10.19.2011

When You are No Longer Fat


I'm Pouring My Heart Out today with Shell.





When you are no longer fat, so many things change.
Many of these changes are expected. But some will take you by surprise.
For instance....

When you are no longer fat, people will go out of their way to hold a door open for you. They will rush ahead, or wait extra long for you to get there.

When you are no longer fat, your jokes suddenly become much more funny. People actually listen to what you're saying. Suddenly you are quite charming.

When you are no longer fat, people will call you nicknames such as "Little One". You will look at them like they're crazy, and ask them to repeat that. After being overweight for almost your entire life, that will amaze you.

When you are no longer fat, people will openly express their disdain for fat people around you. They are not cruel enough to say anything in front of fat people, but they will certainly talk behind their back. They don't know that you used to be fat. You will be shocked at the disgust people have for overweight people.

When you are no longer fat, those outfits that look so cute on the hanger, actually look cute on YOU, too. Shopping is much more enjoyable.

When you are no longer fat, you will get hired on the spot for jobs that you apply for. Even in a bad economy, you won't have to wait for those phone calls that, in the past, often never came.

When you are no longer fat, you will appreciate being treated with kindness and respect. You will enjoy being complimented.

When you are no longer fat, you will want to cry out, I am still the same person I always was! And you will hurt for that fat girl who was ignored, dismissed, and treated with condescension. Because she's still in there, wondering why people could never see past the surface before.


35 comments:

Ange said...

For me, being no longer fat, I am unaware of what I look like, and still buy the same size clothes because I cannot come to terms with the fact that those clothes are now 3 sizes too big.

Kat said...

Such an honest and raw post. Thank you. I hope it opens people's eyes and look at how they treat others.
Hugs.

Jen Has A Pen said...

I'm so in love with this post. I'm a roller coaster of weight issues and hate that I'm treated so differently when I'm heavy. I have friends who shed weight and seem to forget what it was like to once be fat. I love that you are still so honest with yourself. Great, great post.

ckbrylliant said...

Wow. A great reminder to treat all people equally and to recognize that we all have a story and if we would just stop talking long enough maybe we could hear it.

Unknown said...

I adore this post. I hope you don't mind if I tweet it out - this is a must-read for everyone today.

The Mommyologist said...

What a great post! This is something that most people would probably never think about.

Evonne said...

It's a shame that so many people are consumed by what others look like that they never take the time to think about who they really are.

Moomser said...

For me it's the other way around, I had always been really thin and used to all the "perks" and now that I've "filled out" it often amazes me how invisible I've become.

Amy said...

I hear a lot of fat comments now too that people never said in front of me before.

Furry Bottoms said...

This is so true.

I lost 50 lbs. Everything you said does happen. Then I gained about 10 lbs back, and I'm the fat girl again.

It's hard to come to terms with what you KNOW people are saying now.

Tara R. said...

I am so sorry that as a society we judge people unfairly by their appearance, very often without ever taking the time to get to know them.

Unknown said...

Love this post. I'm following you from the PYHO linky.. My post was called, "I'm Fat".. so I had to come read yours! I never thought about some of these things, but it gives me more motivation. I wonder how many people talk behind my back?

Helene said...

It's such a shame how society judges people simply on the way they look. People have feelings, no matter what size they are.

Ducky said...

Damn shame... it really is. Very brave post. <3 When a person has a life changing experience it can be eye opening to how much judgeing happens full spectrum...not just in the way someone looks (and yes, I'm speaking from experience).

Shell said...

It really is unfair how much people are judged by their looks/weight. It's sad.

Unknown said...

Fantastic post Cyndy, and so very, very true. :(

For the Love of Naps - Sarah said...

what an honest and inspiring post. Nicely put.

Broot said...

Yes. *tears*

Unknown said...

I can totally understand this one. But I'll let you know when I'm not fat anymore.

Brandy@YDK said...

i wish i was no longer fat.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I know and it's pretty sad.

JamieAnne of A Dash of Domestic said...

Beautiful post. As a woman who struggles with weight issues, it speaks to me. Very much.

Congrats on your successful weight loss.

Anonymous said...

love this.

C said...

amen, 'cept i am still fat.

Myya said...

The way that people treat people boggles me. No wait, it disgusts me sometimes. What a beautifully written heartfelt post.

Megan said...

That's so crushingly sad. I had a somewhat similiar revelation when I spent the summer in Tunisia and the guys there say horrible things to western women on the streets because they think we're easy and it got so bad I used to hate having to go outside. At it wasn't until then that I realized how much people look at you and make judgments about your race, 'cause I'd spend my entire life being the majority, so the judgment was never bad.

SMHMama said...

It is sad that people are treated that differently and judged on appearance. But it's tough to suddenly receive different treatment after your appearance changes. I would find it hard to trust people because I would only remember how I was treated before.

Sorta Southern Single Mom said...

What a powerful post... so poignant. Although I am one of those with curvy hips, so the cute clothes on the straight mannequins still don't always look right. *SIGH*

And on an aside...what the heck??? How did I miss this? We've guest posted for each other and I am just now realizing you've had this life-changing surgery! I feel like I dropped the blog-friend ball!

Tiffany said...

It's SO sad what the worldview is on overweight people. I'm not skinny by any means, my husband says I'm beautiful and I could stand to lose a few pounds. I can only imagine what other people think, and you know what, if they can't see past that, then it's their loss.

Great post!

Sandra said...

I am filled with mixed emotions, as clearly are you. Well, you are no longer fat and you are gorgeous. I can't imagine that even with added weight you were anything but beautiful inside and out...see, you made me all sentimental and cheesy. I mean it though! I looking at your picture in the sidebar!

Nora B. Peevy said...

I'm over for the weekend linky from Write on Edge. I liked your post and sadly, this is very true that some people act horribly.

-Nora
http://norabpeevy.blogspot.com/

Kristy @Loveandblasphemy said...

Tis true. Sigh.

Anonymous said...

Great post. :)

anymommy said...

Really, really moving. Thank you. You made me think.

Unknown said...

Wow. This is heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time, you know what I mean?

The 5th paragraph really breaks my heart though.

xo