I don’t think so! Last night I read a little tweet which shocked me. It was a screenshot of an exchange between two people – and it wasn’t great. One of these people I ‘know’ via social media – as do many of my social media mates…and I am sure that they are as shocked as me…they should be! 
In a nutshell, one person questioned what benefit claimants added to society, whilst the other revelled in the fact that she can stop people’s benefit for thirteen weeks if they don’t attend an interview. Here is a little picture of the exchange…
I was shocked for a couple of reasons really.
Firstly, because I have no idea why someone would want to even have a conversation like that. Benefits claimants come in all shapes and sizes, some with fantastic qualifications, some with none. The vast majority of benefits claimants do want to work, contrary to popular belief. Whilst there are some who are happy to sit on their arses all day and accept handouts, most feel degraded by the fact that they have to do this and the vilification they suffer – and are well aware of – only adds to this feeling. They do not sit at home on their plush leather sofas all day watching Jeremy Kyle on their flat screen TVs trying to spot their pram-pushing mates on the show!
Secondly, we all struggle. At some point in our lives we have to accept help from someone. This could be from our families (thanks Mum!) or we could be fortunate enough to have a partner who earns enough to help us should we get made redundant (thanks other half!). The fact that someone claims benefits gives no indication at all as to the type of person they are…BB gun or knife as per the tweets…this is such a warped way of looking at things. Personally, I love the fact that I live in a country where we help and support each other. I would far rather that this was the case – even in the questionable state it has reached – than to be living in a country where we ignore the plight of others.
Thirdly, I worked in HR and Resourcing for over fifteen years. I know that people end up in situations that they struggle to get out of. Some of the best candidates I have interviewed have been in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance – or whatever it might be called now! You have to be humble enough to realise that you cannot judge a book by whomever provides it’s cover. I would have anyone making comments like this removed immediately from my team – especially when these comments are so far-reaching. This isn’t to prove a point, but merely for the fact that the morals and ethics needed to work in a role where you are responsible for ensuring a diverse and hardworking workforce do not seem apparent. It is one thing to discuss your views and concerns with a manager and, as a manager, be given the opportunity to spend time educating these views…but this is so far out of reach now. I cannot begin to imagine what must be running through the employers mind today.
Finally, the stupidity of the situation is epic. As I said above, to share your views with a friend, colleague or your manager is one thing. To put yourself out there on a platform like Twitter…when you have a LinkedIn profile with links to your employer and their high-profile client is just shocking. You represent more than yourself when you talk – you represent your employer too – like it or not! Some people may think that the world has gone too politically correct. I just call it empathy and basic humanity. I would never want to speak in a way that I wouldn’t want to be spoken about.
I link this back to comments such as, “All fat people are stupid and lazy”, or, “Fat people have more time off work as they always get ill”, or, “Fat people are less likely to finish qualifications”, or, “Fat people have no self-control”…actually, my self-control is fine…or else you would be on your arse with a black eye! 
And no, I don’t condone violence just as much as don’t condone stupidity!
Generalisations are damaging regardless of what they are referring too. I have heard people say that all models have eating disorders, all young black men driving fast and expensive cars must be drug dealers, that they don’t like gays because they don’t want them trying to come on to them. These are obviously such stupid comments that the originators need one of my ‘Oxygen Stealer’ awards.
Unfortunately, we live in a society where judgement is a fact of life. It doesn’t make it right, and when people use the ‘freedom of speech’ argument I just get more pissed off to be honest. If you want the right to spout shite – to judge, to victimise, to vilify – then you are beneath contempt. We should just live and let live. As long as your actions do not hurt others, and are not against the law – then go for it.
Wow – that was a bit of a non-diet related rant wasn’t it?! I just cannot believe that people would be so silly and misguided. It is such a shame…as both of these individuals are likely to be queuing up with the people they were ‘hating’ against this week. The ‘suckers’ they referred to will now be their competition for a job!
Right then…the usuals…
I woke up feeling a little more refreshed than usual – woohoo! So I got up, worked on my other half’s project for a while before we popped to see the horses and to Asda. We did this earlier that usual as I was expecting my treadmill engineer and also a call from the garage about my tyres. The garage called first, so I headed out to get that sorted. I was a little concerned before I got there, but it wasn’t bad – typical male banter, but I can deal with that! However I got a real case of fidgety-arse whilst I was there – it took a while for them to get it on the ramp, and I had forgotten where I put the locking wheel nut which meant they had to search the car first. However, I had my huge wheelbarrow in the back which I was taking to be welded…so they had to get that out too…they must have been thankful to see the back of me! I then headed to the next garage, who are sorting the MOT and any work it needs for me. My sister was picking me up, so I waited on the main road for her to arrive…I haven’t stood around in public for ages…and nobody threw rotten veggies at me or any insults, so that was a positive morning. Positive until I found out that my treadmill engineer spotted a faulty bearing – this is what has been causing the noise. So he took the part with him – to show the fault and get me a replacement…which means that poor old Terry Treadmill is out of action for seven to ten days. I also managed to catch up with the kids, as they are heading off for a holiday tomorrow, so that was fun – noisy, but fun. I grabbed a late lunch, did a little work and am looking forward to a relaxing evening with Mexican drug lords and Jack Bauer!
Breakfast: Two Alpen light bars (6 syns) and a banana.
Lunch: Sardines on toast topped with cheese (2 x HEA and 2 x HEB).
Dinner: Smoked river cobbler and veggies.
Snacks: Two packets of French Fries (8 syns).
Another good food day! It is kind of becoming a regular Monday food day…the Alpen, the sardines, and fish and veggies. I am not bored of it at all though – it tastes great. If I get bored, I know that I can change it. One lady said to me recently that she had no idea of what to eat as she felt that Slimming World was restrictive…I couldn’t disagree more…I have never eaten so well and had such a wide variety of meals to chose from!
Exercise: No exercise other than me exercising my ability to face the public! I need to do something though whilst Terry is under construction…boxing maybe? I am trying out a stick fighting class this weekend though…so that might be a good option…although I am a little concerned – me, stick fighting?!
Thank you for reading my rant…and apologies…but I do like a rant at times…
Weight Loss Bitch xxx
WeightLossBitch
On a health and fitness driven journey to lose over 32st / 448lbs / 203kgs – yes, it is a considerable amount – I am committed to losing my excess weight without the aid of weight loss surgery, diet pills, or quick fixes…as there aren’t any! Changing my eating habits and building up my fitness levels, along with addressing the ‘head issues’ will be crucial in order for me to achieve my goal. Living in England as a 31 year old super morbidly obese woman can be challenging to say the least. I have been shouted at in the street and verbally abused far too many times to mention; hence the name ‘Weight Loss Bitch’…the day I am just called a ‘bitch’ instead of a ‘fat bitch’ will be the day that I know I have cracked my weight loss! With many reasons to lose this weight I am documenting my journey for a number of reasons. Firstly, I would like to keep a record of the ups and downs, the highs and lows, and the challenges I face with such an enormous task to tackle. Secondly, I would also like to inspire and encourage other people who are in a similar situation and to show them that significant amounts of weight can be lost naturally…with a bit of motivation, hard work, dedication and will power. Thirdly, all of the blogging, Facebook-ing, Tweet-ing, Pinterest-ing and YouTube-ing keeps me occupied and keeps my fingers out of the fridge!
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