GatorBytes
That Awful "F" Word
By Ms. Gator Bytes
Aug 12, 2000, 18:40

Say, hey! It's Mikey again. Ms. G is in a frenzy trying to facilitate the formation of a Florida Chapter of "Friends Don't Let Friends Get Fat." Go figure. Let's see if I can relay some of her concerns on this weighty matter.



There are so many fabulous "F" words, e.g., friend, fun, fantasy, feather, faith (put those all together and it seems one has 'frolic'), et al. So then, why does one little word have to ruin it for so many? Just about the smallest of the bunch, and it's the worst of the bunch, describing the biggest of the bunch. Ms. G assures me that the appellation one never wants to have flung at or pinned on them is "fat." It can't be worn like a "Badge of Courage" and is more shameful than the "Scarlett Letter," she says.



This latest campaign started with an otherwise innocuous e-mail, one of those "FW: CK" (careful here) ones. Another recipient questioned whether it was, perhaps, a bit racist. Which led to a whole lot of discussion about prejudices in general. Some kind and gentle souls suggested that others of us be more understanding and look a little deeper than outward appearances. Which then escalated into basic bigotry against certain groups, and in particular this day, the old, the ugly and the fat (Ms. G's pet peeve groups). Being none of those undesirable things myself, I had to follow along pretty closely here.



One does not choose to be old, although it certainly beats the alternative. One does not choose to be ugly (my sleek feline friends and I compliment each other on our good fortune of varied, though excellent, genes). One does not choose their sex (well, maybe some do now), their color (stuck with the dominant genes), but fat occurs through choices. Bad choices. While I haven't been getting as much exercise or going on as many walks recently, extra food isn't withheld from me, but I simply choose not to eat everything put before me.



There is talk about genetic predisposition, inherently faulty metabolism, and parents demanding a "clean plate" because they or their parents were in the Great Depression. Or parents establishing poor eating habits by appeasing a child with cookies and fast food "meals" with little plastic toys that may have to be recalled. But, from Ms. G's perspective, it still goes to personal choices. Children are going to grow up and be able to make their own choices. In the world according to Ms. G (who, yes, with little effort, is fit and trim), the simple fact of the matter is that fat does not creep into your bed unbidden while you are sleeping and attach itself to your hips. With that extra snack, you invited it to crawl in and cuddle up.



Ms. G even cites an acquaintance who has the height and face of a Vogue model but allowed herself to get to the enormous weight of over 500 pounds. While others are commending her on losing 300 of those pounds, and working on the next hundred, and after she has already undergone liposuction then having her stomach stapled so that she can never eat a proper meal again, Ms. G is outraged. As I understand it, Ms. G apparently feels that it is a crime against nature that anyone, especially one so lucky to be born so beautiful, would choose to ruin their appearance, not to mention their health, by more than conspicuous consumption. And to put the frosting on the proverbial and fattening cake, the girl now thinks she should be entitled to a free surgical procedure to lop off the extra skin now hanging in blobs about her less ample body. Oh, pullleeezzz. Not on our tax dollars.



So, while the "free radical" in this household is righteously outraged about those choosing to be fat, she made a life-threatening choice long, long ago, which was to smoke. That choice is haunting her day and night and every conscious moment now while she tries, on medical advice, to become a non-smoker. Maybe she should have chosen the Devil's food cake.



Oh well, it's always something. TTFN.

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