Too fat to fly?

[Gan]

(PEOPLE.com (http://www.people.com/people/?cnn=yes)) -- Kevin Smith's most famous role is a guy who rarely speaks. But he's got a lot to say -- much of it profane -- after being kicked off a Southwest Air flight because he didn't fit comfortably into the seat.

"You [messed] with the wrong sedentary processed-foods eater!" Smith, whose next film, "Cop Out," comes out February 26, posted on Twitter.

It was one of many Tweets recounting the actor/director's humiliating expulsion Saturday from the Oakland-to-Burbank, California, flight.

Southwest said in a statement airline officials had called Smith to offer their "heartfelt apologies," but also stated his removal was for the "safety and comfort of all customers."

Smith, 39, originally purchased two tickets "as he's been known to do when traveling Southwest," the airline noted, but when he decided to fly standby on an earlier flight, only one seat remained. Although he had been seated, he was asked to leave.

"If a customer cannot comfortably lower the armrest and infringes on a portion of another seat, a customer seated adjacent would be very uncomfortable and a timely exit from the aircraft in the event of an emergency might be compromised if we allow a cramped, restricted seating arrangement," Southwest said.

I'm Fat

Smith, who played Silent Bob in his Clerks movies and who has battled his weight for years -- "I know I'm fat," he confesses -- was given a $100 voucher and arrived in Burbank on a later flight. But he was in no mood to accept an apology.

"I broke no regulation, offered no 'safety risk' (what, was I gonna roll on a fellow passenger?)" he tweeted (http://twitter.com/THatkevinsmith/?cnn=yes). "I saw someone bigger than me on THAT flight! But I wasn't about to throw a fellow Fatty under the plane as I'm being profiled. But he & I made eye contact, & he was like 'Please don't tell...'"

After landing in Burbank, Smith wrote, "Don't worry: wall of the plane was opened & I was airlifted out while Richard Simmons supervised."

Smith added that while the ordeal was embarrassing, his "Jersey Girl training" (the 2004 flop starring Ben Affleck (http://www.people.com/people/ben_affleck/?cnn=yes) and Jennifer Lopez (http://www.people.com/people/jennifer_lopez/?cnn=yes)) was helping him cope.

http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/SHOWBIZ/02/15/kevin.smith.southwest/t1larg.jpg

[Gan]

I'm a big guy. 6'3" and 240 lb. I've had to sit next and sometimes inbetween people who 'spilled over' into my seat. Its not fun. And I want the damn armrest down so I dont have to be pressed up against some sweaty fat guy. :(

Either the planes are going to have to make bigger seats or customers are going to have to expect shit when they cant fit within the confines of a single seat.

As it stands now - either buy first class (wider seats) or double up as the guy had initially done before going standby on an earlier flight which only had single seat availability.

[TheEschaton]

What I don't understand is why he's so cheap, after making some very successful movies. :P

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

From what I read, he had his arm rests comfortably down, which is the 'determining factor'. Having had my personal space infringed upon by fat people on airplanes, though, I'm torn because there have been people I sat next to who get the armrest down but their thigh fat spills under.

That being said, I would voluntarily let Kevin Smith's fat spill onto my seat space, and I'm sure other people on the flight would have voluntarily moved to the seat next to him :lol:

[Elgrim]

6'5", 345lbs, I feel his pain.

I'd sue their asses off.

[Kuyuk]

Hah. While you claim he's cheap, he did buy two seats to begin with...

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

It appears that the airlines seating policies are reaching critical mass.

See what I did there?

I wouldn't want to sit next to any buffalo. Even an "average" person like myself at 6'1" 215 lbs there isn't a whole lot of room. Airlines should just ban all children and fatties from flying. Or create a new airline just for fatties. Call it Jumbo Airlines, each person flying gets the bench seat from a pickup truck to sit on with a big bowl of cheese puffs, 8 2 liter bottles of soda, and a bath towel sized wet nap - because if there is an inflight meal, you know that bad boy is baby back ribs.

[Clove]

Kevin Smith may be overweight but he's by no means ridiculously so. I think airlines need to be better prepared to accommodate a wider variety of sizes. Granted if he were 500lbs or 6'8" I'd understand but he's just a run-of-the-mill fatty in this country.

[AnticorRifling]

6'5", 345lbs, I feel his pain.

I'd sue their asses off.

For what?

[Showal]

Smith, 39, originally purchased two tickets "as he's been known to do when traveling Southwest," the airline noted, but when he decided to fly standby on an earlier flight, only one seat remained. Although he had been seated, he was asked to leave.


What I don't understand is why he's so cheap, after making some very successful movies. :P

I don't think he was being cheap. Fatty just wanted to arrive at his destination earlier to shove his fat face with fatty foods.

[TheEschaton]

two seats in coach for someone who can afford first class easily is kinda cheap, imo. :P

[Ker_Thwap]

He bought two seats, the issue is more that they oversold the seats and he's the one who happened to get bumped.

Seats are overly small anyway, I'm about 24" wide at the shoulders and the average seat is 17-18 inches. It's not even a matter of only fat people not fitting.

Oh well, at least I don't have to travel by wagon train.

[AnticorRifling]

He bought two seats, the issue is more that they oversold the seats and he's the one who happened to get bumped.

Seats are overly small anyway, I'm about 24" wide at the shoulders and the average seat is 17-18 inches. It's not even a matter of only fat people not fitting.

Oh well, at least I don't have to travel by wagon train.
I thought he made the choice to try and get the earlier flight than what his tickets were for.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

two seats in coach for someone who can afford first class easily is kinda cheap, imo. :P

There are no FC seats on SW Airlines.

[Ker_Thwap]

I thought he made the choice to try and get the earlier flight than what his tickets were for.

Ah, he has even less to complain about in that case.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

two seats in coach for someone who can afford first class easily is kinda cheap, imo. :P

This response cracks me up, because aren't you the socialist? HOW DARE there even exist a first class. You certainly wouldn't ride in FC would you?

