The Misadventures of Mile High Greg

The concern troll has arrived!  I recently snapped a funny picture of a brewery sign while out for a run and put it in my Instagram story.  Someone replied, "Stop joking about beer.  It causes all your body problems.  You might be amazed at what would happen if you put in just a little more effort to be healthier." I think every person with body and weight struggles has met the concern troll at least once.  “I’m worried about you. You know, if you just (exercised more/tried a little harder/ate less), your problems would all be solved.” The reality is that the intentions behind these types of comments are tone deaf at best and really cruel at worst.  This is my list of advice to the concern trolls: WHAT I EAT AND DO ISN’T YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS: It’s almost as if any fat person has to demonstrate that they are surviving on a diet of air, celery, and water to prove that they are worthy of not being judged.  Go out for a friend’s birthday or occasio...

Intention is important to the message. However, when the intention isn’t clear, the receiver of the message is going to fill in the details. Honestly, I’m not sure if I would be offended if a diet bar came with my order of XXL t-shirts. I’m often hungry after work when I get my mail, so I might be excited for a free snack. At the same time, being a larger gay man, there is a long history of trauma associated with my body and my weight. I feel as if it’s important to mention the gay male part here, as it plays a role in these past traumas, and research in body issues and eating disorders highly suggests I’m not alone. I’ve had some really horrible things said and done to me that were directly in response to my weight. It fueled my healthy desire to be a runner. It also fueled an unhealthy relationship with food and disordered eating that has taken me seeking professional help to improve. I still receive comments about my weight that are direct and nasty. Back in January, a...