Have you ever made fun of an overweight person?
Tuesday, on the stationary bike in the Secret Gym, I continued reading my “fun” book, Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster (pictured in the black and white photo on the right). I’m laughing out loud, smiling and gasping at the events in this book, which the author says is a memoir, but that she’s “taken a few liberties for the purpose of moving the story forward.”
There’s a point in the book, when Jen admits she’s gained a “few” pounds. And, by a few, she means 50. I don’t know where she was starting from or how tall she is, but she does allude to a Size 14.
I’ve gained 50 pounds before, and I’m not talking about when I was pregnant because I gained waaaaay more than 50 then.
In college, I didn’t have to work hard to fit into my faded Size 9 Calvin Kleins because a) I walked everywhere on campus and WSU is hilly, b) I had access to healthy eating choices (lots of salad) at the dining center, and c) I played intramural soccer and I took advanced soccer for credit. (I loved that class! All we did was scrimmage and we got to play on the football field in Martin Stadium. I got some pretty bad turf burns on my knees and elbows, though.)
A few weeks after college ended, my real-world job as a copy editor for a daily newspaper began. I worked in the newsroom. All that movement I had in my life disappeared overnight. Suddenly, I was sitting at a computer all day and eating fast food for lunch…at my desk.
There was a small workout facility, about the size of the Secret Gym, in my apartment building, but I’d never “worked out” before. I’d only played sports. I felt like a fool with all that equipment and no idea what to do with it. And, oh yeah, I had to cook for myself. I made $10 an hour. I remember one week, I bought a loaf of French bread at the QFC and I just had some of that for dinner each night. I paired it with a cheap red. This was before my roommate graduated from cop school and moved in. Obviously, this was a low-point for me.
So I know how Jen felt when she gained a “few” pounds.
But there’s a situation that happens in her book that floored me. It has to do with the Chicago Marathon. A friend from out-of-town asks her to go to the expo and pick up her husband’s race packet. In an e-mail, her friend tells her what to do. Jen responds:
“4:50 p.m. from allaboutjen: I can’t believe anyone would voluntarily run 26 miles. Sometimes I sit on the couch cross-legged because I don’t feel like walking to the bathroom.”
Okay, that made me laugh! Then, at the expo:
“All of a sudden it hits me…This is a health and fitness fair…AND I AM THE ONLY FAT PERSON HERE.
“I break into a cold sweat, as it dawns on me that everyone else in this building is planning to run 26.2 miles on Sunday…which means these people never perspire while eating dinner. Or have to stop for a breather when climbing the stairs. They use their exercise bikes for exercise and not just to dry hand-knit sweaters and – HOLY CRAP! – they’re looking at me wondering how on earth I’m going to complete this race!”
And a little later:
“With each step I take, I feel cellulite blossoming on my arms, my stomach, and my calves. Stop it! I think my chin just multiplied and my thighs inflated. No! Deflate! Deflate!”
She keeps going, and I had to smile because I’ve been there. When she picks up the race packet for her friend’s husband, the person hands it to her and says, “This isn’t for you, is it?” She has a snappy retort. But, okay, the person may have just been referring to the fact that the packet said “Peter” on it.
But then, she’s deeper into the fair when a woman turns to another woman and says, “I thought this was a fitness fair, not Lane Bryant,” and Jen reaches her breaking point. She gets in the woman’s face and throws it right back to her because that’s who she is and it’s part of what makes the book so good.
But really? Did this really happen? Did someone actually say that?
I’m still 30-40 pounds heavier than I should be or want to be. I’m in decent shape, but I don’t have the body of the stereotypical marathoner. Not even close. Then again, my full marathon training doesn’t start till this weekend.
Am I getting made fun of when I’m out running? I don’t mean by the people at the stoplight sipping their grande mocha as they peer over the wheel of their Mercedes SUV. I’m talking about by other runners.
When I was in the crowd at the starting line at the Seattle Half in my skimpy tights that show every dimple and jiggle, and clingy shirt revealing my Jell-O tummy, was there a marathoner nearby snickering about my belly overhang?
Man. I hope not. I certainly can’t imagine any of you doing that. It just doesn’t seem like the kind of community I think we have here. I hope that was just a couple of bad apples.
What do you think about this? Has anything like what happened to Jen, happened to you? Have you witnessed behavior like this?
17 comments
I don't doubt that there are some runners who look down at those of us who are less-than-svelte. But, really — why should we care? There's always people using what they see as others' faults to feel better about themselves. And that doesn't say much good about them.(BTW, my husband and I met on a newspaper copy desk. Here's some rim humor. … What do copy editors use for birth control? Their personalities!)
