Too fat to fly: The Kevin Smith story

[Leonardo Mystic]

Originally Posted by Leo656

You're right, I do. And I'm not trying to be funny, I'm simply a pragmatist. I have nothing against overweight people from a sense that, I wish them no harm and want them to take the steps to get their lives together. That's why I became certified as a trainer, because most people DO want help, they DO want to change, they just need someone to show them the right way.

But there's also the truth that many people don't want to accept, which is that making excuses not to get well and expecting everyone to bend over backwards for you because you have a "disability" is not a realistic expectation. Obesity has been proven to be not only completely preventable almost 99% of the time, but carries far greater risks than smoking, drinking or drug abuse all by itself. Almost all forms of cancers have some link to the foods we eat and how our individual bodies process and/or store energy that we take in.

There is a solution that's proven to work for everyone, and it's not liposuction, gastric bypass surgery or the Atkins diet; it's called education mixed with a positive attitude, a desire to see change, and a commitment to take the steps to get there, along with the understanding that you're worth the effort.

Both my parents had lifelong weight issues; my Dad's constant struggles with diabetes and heart disease have been mentioned numerous times on the board, so it's not like I'm an insensitive bastard. It's just that too many people would rather cry about their problems and how everyone owes them a favor, rather than make a positive change. It's not just overweight people (being underweight and malnourished is actually far more dangerous), I have little patience with that sort of attitude coming from anyone.

Well, take your dieting regime elsewhere. It's not welcomed.

Mods, can we please lock this topic now?

[plastroncafe]

Originally Posted by Leonardo Mystic

Well, take your dieting regime elsewhere. It's not welcomed.

Mods, can we please lock this topic now?

I'm inclined to agree.
The last thing I think anyone needs is a triggery back and forth about weight management.

[Leo656]

Originally Posted by Leonardo Mystic

Well, take your dieting regime elsewhere. It's not welcomed.

Mods, can we please lock this topic now?

Sensitive much?

But you know, I partly agree with you: the attitude that people are in fact responsible for their own actions and the consequences thereof, a belief I strongly cling to? It's NOT welcome much anymore, which is a damn shame. I guess it's not Kevin Smith's fault he's got a weight problem, he just fell into a deep depression after his last few flicks bombed, eh? Face it, the guy just loves attention and sympathy.

At least when my old man had his first of several heart attacks, when he was rolling around on the ground holding his chest, he knew who to blame: himself, for waiting until he was almost dead before taking his health seriously. Y'know how traumatizing that is for an 11 year old to watch? Can anyone even contemplate how for over 15 years since his first heart surgery, he's had to get fluid drained from his lungs every so often, had several more surgeries, stents put in to open his valves, and has walked around with a defibrillator implanted into his chest for the past 6 years?

It's called, "what happens when people don't take care of themselves".

It's no different from any other self-inflicted affliction like smoking or alcoholism or drug abuse; they all begin and end with the individual. It's not my problem if people don't take their health seriously, but if you'd seen what I've seen, and gone to half as many funerals of people that died decades too soon from a variety of self-afflicted problems, maybe you'd try to understand my attitude a bit. Being hypersensitive, and/or placating hypersensitive people, does no one any good.

But by all means, this thread can die. And next time someone else gets their feelings hurt by common sense, we'll lock that one, too, and then we'll keep going until we all agree on everything. Deal?

Love you.

[plastroncafe]

Originally Posted by Leo656

Being hypersensitive, and/or placating hypersensitive people, does no one any good.

*slow clap*

[Leonardo Mystic]

Originally Posted by Leo656

Sensitive much?

But you know, I partly agree with you: the attitude that people are in fact responsible for their own actions and the consequences thereof, a belief I strongly cling to? It's NOT welcome much anymore, which is a damn shame. I guess it's not Kevin Smith's fault he's got a weight problem, he just fell into a deep depression after his last few flicks bombed, eh? Face it, the guy just loves attention and sympathy.

