Don't Make Fun of Fat People at the Gym!

[RainbowFanGirl]

Happy New Year everyone! It's the beginning of the year, the time to commit to our New Year's Resolutions (or to try once and never try again)!

Weight loss is one of the most common resolutions, so I thought I would share this story with you and to give my two cents on what I thought about it. I hope it can be enlightening to you, and if it isn't, then that's perfectly fine too!

I know I've mentioned this topic before, but nothing grinds my gears more than people who make fun of fat people who actually make an effort to lose weight. I remember a while ago that I was at the gym. I got my earbuds out of my pocket and put them in my ears and started up the machine. The music was blasting in my ears, and I was zoning out a little as I was trying to be aware of what was going on in my surroundings. People were on machines, working out to better themselves, while some used the equipment as a perch for their behinds while their fingers were flying away on their mobile devices. One person however, caught my eye. She was a big lady, who I estimated to be about 300 pounds. She strode into the gym with a look of what seemed to be determination on her face. She got onto the treadmill a distance away from me. I smiled to myself. It made me happy that she took the effort to better herself, just like what I was doing. That takes a lot of will and dedication to do, which deserved to be commended. Some people however, were not so supportive of her efforts. I remember looking over and seeing the gym rat dudes snickering and whispering, pointing at the big lady drenched in sweat heaving and panting. She was pushing herself, and those guys were laughing! How could people be so hypocritical with what they are trying to preach?

I just did not understand, and I was frankly very confused and appalled. First of all, why were you making fun of her? I bet those are the same jerks preach about health and ridicule obese people for overeating and being lazy. That lady was making an effort to improve herself, and if she saw that people were making fun of her, it would probably turn her off completely from actually coming to the gym and working out. Don't you imbeciles WANT her to lose weight, since fat people annoy you so much? That's absolute hypocrisy.

Second of all, weren't they there for almost the exact same reason? They were also there to better themselves, as I could tell from their big muscles and lean physique. Why would they make fun of someone who was actively doing the same thing they were doing? They most likely wanted to get in shape and to feel better about themselves, as did the obese lady on the treadmill. How would those goofy teenagers like it if some buff dude came up behind them and was like, "LOL u guyz r idiotz for working out haha b happi in ur own skin!" Yeah, that would hurt deep down inside, even if they tried to hide their dismay behind a veil of anger.

Don't give me that "she wasn't attractive to me" bs. Fat people are human too. They can be hurt by mean comments just like anybody else. They can get depressed too, and that depression can lead to them losing the motivation to get up and do something about their health before it is too late for them. Besides, jerks, she was not there to please your eyes, she was there to improve her health and to feel attractive in her own body.

It really makes me angry how hypocritical some members of society can be in delivering their message. Can we spread love and not hate? Can we cheer people on instead of putting each other down? This world that is riddled with hate and fear needs a bit of that. We should be encouraging others to better themselves and to get healthy with the intention of being a decent human being. Can we applaud people for their accomplishments?

So the next time you see a bigger person at the gym pushing themselves in trying to lose weight, give them a pat on the back for making an effort to change themselves for the better and stepping outside of their comfort zone into a society were they are laughed at and ridculed. It's only the kind thing to do. Having people cheer me on and helping me through my journey was one of the only things that kept me going. Sometimes a bit of kindness can go a long way.

And one final comment: I hope that lady becomes super attractive and comes across those guys again and they try to ask her out, only for her to ignore them.

Thanks for reading my pointless rant and I hope you have a fantastic day. :) Oh, and dpn't give up on your resolution. Your problems will be resolved if you keep pushing!

[BelleGirl21]

I totally agree! Some of the most motivating people to me at the gym aren't the incredibly fit people. It's the overweight lady who never misses a day and over 2 years has slimmed down a lot from where she was. It's the guy with one leg who still comes and works incredibly hard with the rest of his body. It's the old couple who struggle lifting 5lbs but they try together.
You just never know what people are going through or what they've already overcame.
But don't assume that all super fut people are judging or don't struggle themselves either. I think that's a common misconception as well.

[Octavius]

I think people that make fun of fat people at the gym are probably insecure. Fitness is probably the only good aspect about their life so when they see someone who isn't fit they probably assume that person has other good qualities and they don't want to see someone become fit when they already have other positives about their life because then the fit person would feel inadequate in comparison because someone would be fit just like them but that person would also have other things in life unlike them.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Yes, I think you're right! Good point.

[Ziconic]

I don't think the majority of people that go to the gym do that. Maybe in bigger cities, I don't know I live in a small city. But if they do, then they're only going to the gym for their ego and most likely don't like the way they look themselves or are very insecure. The people that are going to the gym to workout and live a healthy/ active lifestyle are not going to have time to harass people because they'll be too involved in their own workout to care.

I can see how people who go to the gym regularly can be annoyed with the amount of people in there January, because most of those people don't want to workout. That's why the amount of people goes down more and more each month. But I doubt the people that go to the gym regularly for THEMSELVES (at least most of them anyways) are going to say anything to a fat person working out other than tips. Because it's not the fat person sitting on the couch eating cheeseburgers and drinking soda. They are fat people that are working on themselves and trying to become skinny. There's a difference between the ones that don't care, and the ones that want to change. And it's pretty easy to tell the difference.