[Stanley Burrell]

Fat or big? I've got big shoulder blades, but my my skeleton from the ribcage down is a damn rail. I could be morbidly obese and probably get away with this bullshit easier than an emaciated Shaquille O'neal.

[Asrial]

In the heat of the moment.. sometimes people make the wrong decisions, but you have to stick with it. The worst thing you can do is go back and forth. Make the decision, carry it out, deal with the consequences.

Back in the day I worked for GameWorks and they had a 'pod' style attraction that could be configured for different things (roller coaster simulation, monster truck simulation, etc). There WAS a maximum weight to it and I know several times we skirted that and several times we went over it. When you went over it.. the machine broke and it created a big scene and you got in trouble. Further, it presented a risk to the passengers.

Being in that position SUCKED. I did NOT enjoy having to tell someone "you can't get on because you look too heavy." I did not enjoy having to defend my position when they got defensive about it. I did not enjoy the stress of watching two larger guests get into it and are flipping it all around and I'm praying it doesn't break as I listen to the mechanisms groaning from the weight. I asked for a scale to help me out, but they said no to that.

Back to the issue at hand with airlines...

WHAT THE AIRLINES NEED TO DO: Stop trying to pack everyone in like sardines.

WHAT OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE NEED TO DO: Realize that while Americans have become fatter, things are still designed (or still exist) on how it was back in the day. Smoking and drinking are social norms, but that doesn't make them good for you. Same thing with being overweight.

[Barundar]

For what?

For more Big Mac money.

[TheEschaton]

This response cracks me up, because aren't you the socialist? HOW DARE there even exist a first class. You certainly wouldn't ride in FC would you?

Socialism is an economic system, not a moral or socio-political one.

ETA: I.E., unlike communism, if distribution of wealth and government ownership of certain industries still leaves you wealthy, socialism has no problem with that as long as the floor has been raised. The goal of socialism is to raise the bottom, not necessarily to lower the ceiling (though the latter often happens because of the former).

[Cephalopod]

This is certainly going to generate a bit of amusement for a few days:



(via Twitter (http://twitter.com/ThatKevinSmith/status/9128066586))
Hey @SouthwestAir: you bring that same row of seats to the DailyShow, and I'll sit in 'em for all to see on TV.

[Methais]

The goal of socialism is to raise the bottom, not necessarily to lower the ceiling (though the latter often happens because of the former).

I agree, Simutronics is socialist.

[Jorddyn]

WHAT THE AIRLINES NEED TO DO: Stop trying to pack everyone in like sardines.

Sell fatty seats. Put 4 seats where there are normally 5 or 6 and charge 1.5x-2x the original price. Yes, I understand there's first class, but that option is often 4x the price of a normal tickets, even though it's often full with people who got a free bump from coach.

[Methais]

Speaking of fat fucks, my trip today to the local Chinese buffet gave me an idea for a website similar to People Of Walmart, except it will be called FAT FUCKS AT BUFFETS.

You don't realize just how bad it is until you get seated in view of the door where you see everyone that waddles in and waddles out of the building. I'm not talking about people with some extra meat on their bones, I'm talking about people who need some extra bones on their 600 lbs. of meat that drags behind them on the floor as they waddle around. The kind that have to buy an entire row when they fly Southwest.

It's not genetic either, at least not in this case, unless their genes force them to eat 5+ plates that are stacked like Mount Everest. Nothing against fat people in general, but holy shit draw the line somewhere and get some self control.

What I have seen today cannot be unseen and I'm not sure that my life will ever be the same.

[Asrial]

What I have seen today cannot be unseen and I'm not sure that my life will ever be the same.You think about goatse and tubgirl every day... I call shenanigans.

[AnticorRifling]

Dude you go to a buffet to get the meal down to a dollar a plate. Duh.

[Gan]

Dollar cost averaging at its finest.

[Keller]

Speaking of fat fucks, my trip today to the local Chinese buffet gave me an idea for a website similar to People Of Walmart, except it will be called FAT FUCKS AT BUFFETS.

You don't realize just how bad it is until you get seated in view of the door where you see everyone that waddles in and waddles out of the building. I'm not talking about people with some extra meat on their bones, I'm talking about people who need some extra bones on their 600 lbs. of meat that drags behind them on the floor as they waddle around. The kind that have to buy an entire row when they fly Southwest.

It's not genetic either, at least not in this case, unless their genes force them to eat 5+ plates that are stacked like Mount Everest. Nothing against fat people in general, but holy shit draw the line somewhere and get some self control.

What I have seen today cannot be unseen and I'm not sure that my life will ever be the same.

One time back in college a few of us went to the local Chinese buffet. One of my friends, Jeff, was 5'10" ~ 250. Not a complete lard ass, but pretty big. He is also a vegetarian.

When he asked for the special price for vegetarians, the 60ish year old chinese waitress says, "You wedgie?"

Jeff responds, "umm, yes?"

She sizes him up and asks, "You like, uhhh, snack food?"

We roar with laughter. It was awesome.

[Cephalopod]

He is also a vegetarian.


Did you slap him acceptibly?

[Keller]

Did you slap him acceptibly?

Well done.

[Alfster]

I personally hate flying. Not because I'm fat, but because I'm so damn tall (6'6"). I manage to scrunch myself into the seat, but after a couple of hours my back starts to hurt.

And I'm always the guy who gets stuck next to the lard who takes up half of my "room".

[Geshron]

6'5", 345lbs, I feel his pain.

I'd sue their asses off.


Holy shit dude! This is linebacker size, note to self : don't openly mock Elgrim.
Additional note to self: See how Elgrim feels about being a human chariot, and grand entrances into public places.

[Keller]

Holy shit dude! This is linebacker size, note to self : don't openly mock Elgrim.
Additional note to self: See how Elgrim feels about being a human chariot, and grand entrances into public places.

6'5" 345 is Orlando Pace size. I think Orlando might even spread that weight out over a couple of more inches.

Orlando is 6'7" 325.

I'm pretty sure I can walk faster than Elgrim can run.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

The goal of socialism is to raise the bottom, not necessarily to lower the ceiling (though the latter often happens because of the former).

