Infuriating Marie Claire blog about fat people on TV

[Dawn 16]

Julie - Did you email this to her? Very well written!!

[juliarh 35]

yeah, I sent it to her and her editor -- we'll see if I get a response.

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

Great message! I knew I'd get some good proactive response once I linked that article here.

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

Some commentary and follow-up from the magazine on Jezebel:

http://jezebel.com/5674577/marie-claire-responds-to-fatties-controversy

[MINI-Me 196]

Very nice e-mail. Thanks ... I couldn't have been that calm to have written so eloquently.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

Good Job J!

[Lila21 36]

http://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/dating-blog/overweight-couples-on-television

It's actually titled "Should Fatties Get a Room?" (yes, you read that right!)

It was linked on a medical obesity blog I follow regularly. The physician referred to it as "the most vile article about the obese I have ever read."

Please peruse the comments, too, there's quite a few. I've already sent an e-mail to the editor (JoannaColes at hearst com), so if you are as riled up as I was, do that - and post a comment, as well, as the author's been offering half-assed apologies after the backlash.

I wrote a comment about this in the "rants" section and also shared the editor's email address. I understand that she's gotten something like 28,000 comments on this blog. I really hope that we can pressure them into a retraction. It's shameful.

[Lila21 36]

@JuliaRH

Really wonderful and coherent letter. I couldn't write anything so cohesive because I am still so angry. Thanks for sharing your well-written response. I encourage everyone to reply to editor-in-chief. they need to know this is unacceptable and they will lose money and readers.

[Lila21 36]

The editor in chief is Joanna Coles, and here's her email address:

JoannaColes@hearst.com

I told her that she went on a diet and lost 28,000 readers. Congratulations, Marie Claire!

[smithjo 0]

This is the part that really gets my blood boiling!

"But ... I think obesity is something that most people have a ton of control over. It's something they can change, if only they put their minds to it.

(I'm happy to give you some nutrition and fitness suggestions if you need them — but long story short, eat more fresh and unprocessed foods, read labels and avoid foods with any kind of processed sweetener in them whether it's cane sugar or high fructose corn Syrup, increase the amount of Fiber you're getting, get some kind of exercise for 30 minutes at least five times a week, and do everything you can to stand up more — even while using your computer — and walk more. I admit that there's plenty that makes slimming down tough, but YOU CAN DO IT! Trust me. It will take some time, but you'll also feel so good, physically and emotionally. A nutritionist or personal trainer will help — and if you can't afford one, visit your local YMCA for some advice.)"

[Dawn 16]

I read the article to my DH and of course he was annoyed/pissed as well but the first thing he said was, Duh, don't ya think that pretty much every obese person out there already knows this! It's not like we sit on our butts eating bonbons everyday and don't move out of our chairs!! We KNOW what foods we are supposed to eat, we KNOW we are supposed to get up and move but there are almost always OTHER factors can't prevent that! Like my DH, he can not walk for more then 5-10 mins because of his knees. The only exercise he can really do is swim but go figure we live somewhere that is COLD for half the year and there isn't indoor pools around! LOL

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

I just saw on my Facebook that Ruby (from the reality TV series) was going to be on the Today show discussing this very topic. I wonder if there's any way they would replay it?

It's getting a lot of buzz out there... I'm so glad! Persecution of the overweight and obese really needs to stop. This is NOT OKAY!!!

~~~ETA: I wonder if Oprah might address this as well - as she has struggled with her weight in the public eye for over 20 years now.

[sleevesearch 14]

I just saw on my Facebook that Ruby (from the reality TV series) was going to be on the Today show discussing this very topic. I wonder if there's any way they would replay it?

Here's the video:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39868583/ns/today-today_health/

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Awesome thanks!

[coops 1,790]

This is very interesting... the passion from all the responses is amazing and it just shows how wrong her comments actually are.

It is because of people like her that I have such low self esteem when it comes to my body image ... people who stare, laugh, be rude about my size... hey, we all know what I am saying here!!

A far as her own demons go, this is not a good enough excuse, it doesn't wash with me!! This lady is apparently a professional writer and with that comes responsibility, she should keep her personal opinions to herself!