According to both legend and recent research, fat girls are happier overall than skinny girls.
That is: overweight women are more satisfied with their lives and themselves than their skinny sisters. Does that mean we can let everything slide, and indulge like mad, because it’ll make us happier?
Of course not. I’ve got my share of excess kilos, and I’m a happy soul, but I don’t think the two are linked, except for this:
1. Food is a basic commodity. If I were to deny myself everything that my body craves for the basic need of survival, I wouldn’t be very happy at all. Some of us are made that way: we look at food, and it sticks to our hips. All that wobbles isn’t chocolate and crisps… So – maybe part of my happiness is that I allow myself to eat enough.
2. I don’t think I would be very happy if I always felt inadequate, and that I needed to change things about myself constantly. To me, happiness is linked to being content with the way things are. I’m not saying one shouldn’t strive to better oneself, but if this turns to self-depreciation, it’s a waste of valuable time.
So: I’m happy per se., and not because of the fact that my BMI is above average. One could argue that I’m happy despite of it, of course, but I really don’t think BMI matters much. I’m sure my health would benefit from losing a few kilos, but I won’t subject myself to starving again, and I certainly won’t subject my family to a cranky, sour Mum, just because I’m denying myself the basics… The best diet pills are the ones that make you slim, fit and beautiful without a change of lifestyle, and they don’t exist.
I don’t think starving myself is consistent with quality of life. If this encroaches on my quantity of life, so be it. I may live longer with a few kilos less, or I may fall and crack my scull tomorrow.
Stumble it!