If you raise the bottom, without capping the top, wouldn't the top just get higher by using economic factors like higher prices to raise the top further and hold the bottom flat? I don't think your definition of socialism is correct, as without a means of "economic equality" the ceiling will just climb. No First Class for you, you fucking capitalist.

socialism (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/socialism) noun°Any of various political philosophies that support social and economic equality, collective decision-making and public control of productive capital and natural resources, as advocated by socialists (http://ninjawords.com/socialist).
°The socialist political philosophies as a group, including Marxism (http://ninjawords.com/Marxism), libertarian socialism (http://ninjawords.com/libertarian%2520socialism), democratic socialism (http://ninjawords.com/democratic%2520socialism), and social democracy (http://ninjawords.com/social%2520democracy).

[Keller]

Plus if the ceiling raises, that just means it is less equal. Which means you need to raise the bottom again. It's a stupid cycle.

[AnticorRifling]

It's only stupid because you can afford a stupid cycle, think of the poor folk with no bikes!

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

A Harley for everyone!

[Tisket]

Fat or big?

Both. The picture Gan posted doesn't show scale. This one does:

Kevin Smith (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/10/30/elizabeth_banks_seth_rogen_and_ke_2.jpg)

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

It's so weird, he's huge but his wife is so freaking skinny.

[NicAlbion]

Ugh, flying. I'm not fat, big-boned, chubby, etc etc. But it's kinda embarrassing to be told (not literally) "Hey you fat sack of shit. Get the hell off the plane so we can take off."

Also, is it me or are those airline companies making it harder for celebrities to get to where they wanna go? Wasn't there something not too long ago with a celebrity being kicked off for wearing a jumpsuit?

[Krendeli]

It's so weird, he's huge but his wife is so freaking skinny.

He's eating all her food.

[Cephalopod]

Both. The picture Gan posted doesn't show scale. This one does:

Kevin Smith (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/10/30/elizabeth_banks_seth_rogen_and_ke_2.jpg)

He does make Seth Rogen look skinny there...

[Elgrim]

Holy shit dude! This is linebacker size, note to self : don't openly mock Elgrim.
Additional note to self: See how Elgrim feels about being a human chariot, and grand entrances into public places.

Linebackers are actually smaller due to the need for speed. I played Defensive Tackle. That's where us "big boys" go to play :)

And for all those people who neg rep'ed me with "you fat fuck", etc., don't assume that because you see 300+ lbs that someone is "fat". I am pretty damn sure I can crank out 3 sets of 15 reps of what most of you weigh.

Not saying I couldn't drop about 25-35 lbs., but even then someone with my frame finds it really hard to fit into those tiny little seats.

[Archigeek]

I personally hate flying. Not because I'm fat, but because I'm so damn tall (6'6"). I manage to scrunch myself into the seat, but after a couple of hours my back starts to hurt.

And I'm always the guy who gets stuck next to the lard who takes up half of my "room".

Same here: 6'-7" and 230#. I used to fly every week and have hit probably half the airports in the country, but thank God I don't fly that often anymore. The few seats with a little extra room are harder to find these days, and basically everything about air travel sucks more than it used to.

An overseas flight is an exercise in torture if you don't get the right seat, and woe to you if the person in front of you moves their seat back without warning, and drives the metal wire that forms the edge of the magazing holder right into the middle of your knee cap. Ouch!

The guy bought two tickets and I respect that, but sometimes you just have to get off the plane and take your original flight. Everyone who flies a lot knows that Southwest Airlines is a cattle call and is basically first come first served. Lose some weight and you're life will improve in more ways than just being able to fit into an airline seat a little better.

[AnticorRifling]

Linebackers are actually smaller due to the need for speed. I played Defensive Tackle. That's where us "big boys" go to play :)

And for all those people who neg rep'ed me with "you fat fuck", etc., don't assume that because you see 300+ lbs that someone is "fat". I am pretty damn sure I can crank out 3 sets of 15 reps of what most of you weigh.

Not saying I couldn't drop about 25-35 lbs., but even then someone with my frame finds it really hard to fit into those tiny little seats.
I'll take this bet. Do I get to pick the exercise?

[Keller]

I'll take this bet. Do I get to pick the exercise?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De7rbB2bteE

[Elgrim]

I'll take this bet. Do I get to pick the exercise?

I meant to say "bench" :)

No, I can't single curl 200lbs or lat raise a small asian man. Well, maybe a SMALL one.

[AnticorRifling]

Can't see youtube at work, fucker.

[AnticorRifling]

I meant to say "bench" :)

No, I can't single curl 200lbs or lat raise a small asian man. Well, maybe a SMALL one.
Bah I was thinkin something fun like zercher squats with my weight.

[Elgrim]

Bah I was thinkin something fun like zercher squats with my weight.

Ugh, pass! I could do a good amount, but I hate those.

[ElvenFury]

I'm 6'4" and 220. My mid-section fits just fine, but my shoulders are usually infringing on the people next to me. Flying is never comfortable.

All your armrests are belong to me.

[Showal]

Everyone, post your height and weight. Follow this with a brief description of how you're not fat and give a rough estimation of your fitness/strength.

[AnticorRifling]

3'11" 615lbs, most of it is thighs.

[Tisket]

AR is a fucking bowling ball. Minus a hole or two.

[Keller]

3'11" 615lbs, most of it is thighs.

Are you a rhinocerus?

[AnticorRifling]

I would be, but this lotion keeps the skin soft.

[Ker_Thwap]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrwDFgEeFCE

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Everyone, post your height and weight. Follow this with a brief description of how you're not fat and give a rough estimation of your fitness/strength.

4'11", 376 lbs.

I am not fat and it is all muscle. I'm pretty sure I could climb Mt. Everest with just one leg and no arms.

[AnticorRifling]

4'11" damn is you a giant?!

[TheEschaton]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrwDFgEeFCE

Contrived and expected. ;)

[TheEschaton]

I'm over 9000.

[Tisket]

I weigh 50.



Kilograms.

[Keller]

I weigh 50.



Kilograms.

How do you feel knowing that Robin Williams has, in all likelihood, snorted your weight in cocaine?

