“Do Something About Your Weight”

“You have such a pretty face—why don’t you do something about your weight?” “Don’t you know the medical consequences of obesity? Do something about your weight,” or “We can’t hire you until you do something about your weight.” The usual criticisms fat women hear imply that it is possible to “do something about your weight.” I tried. Everything known to medical science: intestinal bypass and stomach stapling and total fasting and pills and shots and hypnosis and diet candies and 15 stints at Weight Watchers and almost as many at Overeaters Anonymous ... No one ever told me to “do something” about my green eyes or brown hair or 5’8” frame, only about the 300 pounds, give or take 100 pounds at any one time, on that frame.