“Wow, You Have Gotten So Fat”: Public Weight-Shaming Tirade Ends With Woman’s Clever Comeback
When you move abroad, there’s a unique thrill about going back home—reconnecting with family, revisiting childhood spots, and indulging in nostalgic treats. However, that excitement can fizzle out quickly when nosy neighbors and overly inquisitive aunties make it their mission to critique and interrogate every aspect of your life.
One such returnee, who is battling health issues including thyroid problems and a brain tumor, shared a powerful story about shutting down an insensitive neighbor who decided to comment on their weight gain. With a quick-witted response and a touch of humor, they transformed an uncomfortable encounter into a moment of self-empowerment, leaving the rude neighbor speechless.
Keep reading to see how they handled the situation with grace, turning what could have been a sour moment into a triumph of confidence and wit.
Weight gain can sometimes result from underlying health conditions
Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)
A person dealing with significant health challenges shared a story of skillfully silencing a rude neighbor who made an unkind comment about their weight
Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Jelleke Vanooteghem / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Andrej Lišakov / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: NeutralCatapult
Research indicates that comments or judgments about someone’s weight can contribute to heightened anxiety and depression
Chances are, you’ve witnessed or experienced people making uninvited comments about someone’s weight. Unfortunately, these remarks happen more often than they should and can leave a lasting impact. While some people might think they’re offering helpful advice or encouragement, those remarks often land as anything but helpful.
Imagine going to a family gathering and being greeted with, “Oh, you’ve put on weight!” It doesn’t feel like a compliment, does it? Even if said with a smile, comments like these often leave the recipient feeling judged or embarrassed.
For many, weight stigma is more than a passing annoyance—it’s a source of deep emotional pain. Studies have shown that being teased or judged for your weight can lead to anxiety, depression, and even harmful behaviors like overeating.
Picture a teenager avoiding their school cafeteria because classmates mock their size, or an adult avoiding social events because they’re afraid someone will make a snide remark. The shame can be isolating.
Image credits: Curated Lifestyle / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Instead of making remarks about weight, we should focus on fostering a supportive and uplifting environment, encouraging individuals in their journey toward health and well-being
Contrary to what some might believe, shaming people about their weight doesn’t inspire them to make healthier choices. Instead, it often has the opposite effect. Especially when it comes to kids.
A child teased on the playground for their weight might begin to see their body as a problem. Over time, this can lead to poor self-esteem and even disordered eating habits. Unfortunately, these experiences don’t just go away—they often shape how people view themselves well into adulthood.
So, instead of focusing on how someone looks, wouldn’t it be better to simply support them? Genuine, non-judgmental encouragement can go a long way in helping someone feel empowered to take control of their health. Saying something like, “I’m here for you if you ever want to talk,” is far more uplifting than making comments about appearance.
We also need to remember that weight is complex. It’s not just about diet and exercise—genetics, health conditions, and even medication can play a role. Judging someone without knowing their story is not only unfair but also unkind.
Just like in this case, the author’s neighbor made an insensitive comment about their weight without knowing the underlying health condition they were dealing with. Have you ever been unfairly judged or criticized for gaining or losing weight? Share your experience with us in the comments below.
Image credits: Natalia Blauth / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Online users applauded the author’s response, saying the neighbor’s behavior warranted it, as the author revealed more details
Many people commended the author for their bold actions
Poll Question
Thanks! Check out the results:
This is sadly not a cultural thing, most people who comment on other people's bodies pretending to be concerned for their health are often just straight up bullies who hide behind "health concern".
About 20 yrs ago, mainly due to medicine side effects, I gained about 120 lbs pretty quick, less than a yr, & it stuck. Tried the LapBand in 2014, but had complications, so had to loosen it completely but left it in to avoid more surgery. About 3 yrs ago, I realized 1 medication was specifically causing me to overeat, & once I got off that med, the weight fell off over @ 1.5 years, down to 150. In Oct 2023 I had my gallbladder & Lapband both removed. Saw my OB/GYN about a week later & my weight was 160. His 1st question was to ask if I was going to get another kind of weight loss surgery. Because I gained 10 lbs, the week before Halloween?! I stared at his giant muffin top silently for almost a minute before looking him straight in the eye & saying, "Nah, I'm good." Three months later I had lost 20 more lbs.
I also had to have my lap band removed because it was making me sick. I didn't get another surgery either. Unfortunately last year I got sick and ended up on steroids for 6 months. By the time I was finished with them I was almost the size of a buffalo. ;) Thankfully the weight came off quickly once I was done with them.
Load More Replies...People shouldn’t care about someone else’s body (unless it somehow directly affects them)
People shouldn't care about anyone's anything! Sexual orientation, etc. I'll never understand why people get so offended by something that doesn't concern them.