[Cephalopod]

http://driscollart.com/dnn/portals/driscollart/Seamless.Album/980/phantasm-dwarf.jpg

I see a few of us look like those dwarves from the Phantasm movies.

I'm 3'10", 800lbs, but I'm not fat. I'm just very dense.

[Methais]

It's only stupid because you can afford a stupid cycle, think of the poor folk with no bikes!

http://viescha.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/yourbikesal9.jpg


He's eating all her food.

http://www.metatube.com/en/videos/24143/Family-Guy-John-Goodman-s-Family-HD/

[Clove]

I'm 6' 1" and weigh 16.5 stone.

[Methais]

My dong weighs 375.

[ElvenFury]

Everyone, post your height and weight. Follow this with a brief description of how you're not fat and give a rough estimation of your fitness/strength.

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad9/ElvenFuryPC/Radiation.jpg

[EasternBrand]

I'm a big guy. 6'3" and 240 lb.


6'5", 345lbs, I feel his pain.


Same here: 6'-7" and 230#.


I'm 6'4" and 220.

Is there a single dude on the PC who is under 6'2", or is everyone on the Internet about five inches taller than average?

P.S. I am 7'3", but only 195 lbs.

[Clove]

I'm 6' 1" and weigh 16.5 stone.


Is there a single dude on the PC who is under 6'2", or is everyone on the Internet about five inches taller than average?

P.S. I am 7'3", but only 195 lbs.Unless you mean "unmarried" by "single dude" in which case Gan definitely shouldn't be on your list of tall dudes. Just sayin'.

[AnticorRifling]

Is there a single dude on the PC who is under 6'2", or is everyone on the Internet about five inches taller than average?

P.S. I am 7'3", but only 195 lbs.

I'm 5'10"

What average are you using? I know the USMC average when I was in was something like 5'6" thanks to all of (those brown people who speak poor English but want a green card and I actually applaud them for serving as a great way to accomplish that goal).

[Clove]

6'5", 345lbs, I feel his pain.

I'd sue their asses off.This makes me jealous. I've been wanting to be Samoan/Sumo-sized for years. But I've never been able to get past 240. I have all my Samoan tribal tats picked out and everything... if only.

[Trouble]

Is there a single dude on the PC who is under 6'2", or is everyone on the Internet about five inches taller than average?

P.S. I am 7'3", but only 195 lbs.
6'0" and a hefty 165 pounds here. I don't have much trouble in most planes except for the occasional shoulder room/armrest issue.

[AnticorRifling]

6'0" and a hefty 165 pounds here. I don't have much trouble in most planes except for the occasional shoulder room/armrest issue.

Fatty.

[NicAlbion]

Not a joke:

I'm 5'9'' and about 130 lbs. Hyper metabolism FTL.

[EasternBrand]

I'm 5'10"

What average are you using? I know the USMC average when I was in was something like 5'6" thanks to all of (those brown people who speak poor English but want a green card and I actually applaud them for serving as a great way to accomplish that goal).

I was using a scientific method of checking what Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_height) had to say about Americans. Average height for male Americans 20+ years old is 5' 9 1/2", but obviously Marines and the stars of Little People, Big World skew that downward.

...

No, but seriously, I would never make fun of those that serve, especially those who could pwn me as bad as this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTMfMP_OXX4

[AnticorRifling]

I was using a scientific method of checking what Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_height) had to say about Americans. Average height for male Americans 20+ years old is 5' 9 1/2", but obviously Marines and the stars of Little People, Big World skew that downward.

...

No, but seriously, I would never make fun of those that serve, especially those who could pwn me as bad as this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTMfMP_OXX4

I was using that as an example for why so many people are larger than average. Take a bunch of tall white guys, a bunch of short latinos boom average of 5'9".

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

This makes me jealous. I've been wanting to be Samoan/Sumo-sized for years. But I've never been able to get past 240. I have all my Samoan tribal tats picked out and everything... if only.

I have an ex boyfriend that's half-samoan.

His entire family was huge.

Beautiful, but huge.

I feel bad for whoever ends up having his babies.

[AnticorRifling]

I'd rather be Tongan.

[Methais]

This makes me jealous. I've been wanting to be Samoan/Sumo-sized for years. But I've never been able to get past 240. I have all my Samoan tribal tats picked out and everything... if only.

Do this:
http://davart.net/awg/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/very-fat-woman-eating.jpg

And don't waste time cleaning up, that will cut into your eating time. You want your room to look like this by the end of the first day:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ftb96Hr4cE8/Sw28d6b6P3I/AAAAAAAADcY/h4xVAyMfSgE/s1600/houston_mess_apartment_slob_disgusting_5.jpg

[Clove]

I feel bad for whoever ends up having his babies.They don't start OUT that size...

I'm just saying, a Samoan gets respect on the SW flight.

[Clove]

Do this:
http://davart.net/awg/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/very-fat-woman-eating.jpg

And don't waste time cleaning up, that will cut into your eating time. You want your room to look like this by the end of the first day:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ftb96Hr4cE8/Sw28d6b6P3I/AAAAAAAADcY/h4xVAyMfSgE/s1600/houston_mess_apartment_slob_disgusting_5.jpgYou know, I don't even click on your pictures anymore. I just assume they're epic. Thanks for the visual.

[TheEschaton]

In reality, I'm 5'11 1/2". That last half inch really bothers me sometimes.

[4a6c1]

Thats (not) what she said.

[Skeeter]

I'm 6'2" 1/2 3 on a day with less gravity. 225 lbs. Mostly upper body and shoulders.

I'd be thrilled to lose 20 but I've been hitting the weights hard for 5 days a week for the last 3 months and have moved from 38 waist to 36 waist but have yet to drop a pound.

Was down to 208 a few years ago.

[Tisket]

Just sayin'.

You say that a lot.

Just sayin'.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

They don't start OUT that size...

I'm just saying, a Samoan gets respect on the SW flight.

They start out bigger than 'average' from start to finish, lol. His baby sister (toddler) was adorable but she was SOLID, even as a baby.

