I weigh about 400lbs. Sometimes 409, sometimes 397, usually in between. Over the years I have encountered folks who talk about how “If you weigh over 300, you aren’t living, you’re just existing.” Or “being a bit overweight is okay, but if you weigh some huge amount, like 350 or 400 or 500lbs, well then there’s all these things you can’t do, like hold down a job or get out of bed.” And don’t forget “Anyone who weighs [above arbitrary threshhold] has diabetes and high blood pressure and knee problems and will die in five years, tops.”
I’ve been in that “really huge” category for over 15 years. During that time I’ve worked at various jobs, traveled around the US and Canada, attended college and taught at a college. I’ve been leered at in my swimsuit at Disney World, posed for a life drawing class, exercised with friends and a personal trainer, and gotten married.
I started this blog to talk about what it’s like to weigh about 400lbs. How bad is my health? How much can I physically do or not do? How it does being fat affect my life?
For example, I happen to be “apple-shaped” – I have a big belly, which means I can’t do a very good traditional seated forward bend, which stretches the hamstrings and back. So (as seen above) I do an adapted version of the pose, stretching my back and other muscles in my legs. I do the hamstring stretches in other ways.
Why doesn’t the photo show my face? (Don’t I know that “Headless Fatties” are dehumanizing?) This blog is all about my body, so I am putting the emphasis on my body. Second, I feel that maintaining a bit of anonymity will make it easier for me to be honest.
Happy September, everyone :)
Living ~400lbs 
Leave a Reply to shoutz Cancel reply