Load More Replies...I will never make a comment on weight gain/loss. I know a lot of medical/psychiatric conditions that can cause weight gain/loss. It's a private matter.
The only two exceptions are a.) if someone close enough to me actively tries to gain or lose weight. A feedback on their success is appropiate, IMHO; b.) someone who is really close changes their weight unintentionally. Although, in that case, the comment shall not target the change in weight, rather asking about the wellbeing of the person. BTW, during menopause, we tend to gain weight (10-15 kg) W/O changing lifestyle, training or eating habits.
Load More Replies...Menopause was definitely not my friend. Like most women, the hormone changes put some weight on me, but it didn’t stop. Got myself checked out, and turns out menopause epigenetically triggered hypothyroidism. Got put on the proper meds for it, and now I’m at my normal correct weight for my height. Sometimes it’s not as simple as burn more calories than you consume. Especially when you have no metabolism to do the burning.
Necessary fifth poll option: Ignore and never talk to these people again, because they probably can’t be reasoned with, anyway, and I don’t want to interact with people who are so rude without reason.
It's projection!! People project their own insecurities and self esteem onto others. "People who feel good about themselves don't criticize and say negativities towards others." Also people's weight is Nobody's business. Your weight doesn't make you less worthy or diminish it. This just shows how unhealthy people are emotionally.
Too many people are still convinced that every pound is gained by eating too much. Why? because you can condemn someone for behaviour, and not for genes or illness. Too many people gain weight because of our food (too many hormones and s**t in it), painkillers (I support a lady who lost her leg, has fantom pains and needs lyrica, oxicodon, etc, and blew up more than 50 kgs because of it, fortunately I was able to find a neurosurgeon who is going to help her reroute the cut off nerves), corticosteroids (which are given out like candies), genes (at birth you get a number of fatcells that never renew unfortunately), diseases (thyreoid, tumours, etc) and not in the least you finances (good food is expensive!). Unfortunately, we now have these influencers promoting obesitas as a life style, I cannot imagine they are really happy with their overweight!
Absolutely. I gained weight on antidepressants (venlafaxine for anyone who wants to know). Doctor 'yes, they make you feel more hungry and you eat more'. I. Did. Not. My diet didn't change at all. When I had to come off venlafaxine the weight fell off me. No diet change.
Load More Replies...If the body experiences fast weight gain/loss for no logic reason, it´s time to see a doctor.
When I was diagnosed woth Chrones and needed an operation to help save my bowel I was put on a high dose of steroids .8 a day for a week,7 a day for a week etc until it was 1 a day then none,I was very hungry and made sure I ate vegetables ,fruit etc all the good stuff .The weight still piled on no matter how little or how healthy I ate . People just need to mind their own business and stop thinking over weight people just eat too much
I need to learn how to bother the NHS into taking hypthyroidism into account. I have all the symptoms (as per my GP) and got medication in Germany for 20 years, but here all of a sudden my blood tests are "negative" but the weight problems still continue. I provided a 3 month excel sheet with all the food I've been eating and the exercise I'd done and all they offered me was a "talk therapy" with other people who tried to lose weight (but no therapist or other expert). It's f****d up.
Always a good answer to some idiot overstepping boundaries. They only do it to feel better about their s****y selves without having to actually do something (because ewww, that's effort! Better just harass others). It's a long time ago, but I told one of these fat shamers that yes, I had an eating disorder after being gang raped. No regrets. It could very well have been true, so I might have protected an actual rape victim because that sorry shyte will hopefully never dare to say anything about someone else's weight again. It was with others around, so the looks he got weren't nice.
I think it's pretty extreme how many places trest being anything but rail thin. I can gain or lose weight for many reasons over my lifetime completely unrelated to my diet. It's much more difficult to open a narrowed mind or soften a hardened heart.
I was fat shamed by just about everyone as a child. I am still overweight but not really bad. My 96 year old mother made a comment about my weight when I saw her last week. Some things never change
I am also from eastern Europe and older people like to have comments like this all the time. First thing my aunt used to tell me every time she saw me was that I am so fat, even tho I was like 139 lbs at 5 ft 5. Also extended family you see once in three years just dropping things like, oh, you gain weight in the middle of converstation, and then just carry on. I don´t understand why they do that, especially when they are often overweight themselves. It was really hurtful to me as teenager, even led me to ED, but now I just always tell them something really stupid as answer and have fun with it. I am sad that I didn´t come up with this earlier, I feel like I would be way more happier and confident during my teenage years.
If anyone needs a little help, use this when someone goes on about your gaining weight. I looked at the person and said and you haven't changed a bit, you are still the same idiot you have always been. You're welcome.
I had a lot of people comment on how great I looked when I went from 15% body fat, 150 lbs to 125 lbs, skeletal(could see my ribs below my collar bone and see each backbone). So many people told me I looked good when I had pancreatic failure. Thank God I recovered.
