Kevin Smith and Southwest Airlines

I just read in the newspaper that the exceptional director Kevin Smith was bumped from a recent flight because, it was reported, that he is overweight. According to other reports that may have not been the case, but either way it made me reflect on my super heavyweight days.  I recall having boarded a plane plenty of times, holding my breath, waiting for those dreaded words, “You are too obese to fly.”

Back in my morbidly obese days most of my flights were not solo. I was usually accompanied by my significant other, so lifting the armrest and spilling into her seat was not an issue. However, I vividly remember for take-off and landing, with the armrests down,  I could manage to squeeze into the seat. However,  my extra padding spilled into the other seat. It would push the armrest over and mold itself over the top and the bottom. So the claim that one can sit in a seat with both armrests down doesn’t mean they actually fit in the seat.

I said I flew with someone most times.  There were times I flew alone and on those occasions I was always concerned about making some traveler unfortunate enough to sit next to me uncomfortable. I would even sit in the front row if both seats were open, but I was not very comfortable. In the front seats the trays are not attached to the seat-back in front, because there is no seat-back in front. So they came from the middle armrests  and because of that placement it is not possible to lift the armrest. I could still sit in the seat, but trust me I didn’t fit. However,  I would rather be uncomfortable myself, then force someone else to tolerate being seated next to me. It wasn’t fun for me either way, but my bulk left few options.

It is reported that Mr. Smith had purchased two seats, but was able to board an earlier flight. On the earlier flight two seats were not available, so he would have to sit next to someone else. Mr. Smith, it has been reported, has stated that he knows he is fat, but he is not too fat to fly.

I haven’t seen Kevin Smith lately, but in every picture I have seen he definitely appears more than just a bit overweight.  I know back when I was three hundred and forty pounds, I never thought I was that fat. In my case and in many of those whom I work with to overcome their obesity issues, we never see just how overweight we actually are or in my case were.

There are those who have metabolic and/or underlying medical conditions that cause obesity

The following  statements are not intended for those individuals

There is a much displayed self-absorbed logic that implies if one is overweight or obese that is just the way it is and everyone else will just have to deal with it. I am sorry, I do not agree with that logic.

I do agree that one has the right to weigh however much one wants. I was in the morbidly obese category myself and while I did not say, “Hey I want to weigh 340 pounds,” it was still my choice. Through slothfulness and poor food choices it was my choice to allow myself to almost reach the 350 pound mark. So, with that said, if a person is one of the many who choses an obese lifestyle, then one also must accept the responsibility for the limits obesity imposes.

I, on a fateful day, made a decision to accept responsibility for the self-made mound of flesh and fat I had become and changed my physical condition. I don’t know how much Mr. Smith’s tips the scale, but if he would like to ensure that something like what has been reported never happens again, short of buying his own plane, I will make this offer:

I will give up my practice and dedicate one year of my life to help Kevin Smith shed his excess weight and improve his fitness.

Once we agree upon an  acceptable fee then, for that year, he will be my only client. I will relocate to an area of his choosing and assist him in embracing a fit lifestyle.

I doubt he will take me up on my offer, but I make one guarantee, once I get him in shape he will love his new fit lifestyle.

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