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The Highs and Lows of Losing 100 Pounds By Kenlie Tiggeman I used to dread simple tasks like going to the grocery store and walking to the mailbox. I was constantly overwhelmed with anxiety when I knew I'd have to ride in someone else's car, so I avoided it as much as possible. I bought two plane tickets for every flight I had to take because I knew that one seat wouldn't be enough for me, and I felt shame every time I had to walk back into a rental car company to upgrade because I couldn't fit into a mid-size car. But that shame was mild in comparison to shame I felt when the weight of my body broke the driver's seat of my own car. I know it's my own fault that my small frame grew to almost 400 pounds. I was disgusted with myself—disgusted with the fact that I couldn't go to dinner without asking for a table instead of a booth because it was obvious that I wouldn't fit into the latter. My life, which was so good in some ways, was completely overshadowed by my body. And while people looked at me in disgust, no one was more repulsed by me than I was. So I changed my ways and lost 100 pounds. Losing it made everything in my life easier and more fun. I was happier than I had ever been! But in reality, 100 pounds down is just the tip of the iceberg for me—I'm still obese. <snip> Last April, as I ran (yes, ran) to a gate to catch a connecting flight, I was singled out by a gate agent who told me that I was "too fat to fly." The story made national (and international) news stirring a lot of unwelcome emotions inside my head. To that gate agent, I wasn’t the healthy, athletic person that I‘m turning into according to my doctor’s chart. I was just a fat girl who didn’t deserve the same treatment as skinny passengers.
Many faceless Internet users hid behind the anonymity of their computer screens as they spewed hurtful and hateful remarks about me when the news story broke. Apparently they thought that negative remarks would motivate me to take better care of myself. www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=the_highs_and_lows_of_losing_100_pounds
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I'm posting this because some people on DU jumped in on the 'fat person' comments.
Like Ms. Tiggeman I, too, am obese. Last year I was morbidly obese. I've lost 70 pounds and am nearing 'just' overweight. I completely admit I made some really bad decisions regarding my health, especially after an accident left me pretty much couch-ridden for 6 months while I healed.
So while I remember many people on DU being sympathetic to the person in the story, I also remember others being pretty damn cruel and harsh in their treatment of this individual. I'm certain this story will be met with the same derision. I probably will be, too, because, you know, I'm fat and it's my fault.
But at least you'll get the chance to say it to my DU face because, like the author, I'm on my journey and those who are with me are my friends. Those who aren't are merely roadblocks.
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