I don't even go to the gym, but this is how I see it. Because it does sort of annoy me seeing people that are fat not care about their bodies at all. But I would give nothing but help/tips to a fat person at the gym, if I were someone who goes to the gym lol. This fat/nerdy kid I was friends with in high school started going to the gym a lot and now he's pretty damn ripped and he looks completely different. He's only been doing that for a year or so, but he is definitely doing something about it lol

[RainbowFanGirl]

That's very true

[Anonymous]

People seem to have a need to tear apart other members of society and lift themselves up by comparison. We can't make fun of a persons race, gender, or sexual orientation because in our society these things aren't seen as a choice. Being fat or smoking however are seen as choices and therefore fair game to be made fun of.

This is the same reason why alcoholics and drug users have to push the fact that it is an addiction and not a choice, to remove choice from being a part of their disorder. As long as people think they have a choice they become a target and are made fun of even as they seek help.

Making fun of fat people has become the most accepted form of being prejudice in our society. It still allows people to feel superior to others but because of a perceived "choice" it allows them to claim the issue of obesity is completely do to that persons moral fiber. People even try to encourage others to join in the shaming of fat people, and that fat acceptance is in itself immoral.

In many ways I think that the civil rights movement simply moved the focus of peoples hate, instead of getting rid of it. Most of the activists trying to do something about the obesity epidemic actually comes from skinny white people, whereas most blacks and Hispanics have a naturally higher BMI than white people. I can't help but to wonder if there is a connection between their hatred for fat people and minorities that are more likely to be heavier.

[redeyemindtricks]

I'm serious bout dat #gymlife. I'm a fitness model/competitor. When other people travel, they look for hotspots and restaurants. When I travel, I look for gyms, grocery stores, and tall-ass staircases.

That said, I have pretty much NEVER seen this happen. Like, never. Never ever ever.

1 percent of people are encouraging. The cheerleader types.

0.5 percent of people might seem like haters, but they're really just impatient. If it's "I want that fatass to get off that treadmill", then the functional part is "off that treadmill". The fatass part is incidental. Really, y'all.

The other 98.5 percent of people just really do not give a flying shred of a fuck.

Seriously. Fat-hate at the gym is an illusion, y'all. An illusory imaginary made-up phantom spectral mirage. If fate people receive hate, they are just getting hate from people who are equal-opportunity haters anyway, and who would just find some other reason to hate on them if not the fat part.

Not a thing. Get yr ass in there, work out, get out.

[the_rake]

Fat people should quietly do there thing on an exercise bike at home or otherwise be prepared to suck up the ritual humiliation they deserve.

Kidding. I never do that but I think everyone gets self conscious at the gym and thinks everyone is looking at them. Even guys that are toned/athletic like me will feel self conscious when they see the buffer guys warming up with weights they max out on. To society I am reasonable shape but to those guys I'm a lamb for the slaughter lol.

Moral of the story is, you just gotta accept the level that you're working at and assume that nobody's noticing you or if they are it's because they're admiring you for making the effort.

[KBob93]

I downvoted you before reading beyond the first sentence! D:

[the_rake]

@KBob93 lol I accidentally downvoted before also. I think GaG should have a system where you can reverse with an upvote.

[guynextodoor]

lol your creativity just earned you two down-votes but nicely put

[RainbowFanGirl]

Have an upvote lol

[the_rake]

awe thanks :P

[SweetHomicidalQueen]

"There is no hatred, only a lack of love. Just as there is no cold, just a lack of warmth." (by me)

They probably weren't raised that it wasn't okay.
Their parents probably did the same thing they did.
Their parents probably didn't care about them at all.

Those are just assumptions though.

I hate people who do that. Make fun of anyone in general, I mean. It's none of their goddamn business.
People go to the gym, they work out, they leave.
It is as simple as that. There should be no ridiculing of people who are actually TRYING.

[Lolomon]

Yes, I've seen that and you know what I've noticed it's always men who make fun of the fat girl, they Sony say much the fat guy more of a head nod and respect for getting fit. But when it comes to the woman it's very different, their is a lot of fat hate in this country and it's weird how people don't consider fat people human or what got them to that point. we should be uplifting and supportive of people getting fitter vs craping on them. FYI, most overweight people have underlining issues that made them turn to food, so you making dun of them isn't helping. p. s your a shitty person

[TimeSplitters123]

Yes and it is always women who make fun of skinny men sooo...

[Lolomon]

@TimeSplitters123 Lol, I've never seen a woman make fun of a skinny man lol.. ever being most women prefer skinny men but I have seen men make fun of skinny men

[TimeSplitters123]

Funny been done dozens of time, like on talent shows in the UK, if a skinny guy strips off all the girls laugh and make remarks like get a square meal, if a muscular man strips off all the girls whistle and clap their hands, and plenty of comments posted on social media are the same, but it is funny how when you bring girls up on it they say no and lie. Girls always have to lie when they are brang up on somethingor when you point out they have done something wrong.

