Man Calls News Anchor Fat: Her incredible response! Discussion
- Thread starter HyungJun1
- Start date
Korrie
Moderator
yea, i saw it on TV last night....good for her!! What surprises me is all the negative comments I've read, not just on youtube but other sites that are talking about it. They are all saying that she "needs" to be told how fat she is and that sugar coating things isn't gonna help anyone. I'm discussed with the whole attitude of the american people.
PLB
Moderator
Interesting. And good for her for standing up for herself. So many people out there gain weight, overeat, or have disordered eating because of the emotional stress of societal pressure and bullying regarding one's appearance. It's strange how some people just have so little common sense that they can't see things from a different point of view and think that maybe there's something else going on that they don't know about. And if the guy wants to talk about community role models... how does only seeing tall, overly thin, barely dressed women on TV equate to something that a young girl should live up to? Many of the things that people do to be thin are far more dangerous to their health than eating some extra calories each day. Binging, vomiting, diet pills, starving, using diuretics, using artificial sweeteners, trying every fad diet out there.... the list could get pretty long...
I think it was a great segue into the issue of bullying, which is completely out of control... that rant could go on all day long...
I think it was a great segue into the issue of bullying, which is completely out of control... that rant could go on all day long...
I am against bullying and putting people down but this letter was put in the most polite way possible. It is good that she stood up for herself and that other people are supporting her but at the end of the day obesity is a problem.
Our society is getting weirder by the minute. We can tell smokers that their habits are bad, BAN them from insides of restaurants and are generally looked down upon. Yet, when we even suggest someone has a weight problem, people take it personally and take offense to it and it automatically comes under "bullying."
I don't know.
Our society is getting weirder by the minute. We can tell smokers that their habits are bad, BAN them from insides of restaurants and are generally looked down upon. Yet, when we even suggest someone has a weight problem, people take it personally and take offense to it and it automatically comes under "bullying."
I don't know.
M
MaryannC
Guest
Thanks for posting the link HyungJun - this item is getting major following in the media - I heard just a teenie bit of it this morning on radio while going to work - I was curious - thx for link to see the whole-clip.
A very provocative piece by the Anchorwoman ( she chose well ) - chosing an item with obesity in her commentary was definately a good way to get a strong response from her viewers and the public - as overweight/obesity affects 2/3 of the US population -.and some very interesting points are raised...
I agree with PLB that the letter-writer did make some assumptions about the anchor woman - based solely on her appearance - there is no way to know what is going-on in her life, if she is / or has - made efforts on weight-loss , or if she is , in fact, leading a health lifestyle - eating healthy, including some exercise - just not enuf of it to have lost - maybe she is working hard just to maintain - can't really fairly assess, just from her appearance , what her situation with her weight is.
I disagree with the writer's statement that obesity is an intentional "choice"....no one Wants to be obese, it is the result of many things - many many choices - on a daily, weekly, and lifelong basis , and many of these choices are not just "free-will" - speaking as a person who has fought overweight for most of my life - certain of us have a body/mind that leads us to very easily gain weight , and have a tuff-time losing it, we can make choices to change this - but for some of us - the choices and the work - are Very hard work - ... so while a person can chose to work to Not be obese, I personally really doubt anyone Decides - Yes - I am going to BE Obese....
I disagree with the writer's statement that the Anchor is a "bad example" for her viewers, - simply her appearance does not directly promote Unhealthy lifestyle , she is not a fittness instructor - she is an anchor - and if anything, her appearance more closely represents the majority of the american public these days - and she can be more empathetic in her reporting - as she does appear more similar physically to her viewers than a model-thin anchor. IF she were on-air promoting junk-food ( ie. potatoe chip commercial) , then the writer might have grounds to comment that she was setting a bad example...? ... but implying that her appearance alone is enough to imply to her watchers that she herself promotes unhealthy lifestyle is a bit of a stretch.
I do agree with HyungJuns' point that while it is ok to state that smoking is bad, it's suprising that stating that obesity is bad has generated such a response...( althought I think the writers' approach was more of implying the anchor's obesity was bad ( a personal attack), rather than just stating that obesity , in general, was detrimental to health. - did give his letter the "feel" of a personal attack. - had his wording been a bit different - she may have taken less personal reaction to it - he could have stated that he has concerns in their community with the obesity rate - and has their station / or herself - considered doing a segment on healthy lifestyle ? ....(would have been less personal- and made a similar point -without attacking the anchor - wording it differently could have kept the focus on the problem - obesity/unhealthy lifestyle - not just singling out that one anchor.
