Posted On: April 4, 2008, 12:27 pm CDT

Posted By: lastbat

It really irks me when people assume what others have gone through. For some reason there are a couple people who assume that those of us who champion proper diet and movement as the best way to lose weight have no idea what it's like to be overweight, have no idea what the morbidly obese go through. I find it insulting.

Since others have revealed some of their stories - and in a, probably futile, attempt to get people to stop focusing on what they think they know about me in their comments - here is some of my story:

I recently lost 45lbs and 8% body fat going from obese to average, and am still working on it. I did it all through diet and exercise.

My favorite uncle has dropped over 100lbs and is still overweight (mid-200's) from diet and increased movement. He has experienced discrimination from his doctor and in housing because of his weight, but he soldiers on. His movements are limited due to the effects of a lifetime of morbid obesity, but he realized he couldn't keep eating a #10 can of chili every day and stay alive. He decided to eat better and move as much as he can. Martha Stewart is now a staple of his t.v. diet to learn how to live a better life.

My brother-in-law had stomach surgery to correct massive ulcers. He lost over 60lbs but has gained much of it back due to improper diet control and lack of movement. He recognizes this and is currently changing his diet and movement habits so he can be healthier for the son that recently came into his life.

My sister had stomach surgery to correct an acid reflux problem and dropped over 50lbs. She is currently losing weight through diet and movement to get back down to a healthy body composition. Even after the stomach surgery she was still obese, and recognized it. Pregnancy didn't help with weight loss either (mild joke there).

My other sister has started eating better and purchased an elliptical machine to assist in moving more because she realized that with over 100 extra pounds she can't keep up with her 9-year old daughter. She wants to stop having people look at her like she's disgusting and she's tired of feeling fat.

My brother lost about 60-80lbs (he never told me the final number) preparing to go into the army, and kept it off after coming back home by bicycling into work with a 30-mile round trip every day. He's gained back 40lbs since he took a job that keeps him sitting down most of the day. He and his wife are both overweight and face discrimination from co-workers and others every day.

Is this enough personal information to allow me in the club to comment on the issue of weight? Or do I have to talk about the rest of my morbidly obese family. I can name maybe 10 people in my entire family line who aren't morbidly obese, many of them 400lbs or heavier (I'm not exagerating). Are you happy now?

Yes, this is sarcastic. Hopefully at least one person who assumed about others' lives prior to this post will think twice before assuming in the future.