A weight off my mind: I’m thrilled that I can be heavy and still healthy
O”oh, you are a strong one, aren’t you?” Words addressed to me this summer during a trial session with a potential new trainer. Words I was reminded of this week when it was revealed that 27% of women in the UK aged 40-50 are categorised as having “metabolically healthy obesity” (MHO). Or, as is more commonly said, they’re “fat but fit”.”oh, you are a strong one, aren’t you?” Words addressed to me this summer during a trial session with a potential new trainer. Words I was reminded of this week when it was revealed that 27% of women in the UK aged 40-50 are categorised as having “metabolically healthy obesity” (MHO). Or, as is more commonly said, they’re “fat but fit”.
When I read the research, made public last week by Professor Matthias Blüher at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Hamburg, I saw something of myself in it. Instead of the usual gnawing anxiety I experience when I get anywhere near the word “fat”, I felt something like relief. And I’m sure I’m not alone. At last, some evidence that carrying some extra weight is not synonymous with being lazy, weak or inactive – as is so often the assumption of many, among them both trainers and doctors. … [read more]
