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GracefromBoston · 10-20-07, 08:42 PM

I spent 10 years at a fat camp in western Massachusetts when I was growing up (ages 9 to 19). I started as a camper and was a counselor my last three years.

It was a wonderful experience for me emotionally and it really helped my development to be around people who faced taunting at school or who felt otherwise ostracized. I met some people who are my good friends to this day.

I have wonderful things to say about the whole experiences, EXCEPT:

I do believe that it contributed to my lifelong struggle and rollercoaster of weight ups and downs. Every summer most people would return to camp having gained back everything they had lost the summer before plus some new weight for the new year. That was expected and when someone came back who had maintained or continued their loss, it was a remarkable feat.

In addition, we spent way too much time (as campers), focusing on food that we could not have. We would talk about it constantly instead of focusing on more positive things.

Just my 2 cents.

10-20-07, 08:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
GracefromBoston Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20	10 Years at Fat Camp I spent 10 years at a fat camp in western Massachusetts when I was growing up (ages 9 to 19). I started as a camper and was a counselor my last three years. It was a wonderful experience for me emotionally and it really helped my development to be around people who faced taunting at school or who felt otherwise ostracized. I met some people who are my good friends to this day. I have wonderful things to say about the whole experiences, EXCEPT: I do believe that it contributed to my lifelong struggle and rollercoaster of weight ups and downs. Every summer most people would return to camp having gained back everything they had lost the summer before plus some new weight for the new year. That was expected and when someone came back who had maintained or continued their loss, it was a remarkable feat. In addition, we spent way too much time (as campers), focusing on food that we could not have. We would talk about it constantly instead of focusing on more positive things. Just my 2 cents.