I have an older brother and sister who are both very heavy. One is about 400 pounds and the other is probably more than that. My older sister was hospitalized for 6 months in which time she lost half her body weight. She has since gained it all back plus some.

I used to take her to the store to do her shopping and I could see the looks people gave her. She was in her early 40's. She always shopped for nothing but junk food. I would get our groceries while she got hers and when we checked out she would always say you always get stuff to cook with. She would say she wanted junk and snacks. They would spend all of their grocery money on stuff like that and before the month was out they were out of food. Where I bought stuff like ground beef, ground turkey, whole chickens, flour and the like she would have a cart full of expensive tv dinners, cookies, cases of pop and chips. I remember one time when an older man asked her once while I was putting the stuff in the car if she ever considered going on a diet. She would always say she didnt eat much. For someone who didnt eat much she sure lost it when she was hospitalized. She has smoked so much her lungs are shot and ate herself so huge she can hardly walk. I havent seen her in 6 months. My other brother was telling she has since gained all of the weight back plus.

A whacko side-note to this whole line of conversation...

Speaking of Europe... I'm a large guy as you all know. I am well over 300 lbs. I have two singles profiles online- both w/ pics. I get an amazing amount of response from interested parties from all over Europe- people drawn to those of us w/ larger frames. (In the gay world it's called the "chubby/chaser scene"- those who are extra-large and those smaller/average-sized people who admire us! The same "phenomenon" occurs fairly commonly in the straight world too, I believe) Beautiful folks from Spain, Italy, France, etc. tell me they have to visit people's profiles from AMERICA because there are no fatties where they live! I admit- the attention is wonderful- but what do I need with someone who adores me and thinks I'm beautiful when they live all the way in Poland or Austria? Where are all the chubby-chasers who live just down the block from me- or 'round the corner! Ha!

Another thing- those who tend to prefer larger-bodied people romantically tend to be non-caucasions. (which is cool, 'cause I like folks of all races!) Bit, I find that strange. I wonder what's up with that? Hmmm... Strange, huh?

Unfortunately - that is the way it is. I am sick to death of these fat slobs! People are overweight for many reasons - some are medical, or from taking medications/steroids, etc. I know - I gained some weight from meds after the accident.
But to see these fat slobs take up one of those motorized carts while loading their baskets with chips, dips, junk foods,microwaveable empty calorie foods - wings, fajitas, burritos, etc. really gets under my skin. So you know what they are living on. These slobs don't even cook. The microwave and the fridge are their best friends.
And they get parking permits! They refuse to walk - period. They may burn a calorie or two.

and speaking of handicapped parking - it should be for the use of the handicapped person - not their extended family and grand children to park conveniently because they are too lazy to walk.....................

Unfortunately - I have one of those permits - and I've blocked the losers that don't have one and park in the handicapped spots "for just a minute" while they "just ran in" for ONE thing. I'll park on their bumper with my sticker up and then all hell breaks lose when they come out. Call the cops on me - I don't care - you'll get the ticket - not me.
I went nose-to-nose with a cop that parked in handicapped while he ran in for coffee and donuts at a convenience store. His badge and gun didn't help him either.

(by the way - the clown that consistently parks in handicapped on a daily basis because he is just running in the store for a minute for the paper - and the coffee and the morning chat with the clerk and the donut that he eats there, plays the lottery, etc. finds me on his bumber quite frequently. I can chat with the clerk too and I can buy a ticket or two and take my time scratching it as well. He's been late for work because of me - but when will he learn??? and blessing me with some of the names he calls me doesn't make me go any faster - it upsets me and I have to then sit in my car and rest after I decide which lottery ticket I want. After all - that is a big decision and the clerk and I need to discuss them all - LOL)

Do I need the permit - yes - unfortunately. And what I wouldn't give to not have to have one!

I heard a comedian joke about that once. She said she went to some other country on vacation with her super model looking girlfriend but all of the men hit on her. She said she asked them why the preferred her chubby frame ito that of her skinny pal and they said ..meat is for the man..bone is for the dog.

Here, here! It annoys the heck out of me that a person who is just overweight can get a handicapped sticker.

But you know I think Germany has something there. They as a nation get up and go. It's considered normal. Also the choices are not bone thin or morbidly obese there IS a happy medium. I think that is the zone most people should be shooting for. Until America as a nation decides that health is important and activity is important we will be a sick nation. We are sick together. I wish we could all get well together.