AboutBob Sponaugle Expertise Hello. I am very willing to discuss and answer all aspects of size acceptance, which is the NON-DIETING approach to living as a large person. I also welcome questions from their admirers. However, I can not answer diet questions.
Experience I have been a member of the size acceptance movement for over 25 years. While I was a fat kid, I am not very large now. I am a fat admirer who has been supporter of large people for many years.
Expert: Bob Sponaugle Date: 5/28/2007 Subject: size acceptance
Question hi! great to hear that there is people out there who accept people for who they are rather than their size, i'm 23 years old and have struggled with my weight since forever! a few of myn friends are larger people who i love and accept them for who they are, the problem is that i cant seem to accept myself for who i am, i weighed 20st 10lbs and then i joined weight watchers l;ast september and now weigh 16st.i am very proud of losing that weight for health reasons etc. but 'm so scared that in doing so i'm going to loose me aswell! does that make sense? hope so, i dont judge other people for their size but i do judge myself, how can learn to accept me for me instead of what other people say?
best regards chloe x
Answer Hi.
The main thing to realize that you are the same person, no matter what you weigh. That weight has nothing to do with your abilities or accomplishments. You have to realize that the obsession that people have about weight is really foolish. I know it is easier said than done.
However, once you realize that the number on the scale is not important, it won't matter what you weigh. If you gain weight, or lose weight, the number will change. But you will still be the same person.
Some people feel so uncomfortable losing weight, they purposely regain it.
As far as health reasons, losing weight for health reasons is usually not a good idea. Most people regain the weight anyway, and yoyo dieting is less healthy than being a high steady weight.
Rather than losing weight for health reasons, it would make more sense to eat for health reasons. If you are diabetic, then it is best to avoid sugar. If you have high cholesterol, it would be better to avoid fats. Most conditions contributed to weight are usually more genetic anyway, including HBP, diabetes, and cholesterol.
I hope this helps. Feel free to email me at bobsjers@aol.com if you want to discuss it further. (or ask a follow up question.) We can also IM on AIM or Yahoo if you like. It's hard to ask and answer the question in one shot.