For my own perspective - I don't think anyone Wants to be Fat , I myself certainly don't Want to be Fat , have struggled with it for many years, am fully aware how bad for my health it is ( I work in health care ) , but controlling it/ losing the fat - is very hard work for some of us ... It comes with a lot of guilt when we are not successful in controlling our weight - and that "guilt" may be part of the huge reaction we are seeing from the public on this broadcast - many folks are being defensive - we know we should try Not to be obese, but the work to control-it is very hard - especially with all the processed/convenience food , lazy non-exercise lifestyle , and mass-marketing/media bombardment all around us ( TV, Radio, newsprint, Internet ) - advertising all those yummy, glistening junk foods everywhere ( U really have to hunt a bit to educate yourself that these yummy/glistening junk foods are Really Junk - we need to get back to the healthy, less processed , natural foods our parents and grandparents were cooking at home.)
...Great item to bring to the forefront on WFL - thx HJ - ... I guess all person can do is try & make their own small changes , and help support anyone else trying to be healthy, but also respect that the healthy-work is very difficult for some folks, and respect them if they are not able , at any time , not to have success, and still support them as human folks - ie. attack the problem ( big industry - processed foods) ...don't attack the people who are just victims of what Big Business has created for us ...in the name of $$$$ profits for themselves.... the letter writer had ONe theme correct - overweight and obesity are Not good , but ....he attacked the wrong target - he attacked the Anchor woman ( she is one of us victims ) ....he Should have attacked Big Businesss/Industry - who manufacture /market/ advertise to the hilt all that bad junk food , fast food , - stuff that is Soooo bad for us.
~ ....maybe the writer could start an on-air segment with healthy lifestyle choices.....he could include some of the amazing information and real-life experiences/struggles of some of the amazing people on this site - there are so many of us here doing so much amazing hard work to improve our lives/lifestyles/health - this is the Info that should be out there....Not attacking one overweight anchorwoman...
cheers all,
...( wow - the controversy sure worked - got lots of thoughts & reaction out of me ....lol....
( off to do my Zumba DVD - do some "healthy".)
A very provocative piece by the Anchorwoman ( she chose well ) - chosing an item with obesity in her commentary was definately a good way to get a strong response from her viewers and the public - as overweight/obesity affects 2/3 of the US population -.and some very interesting points are raised...
I agree with PLB that the letter-writer did make some assumptions about the anchor woman - based solely on her appearance - there is no way to know what is going-on in her life, if she is / or has - made efforts on weight-loss , or if she is , in fact, leading a health lifestyle - eating healthy, including some exercise - just not enuf of it to have lost - maybe she is working hard just to maintain - can't really fairly assess, just from her appearance , what her situation with her weight is.
I disagree with the writer's statement that obesity is an intentional "choice"....no one Wants to be obese, it is the result of many things - many many choices - on a daily, weekly, and lifelong basis , and many of these choices are not just "free-will" - speaking as a person who has fought overweight for most of my life - certain of us have a body/mind that leads us to very easily gain weight , and have a tuff-time losing it, we can make choices to change this - but for some of us - the choices and the work - are Very hard work - ... so while a person can chose to work to Not be obese, I personally really doubt anyone Decides - Yes - I am going to BE Obese....
I disagree with the writer's statement that the Anchor is a "bad example" for her viewers, - simply her appearance does not directly promote Unhealthy lifestyle , she is not a fittness instructor - she is an anchor - and if anything, her appearance more closely represents the majority of the american public these days - and she can be more empathetic in her reporting - as she does appear more similar physically to her viewers than a model-thin anchor. IF she were on-air promoting junk-food ( ie. potatoe chip commercial) , then the writer might have grounds to comment that she was setting a bad example...? ... but implying that her appearance alone is enough to imply to her watchers that she herself promotes unhealthy lifestyle is a bit of a stretch.
