As someone who bears more than a few extra pounds, I agree totally with your analysis of shame-based weight loss. You may lose the weight and feel even worse about yourself because of all the shame, and any future slip-up risks your emotional stability. People I know who have been successful with Weight Watchers, etc., are generally not those with major body-image problems, but just folks who'd like to fit into that smaller dress or whatever. If that works for them, great. But realistically, any plan that makes you miserable while you're on it is not likely to be accepted as a permanent lifestyle change afterwards.
Personally, I've never felt any significant body-image stress(excepting a few individual embarassing instances, e.g. high-school locker rooms). While I've certainly been aware that I'm on the heavy side, I just haven't ever been concerned enough to take the time to worry about it. I say this not at all to claim that such things are easily overcome, but only to agree with your friend that it is entirely possible to be overweight and very content. (I also recognize that there could be gender-related differences in our situations). I suppose I do have a vague concern that I might keel over at age 45 with my life's work unfinished, but this is quite a different matter.
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branchandroot
Weight
Date: 2003-03-03 09:20 pm (UTC)Personally, I've never felt any significant body-image stress(excepting a few individual embarassing instances, e.g. high-school locker rooms). While I've certainly been aware that I'm on the heavy side, I just haven't ever been concerned enough to take the time to worry about it. I say this not at all to claim that such things are easily overcome, but only to agree with your friend that it is entirely possible to be overweight and very content. (I also recognize that there could be gender-related differences in our situations). I suppose I do have a vague concern that I might keel over at age 45 with my life's work unfinished, but this is quite a different matter.