At least when my old man had his first of several heart attacks, when he was rolling around on the ground holding his chest, he knew who to blame: himself, for waiting until he was almost dead before taking his health seriously. Y'know how traumatizing that is for an 11 year old to watch? Can anyone even contemplate how for over 15 years since his first heart surgery, he's had to get fluid drained from his lungs every so often, had several more surgeries, stents put in to open his valves, and has walked around with a defibrillator implanted into his chest for the past 6 years?

It's called, "what happens when people don't take care of themselves".

It's no different from any other self-inflicted affliction like smoking or alcoholism or drug abuse; they all begin and end with the individual. It's not my problem if people don't take their health seriously, but if you'd seen what I've seen, and gone to half as many funerals of people that died decades too soon from a variety of self-afflicted problems, maybe you'd try to understand my attitude a bit. Being hypersensitive, and/or placating hypersensitive people, does no one any good.

But by all means, this thread can die. And next time someone else gets their feelings hurt by common sense, we'll lock that one, too, and then we'll keep going until we all agree on everything. Deal?

Love you.

Jerk much? Look, you don't understand that you're coming off as obnoxious and arrogant. Sorry about your personal life, but it's not right to push it off on every one else as "This is how it has been, so it must be that way for all."

If it makes you feel better though, why don't you join First Lady Michelle Obama in her campaign to fight childhood obesity? You'll have a lot of fun paving the way for the next wave of eating disorders in our nation's youth because it's treated like an apocalypse to have an ounce of fat on a child's body.

[The Stryker]

What the hell is wrong with fighting childhood obesity? Being obsese causes health problems.

[Leo656]

Exactly. And did you know that buildup along the arterial walls in your heart can start at age SIX? Six years old. That's why it's a dangerous issue.

Don't care? I'm a jerk? Okay then, I guess the health care bill that isn't gonna happen will just cover a few million triple bypass surgeries? Do you know what they cost? Do you know the amount of blood thinners, diabetic insulin, heart regulators and other medicines a middle aged overweight person might need to have?

It's not JUST "my problem", it's a REAL problem. Name calling doesn't fix it. Being hypersensitive doesn't fix it. Ignoring it doesn't fix it.

I don't play the sympathy game. I live in the real world. My girlfriend is about 20 lbs overweight (I'm sure she'd be thrilled with me mentioning that, but whatever) and disgusted with herself. She used to be an athlete, she won trophies in soccer; life happens, people get lazy. But she doesn't blame anyone but herself for the rut she got herself into, and she knows it's up to her to fix it. She's procrastinating, but she knows what she needs to do, and she also knows I'm not gonna dump her just because she gained a few. She's still plenty beautiful to me.

How's that for me being an insensitive jerk?

Don't assume I'm a bully just because I don't talk to each and every person like they're a special unique little butterfly. I don't buy the bullsh*t that smokers, alcoholics, drug addicts and obese people sell, that they are "helpless in the face of this crippling (self-inflicted) disease".

People are only as helpless as they want to be. Fact.

I do find it hilarious, though, that anyone would mention me joining with an Obama over anything. Do I haaaaaaaave to?

[Ninjinister]

What the f*** happened to this topic?

[The Stryker]

Originally Posted by The Ninjinister

What the f*** happened to this topic?

Somebody got their panties in a knot over jokes.

[Venom]

Just like Kevin Smith did after rescheduling his flight.

[Leo656]

DING! And we're back on. Good show, old boy.

[Cure]

Originally Posted by Leonardo Mystic

Jerk much? Look, you don't understand that you're coming off as obnoxious and arrogant. Sorry about your personal life, but it's not right to push it off on every one else as "This is how it has been, so it must be that way for all."

If it makes you feel better though, why don't you join First Lady Michelle Obama in her campaign to fight childhood obesity? You'll have a lot of fun paving the way for the next wave of eating disorders in our nation's youth because it's treated like an apocalypse to have an ounce of fat on a child's body.

Holy sh*t. Did you just say you have a problem with fighting childhood obesity? An actual health problem? You're saying more retarded things than Leo has EVER said.