Oh my GOSH…I'm appalled that ANYONE would say that! You know what? I think that people who are sitting in their cars at the stoplight in their SUV's, sipping breve lattes with extra flavor are completely JEALOUS of you and your ability to GO OUT and RUN for long periods of time. You totally kick a$$, Kerrie. You know this. 🙂
I've actually been made fun of a couple of times, one was an all teen girls soccer league. They thought the fat girl running was hilarious and another was an ignorant child who said I was fat and why was I running. Oh well the worlds an ugly place, but as long as they don't break my legs I'm good right?
I wonder if that happened. I am skeptical b/c I have been to so many marathon expos and the general feeling at then is usually so positive. Runners come in all shapes and sizes, so again, I lean toward dramatic license on this one. We should email the author! BTW, thanks for the condolences.
Hmmmm I'm finding that one a bit hard to believe. Plus I'd think someone who's gotten themselves to the point that they're running marathons also realizes that endurance/tenacity/perseverance and everything else that goes into the mix that gets you to the starting line comes in ALL shapes and sizes. I'd also venture to guess that a large % of those at the starting line weren't/aren't always in those stereotypical 'Born to Run' bodies. Lord knows I'll never have one. I'd like to think, if that did happen, it was a very rare and unfortunate exception.
I've NEVER… I can't imagine that really happened, and then, I think about the girls in my daughter's 4th grade class and KNOW that some of them will grow up to be “mean”. So, sure, it could have happened. In the meantime, I think we ALL know that an overweight dude with a dyed permed fro will beat you if you start in the same corral at a race. I just WILL happen. It happens to me ALL THE TIME. And I'm not exactly over weight. That said, I'm not applying for a Victoria's Secret modeling job either.
I've only been to one expo but I can't imagine anyone saying that either.
When my bf and I ran a marathon together, it felt like everyone was staring. We both were not the skinniest on the block that's for sure, but we made it and felt so good about what we accomplished, we did not care what anyone thought.It could have happened… but I think they may just have been some bad apples out of the bunch because that seems to be NOT the norm.You though, I can not see getting made fun of in the least bit! I think more and more people would be thinking along the lines of 'gee, maybe I should be out there today too.' ;0)
When my bf and I ran a marathon together, it felt like everyone was staring. We both were not the skinniest on the block that's for sure, but we made it and felt so good about what we accomplished, we did not care what anyone thought.It could have happened… but I think they may just have been some bad apples out of the bunch because that seems to be NOT the norm.You though, I can not see getting made fun of in the least bit! I think more and more people would be thinking along the lines of 'gee, maybe I should be out there today too.' ;0)
The last thing I would ever do would be to tease or demean someone because of their weight. I mean, I've aaaaalways been in shape, right?Sometimes I have felt out of place around some runners but I think it's been more me and my feelings than anything anyone's said or done. And that hasn't happened in a while to be honest.The group of runners I usually hang out with (my Loper buddies) are so encouraging and so willing to do anything to help out fellow runners and I'd find it difficult to think any of them would put anyone down.I read a story in Runners World about a longtime businessman who got into running and runs a ton of marathons each year. He said one of the best things about running was that “there are less jerks in running” than other places. I'm sure you get a few rotten apples here and there but so far, I've had plenty of positive experiences in running.
I'd hope that didn't happen. People can be mean, but as a runner I feel that we're all in this together. Meaning, we're a family and I certainly wouldn't do that to a family member.
When I started this little hobby (2 1/2 years ago), I came in at a svelte 260 lbs on the scale – after a hard workout (meaning there were an extra few pounds for all the sweat). I have never had anything other than positive feedback from fellow runners – even when I first started! The encouragement from my fellow club memebrs is what kept me going back in those days.
I would never ever ever do that. That being said, there is always a mean person out there, but you know what? I'm thinking they are mad b/c they have to eat salads all day, eat no chocolate, and exercise like a mad person to stay skinny and they are mad they don't have the guts to eat a couple of Dove chocolates every now and then. But then again, that's just me.
I've read one of her books and thought it was hilarious (can't remember the title though).In my opinion, the only people who make fun of runners are those who sit on the couch and never exercise. They probably are insecure with themselves and perhaps a little jealous of people who exercise.It's been my experience in the blogosphere and over at the forums on Runnersworld that most runners are kind, caring, supportive people. I'm going to continue believing that too.You're a runner! Be proud!!!
It wouldn't surprise me, though, if someone really did make that remark. There are clods everywhere.
You were absolutely right about the water thing! No idea why I wrote 32 oz. You're supposed to drink 64oz (or more). I usually drink way more then that during the week. On the weekends I only drink water while running. I cant believe someone would make that comment to another human being! Ugh, some people have no class.
I plan on running my first 5k in about 6 weeks. I have several, and by several, I mean SEVERAL pounds to lose and I pray to God no one says anything to me. Cause then I would have to get up in their face and I don't want that to be my memory of my first race ever!!!Gosh, maybe we could all just organize a 5k and I could just run with you all 🙂