[AMUSED1]

I'm 6'2" 1/2 3 on a day with less gravity. 225 lbs. Mostly upper body and shoulders.

I'd be thrilled to lose 20 but I've been hitting the weights hard for 5 days a week for the last 3 months and have moved from 38 waist to 36 waist but have yet to drop a pound.

Was down to 208 a few years ago.

Hitting the weights builds muscle. You should be doing cardio instead.

[audioserf]

Being fat is in almost all cases a result of personal weakness (barring the rare case of actual genetic issues). About ten years ago, I tried to go on Batman: The Ride at Great Adventure. I was too fat for the safety harness to close. I had to get up and walk away from the ride while my cousin went on it, and a whole crowd of people laughed at me. That was all it took to finally spur me to get my shit together and get in shaep (coincidentally I quit GS3 around that time). 6'3" 320lbs to around 200lbs in just over a year.

Now, I still hate flying because flying is not for tall people. But at least I'm not spilling gut rolls onto another passenger. If fat people don't like the airlines rules they can fucking lose weight.

[Clove]

Being fat is in almost all cases a result of personal weakness (barring the rare case of actual genetic issues).I'm curious what your support is for this statement? Other than it was result of personal weakness in your case?

[Clove]

You say that a lot.

Just sayin'.You curse a lot.

Just sayin'

[Clove]

They start out bigger than 'average' from start to finish, lol. His baby sister (toddler) was adorable but she was SOLID, even as a baby.You're right.

[audioserf]

I'm curious what your support is for this statement? Other than it was result of personal weakness in your case?

If someone is happy being fat, that's one thing.

If someone's unhappy being fat, barring cases of true genetic issues, it's wholly within their power to change their situation.

For me that's really what it comes down to. It was absolutely a case of weakness before I took control and got in shape, and I've known a lot of people who have made similar positive changes in their lives.

I get bummed when I see people out of shape and unhappy about it because I know that they could turn it around if they wanted to is all. My earlier post was harsh but it was early in the morning and "fat acceptance" people are one of my hot buttons.

[audioserf]

Hitting the weights builds muscle. You should be doing cardio instead.

Incorrect. Weight training (with proper diet!) is the #1 most efficient way to achieve body recomposition (increase of muscle/decrease of fat). The mere existence of muscle mass burns calories. Weight training, itself, is also good for burning calories if performed with intensity.

Cardio is an awesome supplement to weight training (and should be done regardless for heart health and a host of other reasons) but if someone only has the time for weights OR cardio, the time is best spent with the iron, IMO.

Edit: to clarify, dropping from a 38 waist to a 36 waist without losing any weight is exactly what I'm talking about with body recomposition. Scale weight is largely irrelevant unless you have restrictions to meet such as in the service. Losing a pants size while maintaining weight indicates a decrease of bodyfat with a corresponding increase in muscle mass, which is excellent.

[Clove]

If someone is happy being fat, that's one thing.

If someone's unhappy being fat, barring cases of true genetic issues, it's wholly within their power to change their situation.

For me that's really what it comes down to. It was absolutely a case of weakness before I took control and got in shape, and I've known a lot of people who have made similar positive changes in their lives.

I get bummed when I see people out of shape and unhappy about it because I know that they could turn it around if they wanted to is all. My earlier post was harsh but it was early in the morning and "fat acceptance" people are one of my hot buttons.It's obvious that if something is within your scope to change and you don't change it you're responsible for the condition. However, people can be overweight for a variety of reasons and not all of them are due to overeating or underexercising. Although I suspect that more than half but less than "almost all" are overweight because of "personal weakness" I'm not sure you (or I) could validate it.

Whether or not someone is happy with their weight has nothing to do with if/what concessions should be made by businesses and society for overweight people. I do know that IF it is possible to be overweight through no fault of your own, genetics, medication, illness/injury then it is not fair to assume that because someone is overweight it is their fault and tough-luck. So what? Passes that say "I'm fat and it's not my fault" in order to avoid disapproval and sanctions?

People who default to overweight=bad=weakness=unhealthy are my hot button.

[NicAlbion]

Passes that say "I'm fat and it's not my fault"

Gotta love that 'zero accountability'.

[audioserf]

I think I already covered this (people with extenuating circumstances causing them to be overweight) in my post? I know that some people have circumstances beyond their control. But those unfortunate individuals are a minority when considering obese people as a whole. My post wasn't targeted at them. My post was targeted at the people who eat/drink everything in sight, never work out and still bitch about being fat.

I should have been more clear initially, and not posted as abbraisively, but I stand by my point.


It's obvious that if something is within your scope to change and you don't change it you're responsible for the condition. However, people can be overweight for a variety of reasons and not all of them are due to overeating or underexercising. Although I suspect that more than half but less than "almost all" are overweight because of "personal weakness" I'm not sure you (or I) could validate it.

Whether or not someone is happy with their weight has nothing to do with if/what concessions should be made by businesses and society for overweight people. I do know that IF it is possible to be overweight through no fault of your own, genetics, medication, illness/injury then it is not fair to assume that because someone is overweight it is their fault and tough-luck. So what? Passes that say "I'm fat and it's not my fault" in order to avoid disapproval and sanctions?

People who default to overweight=bad=weakness=unhealthy are my hot button.

[Trouble]

In reality, I'm 5'11 1/2". That last half inch really bothers me sometimes.
Yeah I think I'm down to 5'11 1/2" myself. It's either bad posture from playing GS and WoW or I'm one of those people who have gotten shorter as they've gotten older.

[audioserf]

Bad posture will murder you. After quitting GS3 and losing some weight, a few friends commented how much taller I looked. In reality it was just making a conscious effort to stand up tall, shoulders back, chest proud. Makes you look (and feel) way better once it becomes a habit.

[Clove]

Gotta love that 'zero accountability'.Accountability for what? Not looking "healthy enough" or not looking like the "right size"? What about "normal weight obese" who are just as unhealthy as an overweight person but don't appear overweight? I think my point is, simply seeing someone who looks overweight to you and assuming they are "weak" because you assume "most people who are overweight are lazy, weak overeaters" is simply cruel and unfair. You may as well see someone who is poor and automatically assume they're lazy, stupid, criminals.