[zagor]

Why make fun of anyone at the gym, or anywhere else? Some people are just shallow assholes who never evolved beyond middle school.

There was a saying I heard that I am probably butchering here, but it was something like, great people talk about ideas, average people talk about things, petty little people talk about people.

The supermarket checkout tabloids would seem to bear that out.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Good point. We shouldn't make fun of anyone at the gym. I was just pointing out the hypocrisy of making fun of an overweight person for being lazy, and then when they go to the gym and work their ass off, then make fun of them for doing that. That's stupid to me.

[Anonymous]

This is the sad truth about just about anyone trying to improve on their lives. Their are always haters who like to come out and ridicule and make fun of and tear people down. When I was trying to lose weight I wanted to get my friend to come too because he was always complaining about being depressed and overweight and he came to the gym and never came back because some girls were laughing at him even has I tried to tell him to ignore them and focus on himself and getting better. I have to give major kudos to anyone who tries to lose weight especially when they have a lot to lose. This world can be cruel, but there will always be people like yourself and others that will offer a kind ear, a helpful word, support, that hopefully will touch their hear and motivate them to keep on going.

[queenmariereigns]

I do not understand why people do that. It makes no sense to me. Why do some people criticize fat people and tell them to lose weight but when they try they get ridiculed for it? That is messed up.

That is like a person telling someone they are lazy and need to get a job and when they get a job they make fun of them because they work at mcdonalds. Didn't they want them to get a job?

[RainbowFanGirl]

That's right, yeah.

[lilac_flowers]

My god, that's the lowest cunt move I've heard lately.
I don't go to the gym because the heat, sweat, crowd and closed space make me claustrophobic, I had no idea this happens. Gross, just gross. What pieces of shit.

PS. I'm in no way supporting anti-shaming bullshit. The best societies are those where shaming is allowed and where people are then supported to improve. But this here... This is just cruelty.

[Bitterpill]

Honestly I sometimes think that those who do that secretly don't want fat people to lose weight because then they'd have nobody to mock and humiliate, nobody to feel superior over.
It would be so much better if they could put their prejudices aside so they could support and encourage people.

[aWes0MeNeSs]

I actually really admire people who are trying to obtain a healthier lifestyle and get in shape. It isn't easy, and I really respect them for putting forth the effort. I don't know why anyone would make fun of them for that.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Yeah, me either

[Bvroon]

There was once a time I was not as fat as I am now, and even then I never considered making fun of anybody at the gym, it all has to start somewhere, if you are fat, you go there to lose weight, if you are thin and want to bulk up, you might go to they gym. From my perspective I'm back in the gym to lose weight and I have been making gains (losses) ;-) but my whole point is if you are in the gym you are making a difference to better yourself so you won't hear any criticism from me.

[Pink2000]

This was really good. It was a rant but it wasn't pointless. My uncle is 431 lbs and he's only 5'4 he gets ridiculed for it even when he's at the gym. I never understood that.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Aw that's terrible! I hope he gets better soon!

[theinternet]

You are absolutely right. People shouldn't make fun of people anywhere! Let alone somewhere they are trying to better themselves.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Thank you :)

[thewanderingme]

I don't know, if people applauded everytime they saw a fat person exercise, they would be offended by that too.

[RainbowFanGirl]

You don't have to applaud. You could mind your own business too. that's what everyone else does. Just made me mad that these people were making fun of her when she was minding her own business too

[thewanderingme]

I was jk. one of your pics says people should applaud them

[RainbowFanGirl]

Haha okay :)

[Phoenix98]

The only people I make fun of at the gym are revolutionists and those women who go to the gym covered in makeup and hog machines.

I respect overweight people who actually stick to their goals and train though we've got a guy who's like 400lbs who trains at my gym he's been going there consistantly for a year, and I wish him all the best he's made good progress.

[thewanderingme]

hog machines?

[Phoenix98]

@thewanderingme yes hog as in they hog the equipment.

[thewanderingme]

oh, lol. I read as a machine called hog machine.

[Phoenix98]

@thewanderingme Yeah I can kind of see how that could be misinterpreted, no worries.

[TheHooptyMiata]

The only time I ever laughed at someone at the gym was this fat cunt who set the treadmill too fast and faceplanted, then got launched about 3 feet.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Aw :(

[TheHooptyMiata]

It was really fucking funny though. Even the guy laughed it off. :D

[RainbowFanGirl]

Lol :) well that's good

[Darkbrunette96]

I don't even judge people at all. People are there to work hard don't discousarge someone just because the are overweight. I get aspiration when I see a few overweight people. I tell my self only a few more pounds you can do it.

[Anonymous]

Love this SO SO much.
I'm a larger girl and constantly ridiculed for dieting and what now, and you know what? It's de-motivating as hell!
Wish those guys get what they deserve

[RainbowFanGirl]

Aw thank you so much. :) And I agree.