Why You Should Never Get Fat
All hail the mighty cheeseburger, a towering monolith of succulence – or perhaps a deep-fried bucket of chicken, whispering sweet, crispy nothings into your ear. Oh yes, we’ve all been there, lured into the siren song of a late-night drive-thru.
And who can forget the voluptuous call of chocolate, oozing temptation with every square? Indulgence, my friends, is a beautiful beast, a beast that sometimes leaves us feeling a tad…pudgier.
But why should we care? Isn’t life short and meant to be enjoyed? Absolutely! Yet, indulging our cravings doesn’t mean we should welcome obesity with open arms.
You see, being overweight or obese isn’t just about tight jeans and new notches on the belt. It’s a condition that spills into every corner of our lives, from our daily activities to our health, happiness, and even how the world perceives us.
Recent movements like fat acceptance, health at every size, and body positivity have brought a new perspective to the table. They stress that it’s possible to be healthy at every size and that we should accept our bodies as they are.
While the core intent behind these movements – to eliminate body shaming and promote self-love – is admirable, they can, unfortunately, spin off into a dangerous territory. Because, the truth is, being overweight just isn’t good for anyone. But I see you need some more convincing, so read on.
16 reasons why you shouldn’t be fat (I mean, come on! Do you really need me to spell them out for you?)
1. More pep in your step
Less body fat equates to increased energy levels. This isn’t rocket science. Picture yourself trying to lug around a 50-pound bag of dog food all day. Tiring, right?
The less excess baggage you’re carrying, the less effort your body has to put forth, freeing up energy for all sorts of fun things.
2. Saying ta-ta to a host of health issues
Excessive fat, especially around the midsection, has been linked to a plethora of health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
In fact, according to the World Health Organization, obesity has nearly tripled worldwide since 1975, contributing to increased mortality rates.
3. Better z’s at night
Sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts breathing during sleep, is often exacerbated by excess weight. Nothing like a good night’s sleep to make you feel like tackling the world (or at least your laundry pile), and less fat often means less snoring and more restful slumber.
Imagine waking up feeling refreshed, not like you’ve been wrestling with a grizzly bear all night.
4. Basking in a self-esteem boost
Confidence can skyrocket when you feel good in your skin. There’s a certain swagger that comes with slipping into your favorite pair of jeans that haven’t fit since high school or reaching a fitness goal you set for yourself.
And while self-worth shouldn’t be tied to the number on the scale, it’s hard to deny the mood lift that can accompany better physical health.
5. Maintaining healthier joints
Those knees of yours? They’re pretty crucial. And they’re not particularly keen on supporting unnecessary weight. Obesity puts extra strain on your joints, leading to accelerated wear and tear, increased discomfort, and a heightened risk of conditions like osteoarthritis.
Less weight means happier joints, and happier joints means busting out those killer dance moves at the next 4th of July celebration party.
6. Daily life is just easier all around
From reaching those hard-to-reach parts of your body when showering to playing with your kids (or grandkids), maintaining a healthier weight will undoubtedly make everyday activities easier and more enjoyable.
There’s something to be said about being able to tie your shoes without feeling like you’ve just completed an Olympic event.
7. Being a positive role model
Your actions can inspire others around you. By prioritizing your health, you encourage your family, friends, and even your social media followers (yes, including your twelve fans on TikTok) to take steps towards healthier lifestyles. That’s some powerful influence right there, folks.
8. Lower healthcare costs
It’s no secret that healthcare can be expensive. Obesity-related conditions often lead to increased medical costs and more trips to the doctor or hospital. Keeping off those extra pounds could mean more money in your pocket for that dream vacation (or more cheeseburgers, but, you know, in moderation).
9. The attraction factor – it’s biology, baby
There’s no beating around the bush here: physical attraction often plays a role in our romantic relationships, and our evolutionary biology leans towards favoring physical fitness. It’s not about superficial beauty standards, but rather, our subconscious attraction to signals of health and vitality.
Fatness, I’m sorry to say, does not signal health and vitality.
10. Fatness can send the wrong message
We don’t live in a perfect world, and sometimes people make snap judgments based on appearances. Obesity can often be misconstrued as a lack of self-discipline or an unhealthy lifestyle, whether that’s true or not. It’s not fair, but it’s worth bearing in mind.