I do agree with HyungJuns' point that while it is ok to state that smoking is bad, it's suprising that stating that obesity is bad has generated such a response...( althought I think the writers' approach was more of implying the anchor's obesity was bad ( a personal attack), rather than just stating that obesity , in general, was detrimental to health. - did give his letter the "feel" of a personal attack. - had his wording been a bit different - she may have taken less personal reaction to it - he could have stated that he has concerns in their community with the obesity rate - and has their station / or herself - considered doing a segment on healthy lifestyle ? ....(would have been less personal- and made a similar point -without attacking the anchor - wording it differently could have kept the focus on the problem - obesity/unhealthy lifestyle - not just singling out that one anchor.
For my own perspective - I don't think anyone Wants to be Fat , I myself certainly don't Want to be Fat , have struggled with it for many years, am fully aware how bad for my health it is ( I work in health care ) , but controlling it/ losing the fat - is very hard work for some of us ... It comes with a lot of guilt when we are not successful in controlling our weight - and that "guilt" may be part of the huge reaction we are seeing from the public on this broadcast - many folks are being defensive - we know we should try Not to be obese, but the work to control-it is very hard - especially with all the processed/convenience food , lazy non-exercise lifestyle , and mass-marketing/media bombardment all around us ( TV, Radio, newsprint, Internet ) - advertising all those yummy, glistening junk foods everywhere ( U really have to hunt a bit to educate yourself that these yummy/glistening junk foods are Really Junk - we need to get back to the healthy, less processed , natural foods our parents and grandparents were cooking at home.)
...Great item to bring to the forefront on WFL - thx HJ - ... I guess all person can do is try & make their own small changes , and help support anyone else trying to be healthy, but also respect that the healthy-work is very difficult for some folks, and respect them if they are not able , at any time , not to have success, and still support them as human folks - ie. attack the problem ( big industry - processed foods) ...don't attack the people who are just victims of what Big Business has created for us ...in the name of $$$$ profits for themselves.... the letter writer had ONe theme correct - overweight and obesity are Not good , but ....he attacked the wrong target - he attacked the Anchor woman ( she is one of us victims ) ....he Should have attacked Big Businesss/Industry - who manufacture /market/ advertise to the hilt all that bad junk food , fast food , - stuff that is Soooo bad for us.
~ ....maybe the writer could start an on-air segment with healthy lifestyle choices.....he could include some of the amazing information and real-life experiences/struggles of some of the amazing people on this site - there are so many of us here doing so much amazing hard work to improve our lives/lifestyles/health - this is the Info that should be out there....Not attacking one overweight anchorwoman...
cheers all,
...( wow - the controversy sure worked - got lots of thoughts & reaction out of me ....lol....
( off to do my Zumba DVD - do some "healthy".)
Shall we use anorexic people versus obese people...
We see anorexic people on magazine covers etc and the world is upset and demanding these people seek help, saying how unhealthy it is and that they are slowly killing themselves etc etc. We turn our attention to the people on the other end of the scale and god help us if we dare tell them how unhealthy they are.
The news reporter also reports a Thyroid condition she has. Yes, it is much, much harder to lose weight with a Thyroid condition but NOT impossible. It takes a lot of determination and consistency but a weight loss goal is achievable to a certain degree. People nowadays blame their so-called medical conditions that they themselves have diagnosed and seem to just give up.
We see anorexic people on magazine covers etc and the world is upset and demanding these people seek help, saying how unhealthy it is and that they are slowly killing themselves etc etc. We turn our attention to the people on the other end of the scale and god help us if we dare tell them how unhealthy they are.
The news reporter also reports a Thyroid condition she has. Yes, it is much, much harder to lose weight with a Thyroid condition but NOT impossible. It takes a lot of determination and consistency but a weight loss goal is achievable to a certain degree. People nowadays blame their so-called medical conditions that they themselves have diagnosed and seem to just give up.
M
MaryannC
Guest
Hey HyungJun -
I agree , even with challenges ( metabolic conditions, middle-age slow metabolism) - can still lose weight - it's just harder, slower-takes more effort & determination, but can be done.
A person has to decide which is more important to them - the immediate small reward/thrill of eating something high-fat/high-sugar, or the long-term reward from healthy eating/exercise & the Health improvement that lifestyle choice offers..... it's all about Choices....
