Recently, YouTube comedian Nicole Arbour launched her (now infamous) youtube video of "Dear Fat People." Although she is labeled as a "comedian," many found her video insensitive and ignorant to the challenges of overweight people - though many supported her harsh, semi-truthful stance.
In the very beginning, she claims that "fat shaming is not a thing - that's playing the race card with no race". Uhm...Well. *nervous, half-annoyed internal laughter?* Fat shaming is a thing. While I am a healthy weight and have no resemblance at all to what she's talking about, I can see how her words are considered "fat shaming" to others. Let's talk about this. Fat shaming is when you call out others who are overweight or obese and use that against them in a negative way (more on this later). Many don't or can't understand how this is a bad thing: "At least she's telling them the truth that they're terrible at taking care of themselves." "Someone's gotta tell the harsh truth to them," etc, etc. While it may be the truth, it's not a positive way to tell people. She's targeting a large body of people, who may be very aware of their bodies and their health habits. Many could be suffering from health problems or conditions and even mental conditions that may be making this hard for them already. Her attitude toward them is ignorant in the least.
She then claims that fat people should "stop eating" (00:43-45 sec). HOLD UP, Ms. Arbour. Are you advocating for eating disorders now? That's not cool. Many people suffer from eating disorders that may affect their eating habits, which in turn can affect their overall health. To say that fat people should stop eating just creates more stigma that eating disorders are "whatever" and not that "big of a deal," and shouldn't be taken seriously in all situations. To say that, maybe this will lead to some overweight young girl who starts dieting to fit society's "thinner-is-better-and-prettier-norms," and maybe she could take that dieting too far. Maybe she develops bulimia nervosa, or even anorexia, though overweight people are more likely to develop a binge-eating like disorder. This could affect her for the rest of her life. To simply say you're so fat, you should "stop eating" or along the lines of that, is just as negative and unhelpful as telling people they're simply "fat as hell," etc. How is this at all helpful to anyone? Especially to the young overweight girls.
She of course then mentions that she's not aiming at those with health conditions that inhibit their weight gain/loss. No, she's talking about the "35 percent of North Americans who are O-bese". Unfortunately, this is true. Many North Americans are overweight or obese. It's a sad truth. However, there is a positive way to help them - and it's not in the form of Ms. Arbour's video, nor of people telling others they're "fat af (as f***)."
To help people who may suffer from being overweight (for whatever reason), we, as a society, can spin this in a positive and helpful way.
First, that's letting ourselves or others know that the lifestyle we are living isn't healthy. Maybe this conversation goes along the lines of "Hey, (name), I've been noticing that you haven't been cooking as much healthy food for dinner, or that you're not getting out to exercise lately. Is something up? Are you okay?" It may also be helpful to let one's family or friends know that one is thinking about making a change in their lifestyle - and asking them to hold one accountable. The more support one has, the easier it'll be.
Next, is to figure out what's bothering them or inhibiting their ability to exercise or keep a healthy diet. Of course, finances in today's society play a large role in what we eat, but I can vouch that paying the extra money to eat organic, local food is so, so worth it. Even better, is growing one's own food in a garden: There's even Pinterst DIY's that demonstrate how to create your own indoor mini-garden with fresh foods.
Once one can figure out what's going on, next comes planning to get back on track. Maybe this includes creating a work out routine or planning everyday's meals ahead of time, and doing some prep in between. Either way, this planning can definitely help them get motivated to getting better.
Next is the hardest part, putting that planning to action. The worst thing about working out or eating healthy is the preparation. Even I do it. I look at my work out shoes and think, "Hey I should go work out. I will feel so good afterward and feel really focused." Do I usually get up and go work out after thinking that? No. Not usually. But when it comes to taking care of oneself, it's important. And routines usually help a lot.
Finally, plan some rewards within the new routine. Maybe this includes a yummy and much deserved ice cream or cheese burger with fries once a week. Whatever it is, rewards can help someone as they meet their goals.
So although Ms. Arbour states that she's "selfish" and wants overweight people around on Earth to live to a ripe old age, her tone and words prove otherwise. She offers no solutions to help those who are overweight, though hopes that her harsh truth will shock people in living healthier. While that may work for some, to be harshly awakened, it doesn't work for many others. Positive motivation is what's going to help others, not berating them for being fat and gross.
Hopefully, Ms. Arbour can realize that she has been nothing but ignorant to the plights of others who are overweight, and can begin to change her ignorant attitude to a more positive and kind one, that helps motivate others to become better.
