Are you anorexic?

[aurorabunny]

I'm getting SO tired of this question that I feel like responding back with "I'm sorry that you're so fat that you think a person of normal weight is anorexic."  I know that's mean, and it's nasty.  And I would never actually say that.  But it's getting so freaking old.

I've worked really hard to lose this weight, and I work hard every day to keep myself HEALTHY.  Note I didn't say to keep myself thin at all costs, I said healthy.  By that I mean that I make sure I get all of the foods and nutrients that my body needs to be strong and I work out almost daily.  I have a lot of muscles from the exercise that I do and I also have a ton of energy, something not very typical of the few anorexic people that I have known in my lifetime (although I'll admit I'm far from an expert on the subject).  My weight is 115 lbs. and at 5'2, that puts my BMI smack dab in the middle of the "healthy weight" range.  So it really boggles my mind that people, even people that are practically strangers, feel like this is an appropriate question to ask me. 

I can say for a fact that when I weighed 200 lbs., no one that I knew came up to me and said "You sure are FAT.  Do you have an eating disorder?"  The funny part was that back then I DID have an eating disorder.  I consumed thousands of calories a day, ate portion sizes that were triple of what I should have been eating and I ate to combat pretty much any emotion you could think of. The only reason I can think of for this is that it's unacceptable (as it SHOULD be) to comment on a persons weight when they are heavy.  I wish people would understand that it's really unacceptable to make negative comments about anyones weight, whether that person is large or small. 

Sure, there are exceptions to the rule.  If a family member tells you that they're dropping pounds by eating 500 calories per day or you catch a friend puking their dinner back up in the bathroom, then by all means you need to intervene.  So with the health concerns about friends or family members aside, all I can say is that people need to mind their own business and get over themselves.  If you're overweight it doesn't mean that anyone thinner than you is anorexic.  If you're stick thin, it doesn't mean that someone who weighs more than you is fat either.  Everyone has their own goals and ideals for what is perfect and healthy for them, and HEALTH is what we should all be striving for first and foremost, more so than numbers on a scale (as easy as that is to do, I know). 

Although this journal wasn't inspired by anyone I know on Cafe Mom, maybe it can be a good reminder.  I can honestly say as someone who has been "fat" for most of their life that being made to feel bad about my weight as a "thin" person doesn't feel any better or hurt any less. 

[KelleyP77]

Jul. 22, 2009 at 9:32 PM

Thank you so much. I've always been "too skinny" and hate the comments I've had to endure all my life. With the exceptions you've mentioned above, I also do not think it's ever appropriate to comment on a person's weight in a negative light. And the "compliments" I could do without as well because they never seem to come out as anything other than insulting.  =)

[tiny_mama]

Jul. 22, 2009 at 9:32 PM

You're absolutely right! You worked your ASS off (literally) to get the results. You deserve a pat on the back!

 

*pat, pat, pat*

 

:)

[Fistandantalus]

Jul. 22, 2009 at 9:34 PM

Amen, sister.  I was heavy my whole life until my late 20's, then dropped to half my former weight.  I have been asked countless times if an eating disorder was responsible, even by my own doctor!  When asked how I did it and the answer was "healthy eating and exercise" some people actually looked disappointed, as if I was keeping a "magic pill" a secret.

[sugarmagnolia1]

Jul. 22, 2009 at 9:35 PM

Seriously I was about to write this post because I am SICK of it too. I actually journal everything on paper first and you beat me too it.  People think they can say anything especially if they are overweight and unhappy. I FINALLY had to say something to my neighbor who told me to quit losing weight ( I am 113 at 5'3" just like you) and I had to tell her to stop gaining weight. It worked. She wont even look at me now.

[Tes...Jacksmami]

Jul. 22, 2009 at 9:36 PM

Aww I am sorry. I have been one of those skinny people all my life, the dumb part is, I wasn't skinny. Once I got too skinny, (my dh was starving me) no one said a word about my weight. Or even seemed to notice that I looked like a dead person walking around. I am sure you look perfect. Go ahead and say that to the dorks!

[sugarmagnolia1]

Jul. 22, 2009 at 9:37 PM

If you where my college roommate you could tell people to "suck it hard" that always works for her.......

[RissaBusch]

Jul. 22, 2009 at 9:40 PM

Hahaha I love how it always seems acceptable to call a skinny person anorexic, bulimic or a drug addict.  I've gotten all of those a lot.  I've lost damn near 80 lbs in 11 months.  I never starved myself to do it.  I'm did, however, work my butt off and cut the crap out of my diet.  (breastfeeding helped too lol).  Nice journal!

[Jerbear_1974]

Jul. 22, 2009 at 9:55 PM

Ya know what's equally as ignorant? "Are you pregnant?" I have gotten that once or twice in my heavier days. Who the hell asks that??? I agree with your journal. Some people are really crass.

[used2chaos]

Jul. 22, 2009 at 10:00 PM

I agree, people need to mind their own damn business!  Who gives anyone the right to comment on someone else's weight?  I've seen plenty of pictures of you and I can honestly say you look wonderful.  Not too heavy, not too thin.  It would never cross my mind that you had an eating disorder.  Never.

[MythicMMM]

Jul. 22, 2009 at 10:05 PM

I'm totally jealous of your hot bod. ;-)