~ the comparison with society's attitude to anorexia is a good one - definately puts our self-defensive attitude on obesity in perspective....and that anchor-woman sure did respond defensively - she could have acknowledged that yes , she could stand to lose some weight- but she seemed instead - to defend her "choice"? to be at her present weight.... ? denial, or embarrasment over her current weight status....
I agree , even with challenges ( metabolic conditions, middle-age slow metabolism) - can still lose weight - it's just harder, slower-takes more effort & determination, but can be done.
A person has to decide which is more important to them - the immediate small reward/thrill of eating something high-fat/high-sugar, or the long-term reward from healthy eating/exercise & the Health improvement that lifestyle choice offers..... it's all about Choices....
~ the comparison with society's attitude to anorexia is a good one - definately puts our self-defensive attitude on obesity in perspective....and that anchor-woman sure did respond defensively - she could have acknowledged that yes , she could stand to lose some weight- but she seemed instead - to defend her "choice"? to be at her present weight.... ? denial, or embarrasment over her current weight status....
Spinner19641
New member
I'm not fat. I've never been obese. But over 5 years ago I decided to start a diet and exercise regime and now I am lean and fit. These days people tell me I am in ideal shape - not fat, not skinny, with lean muscle and low body fat. And my doctor tells me to keep doing what I am doing because it is clearly working well - my resting heart rate is in the low 40 beats per minute, blood pressure below 100 and ideal blood work ups.
BUT I have found it difficult to compete with the conflicting messages in the real world.
On the one hand we are told to take care of our health but right in the middle of a weight loss program on TV is a series of junk food ads. My supermarket dedicates 80% of their shelf space to processed foods and booze and simple whole foods are hard to find on the bottom shelf buried under a mountain of 'value added' food. Even if we are lean, fit and healthy we are bombarded by unhealthy anorexic magazine images that have been doctored which tries to reset targets from healthy to dangerous. And if you do exercise a lot you can be tagged an 'exorexic' and if you aim to only eat healthy foods apparently you are a 'healthorexic'!
I've concluded the only way forward is to ignore marketing and other messaging. You have to work out what works for you and tell everyone else to mind their own business!
If you want to be slim then do it in a sensible way. If you're okay with having a little extra padding then go right on ahead (a little extra padding isn't going to jeapordise your health). If you want to be obese then be obese but don't bitch to me if you get diabetic just do something about it if it happens.
No one has the right to judge anyone else for their choices but it seems to be all we ever do!
BUT I have found it difficult to compete with the conflicting messages in the real world.
On the one hand we are told to take care of our health but right in the middle of a weight loss program on TV is a series of junk food ads. My supermarket dedicates 80% of their shelf space to processed foods and booze and simple whole foods are hard to find on the bottom shelf buried under a mountain of 'value added' food. Even if we are lean, fit and healthy we are bombarded by unhealthy anorexic magazine images that have been doctored which tries to reset targets from healthy to dangerous. And if you do exercise a lot you can be tagged an 'exorexic' and if you aim to only eat healthy foods apparently you are a 'healthorexic'!
I've concluded the only way forward is to ignore marketing and other messaging. You have to work out what works for you and tell everyone else to mind their own business!
If you want to be slim then do it in a sensible way. If you're okay with having a little extra padding then go right on ahead (a little extra padding isn't going to jeapordise your health). If you want to be obese then be obese but don't bitch to me if you get diabetic just do something about it if it happens.
No one has the right to judge anyone else for their choices but it seems to be all we ever do!
PLB
Moderator
Some good points here... I agree more with the comparison between anorexic and obese people and the way that is acceptable to approach these people. Either way, there is disordered eating involved and the individual should be making some changes for the good of their health.
I agree with Spinner in that there are a lot of mixed messages going on in the media world and that the best way not to get sucked in is to ignore it (i.e. watch less TV and read fewer magazines). I also think Spinner has a good point in that if someone is choosing to overeat and be overweight, then they really shouldn't be suprised when they develop some sort of medical condition related to being overweight.
I agree with Spinner in that there are a lot of mixed messages going on in the media world and that the best way not to get sucked in is to ignore it (i.e. watch less TV and read fewer magazines). I also think Spinner has a good point in that if someone is choosing to overeat and be overweight, then they really shouldn't be suprised when they develop some sort of medical condition related to being overweight.
