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Re: [RC] Rider Weight - Tom Sites

Hello Barbara and Melissa and all.... Obesity has become Americas # 1 Health Problem. It masks other causes of death by blood vessels clogged w/ Big Mac's and Fries and heart problems. We are a consumer society that has everything we want to consume and people consume too much and exercise too little.

The insensentivities that are voiced sometimes come from both ends of the sprectrum and i have been guilty, i was told. I was at a ride and this friend who i hadn't seen in a while who has gained 100-125 lbs said to me..."Hey Tom come over and get something to eat. It looks like you need it." before i had a chance to think i retorted..." It looks like you ate it all.". Well a pin could have dropped and the laughter stopped. I felt ashamed, but Why was it OK to insinuate i need to eat more when its so obvious that person needs to eat less?

This thread is going to the crux of a very serious American problem, and I hope it continues in the sweet, objective and just downright Beautiful way Melissa perceives it.

On a side note, anyone know anything about the train that goes from LA-Seattle? I want to be like the Little Rascals and hop a train (But i'll pay the ticket). ts
----- Original Message ----- From: "Barbara McCrary" <bigcreekranch@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Melissa Alexander" <mcalex@xxxxxxxxxx>; "'Tom Sites'" <goearth@xxxxxxxxxxx>; "'ridecamp'" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2005 10:24 AM
Subject: Re: [RC] Rider Weight


Melissa, whoever and wherever you are.....this is one of the most incredible posts I have ever read! You are obviously thoughtful, considerate, and wise. Your message should be posted everywhere in this country, so everyone can read it. I am stunned by your wisdom. GOOD for you!!! I do get so tired of pictures on magazine covers that show impossibly thin, or at least svelte, film stars three months after they have given birth. It seems to have become the rage. Personally, I would rather concentrate on a person's kindness, consideration, honesty, integrity, and talents than how much they weigh. "Beauty is as beauty does" (one of my mother's bits of life's lessons that come back into my head constantly.)

Barbara

----- Original Message ----- From: "Melissa Alexander" <mcalex@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "'Tom Sites'" <goearth@xxxxxxxxxxx>; "'ridecamp'" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 7:34 PM
Subject: RE: [RC] Rider Weight


Why is it impolite to call some one fat and not when someone is called
skinny? Ts

Who says it isn't?

In American culture, however, I'd much rather be called/considered "skinny"
instead of "fat." What are the connotations of skinny? "Needs to eat more."
"Works out too much." "Has a too fast metabolism." Jokes about skinny people
are, usually, followed with wishful overtones. It's only when someone is so
thin that they look unhealthy that people become concerned.

What are the connotations of fat? Lazy. Eats too much. Sloppy. Slovenly.
Doesn't try. "Should be ashamed of herself." Jokes are NEVER followed with
wishful overtones. Instead the tone is disgust. Disdain.

I was at the gym the other day, changing in the locker room. I was, as I
always am, amazed by the variety in shapes and sizes of the women. Every
combination of height and weight. Old, young. Wrinkled. Unblemished. And I
was amazed at how beautiful and unique they were -- and how none of them
were perfect. But I also couldn't help but overhear the self-disparaging
remarks. Beautiful women who have been made to feel ashamed of their
imperfect bodies. It's not Hollywood and the media that does it. It's
thoughtless remarks like "lose a few" or "skinny."

People should think before they speak. Seriously. What you say *does* impact
people, no matter how offhand it is. Being "honest" -- who the hell asked
you anyway? -- doesn't give you a license to hurt people. I've spent the
afternoon, after reading the posts, feeling bad about myself and my riding
-- and most especially, my desire to ride in endurance in the future. I'm
second-guessing my choices. Doesn't matter that I'm actively working to lose
weight or that I'm taking riding lessons to get better. Now I'll wonder
who's riding behind me, disgusted and appalled that I should dare to get on
a horse.


Melissa


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Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

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Replies
RE: [RC] Rider Weight, Melissa Alexander
Re: [RC] Rider Weight, Barbara McCrary