11. Loose skin woes
Dropping pounds too quickly or losing a significant amount of weight can lead to loose skin. It’s definitely better to manage your weight effectively from the get-go than to deal with the hassle of trying to tone up later, or worse still, be in need of skin removal surgery.
Skin removal surgery isn’t a walk in the park. It’s an invasive procedure that comes with its own set of risks, like infection, bleeding, or an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Plus, it’s a significant expense – that’s money that could be spent on more fun things.
12. Running out of time
Sometimes, the damage from prolonged obesity can become irreversible, leading to chronic health conditions that stick around even after weight loss.
But that’s only half of it. There have been countless stories of individuals who, despite starting their weight loss journey, sadly ran out of time due to the complications associated with their obesity.
A lot of obese people think they have all the time in the world, that because they currently have youth on their side, they’re somehow immune to the health repercussions of obesity. Yet, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
We often hear about young folks, in the prime of their lives, having to fight battles against serious obesity-related health issues, like heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers.
Don’t make the same mistake they did – take care of your weight before it gets to be a problem.
13. Issues with baby-making
For the ladies out there, obesity can lead to issues with fertility. It can disrupt your menstrual cycle, throw your hormones out of whack, and increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.
And you know how I mentioned the increased cancer risks above? Well, add to that the risk of endometrial cancer, a type of cancer that starts in the uterus.
Endometrial cancer is more common in women who have excess body fat. That’s because excess body fat alters the balance of hormones in the body, particularly estrogen, which can stimulate the growth of endometrial cells.
In some severe cases, treating endometrial cancer might involve a hysterectomy, or the removal of the uterus. This, of course, means irreversible infertility.
It’s a harsh reality and one of the reasons why maintaining a healthy weight is vital, not just for your overall health, but also for your reproductive future.
14. Society can be harsh
Like it or not, society has a way of treating those with obesity differently. You might find friends hesitant to invite you to physical activities, or strangers making unfair assumptions about your hygiene. Kids also aren’t known for their diplomacy when it comes to fat people…
These stereotypes are unjust and hurtful, but they’re a part of the reality many obese individuals face.
15. The world isn’t plus-size friendly
From roller coaster seats to designer clothes to airplane armrests, the world we live in can often seem like it wasn’t made with larger bodies in mind.
Well, that’s because it wasn’t! And no one should expect it to be.
There’s a good reason for these ‘one-size-fits-most’ designs. These standards are created with an average size in mind, a size that accommodates the majority of the population. They’re not designed to exclude or marginalize, but rather to accommodate the highest number of people.
By keeping your weight in check, you fit better (pun absolutely intended!) into the world. When you’re at a healthy weight, you don’t have to worry about fitting into a roller coaster seat or being comfortable on a long-haul flight. You can shop for clothes off the rack, without having to pay extra for specialty sizes. No-brainer.
16. Navigating the job market maze
Being overweight isn’t just a personal health matter, it can also add an extra layer of complexity to your job hunt. It’s not about potential weight bias, but about the possible limitations in performing certain roles effectively.
Whether you’re aiming for a job that’s physically demanding like a firefighter, nurse, or a warehouse worker, or a position that requires prolonged focus and high energy levels, being overweight can hinder your performance.
As mentioned previously, excess weight can lead to joint pain, lower stamina, or sleep disorders like sleep apnea, affecting your productivity and concentration.
So, in the competitive job market, staying fit isn’t just about personal health, it’s also about being the best possible candidate for the job. It’s about demonstrating you’re able to handle whatever tasks the job throws your way, efficiently and effectively.
Final word
Folks, I’m gonna be blunt here: there are no benefits to being overweight. None. Nada. Zilch. The only thing it gets you is an extra side of health problems and a bunch of inconvenient daily struggles. And let’s face it, no one ever said, “Man, I really wish I had high blood pressure and diabetes.”
But here’s the upside, managing your weight is like investing in the bank of you. Each healthier choice you make, each time you opt for the stairs instead of the elevator, is a deposit in your health savings account. And trust me, the interest rates on this account are way better than any bank.
Your future self will be doing the happy dance when it cashes out on years of great health, boundless energy, and the sheer joy of living life to its fullest.
So, don’t delay – start investing today!