I have had a thyroid issue since I was 33. I went from 130 lbs to 185 in only a few mths. The comments from people were so ignorant. I was making cupcakes for my childs class and a friends husband commented that I needed to stop eating and put the cupcakes down. Did he really think I was frosting 30 cupcakes with sprinkles for myself ? .This was before diagnosis. After I was diagnosed and on medication the weight did not just magically drop off. I exersized and ate right but the weight stayed. I went down 20 lbs years later and that is where I stayed. Family still make rude comments 30 years later. One day while wearing a sun dress and feeling good about myself an Aunt LOUDLY yelled at me as I approuched the house that she could see my big arms a block away. It does not matter what I am eating people look at you like you are just fat and lazy. Tell them you have hypothyroidism and they roll their eyes. Funny thing is even at 185 I still thought I looked good.
Well that explains it. I worked with a Dr. from eastern Europe and hadn't seen her for a while. I wasn't fat but had gained about 10 pounds and when I saw her she goes "Oh you got fat." I had a shocked Pikachu face and she looked confused that I was kinda speechless but I just laughed it off.
Even if it is a "cultural" thing it is not acceptable. I don't mind if you are young or old, if you are offensive you'll get what you deserve. The old man was lucky. I wouldn't have explained anything. I would have slapped him. No comments. No warnings. If you think you can do what you want, the same applies to me. After dealing with hurtful comments for many years, I learnt I don't have to put up with nonsense from anyone.
Oh I am on a strict cleaning diet, I only eat the meat of dumb people and obviously here is another one
Are you illiterate or just stupid?? Honestly curious...
Load More Replies...This is sadly not a cultural thing, most people who comment on other people's bodies pretending to be concerned for their health are often just straight up bullies who hide behind "health concern".
About 20 yrs ago, mainly due to medicine side effects, I gained about 120 lbs pretty quick, less than a yr, & it stuck. Tried the LapBand in 2014, but had complications, so had to loosen it completely but left it in to avoid more surgery. About 3 yrs ago, I realized 1 medication was specifically causing me to overeat, & once I got off that med, the weight fell off over @ 1.5 years, down to 150. In Oct 2023 I had my gallbladder & Lapband both removed. Saw my OB/GYN about a week later & my weight was 160. His 1st question was to ask if I was going to get another kind of weight loss surgery. Because I gained 10 lbs, the week before Halloween?! I stared at his giant muffin top silently for almost a minute before looking him straight in the eye & saying, "Nah, I'm good." Three months later I had lost 20 more lbs.
I also had to have my lap band removed because it was making me sick. I didn't get another surgery either. Unfortunately last year I got sick and ended up on steroids for 6 months. By the time I was finished with them I was almost the size of a buffalo. ;) Thankfully the weight came off quickly once I was done with them.
Load More Replies...People shouldn’t care about someone else’s body (unless it somehow directly affects them)
People shouldn't care about anyone's anything! Sexual orientation, etc. I'll never understand why people get so offended by something that doesn't concern them.
Load More Replies...I will never make a comment on weight gain/loss. I know a lot of medical/psychiatric conditions that can cause weight gain/loss. It's a private matter.
The only two exceptions are a.) if someone close enough to me actively tries to gain or lose weight. A feedback on their success is appropiate, IMHO; b.) someone who is really close changes their weight unintentionally. Although, in that case, the comment shall not target the change in weight, rather asking about the wellbeing of the person. BTW, during menopause, we tend to gain weight (10-15 kg) W/O changing lifestyle, training or eating habits.
Load More Replies...Menopause was definitely not my friend. Like most women, the hormone changes put some weight on me, but it didn’t stop. Got myself checked out, and turns out menopause epigenetically triggered hypothyroidism. Got put on the proper meds for it, and now I’m at my normal correct weight for my height. Sometimes it’s not as simple as burn more calories than you consume. Especially when you have no metabolism to do the burning.
Necessary fifth poll option: Ignore and never talk to these people again, because they probably can’t be reasoned with, anyway, and I don’t want to interact with people who are so rude without reason.
It's projection!! People project their own insecurities and self esteem onto others. "People who feel good about themselves don't criticize and say negativities towards others." Also people's weight is Nobody's business. Your weight doesn't make you less worthy or diminish it. This just shows how unhealthy people are emotionally.
Too many people are still convinced that every pound is gained by eating too much. Why? because you can condemn someone for behaviour, and not for genes or illness. Too many people gain weight because of our food (too many hormones and s**t in it), painkillers (I support a lady who lost her leg, has fantom pains and needs lyrica, oxicodon, etc, and blew up more than 50 kgs because of it, fortunately I was able to find a neurosurgeon who is going to help her reroute the cut off nerves), corticosteroids (which are given out like candies), genes (at birth you get a number of fatcells that never renew unfortunately), diseases (thyreoid, tumours, etc) and not in the least you finances (good food is expensive!). Unfortunately, we now have these influencers promoting obesitas as a life style, I cannot imagine they are really happy with their overweight!
