out of her chair to tell him that I do not eat a lot and I do not eat unhealthy food. Frankly, to get to the weight I am now at I wish I would have at least enjoyed my food or ate those bon bons or potato chips.
I have a chronic illness that really effects my ability to get exercise. I pay for it when I do exercise, sometimes being laid up for days. Not cool to do when you have young children. I do the best I can do and it is never enough.
My dad and FIL both have eating issues in their quest to be healthy. My dad still ended up with a triple bypass and my FIL had a stroke. Sometimes you do all the right things and it still works out against you. Yes, they are both physically fit and not fat.
I can't go places without thinking that people look at me like you look at people. My husband says that I look at myself as much larger then I am. I don't know about that. I know a fat butt when I see one.
So can you see why I'm so frustrated right now? Because I look at myself the way I believe others are seeing me...and, it's not a pretty picture. Nope not one bit.
