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Make Connections: Fighting Back Not all obese people are depressed about or unhappy with their weight. Take, for example, the Clydesdales and Athenas, international groups committed to ath- letic opportunities for large competitors. Its motto is: “You don’t need to be thin to be healthy,” and its mem- bers (all of whom are technically overweight and obese) compete in marathons, duathlons, and triathlons. “I walked into a popular restaurant the evening after I ran the Boston Marathon,” shared one Clydesdale. “Some teen guys were there who made a few rude remarks about my size. They spoke under their breath, but I heard every word. “So I walked up to them and asked them if they had any idea what I did that day? After a few nervous chuckles and a couple of bad jokes, they admitted they didn’t. I told them that I had completed the Boston Marathon in under four hours. Then I asked them if they could do that. That shut them up.”

just takes too much effort, so people whose weight makes these situations challenging or uncomfortable may stay home. The negative psychological impacts that weight issues can bring don’t affect everyone equally. Men and the elderly seem to be more accepting of themselves and less concerned with weight matters, eating, and appearance.

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