Absolutely. I gained weight on antidepressants (venlafaxine for anyone who wants to know). Doctor 'yes, they make you feel more hungry and you eat more'. I. Did. Not. My diet didn't change at all. When I had to come off venlafaxine the weight fell off me. No diet change.
Load More Replies...If the body experiences fast weight gain/loss for no logic reason, it´s time to see a doctor.
When I was diagnosed woth Chrones and needed an operation to help save my bowel I was put on a high dose of steroids .8 a day for a week,7 a day for a week etc until it was 1 a day then none,I was very hungry and made sure I ate vegetables ,fruit etc all the good stuff .The weight still piled on no matter how little or how healthy I ate . People just need to mind their own business and stop thinking over weight people just eat too much
I need to learn how to bother the NHS into taking hypthyroidism into account. I have all the symptoms (as per my GP) and got medication in Germany for 20 years, but here all of a sudden my blood tests are "negative" but the weight problems still continue. I provided a 3 month excel sheet with all the food I've been eating and the exercise I'd done and all they offered me was a "talk therapy" with other people who tried to lose weight (but no therapist or other expert). It's f****d up.
Always a good answer to some idiot overstepping boundaries. They only do it to feel better about their s****y selves without having to actually do something (because ewww, that's effort! Better just harass others). It's a long time ago, but I told one of these fat shamers that yes, I had an eating disorder after being gang raped. No regrets. It could very well have been true, so I might have protected an actual rape victim because that sorry shyte will hopefully never dare to say anything about someone else's weight again. It was with others around, so the looks he got weren't nice.
I think it's pretty extreme how many places trest being anything but rail thin. I can gain or lose weight for many reasons over my lifetime completely unrelated to my diet. It's much more difficult to open a narrowed mind or soften a hardened heart.
I was fat shamed by just about everyone as a child. I am still overweight but not really bad. My 96 year old mother made a comment about my weight when I saw her last week. Some things never change
I am also from eastern Europe and older people like to have comments like this all the time. First thing my aunt used to tell me every time she saw me was that I am so fat, even tho I was like 139 lbs at 5 ft 5. Also extended family you see once in three years just dropping things like, oh, you gain weight in the middle of converstation, and then just carry on. I don´t understand why they do that, especially when they are often overweight themselves. It was really hurtful to me as teenager, even led me to ED, but now I just always tell them something really stupid as answer and have fun with it. I am sad that I didn´t come up with this earlier, I feel like I would be way more happier and confident during my teenage years.
If anyone needs a little help, use this when someone goes on about your gaining weight. I looked at the person and said and you haven't changed a bit, you are still the same idiot you have always been. You're welcome.
I had a lot of people comment on how great I looked when I went from 15% body fat, 150 lbs to 125 lbs, skeletal(could see my ribs below my collar bone and see each backbone). So many people told me I looked good when I had pancreatic failure. Thank God I recovered.
I have had a thyroid issue since I was 33. I went from 130 lbs to 185 in only a few mths. The comments from people were so ignorant. I was making cupcakes for my childs class and a friends husband commented that I needed to stop eating and put the cupcakes down. Did he really think I was frosting 30 cupcakes with sprinkles for myself ? .This was before diagnosis. After I was diagnosed and on medication the weight did not just magically drop off. I exersized and ate right but the weight stayed. I went down 20 lbs years later and that is where I stayed. Family still make rude comments 30 years later. One day while wearing a sun dress and feeling good about myself an Aunt LOUDLY yelled at me as I approuched the house that she could see my big arms a block away. It does not matter what I am eating people look at you like you are just fat and lazy. Tell them you have hypothyroidism and they roll their eyes. Funny thing is even at 185 I still thought I looked good.
Well that explains it. I worked with a Dr. from eastern Europe and hadn't seen her for a while. I wasn't fat but had gained about 10 pounds and when I saw her she goes "Oh you got fat." I had a shocked Pikachu face and she looked confused that I was kinda speechless but I just laughed it off.
Even if it is a "cultural" thing it is not acceptable. I don't mind if you are young or old, if you are offensive you'll get what you deserve. The old man was lucky. I wouldn't have explained anything. I would have slapped him. No comments. No warnings. If you think you can do what you want, the same applies to me. After dealing with hurtful comments for many years, I learnt I don't have to put up with nonsense from anyone.
Oh I am on a strict cleaning diet, I only eat the meat of dumb people and obviously here is another one
Are you illiterate or just stupid?? Honestly curious...
Load More Replies...
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