FatLand National Anthem

FatLand National Anthem (From FatLand:  The Early Days)


When a country told us that we’re too fat for their pride,
Tried to hold us down and made us feel so bad inside,
We all got together, figured out what we would do—
Spread a little love and hope to more than just the few.

Chorus
Fat and free, fat and free—
We are proud to live strong, fat and free
As we go through our full days living our lives
As sons and daughters, partners, husbands, wives.

Now we have a territory that we call our own.
Seven letters form a land that we have made our home.
F-A-T-L-A-N-D—we say this name and smile,
As long as we live here, we need never fear exile.

Chorus
Fat and free, fat and free—
We are proud to live strong, fat and free
As we go through our full days living our lives
As sons and daughters, partners, husbands, wives.

Grandmas

Because many people emigrated from the OtherSide/USA to FatLand without relatives, many of them were lonely at first, and even for a while after. One of the most innovative approaches to this problem involved creating a group called Grandmas. Women who were older than 45 were welcomed into the group. They received work credits -if they wanted them- for "adopting" younger FatLanders. Or younger FatLanders could adopt them.

FatLanders who wanted grandmas submitted their preferences via online/smartpad form.

Some FatLanders kept these "grandmas" until the grandmas died or they died. They made FatLand life secure and happy, the FatLanders said.

Another story of dieting that caused weight gain

My own story. There are many like it, however, in the FatLand Archives.


So it was like this...

Lost about 15 pounds in camp when I was 12. Got bronchitis and lost seven more. I actually looked slim. Shows just how sick I was. My grandma (mom's mom), with whom I was staying, was beside herself with worry. As I got better, I gained 10 pounds back. Gained thirty more that first semester of 7th grade at least partly because we moved and things were extremely confusing for a while.

Lost about twenty, gained it back. This happened twice, in two years. Gained two inches. So there I was, at 5'9 and 164, fairly athletic, healthy, loving to walk. But then the doctor said noooo...you must lose 24 pounds. Why? Good question. So I lost 11 pounds by walking even more and eating a lot less. Lost 11 more in camp. Gained them back plus seven more. Up to 170 now. Went on a 500 calorie a day diet and lost 20 pounds. Stopped dieting because I was hungry. Gained the 20 pounds back plus 10. Lost 15 the second semester of college.

Gained them back plus 10 more. Lost them, gained, lost, gained all back...plus eight.

The pattern continued until the year 2000, when I swore I would not diet ever again.

I have not.

In thought I wrap in icecubes the primary care doctor who said I had to lose 20 pounds.