Being fat is a problem, plain and simple. Does it make people less attractive? I don't think so (unless they're f*cking cows) but it's still a problem, and treating it like it isn't one only makes things worse.

[Leonardo Mystic]

Originally Posted by TheCure

Holy sh*t. Did you just say you have a problem with fighting childhood obesity? An actual health problem? You're saying more retarded things than Leo has EVER said.

Being fat is a problem, plain and simple. Does it make people less attractive? I don't think so (unless they're f*cking cows) but it's still a problem, and treating it like it isn't one only makes things worse.

You have entirely twisted that out of context. Children and babies are supposed to have a little extra padding, but it's being treated as if just one ounce of fat on their bodies is obesity. In case you haven't followed, Michelle Obama has been calling her own daughters fat or at least being on the verge due to a doctor's claim.

Mods, again I ask you to shut this down now or at least move it to the Volcanic Astroid. It has served its purpose. Hell, I don't even know that it had a purpose other than to make fat jokes and spark infomercials for dieting tips.

[Cure]

Originally Posted by Leonardo Mystic

You have entirely twisted that out of context. Children and babies are supposed to have a little extra padding, but it's being treated as if just one ounce of fat on their bodies is obesity.

No, it's not. Obesity is a medical term with BMI being calculated and whatnot. BMI too high=obese. Although I will admit in rare cases a very fit and lean person can have a high BMI. I forgot how, but I digress.

I don't think this should be closed; nothing's getting TOO out of hand as of yet.

[Duke]

Originally Posted by TheCure

Although I will admit in rare cases a very fit and lean person can have a high BMI. I forgot how, but I digress.

If someone is extremely muscular they can show up as obese on the BMI tables because BMI is calculated by weight and height only. It doesn't calculate body fat at all.

[Cure]

Originally Posted by Duke

If someone is extremely muscular they can show up as obese on the BMI tables because BMI is calculated by weight and height only. It doesn't calculate body fat at all.

OK, there you go. Not lean, muscular.

[Leo656]

Right, BMI isn't as accurate as a Body Fat Percentage reading using calipers and all that along with a table that measures your fat percentage in accordance with your age. There's a type of water displacement measurement technique that's supposed to be the gold standard in mass indexes, but it's rarely ever done as it's impractical and cost-prohibitive. For most people a caliper test is as accurate as they'll ever need to be.

I guess some people missed the part where it's more dangerous to be underweight? I did mention that. Or are people (more like a very small few) just reading what they want and ignoring the rest? That's never happened before...

What's the point in locking a thread that 99% of people are ok with? So one person doesn't like the vibe; s'all good playa, just swagger on. You made a point, called some folks judgmental... you don't agree with consensus, which is fine, but people shouldn't be discouraged from talking about a real problem (or making fun of Kevin Smith) just because it smacks some as insensitive.

If it makes you feel better, next time I start a kickball team, you can be on it. Deal? I'd hate to hurt anyone's feelings.

Just kidding, hurting people's feelings is hilarious.

[XERO]

Figured this would be appropriate.

[plastroncafe]

Originally Posted by Leo656

What's the point in locking a thread that 99% of people are ok with? So one person doesn't like the vibe; s'all good playa, just swagger on. You made a point, called some folks judgmental... you don't agree with consensus, which is fine, but people shouldn't be discouraged from talking about a real problem (or making fun of Kevin Smith) just because it smacks some as insensitive.

It's the internet, it's never JUST one person.
The whole "Die Fattie Die" section of this thread is indeed a thread-jack. And yeah, busting balls because of someone's weight? It's a pretty craptastic thing to do. Especially on a message board dedicated to the Ninja Turtles of all things.

[Mecha Cow]

"People of size?" "People of size?" Are you kidding me? I'm all for tolerance and I don't have anything against fat people, but this is political correctness taken too far. If you're cool with your size, more power to you, but let's not start pretending it's OK to be unhealthy.