Obese Woman Hurt After Being Told That Her Weight Prevents Her From Being Invited To Girls' Trip
"She forces us to stop all the time."
Obesity, or being overweight, can seriously harm one's health. Severe health implications result from being overweight, including cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke), type 2 diabetes, and musculoskeletal conditions, among other issues.
These illnesses result in significant impairment and early mortality. It is well known that health issues can arise at any weight, but those who are very overweight have a higher probability of experiencing problems.
Many of these illnesses result in long-term pain for sufferers as well as their families. Aside from this, one's weight can also deter people from inviting them out, and this is what we see in today's story.
The OP has three daughters, and they still enjoy going on girls' trips during the day. The OP's son married a woman named Beth, who is obese.
Before Beth gave birth to her first child, she was of average weight, but afterward, her condition worsened significantly. The OP used to like her, but now she does not due to Beth's behavior.
Everywhere they go with Beth, there is constant complaining about how tired she is. The last girls' trip to the mall was poorly spent, as Beth sat on a bench for half the day since she needed constant breaks.
If you try to leave, she will complain about being abandoned, which is just annoying. The OP had to explain why she couldn't invite people on trips anymore, and it didn't end well.
The OP writes
Reddit/Mysterious_Prior7438Her only child is 8 years old, and she hasn’t lost the weight
Reddit/Mysterious_Prior7438Body Image and Social Acceptance
The hurt feelings expressed by the woman are indicative of the deep-seated issues surrounding body image and societal standards of beauty.
Research published in the Journal of Obesity shows that individuals with obesity often face stigmatization and discrimination, which can severely affect their mental health and self-esteem.
This social rejection can lead to feelings of inadequacy and isolation, creating a vicious cycle of negative self-perception.
She forces them to stop all the time, and it ruins the trips
Reddit/Mysterious_Prior7438
The Reddit post went viral with thousands of comments, and here are a bunch of them
Reddit/Mysterious_Prior7438
OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a-hole:
I told her the reason my DIL wasn’t invited was due to her weight. I could have been nicer, which could make me a jerk.The honest answer will always be...
Reddit/Mysterious_Prior7438
Including her in activities that do not require much walking
Reddit/Mysterious_Prior7438
Being excluded based on weight highlights the social dynamics of acceptance and belonging, which are crucial for psychological well-being. Social identity theory suggests that people often derive self-worth from group membership, and exclusion can trigger feelings of unworthiness.
Moreover, the emotional impact of such comments can lead to anxiety and depression, reinforcing the stigma surrounding obesity.
There are so many places you can't go
Reddit/Mysterious_Prior7438
The OP should have communicated the problem better
Reddit/Mysterious_Prior7438
The OP left this as an edit
We have done plenty of things that are not physically taxing with her, but even with the small stuff, she ends up on a bench half the day. We went to a small mall, and she spent half the day on the bench. It was window shopping.She is obese, and her ankles are swollen from her weight. The connection between her weight and her inability to walk far without a break is very obvious.The OP has to explain it better
Reddit/Mysterious_Prior7438
Leaving it open for her to realize her shortcomings
Reddit/Mysterious_Prior7438
Promoting Body Positivity
To counteract these negative feelings, it’s vital to foster a culture of body positivity and acceptance. Experts recommend creating supportive environments where individuals can share their experiences openly, without fear of judgment.
Engaging in body positivity movements can help challenge societal norms and foster self-acceptance, promoting healthier body image perceptions.
When there is a lot of walking involved
Reddit/Mysterious_Prior7438
Psychological Analysis
This situation reflects the profound impact of social perceptions on individual self-esteem and mental health. Exclusion based on weight not only affects the individual but also highlights broader societal biases that need to be addressed through education and empathy.
Analysis generated by AI
Analysis & Alternative Approaches
Ultimately, the emotional distress stemming from body image issues underscores the need for greater societal awareness and sensitivity.
As we learn to embrace diversity in body shapes and sizes, we can move toward a more inclusive and supportive community.
Some Redditors say that Beth's fitness is the issue, not her size. The OP laments the fact that Beth is unable to fully engage and is impeding her progress, but that doesn't mean that it's not possible for obese people to exercise.
The OP emphasized Beth's weight rather than informing her that her lack of fitness was the problem. Still, a decision had to be made, and the OP was declared not the AH.
Encouraging open discussions about body image issues within social groups can also be beneficial. Research indicates that having supportive friendships can significantly mitigate feelings of rejection and improve overall mental health.
Practicing empathy and understanding can help build a more inclusive environment, which can ultimately lead to healthier relationships both within and outside the group.