Plus Size Commitment: Battling for Equal Rights

I'm not a size two, I can't shop at any of the super modern stores such as Abercrombie or Hollister. But I hike, camp and fish often, I go to the gym, and I go about my life, in plus size fashion.

Being a plus size woman in a size 12-average society should be a fairly easy thing. Considering over half of the United States is obese/overweight, you would think we would be moved beyond stereotyping overweight people as fat and lazy. However, this is not the case.

Somehow, those who are skinny, not necessarily healthy, have gotten the best of everything when it comes to their jobs, romance, healthcare, finances, and predominently every facet of lifestyle. Along the way we have come to see those who are super-skinny as healthier than those with a few extra pounds.

How often have you heard of someone suffering a massive heart attack despite being in the average category of body mass index? I have, and it's been more than common. Those who are skinny are not necessarily healthier than those who are overweight. Yes, a good height/weight proportion is important to maintain a good active lifestyle. However, just because you do not have a good BMI does not mean you are any less active.

While the past few years of my life has been a rollercoast of dieting, working out, and staying active, I believe my lifestyle has often been more active than some of my skinnier counterparts. Some of our bodies naturally keep on weight longer, it's a fact of life.

Somewhere along the line, whether it be media, healthcare organizations, or the government, the public view has been that those of us who are overweight or obeses sit on our bums all day eating bon bons. However, I'm overweight/obese, and this weekend I was surf fishing, playing frisbee and volleyball. I often make it to the gym 3 or more times per week, and I try to keep my refrigerator stocked with healthy options.

It's not that I always make healthiest choices, but I have found that overweight/obese people are sometimes the most health conscious of their peers. We are more aware of what we're taking in because most of us are sick of this never-ending pressure to lose weight. Instead of focusing on being healthy, and active, we're forever consumed with numbers: BMI, weight, calories, fat.

It is much more important that we, as overweight/obese people, work on being active and intaking foods will naturally help our bodies lose weight. It is time for us to accept our weight, or bodies, and instead of being so focused on loss, to be focused on health and well being, despite the number. Many of us can life very active, fit, healthful lives without being a size 2.