"Some of the worst fat shaming I've ever read. Please stop emailing me" Read an email we received a couple of weeks ago. It was in reply to the 'Tesco's Overweight Staff' email. Which, coincidentally had our highest open rate in many months. I immediately re-read the article in case I'd missed something. I hadn't. It was designed to help people question a self limiting belief. It pointed out that, while it is harder and easier for some to gain or lose weight (genetics, illness, etc), we have never, ever met anyone who eats well (by our definition) and exercise regularly and properly (by our definition) that isn't losing weight (or maintaining). It was designed to help people question a self limiting belief they might have. And it was an offer of help - we had plenty of people emailing asking where they were going wrong as they thought they were doing the right thing. But this lady (and, presumably, those that unsubscribed having read it) took offence. ################## Matt put a post on Facebook the other day. About people complaining about NHS cuts but not looking after their own health. Strongly worded as it was, it was entirely correct. It was written how Matt talks. As these emails are written how I talk. No hiding behind a 'professional' facade here. What you see is what you get with us! Caused some debate it did though! ################### It's a big part of our job to call people on their self limiting beliefs. And, sometimes, the truth hurts. When people accept that the situation their body is in is down to the choices they've made, that's when the magic happens. That's when the education, support and accountability we offer actually works. But until that point it does nothing. You can lead a horse to water ............ And we're not perfect. We get plenty of things wrong in our lives. All our own doing, of course. And we're not judging people for what they've done in the past. Or where they are now. People can do whatever they like with their bodies. It's their life. But, there's no getting away from the fact that, to change anything, people have to accept that the current situation is a result of their previous choices. If someone doesn't like that, heh - there's always that unsubscribe button at the bottom of this email. Much love, Jon 'Never forget I was fat for half my life and have spent the time since helping others' Hall and Matt 'Has a way with words' Nicholson