[AnticorRifling]

Maybe we should make camps where they could go concentrate on losing weight. What to call them though....

[Clove]

I think I already covered this (people with extenuating circumstances causing them to be overweight) in my post?Didn't seem that way to me. You said except for rare genetic problems, but there are a variety of extenuating circumstances (that may possibly be more common) other than simple genetics. In a nutshell I think you oversimplified your generalization.

[Clove]

Maybe we should make camps where they could go concentrate on losing weight. What to call them though....Deconcentration camps?

[NicAlbion]

You may as well see someone who is poor and automatically assume they're lazy, stupid, criminals.

Doesn't everybody do that?

[audioserf]

Didn't seem that way to me. You said except for rare genetic problems, but there are a variety of extenuating circumstances (that may possibly be more common) other than simple genetics. In a nutshell I think you oversimplified your generalization.

Right, I agree. I did oversimplify my generalization. Genetics/physical injury/disability/etc, rather than just genetics can affect a person's physique. But by and large, it is within most people's ability to do something about it. That's all.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Up until recently I was studying Nutritional Science so I'd say I have a fair amount of knowledge for this.

To say it's a matter of weakness IMO shows a lot of ignorance in general to how complex the problem is. Given the huge numbers of obese people in the United States, it stands to reason that half of our population does not have exceptionally crappy will power. The problem is multi-faceted.

- We've gone from spending almost all of our day (and energy) trying to feed ourselves enough to sustain life, to not having to think about it for more than a minute if we don't want to.

- We've become far more sedentary. Instead of walking miles and miles a day and doing physical work, we sit at desks, etc. Physical exercise becomes daunting when a person is not capable or comfortable with short bursts of intense activity to make up for it, but don't have the time to execute the longer, moderate activity.

- There is a ridiculous amount of misinformation out there. Crazy ass diets, stupid and just plain wrong advice, and everything in between, including people not really getting the point of whatever diet they are on. Add packaging and marketing and basically a mental onslaught by businesses trying to ride the health train regardless of whether the product is truly healthy.

About fat people just 'stuffing their faces', interestingly enough the culprit in many cases seems to be more along the lines of yo-yoing. When you don't eat food your body goes into starvation mode and slows down its process of burning calories. On a very strong, biological level when something full of fat and calories is placed before you, you will feel strongly compelled to eat it. The part of your brain that is like "omfg there is a famine, EAT, EAT OR DIE" is hovering there, just under your consciousness, and has not evolved away despite our constant and easy access to calorie-rich foods. If they give in to that urge (and signs point to pretty much all people who are putting themself into starvation situations will break down and eat it at some point), their body will store and hold onto those calories a lot longer than if they were not in starvation mode. The person then feels guilty, weak, crappy and goes back to square 1- not eating enough calories again.

You see how the cycle goes. Obviously, there are other issues- some people just aren't mindful when they eat and overeat without realizing it until it's too late. Some people are emotional eaters and use food to mask psychological issues.. and there's a lot in between. The jist of it being- it's almost never a case of a person just setting themself down to an all you can eat buffet 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. When people talk about how the pounds 'creep up', that's usually a pretty accurate assessment.

My final point is that as a country the emphasis on getting healthy is very negative. What I mean by that is we frame health in a way that is like, "I need to stop eating x, y, z, because I am fat and a failure" not, "I need to stop eating x, y, z, because it's unhealthy and I deserve to put better food into my body." The mindset matters because that's what makes a lifestyle choice sustainable. Self-punishment only works so long until it starts becoming an excuse to perpetuate shitty choices. But there's a big difference in going out with friends and eating something healthy because you feel like it's doing a kindness for yourself, and eating something healthy because that is your punishment for being a fat ass. The person who is doing it out of kindness is much more likely to be able to moderately enjoy unhealthy food without detriment to their health, than the person who is self-punishing. Honestly, I feel like until there's a mental switch in how as a society we regard health and fitness, we'll just continue to see the obesity rates grow higher.

[Clove]

Doesn't everybody do that?Sorry. I didn't realize I was talking to ClydeR's alt.

[NicAlbion]

Sorry. I didn't realize I was talking to ClydeR's alt.

Sheesh, relax. Before you start hurling 'LOL U ALT KK?!' at anybody you should realize that this subject is ripe for poking fun at. Being serious 24/7 isn't all that great a way to live.

So, to be super srs nao.

We often set a standard for our selves, to some it may seem like an impossible standard but yet to others it's far away. I myself am a 20 year old male who weighs 130 lbs. This means, you guessed it, under the standard of what I'm suppose to be and more along the lines of what an adolescence should be at. Does this mean I'm not trying? No. Not by a long shot. I could literally shovel food into my mouth but my metabolism will simply processes it quickly and, due to my laid back lifestyle of work and video games, I'm not putting those carbs, proteins, and other various things that should, but aren't, be going towards something like a healthier lifestyle aren't.

I was indeed in the wrong about that zero accountability line.

I taek off srs faic nao?

[Clove]

We often set a standard for our selves, to some it may seem like an impossible standard but yet to others it's far away. I myself am a 20 year old male who weighs 130 lbs. This means, you guessed it, under the standard of what I'm suppose to be and more along the lines of what an adolescence should be at. Does this mean I'm not trying? No. Not by a long shot. I could literally shovel food into my mouth but my metabolism will simply processes it quickly and, due to my laid back lifestyle of work and video games, I'm not putting those carbs, proteins, and other various things that should, but aren't, be going towards something like a healthier lifestyle aren't.The problem is you're not going to face nearly the same attitude for being underweight that someone being overweight is. Though I understand what you're saying and I have friends that couldn't gain weight if you sat them on a couch and force fed them french fries cheeseburgers and ice cream sundaes.

[NicAlbion]

I can't go on certain roller coasters. Would that be similar?

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

That is entirely similar, good sir.

[NicAlbion]

Sweet, fatties and I have something in common.

[Gan]

The crux of the issue is the infringement of personal space (rights) by one passenger onto another (rights).

