I heard a Sales Manager give this account. He described himself (modestly) as decent looking and slim. He considered himself fit and intelligent and he was successful in his career. His job necessitated that he travelled a lot to see customers and he clocked up many thousands of motorway miles each year. Over a period of 5 years - his sedentary lifestyle, hotels and fast food meant he piled on the pounds year on year. It got to the point where he was defined as obese - even morbidly obese.
He observed with some disgust that people generally - even his customers - started to treat him differently as a "fat" person. He felt he was treated with less regard, less respect - to the point where he was treated as less intelligent. His sales figures and career prospects were negatively affected.
He saw this as unfair - judgemental and a symptom of how quick society is to categorise people.
A question to pose? Has society got it wrong?
Is it unintelligent, is it weak, is it slovenly to allow yourself to get seriously fat? Are people right to regard you as some sort of failure - someone who defies all good and well meaning medical advice to indulge a weak character?
He claims he has now sorted himself out and has shed many stones. I don't know if he is happier or if his career is back on track. He certainly should be healthier and his good lady is likely to be happier at least!
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