Feeling fat
By Fleur
@Fleura (30662)
United Kingdom
September 2, 2024 6:43am CST
I know that nowadays, ‘fat’ is practically a dirty word and no longer just a simple descriptor. And the body positivity movement encourages everyone to feel good about their physical size and shape.
That’s all well and good and I’m glad if it makes people happy but personally, I am currently too fat for my own liking. If I catch a glimpse of my side-on view in a mirror I don’t like it at all. When I sit down I have a noticeable (to me) ‘spare tyre’ around my middle and even when I’m standing up if I put my hand on my belly I can wobble it about like a blancmange. Some of my clothes are noticeably tighter than they were just a few months ago, and dancing feels a lot more like hard work than it did.
I’m blaming this on the school holidays. Basically when we are all together it’s much more difficult to stick to the ‘five: two diet’, partly because it seems odd not to join in family meals and partly because half the time I can’t even remember what day it is, they all merge together! Then of course when we go away somewhere there are more opportunities for cake and ice cream. And we get around in the car or sometimes bus, so far fewer bicycle rides for me!
I need to get back on the wagon. I want to feel light on my feet again and be able to fasten my clothes easily. Luckily school starts again soon which I’m sure will make a difference!
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2024.
10 people like this
8 responses
@Orson_Kart (6908)
• United Kingdom
2 Sep
Do you do the 5:2 diet? I know it was either invented or promoted by the late Dr Michael Mosley. I’ve always wanted to ‘give it a go’ but always fall down at the 2 bit. The 5 is no problem. How do you do it?
4 people like this
@Orson_Kart (6908)
• United Kingdom
4 Sep
@JudyEv I’m guessing, like me, you can stick to the 5 bit, it’s the 2 that is difficult. Am I right? 
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (50894)
• United States
2 Sep
I can totally relate. I have started exercising and eating right again. Good luck on your journey.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (343439)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Sep
Not talking about your issue but we see a huge number of obese younger people around here. I can't help thinking that if there was just a TINY bit of prejudice against being so fat then they might lay off the chips and Coke a bit and be a bit healthier. And the larger they are, the morre they seem to feel the need to wear really tight clothing. 
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30662)
• United Kingdom
3 Sep
When I lived in Minnesota around 25 years ago I was taken aback by the size of the people there. One of my colleagues, an Italian who was of course very slim and elegant, remarked (imagine an Italian accent) 'They are OBESE!'
Fast forward 20 years and those people wouldn't look so odd to me any more. It has become much more common to see people in this country who are so fat they have to walk with their arms and legs sticking out, or whose behind looks from the back 'like two dwarves fighting in a sack' (my favourite expression!)
And I know what you mean about the youngsters, I see people in crop tops with a spare tyre spilling out underneath. I would absolutely never even consider going anywhere looking like that!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (343439)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Sep
@Fleura I haven't been to America but friends who have been there say the servings are huge, just like most of the people. The other thing I'm not keen on, and I realise I'm 'old' with old-fashioned ideas, but I don't see why heavily pregnant women insist on wearing really tight clothing and/or bare stomachs. I know it's natural and all the rest but it really seems 'in your face' at times.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (183959)
• United States
3 Sep
I know what you mean. I lost 25 pounds but have gained back 5. I feel fat too. I have so much more to lose but I enjoy eating so much; and at my age I feel I deserve to enjoy eating. Wrong attitude! Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183959)
• United States
3 Sep
@Fleura I can't cook anymore; and I really miss it. I have about 100 cookbooks; but I just can't get rid of them.
1 person likes this
@pumpkinjam (8814)
• United Kingdom
5 Sep
I know a couple of people who have been successful with the 5:2 diet. I've not tried it myself but I found that Slimming World worked for me. I have been struggling this week, just pigging out. I've definitely been feeling fat! I can't even blame it on school holidays because I don't have any kids at school!
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (13269)
• Ireland
2 Sep
@fleura My girth has taken a life of its own this week - eating in Paris is good for neither waist nor wallet. My daughter came home from school when she was about and reported that someone had said the F word. We didn’t know she was aware that that was a thing and we gently pursued the matter with her and she eventually told us that a boy had said someone was fat.
1 person likes this
