Every woman should read this! VERY inspirational...I'd rather be a whale

Of course not Shannon. What I'm saying is you defending him or Glenn defending himself is not going to change anyones feelings about Glenn. It's not like a light is going to be turned on and they are going to have an aha moment. If he or you for that matter continue to defend him it comes off as caring about what others think on the Internet. And isn't that the opposite of what most people say?

Nicole, I think the girls in here who are skinny will tell you that the society doesn't value them as much as you think, look at the abuse they take.

And btw society as a whole judges people and tears them down.

Mrs Covington - It's not really about taking things personally, it's just pointing out the utter hypocrisy. The same people who jump all over Glenn, no matter what he says, are the same ones who blubber about how we all have to play nice and hear one another out. He could post, "Look at this picture of a cute puppy!" and everyone will bash him to bits. It's really silly.

So, postersneed to either hear Glenn out and respond politely, or STFU about playing nice in the WW sandbox. You can't have it both ways.

I doubt Glenn loses sleep over it, though.

People are OBSESSED with weight. First off, it's a personal issue. Anyone claiming they have a right to judge a person on it can go find some real problems. Secondly, there are a lot of medical conditions that cause weight gain that has nothing to do with laziness or McDonalds.

But really, it shouldn't matter if weight gain IS caused by laziness and McDonalds...then judge that person for being lazy and for poor eating...don't judge them for being fat. That's your own fear.

Have to agree with Glenn on that. Fat , skinny, too smart, not enough money, not attractive enough.... The list goes on and on. It's a neverending journey. Society looks to tear people down. That's why it's so important to love yourself and surround yourself with a good support system.

It's hard for me to accept that "skinny" women have it just as bad as overweight women in terms of society acceptance.

Maybe it's because I've NEVER been skinny, but tell me, as a "skinny girl" growing up, would people throw things at you? Call you names? NOT be your friend because you are fat? Did you get pushed around on the bus or on your way home from school while people called you "fattie" and "blimp"? Enduring these things as a child was extremely humiliating and all I could do was ball up into a corner and cry myself to sleep.

I see where you are coming from Shannon but it seems a bit hypocritical to be concerned with something someone on the Internet says when You have said people shouldn't worry about it, shouldn't cry about it. You know all those posts about the meaness on ww? Most end up with people saying to put your big girl panties on and get over it. Don't let what someone says on the Internet big you. So it just seems odd that when people give back what has been put out before it rubs you the wrong way. I love pyschology so I enjoy watching the interactions an seeing how different people respond. You are well within your right to say and think whatever you wish but in turn so is every one else.

Off to physical therapy to rehab this acl so I can be a dolphin! I much prefer that over a whale or a mermaid!

Lol

P.S. Squishy!!!!

Ok I am tardy to the party but I would like to say that in the last year I have gained 3o pounds and I hate it. I hate being overweight. I feel cruddy, I don't look as good, it sucks. My father passed away and instead of drinking I ate. So now after a year of eating my pain away, I am left with a body I don't like. Is it anyone's fault but my own, no.

I have to get to a place where I am tired of not fitting into my clothes, get off my butt and exercise. Eat less and exercise. I will never be the skinny girl, but I hate being the fat girl. So that is not society pressuring me, that is me knowing that being overweight is unhealthy and I don't like the way it looks.

Ok, walking away, putting the mic down.

Mrs. Covington,

I've decided I'd like to be a sea lion. Dolphins are actually super-pervy and will boink their own moms.

And I react to the way people talk about Glenn on an intellectual level, not an emotional one. I think it's worthwhile to point out the hypocrisy of whining about niceness and then bashing a very active community member at every opportunity. It's not about "big girl panties" or emotions, it's about pointing out that the people who puff themselves up the most on this site are the ones most inclined to act like jerks when anyone disagrees with them.

Thank you @Cydney for sharing a story that you found inspirational and thought might impact other women on these boards.

Thank you also to everyone who shared their thoughts and feelings on this topic! It's wonderful to see the Community come together and foster such an in-depth discussion.

As the conversation has gone slightly off the original topic of promoting a healthy self-image and strayed into very sensitive territory, we're going to cut the thread here.

Everyone is entitled to their opnion but keeping our boards respectful and welcoming to all users is of the utmost imporance to us.

Thank you again for all your input!