Actually it sounded more like she was on the defensive to me. It also seemed that the jerk who wrote her that email might have known her since he spoke about how she had not changed over the years something like that. To those people who seek to put others down, they do not deserve to be recognized imho. If I were her which I am not and possibly precisely why I am not a news anchor lol.I would have just started something about bullying but not even address that nerd. pretend his email was not even read, that he or she did not deserve time of day.My 2 cents which I value greatly cheers 
MysticRealm
New member
I don't think this is 'bullying' at all.
Just like this lady said "you don't know me at all", she doesn't know him at all.
He may have dealt with obesity himself in the past or have someone that is dealing with obesity, and maybe this person tried to qualify their weight by saying that someone famous was bigger than them. If the picture I have seen of this guy IS actually him it's very obvious that he is very health conscience, active, of ideal weight. Obviously it's something he's very passionate for, and aware of. He isn't a fat person, sitting at home vegging out, trying to put other people down to make himself feel better.
And yes of course she 'knows she's fat' but it doesn't mean she knows the possible impact being a public figure.
Yes nobody WANTS to be obese but they might try to qualify it by thinking that they still weigh less than ms. tv personality.
The letter was not bullying. Was it needed? No. Is it likely to change this lady? No. But he wrote it in a very appropriate way, not saying 'you're fat,why don't you go eat another donut' instead saying 'i am concerned about the impact of someone who's unhealthy being a public figure.'
I think the lady was far too sensitive, and took a private letter and SHE put it into the public eye. I think all she really wanted was people to write in with how awesome she is, and that she doesn't need to lose a pound, and love on her.
Just like this lady said "you don't know me at all", she doesn't know him at all.
He may have dealt with obesity himself in the past or have someone that is dealing with obesity, and maybe this person tried to qualify their weight by saying that someone famous was bigger than them. If the picture I have seen of this guy IS actually him it's very obvious that he is very health conscience, active, of ideal weight. Obviously it's something he's very passionate for, and aware of. He isn't a fat person, sitting at home vegging out, trying to put other people down to make himself feel better.
And yes of course she 'knows she's fat' but it doesn't mean she knows the possible impact being a public figure.
Yes nobody WANTS to be obese but they might try to qualify it by thinking that they still weigh less than ms. tv personality.
The letter was not bullying. Was it needed? No. Is it likely to change this lady? No. But he wrote it in a very appropriate way, not saying 'you're fat,why don't you go eat another donut' instead saying 'i am concerned about the impact of someone who's unhealthy being a public figure.'
I think the lady was far too sensitive, and took a private letter and SHE put it into the public eye. I think all she really wanted was people to write in with how awesome she is, and that she doesn't need to lose a pound, and love on her.
@MysticRealm:
Amen! The link to the video no longer works as it's been "removed by the user," but I'm pretty sure I already saw said vid a while ago. Anyway, I read what the guy wrote, and I also don't think he was necessarily "bullying" her. What he did was, in fact, unnecessary, but he wasn't really attacking her, per se. It's not like HE was the one who made it available to the public in the first place, it was the news lady. He wrote her a private letter and, in an effort to get people on her side, the news lady decided to bring it to the public's attention. What I don't like here is, IF she really wanted to address this letter publicly, she could've just held the guy's name, to protect him from public scrutiny. She can't be complaining about "bullying" when, in fact, she's essentially doing the same thing to the guy...and practically giving everyone permission to bully the guy. All I'm saying is she could've handled it more tastefully.
Amen! The link to the video no longer works as it's been "removed by the user," but I'm pretty sure I already saw said vid a while ago. Anyway, I read what the guy wrote, and I also don't think he was necessarily "bullying" her. What he did was, in fact, unnecessary, but he wasn't really attacking her, per se. It's not like HE was the one who made it available to the public in the first place, it was the news lady. He wrote her a private letter and, in an effort to get people on her side, the news lady decided to bring it to the public's attention. What I don't like here is, IF she really wanted to address this letter publicly, she could've just held the guy's name, to protect him from public scrutiny. She can't be complaining about "bullying" when, in fact, she's essentially doing the same thing to the guy...and practically giving everyone permission to bully the guy. All I'm saying is she could've handled it more tastefully.
E
emeerz05
Guest
the video was removed.