Now add to that the profit seeking behavior of the airline to make the seats small in order to allow for more passengers on each flight (maximizes revenue potential for each flight given the expectation of filling every seat).

Should airlines be forced to make their seats larger by legislative action?
Should large people boycott airlines in order to impose market pressure to make changes more accomodating to oversized passengers?
Could a niche airline company be started catering to oversized passengers? Would it be profitable?
Should airlines be supported to deny flying privledges to people who are too large to fit in an airline standard sized seat?
Should airlines be supported in requiring oversized people to purchase a ticket for the seat next to them in order to accomodate adjoining seat encroachment?
Do airline passengers have an expectation of a right not to be sat upon by another passenger sitting next to them due to the other passenger encroaching beyond the their seat's 'boundary' (or stated as confines of their own seat)?
Would this right to an expectation of personal space be something that could be included in the passenger bill of rights that was introduced in 2009? (S. 213 / H.R. 624)
At what point does this become a saftey issue regarding passenger restraint? (I know they make seat belt extensions and have seen them used)
At what point does this become a saftey issue regarding the approximation of payload weight and capacity for the airline and have payload calculations been modified to accomodate a heavier flying populace?Inquiring minds want to know...

[Trouble]

I myself am a 20 year old male who weighs 130 lbs.
I could literally shovel food into my mouth but my metabolism will simply processes it quickly
All I gotta say is enjoy it while you can. I got through college at like 145 and could eat anything and everything. I would drink nothing but Dr. Pepper and beer, eat nothing but pizza and macaroni, and I was fine. Then I had a metabolism 'shift' at around 25 and another at around 30-32. Now I actually have to plan what I'm going to eat since I don't excercise.

[MotleyCrew]

My question is, if he had the forethought to purchase 2 seats for his original flight, why would he think he could get away with 1 seat when he booked onto another flight?

The dilemma is, how to choose who should pay extra and who shouldn't, should they require more room. What's fair and what isn't? Maybe it isn't your fault that you are over weight, maybe it is. What if you are very tall and your knees push into the seat in front of you?

Someone is always going to feel put out.

[Cephalopod]

My question is, if he had the forethought to purchase 2 seats for his original flight, why would he think he could get away with 1 seat when he booked onto another flight?


Well, he claims that he buys two seats for the convenience of having some room, not because he requires two seats. It's SouthWest, so there's no First Class. Buying two seats is about as close as you can get to that, and if you're Kevin Smith you can afford to throw a few bucks around.

Anyway, here's some extended copy of his tweets, if you don't listen to his SMODcasts (I don't):


(6:30-6:45 AM Feb 15th) Had three seats/whole row for me & Jen. She skipped SF, so I went solo checked in and was given the 2 tix there & return 2 (for that p.m.). Going out, even with 2 tix, I only sat in one seat, sleeping against window, w/empty seat between me and follow passenger. Coming back would have been the same, at 7pm. But I got to the airport early enough to try to bump-up my flight to 5:20 - a practice @SouthwestAir does often. I was told 5:20 flight was packed, but I could go Standby. They sent me to gate. Told lady whole story, and she said there wouldn't be two seats on that earlier flight. I said I only needed one seat & that I didn't buy an extra seat because I'm fat (which I am), but because I'm anti-social and didn't want to sit next to someone & possibly have to make convo (in person, I'm very shy). She said she understood. I was issued the solo ticket. I get on the plane: open seat in the front row. Put my bag away, the sit between two ladies. As I'm about to buckle my extender-less seatbelt, the woman who issued the ticket to me appeared in the doorway of the plane, came over to me and said the Captain said I wasn't going to be allowed to sit there because I was a safety risk. I asked for clarification and was given none (also asked "Please don't do this" but that, too, fell on deaf ears. Ladies on either side said I wasn't a problem. SWA-lady said arm-rests the decider. Arm-rests come down, and voila! I'm legit! I've passed the stinkin' arm-rest-test. And still, the lady asks me to get up and come with her off the plane. I get up without a fuss at all, quietly grab my bag, make eye contact with a fellow Fatty who was praying he'd pass, and leave. You think I wanna f--k around on an airplane? I was right: I fit in that seat. But I can't risk not complying: I'm more afraid of AirFeds.

[Clove]

The crux of the issue is the infringement of personal space (rights) by one passenger onto another (rights).

Now add to that the profit seeking behavior of the airline to make the seats small in order to allow for more passengers on each flight (maximizes revenue potential for each flight given the expectation of filling every seat).

Should airlines be forced to make their seats larger by legislative action?
Should large people boycott airlines in order to impose market pressure to make changes more accomodating to oversized passengers?
Could a niche airline company be started catering to oversized passengers? Would it be profitable?
Should airlines be supported to deny flying privledges to people who are too large to fit in an airline standard sized seat?
Should airlines be supported in requiring oversized people to purchase a ticket for the seat next to them in order to accomodate adjoining seat encroachment?
Do airline passengers have an expectation of a right not to be sat upon by another passenger sitting next to them due to the other passenger encroaching beyond the their seat's 'boundary' (or stated as confines of their own seat)?
Would this right to an expectation of personal space be something that could be included in the passenger bill of rights that was introduced in 2009? (S. 213 / H.R. 624)
At what point does this become a saftey issue regarding passenger restraint? (I know they make seat belt extensions and have seen them used)
At what point does this become a saftey issue regarding the approximation of payload weight and capacity for the airline and have payload calculations been modified to accomodate a heavier flying populace?Inquiring minds want to know...They have a complex business problem, but personally I think the seats are too small. I'm 6'1" and by the tables about 40 lbs overweight and I'm always uncomfortable on flights; forget about "spilling over" to the next seat, I can't even set my arms on the arm rests without nuzzling the person next to me. Don't get me started on leg room.

I don't know what "standard" they use for an "average" sized human but I'm certainly not freakishly large.

[TheEschaton]

I have a friend who's 6'3" and weighs maybe 145 sopping wet. He's 28 like me, and eats like a huge fucking pig constantly, and doesn't work out. I hate him. His whole family is ridiculously rail thin, it's kinda scary. And his two younger sisters are hot as hell.

