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‘You don’t know why I’m fat’ – woman speaks out about her obesity

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PHOTO: Supplied by Geraldene Michaels
PHOTO: Supplied by Geraldene Michaels

Home executive Geraldene Michaels (48) felt the assistant hadn’t asked her if she felt she needed them, but judged her on her appearance and decided she needed them.

She shares her story with YOU to raise awareness that not all overweight people are that way because they choose to be – sometimes it’s because of medical issues.

“Ever since I was a young girl I’ve struggled with my weight,” she says.

“While growing up I tried many methods to lose my excess weight but later I was told by my doctor that I might have a thyroid imbalance – which affects my metabolism significantly, making it difficult for my body to burn off fat faster.

“Before I knew this my weight bothered me. I tried an endless number of ways to get rid of my weight, but to no avail. I could never lose more than one or two kilograms, no matter how hard I tried. I always went to gyms for individual weight-loss programmes but never lost any significant weight.

“I did weigh less and even went to dieticians, both privately and in hospital. I once went to a doctor who used to give me three injections a week.

I also went to the Sports Science Institute in Cape Town for a 12-week programme but I was disappointed by the outcome.

“I’ve used Herbal Life and many other store-bought goods but they didn’t make a difference either. Currently I don’t drink sugar, I opt for sweeteners instead.

“My husband is diabetic so I don’t deep-fry. I try to cook as healthily as I can. I’m also quite healthy – I don’t suffer from any weight-related diseases such as diabetes or high cholesterol.

“People who just label me as lazy or fat don’t know that I’ve gone through all these things to try to manage my weight.

I believe many people might be obese because of this but they’re not heard.

“My experiences as an obese person in public are really hurtful at times. People greet you by commenting, ‘Oh, you’re fat, you live a good life, you have the luxury of eating too much’ – without really knowing what I eat or how I eat.

I’m not saying I’m a saint, but I know I eat things in moderation.

“The most painful and embarrassing things that happen to me are when people come up to me in stores or malls and ask me to try their products to help me lose weight. They don’t know me, or anything about my health, or why I’m obese.

“It’s not nice for me to keep explaining myself. I also go through depression at times because I do want to lose weight – it would make it so much easier for me because I have arthritis in by back, shoulders, arms and into my hands.

“I also feel I get discriminated against because of my weight, even when it comes to jobs.

Some people might have a health problem nobody can see, but unfortunately mine you can see.

“To people who fat-shame people like me, you don’t know how your remarks make me feel. I try to brush it off but it still hurts.

People should first seek to understand before they judge – that would make a huge difference in how people with weight problems see themselves.”

This story was submitted to YOU and has been minimally edited. Do you have a story to tell? Email Pam.Magwaza@you.co.za. 

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