We constantly see passive aggressive references on here about ‘fat’ martial arts instructors and martial artists.

People put on weight for a number of reasons and it’s not always laziness. It can be caused by medication, hormone treatment, illness, injury, depression, addiction and other reasons beyond their control.

Do you think anyone wants to be overweight? Anyone training to deal with it, particularly in such a judgemental environment should be admired and supported, not ridiculed.

I’ve lost ‘friends’ for pulling them up over this, people saying that fat people are ‘lazy’ and should get their asses of the couch, train and buy their ‘shakes’ and others have shut up when I’ve pointed out that their obsession, alcoholism, drug taking, vanity or anorexia is the other side of the same coin.

When you’re young, fit and have no health problems, it’s too easy to ‘fat shame’ others, not realising that they wear the symptoms of their illness on the outside whilst others with problems just as serious don’t.

Weight loss injections can be miraculous for those that can’t lose weight by traditional means, but probably not a good idea if the problem can be dealt with differently because of side effects and it’s better if a permanent character change can do the job.

I put on weight due to strong antibiotic treatment, cancer treatment with hormones, fatigue and immobility due to losing a leg and was offered weight loss injections but refused because I waited for medication to stop to be able to use discipline and intermittent fasting to do it. I’m grateful for that window of opportunity as otherwise I might have had to resort to the injections.

Before you cast aspersions on others, stop and think. No one wants to be overweight and it’s hell of a struggle for many. Hating themselves, hating their body, never being able to buy clothes that fit or don’t make them look awful. Embarrassed to go out, never wanting to look in a mirror, and avoiding social occasions let alone putting on a gi and going into an environment where they may be judged and subject to ridicule for trying to to deal with their problem.

In a world filled with hate, judgement and predjudice, soften it with some kindness, compassion, empathy, support and encouragement.