Am I Too Mean To Fat People?
Posted: February 25th, 2011 | Author: Dr. Bill Stillwell | No Comments »About half of what we do here revolves around the weight
loss business. The other half revolves around getting
people to take world class supplements, to make sure they
stay put together, better than the average guy. Both things
sort of go hand in hand.
Most Americans tend to get heavy, as they age. There’s just
no way around this simple fact: Americans are, by and
large, some fat bastards. The number is around 60% total,
and among those over 45, it is higher. You don’t believe
me? Go to any function where there is a large gathering of
people, say a professional baseball game, and just watch
the people walk by. Hell…you don’t have to go to a ball
game…go to church on Sunday and look around. Chances are
…you are within reach of of a very high thread count. And
a hat that’s big enough to provide shade for three.
Every now and then I get a email from someone who accuses
me of being mean to “fat people.” (That’s called fattism in
the liberal lexicon.) I used to answer this kind of thing
myself, but now I just use emails from fat people, or
formerly fat people, or those on the road in between.
Here’s one.
“Dear Dr. Bill,
Your email hit me right between the eyes. I’ve been fat for
20 years, and what you’d call a buffet molester for the
last 5. When I got your email, I weighed in at just a shade
over 290. My gut hung down over my belt so far that I
developed back problems, just trying to stand up. My blood
pressure was high, my feet and ankles ached, I had acid
reflux and I could go on and on.
I tried to lose weight before (sort of), but everybody
always babied me. And so, it was easy for me to just
continue doing what I was doing. But that suggestion of
yours to stand in front of a full length mirror and take a
real look…from all directions…that was like getting hit
with a baseball bat. That forced me to stop lying to myself
and everybody else, too.
I used to actually tell people that I didn’t eat that much
(and I didn’t when they were around). But I ate plenty when
I was by myself and with the wife, who is overweight, but
not nearly as bad as I was. But that naked viewing, that
was a huge wake up call and while some people in my office
thought the email was a little mean, it was what was needed
and I wish somebody had said it earlier.
I’ve been “on the program” for 18 weeks and I now weigh
246. I’m shooting for around 205-210. The first month was
tough, but it’s been smooth sailing, ever since. I’m eating
about 1600 calories a day, which is probably a third of
what I shoved down the old pie hole, previously. My ankles
don’t swell up anymore, from trying to carry too much
weight, and my back is much improved, too.
Today, I actually told a business associate he was too fat.
He was complaining about all the same stuff I used to, so I
gave him some of your medicine. Don’t lighten up, Dr. Bill.
When you have a big problem, you need someone to tell you
what to do, in no uncertain terms.
Years ago I had an uncle who drank too much. (Way too
much!) He went to the family physician (same guy for 54
years). The doctor told him, “Elmer…you can keep drinking
…and I’ll be a pallbearer at your funeral in six months,
or less…or you can stop…and live another 20 years.
Elmer lived 15 more years and died from a fall on the ice.
(He quit drinking immediately, after leaving the doctors
office. One bartender told me that he lost $300 a week in
income when Elmer went dry.)
Somebody has to give it to us straight, Dr. Bill. Keep up
the good work.”
I’ll be back tomorrow with more.
With my best wishes for your optimum health,
Dr. Bill
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