Mind you own business

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 05 August 2003 22:20:08

Yesterday I got really upset because, on the way home from the fitness centre, an old man on the bus felt it his duty to tell me that I should not be eating crisps "because they are fattening".

It's not the first time this has happened me. It seems that if you are overweight you are a target for complete strangers to walk up to you and tell you should not be eating whatever it is you happen to be munching, or tell you that you should go on a diet.

I remember about 20 years ago a friend and I were at a station waiting for delayed train, so we asked if we could go back through the barrier and nip to the shop for some sweets. The ticket collector said to my friend "you can" but then turned to me and said " you can't because you shouldn't be eating them"! The fact that I can still remember this incident shows how much it affected me.

As it happens I'd just left the gym after burning off far more calories than I'd eaten all day and the crisps were from the Boots "Shapers" range left from lunch. Of course the bugger that accosted me would not have known that - and neither would he have realised the problems I have with food intolerance.

What hurts most is that I have been losing weight - though the scale don't show if because I've been gaining muscle which weighs more. I know I'm losing because clothes are beginning to feel loose, or fit better.

However, much of the "loss" has been from areas other than the bits I want to change - mainly my stomach. Unfortunately I can't do the weights and exercises that will do the trick until my shoulders and legs are stronger as I could damage my back. It's a game of patience and taking things slowly - but it's hard, especially because my stomach is looking fatter simply because other parts are shrinking.

Guess I'll have to put up with the "when's it due?" jokes now as well.

I sometimes wonder why I bother...