The Marie Claire Incident

[coffeesnob318]

I've been stewing over an article for about two days. I was going to let it go with minimal comment and just bask in the eloquence and outrage of xica_s and Jen Lancaster. But like I said, we're in Day Two Stew, so I'm going to go ahead and vent.

As loathe as I am to give more attention to this useless piece of drivel, I realize that you might want to see what made me all ranty. You can read it here.

First of all, I am not an advocate of being fat. Let me clarify - I am not an advocate of my being fat. Other people can do what they want with their bodies. I know that obesity greatly increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, all three of which run in my immediate family. So remaining at my current weight would pretty much guarantee their presence in my future. I know that the more I weigh, the less energy and more depression I have. Also, I live in Texas, so it's not like I need it for warmth. This is how my excess weight affects me. It's not doing me any favors.

This, however, is how my excess weight does NOT affect me:

1. It does not make me less capable or deserving of love, nor does it negate my right to express or receive love.
2. It does not make me stupid or ignorant.
3. It does not mean that I am lazy.

I know what it takes for me to lose weight. If I run 7-8 hours a week and eat a mostly vegan diet, the weight flies off me at a rate of 2-3 pounds a week. I can lose one pant size a month. The problem is that I have to run 7-8 hours a week and eat a mostly vegan diet to accomplish this. Add meat or cheese to the mix more than once every few days or park it on the couch for two days in a row, and I can just forget it - that bulk isn't budging. I'm not trying to make excuses, because even though I know what I need to do to meet my goals, I often fall short of this plan, and I take full responsibility for that. I'm just saying that for me (and for most people, particularly women), losing weight is a wee bit more complicated than just adding extra fiber. In fact, given her simplistic advice, I'd be willing to bet that even on a bad week, when I'm barely maintaining my weight, I probably still eat a healthier diet and exercise more than she does. Who's lazy now?

You know what? Let this little twit run alongside me at White Rock in December, and we'll see who lasts longer. I'd put my fitness and endurance levels up against hers any day.

Anyway, if you buy Marie Claire and found the article offensive, maybe vote with your dollar and don't buy it any more.

Comments

[nonnierms.livejournal.com]

I've never bought Marie Clare and now I never will :p I still can't believe the editors thought that 1) this was a good idea in the first place, 2) giving this story to a recovering anorexic with major body image issues was a good idea, and 3) after reading the article, still thought it was a good idea to publish it.

[ex-redrain.livejournal.com]

I was mortified to read that post. Not because of the content, per se, because a lot of people do, but because of the pure venom that filled it. Her "apology" later proved that she is rather unreflective about that venom, too. Just another small-minded person in a small-minded world.

[gradeafan.livejournal.com]

ditto to what nonnie says. I've never purchased MC and really have no desire to based upon this.

Like you I know that if I take at least an hour three times a week, that my shape would be much different. But the fact is, I just haven't found the ability or right mix of circumstances wherein I can accomplish it.

f

[coffeesnob.livejournal.com]

I was wondering that myself. I don't think that they should fire the writer; I think that they should fire their editors.

[coffeesnob.livejournal.com]

Right? A rational human being would take all the backlash she's gotten and learn something from it. But no.

[coffeesnob.livejournal.com]

Yeah...I can only do so much, and paying rent takes priority.