[Latrinsorm]

But those unfortunate individuals are a minority when considering obese people as a whole.
But by and large, it is within most people's ability to do something about it.What specifically do you mean by "a minority" and "by and large"? 30%/70%? 10%/90%? Are you including children in your assessment of "obese people" or just adults?
What I mean by that is we frame health in a way that is like, "I need to stop eating x, y, z, because I am fat and a failure" not, "I need to stop eating x, y, z, because it's unhealthy and I deserve to put better food into my body."This is directly attributable to the relative decline of Christianity, a fundamental tenet of which is that the body is a temple for the Holy Spirit. Plus anguished self-flagellation burns calories like nothing else, and it's ultra low impact on your joints!

[Kuyuk]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/02/18/smelly.passenger/index.html?hpt=T2


I wonder if he was Indian..? Sorry E ;-)

[Gelston]

I'm 5'10"

What average are you using? I know the USMC average when I was in was something like 5'6" thanks to all of (those brown people who speak poor English but want a green card and I actually applaud them for serving as a great way to accomplish that goal).

I'm 5'6". Fuck your average.

[Stanley Burrell]

Continued. Sort of:

(CNN) -- Air travelers already have to deal with unruly passengers, excessively talkative ones and many other types who make flying miserable.

But a new low may just have been reached for weary road warriors: The overwhelmingly smelly passenger.

A man on Jazz Air, a regional airline in Canada that also serves U.S. cities, was reportedly kicked off a plane earlier this month because of his strong body odor.

"People were just mumbling and staring at him," said a woman who sat near the man, according to The Guardian, a newspaper in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where the flight originated on February 6. It was a very uncomfortable situation, she added.

Another passenger described the smell as "brutal."

The man was an American visiting Prince Edward Island, the CBC reported.

Jazz Air spokeswoman Manon Stuart confirmed that a passenger was "deplaned" from the flight, but she could not provide specific information about the person involved or the reason why he was asked to leave because of privacy issues.

"As an airline, the safety and comfort of our passengers and crew are our top priorities. Therefore, any situation that compromises either their safety or comfort is taken seriously, and in such circumstances, the crew will act in the best interest of the majority of our passengers," Stuart said.

"It's important to understand that our crew members make every effort to resolve a situation before it becomes an issue. Unfortunately, in some circumstances, it may become necessary for our crew to remove passengers."

The airline, like most air carriers, doesn't have a specific policy covering body odor, Stuart said.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/02/18/smelly.passenger/index.html?hpt=Sbin

[Methais]

I wonder what it was like for the person sitting next to him, and the feeling of relief after they booted him off.

[Skeeter]

If it was that bad the smell probably lingered for the whole flight.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

One time I had to sit next to a man for a cross-country flight who had just gotten back to the States from Brazil and had not been able to shower for a month. He was apologetic but that had to have been one of the most hellish flights I've ever been on.

[AnticorRifling]

I'm 5'6". Fuck your average. All I'm hearing is you want a boost up to the pullup bar :)

[AnticorRifling]

I didn't realize Kevin Smith has a movie coming out real soon. ZOMG pay attention to me and my sitting in airplane seats plight PS I've got a movie coming out.

[Kuyuk]

He always said he does shameless things for movie plugs.

He was never bashful about it.

[Gan]

Baaaaaaaa


(sheep led to the feeding trough)

[Archigeek]

One time I had to sit next to a man for a cross-country flight who had just gotten back to the States from Brazil and had not been able to shower for a month. He was apologetic but that had to have been one of the most hellish flights I've ever been on.

They do have showers in Brazil. He must have been in the back country and not even taken a day to clean up in a hotel. How the heck do you even come in from the back country and get right on a plane? Yeesh. That's pretty rude, or a really unfortunate set of strange circumstances.

I was on a plane once where the flight attendant was giving the pre-flight demonstration of the seat belt, etc, when one of these two Aussies a couple of rows ahead of me, (pretty close to the attendant), let rip a hellaciously loud (and stinky) fart. His buddy says, "aww, that was a ripe one mate!" and they laughed it up. The flight attendant backed up a few rows and soldiered on while the rest of us held our noses.

[Methais]

I go nuts just taking my daily shower later than I normally do that day. I couldn't imagine going a month. I'd probably feel like what Klaive feels like everyday.

[AnticorRifling]

I was on a plane once where the flight attendant was giving the pre-flight demonstration of the seat belt, etc, when one of these two Aussies a couple of rows ahead of me, (pretty close to the attendant), let rip a hellaciously loud (and stinky) fart. His buddy says, "aww, that was a ripe one mate!" and they laughed it up. The flight attendant backed up a few rows and soldiered on while the rest of us held our noses. They were probably on their way to being late to a class as is their right! Besides they pay the flight attendant's salary so she should have to sit there and take that.

[Archigeek]

They were probably on their way to being late to a class as is their right! Besides they pay the flight attendant's salary so she should have to sit there and take that.

No no, she should have gone over and coddled him, because you know, he's paying for the flight and we who also pay are not equal. Maybe she should have sat next to him and cleaned his balls for him, which were undoubtedl shit-caked after that fart. Like this:

http://info.break.com/static/live/v1/pages/sponsors/axe-cyb/axe-cyb.html

[Liagala]

No no, she should have gone over and coddled him, because you know, he's paying for the flight and we who also pay are not equal. Maybe she should have sat next to him and cleaned his balls for him, which were undoubtedl shit-caked after that fart. Like this:

http://info.break.com/static/live/v1/pages/sponsors/axe-cyb/axe-cyb.html

SO not clicking that.

[Archigeek]

SO not clicking that.

No no, it's clean. No nudity or profanity even. Suggestive dialogue is all.

And you know you clicked. Admit it.

[Clove]

They were probably on their way to being late to a class as is their right! Besides they pay the flight attendant's salary so she should have to sit there and take that.OMFG you're getting rep for this when it lets me again...

[AnticorRifling]

But dude it's not the same as college so it's cool.