Bullying...

Firstly, if this is the first time you have stumbled upon my blog, welcome :) and before you judge or feel the need to comment, I'd like to point a few things out (and only do this due to past judgement I have experienced so I thought I'd clear it up first)...

1. I am gainfully Employed, have been in the same job for almost 9 years (and pay my taxes and my Medicare Levy!)
2. I have private health insurance and have not put any strain on our health system due to my weight
3. I have lost almost 80kg in just over a year and have worked hard.
4. I welcome your comments but please don't use this as a forum to prove my point that overweight people are often bullied for no other reason than the fact they are overweight.
5. I don't condone being unhealthy however, I also don't think all overweight people are unhealthy
6. I promote living a healthy lifestyle to my family, friends and colleagues.
7, Not everyone who is overweight over eats.
8. I am a fat chick trying to make a difference.

As most of you know, your are able to comment on my blog at anytime.  I keep it 'un moderated' and also allow anonymous postings for people who like to share their stories, thoughts or opinions without people knowing who they are.  I think anonymous posting is fantastic and I shall continue to keep it that way however, it does allow for the occasional unprovoked attack, the most recent one being yesterday.  So, today when I got a call from 'Today Tonight' to speak about bullying, I jumped at the chance.
I have been bullied my whole life because of my weight.  It's something that I've dealt with the best way I know how and for me, up until recently, that has been ignoring the constant taunts and harassment that I am subject to but, a few months ago, I spoke up and made it clear I am not putting up with it anymore.  And I am teaching my kids that it's not acceptable.

I didn't realise the number of people who would come forward and state they are also victims of the same types of attacks I have been putting up with for so many years.  I was saddened to read the stories that people shared with me and to hear that things were worse than I thought possible.

Although I am not sure what they are going to show on the 'Today Tonight' segment, I know they were doing the story in response to an article in today's Herald Sun which you can find here...
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/obese-told-to-report-if-they-are-abused-over-their-weight/story-fn7x8me2-1226191836429

And if the reader's comments that are included at the bottom of this article are any indication of greater Society's view on people who are Overweight, it doesn't seem to be improving, it seems to be getting worse.

I am proud of my achievements in the past year, I've almost lost 80kg, I climbed a 46 story building, I started running, I've participated in both the Melton and the Yarra Ranges relay for life, I started my Certificate IV in fitness, I haven't had to use my CPAP machine (for sleep apnoea) since May, I have enjoyed exercising and encouraging those around me to do the same.  I am proud of how far I've come.  Yes, I did have lap band almost a year ago but, lap band only limits the amount of food I can eat and makes me feel hungry quicker - it doesn't drag me down to the gym or get me to make sure the foods I am eating are the correct ones.  It hasn't been the easy way out.  It's been tough.  But it's been worth it.  I couldn't have done it without it.  And I am not weak for having it.  I am strong to acknowledge I wasn't able to do it on my own.

Bullying has been a massive part of my life.  It's shaped me to who I am today.  It still hurts when I get picked on.  Even little things.  They tend to mount up though.  I can be called something one day and then it won't get to me for a few days and then I dwell on it.  It's a horrible thing to go through.  And I am sure that everyone has had some experience with bullying at one time in their life.  It's sad how stuff that we got used to at School as Children and tolerated as there weren't these fantastic 'anti bullying' rules are now things that we need to put up with as Adults.  It's not on.  It's not acceptable.  And I for one am not putting up with it.  I know I said it earlier but I mean it!

I was going to save these for my Bandversary on Thursday but, I'll put them up now so that everyone can see how far I've come :)

The photo on the left was taken in January 2010 and the one on the right was the weekend just gone.

The photo on the left was taken back in July 2010 and the one on the right was taken this evening :)

The one on the left was taken back in November 2010 and the one on the right was taken in October 2011

 The photo on the left was taken back in November 2010 and the photo on the right was taken in October 2011.

If you have any questions, please feel free to Email me at movingforwardlookingforward@gmail.com and if you'd like to read more about my stair climb that I completed in August, please go to http://vic.cancercouncilfundraising.org.au/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=342014 - any donations are appreciated as my aim is $5,000 and we are nearly there!

I've got a long way to go - I want to get say goodbye to at least another 90kg but everyday, I am a step closer to getting there.  Thank you for your support and interest in my story :)