Chorus, I'm Not A Skinny Bitch (Just A Compassionate Woman)

There are more and more songs that I enjoy only for the chorus and it makes me with I had a cool talent with mixing music like that girl in Pitch Perfect.
When I went to start writing this blog post I couldn't think of anything other than remnants of my conversation with Alex about an article on 'Fat' and this song.

What started the conversation on body weight and such was this article. While it is written well, the science behind it isn't there. If you know me at all, I am not a fat shame-r nor am I a skinny bitch. However, an article like this is so misguided. Yes, I want people who are over weight to find and hold onto their confidence and be happy but there is nothing healthy about being unhealthy. The linked article's second 'fact' is what really burst my bubble. The title of number two's section?: Fat people don't all have poor eating and exercise habits.
Um... what? No. Just no. People who are excessively overweight (obese) do indeed have either bad eating habits, poor to no exercise/activity habits, or both. If you change what you eat and how much you eat-- that alone is going to change your weight (and your health). Adding more activity to your life will also change your weight (and health). While some people are 'lucky' with high metabolisms and can eat as much as they want (some have trouble gaining weight), others will feel the weight of unluckiness.
Now obesity has nothing to do with luck. Yes, a person's entire family may have a history of obesity but generally people eat the same exact food and adopt the same habits as their family--thus contributing to them following suite with the "genetic obesity." Logically, it has nothing to do with genetics but everything to do with habits. If a person's parents eat three big macs a day, and they go on to eat three big macs a day, they are most likely going to have a similar weight and health level.

The third 'fact' in this article is titled: Fat itself isn't unhealthy. Okay, I'm listening again because it is true that the body does need small amounts of fat (healthy fats like that from nuts and avocado). But then I read the section and I was frustrated again with the lack of scientific evidence and consideration this person contributed to the writing of this article. I will share the section that made me just discredit this author:
"If being fat were inherently bad for us, then weight loss should bring about innumerable health benefits. But that's not always the case: Multiple studies have seen little to no connection between weight loss and decreased risk of mortality.
In fact, some studies have found that fat people are more likely to survive cardiac events and that being overweight can have a positive influence on longevity.
What's more, losing significant weight is very difficult, and intense yo-yo dieting can cause plenty of health problems, too."
First of all, we all die. I've spoken about this with all you readers a couple times before. We all die whether we are the most fit or the most unhealthy person in the world.
Second, 'fat people' are more likely to have cardiac events and do so at younger ages that others. Usually the other percentage of people who have cardiac events are elderly.
Third, yes losing weight can be a challenge when you have to change all your habits to see healthy successful results. 'Yo-yo dieting' as this author refers to main-stream America's definition of dieting, can of course be bad because this so called yo-yo-ness is based on quick fixes which don't really work. The only healthy way to lose weight is indeed by changing what we eat and our activity level. Start where you can then build up from there. Cut out sodas, eat more green veggies, take your dog for a walk around the block (they can be the sweetest motivators), start swimming, go for a hike, join a spinning class-- it all adds up as long as you keep building. Enjoy a slice or two of your favorite pizza but don't eat it every night-- you eat for nutrition and you can't waist so many eating sessions on food with such a narrowed, limited nutrient food. If you feel 'guilty' after eating the slice or two even though you enjoyed them, go for an extra walk around the block.

The quality of our lives is dependent on our health.
Our health depends on our habits.
Habits can be made and broken.

P.S.
I just want to make sure I'm leaving you on a good note, reader. I think everyone, no matter their size, is beautiful in their own unique way; I believe that the issue that keeps coming up is health. If a person is told by a doctor that they are at a very unhealthy weight (including the consideration of muscle), they should not take it as an insult. Instead it should be taken as a genuine concern. Being over weight is a serious matter and causes serious health issues for the individual now and in the long run. It's not fat shaming when someone expresses genuine concern for those with super excess weight; it's called being compassionate and recognizing that our society lacks a healthy system for supporting healthy eating and activity habits within families.