Major venting: not for the judgemental, gossips, back-biters, holier-than-thou, or just plain mean and rude.

I have been struggling lately. Struggling badly. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in August by one doctor and in October by another. It's been coming on for a few years now. My eating has been out of control and my workouts, the one thing that I was consistent with, has gone by the wayside of late. I am not giving up, though. I'll never give up.

Now for the venting...

I was speaking to an acquaintance of mine last week, telling her about my diagnosis and weight loss failures. I made the comment that I have "food issues". Her reply upset me, I must say. She said, "I think eveyone has issues with food. It's just what you do with it that matters." Then she proceeded to give me advice about setting limits on food and so on. Really? REALLY?! Do people really believe that someone who is 10, 20 or even 50 pounds overweight has the same issues with food as someone who is 150+ pounds overweight? Do they think it's all just a simple matter of will power and that obese people just have no self-control?

I am appalled by the implication that this gives, and it simply isn't true. There are so many factors involved! Genetics of course plays a huge role. How we are raised plays a huge role. Emotional and physical problems play a huge role. Lifestyle and income can even play a role in these things. The more I think about this the more upset I get about it. In her way of thinking, I'm just lazy and gluttenous and that's all there is to it.

Well, I wish that this had sunk in sooner so I could have told her how I really feel and maybe set her straight on a few things. For now, I guess my venting will have to due.

I would love to hear some comments on this subject. Do all fairly normal weight people really think this way? It's amazing to me how much discrimination that is still going on in this day and age. I see not only racial discrimination, but religious and weight discrimination frequently and it is sad that we can't be more understanding, loving and kind people

A friend of mine posted this on their FB page a few days ago and I think it very appropriate:

Before you assume, learn. Before you judge, understand. Before you hurt, feel. Before you say, think.

Susan