Fat Cat. Fat Moma.

An Analysis of the Origins of Fat in Four Parts

In Part One of Fat Cat. Fat Mama. I introduced the prompt of investigating my impact on my cat Cassie’s weight through discussing three different questions:

Is Being Large the result of personal choices regarding food and exercise and/or lack of will power?
Is Being Large influenced by our Environment and Socialization?
Is Being Large Hereditary and therefore a simple genetic characteristic?

Once, again I’m excited to continue the discussion in Part Two.

Part 2: Is Being Fat A Question of Choice?

Let’s start with the choice argument. So with this argument, Cassie is responsible for her own choices and behaviors (as much as a cat can be), and therefore is capable of making different choices in her life. Let’s take a look at Cassie’s life choices.

Choice Aint All That It’s Cracked Up To Be.

Cassie’s Eating Habits: Cassie does eat more mightily than my other cats. You remember that tuna song I shared with you in part one (Tuna, Tuna, Tuna…)? Well, at the first note of that song Cassie moves so quickly that sometimes I almost trip over her as she tries to beat me to her own bowl.

This food obsessive behavior is what some people may think large sized people do when it’s time to eat—and why would they have another image? That seems to be the most consistent message we receive about fat people—they think about food all the time, hurry to get to it when it’s available, and then gorge themselves when they get the opportunity. Sometimes, the perspective is correct—but is that stereotype only reflective of the behavior of large sized people?

I have witnessed thin folk running for the front of the line—especially at buffets. This behavior is rampant at sea during the abundance of 24 hours buffets on various cruise lines. People push and shove in order to be the first to get their plates loaded with a smorgasbord of delights. I always think, “C’mon people. There is plenty of food to go around and they serve it 24 hours a day! So, relax.” However, at the same time, my mouth may be watering, contemplating the variety of flavors I have never tried before. I’m excited and I happily admit I enjoy food and eating, but judging from the wide variety of food commercials with people of varying sized gobbling hamburgers, pizza and rich chocolate desserts, so does the rest of America!

Food excites me, and I’m sure Cassie feels the same way. Although her choices are not as vast as mine—mostly dry food or wet food (once or twice a week)— that does not stop her from bounding down the stairs in anticipation of that Fancy Feast every time she hears the Tuna song or the pop of the tin lid being pulled from the rim of a can. But it doesn’t stop my other cats either. They are just not as fast as Cassie. Big girls can run!

However, the anticipation of food for the fat cat (or person) in our culture seems to be equated with the belief that she is greedy, hoggish and consumed with food being that she’s a large cat. And as I have indicated above, I have seen many thin cats (and people) exhibiting the same behavior. However, when you are fat that behavior comes with a judgment of deserved consequences.
Comments I have heard from some thin people:

“See, that’s why she’s so fat, because she eats too heartily.”
“Yes, I like to eat too as a thin person, but I can eat what I like because I’m thin.”
“Fat people must eat a lot. I like to eat a lot and I’m not fat; so fat people must really gorge themselves.”

So it’s not the behavior (of eating a lot) that is the culprit; it is the physical manifestation of the behavior that brands you as guilty of a lack of will power and self-control. Being visibly large is the villain! It seems that as long as there is no physical evidence of your behavior, you can carry on eating whatever you want in this culture.

Getting to the Dish!

fat cat lying with woman on chaise lounge

art by Svetlana Petrova

Cassie does seem to want food more often. She is the ring leader in terms of making sure that the cat food bowls are replenished in a timely manner. But once the bowl is full, the others—Chester and Connie always dig in heartily and gobble the delectable edibles just like Cassie does.

Of the three cats, Cassie tends to gobble up her food the fastest, but what’s fascinating is that they all have interestingly different temperaments around eating that are easily generalized to the common beliefs about eating behavior.

Cassie eats quickly and heartily, gulping down her food, licking her plate clean. She then begins the routine of dipping her nose into everyone else’s dish to see what food she can devour next. I can’t speak for other large sized people, but I have been known to exhibit this behavior, When I’m excited to eat I often devour my food quickly, sometimes not even tasting the flavor I was craving. Then I have (in the past) waited in anticipation to see if there would be leftovers so I could have just a little bit more—even though I wasn’t hungry. I just wanted more of the flavor that I didn’t taste the first time, and probably wouldn’t enjoy the second time because I was already full. My body was reacting to the idea of the flavor.

Connie, my sleek black cat has a different temperament about food. She also runs with great anticipation to the plate with the first notes of the Tuna song. However, I usually feed her second because, to be honest, if I fed her fist, Cassie would stick her head into Connie’s plate before Connie even got a chance to smell it. However, once Connie’s helping is accessible, she devours her food much in the same way that Cassie does. The difference is that Connie takes longer to eat. She still licks her plate and looks for other food to gather after she is done ,but it takes her longer to do. By that time there usually is no food left (Cassie got it all!).

Connie’s eating is similar to the research on the benefits of slow eating. Taking your time to eat slows down your need for more food, because by the time you have finished eating, your body is already sending the signal to your brain that you are full. So, even though you may have cravings, you are less likely to eat more because you are full. This eating suggestion is one that is difficult for me to achieve. I am often doing several things will I eat so I am what’s called a distracted eater. I could definitely work on this practice.

My oldest cat and only male, Chester has still yet another eating style. Chester is always the last to be fed, often because he does not come for the Tuna song like Cassie and Connie. He is my only outdoor cat and he is generally much more interested in going for a walk or hunting some imaginary prey than running in to get canned tuna. Food is not a priority for Chester. Sure, when he comes in the house, the first thing he does is go to the food bowl; but he can often go an entire day without eating. When he does eat, he eats only what he is hungry for, and then literally backs away from the bowl—often leaving uneaten food (which Cassie waits patiently to devour).

Chester also exhibits a behavior which many eating psychologist, nutritionist, and wellness coaches recommend: paying attention to fullness and eating only when hungry, and then actually stopping the eating when you recognize you are getting full—before you become uncomfortably full. I have tried to do this, however I often find that my compulsion for flavor precedes my hunger signals. Unlike Chester, it is very difficult for me not to finish my food, even though I am no longer feeling hungry, because that flavor image is still in front of me. I must complete my mission to devour that flavor!

Get Your Move On!

In terms of movement, Cassie does tend to lounge more than my other cats, but her fur is thicker and so she gets hot (my explanation). But no matter how long she’s been relaxing, if she sees some little creature or toy scurry across the floor she has no problem, and no hesitation in jumping up and capturing the poor unfortunate creature or insect. Her fly catching abilities are fascinating! No lethargy there—swift and to the point, like a marksmen. And, after that action packed chase she will resume her nap.

I am similar. If given the choice, I would rather relax on my couch and enjoy the comfort of my home, or do some other sedentary behavior which gives me time to be quiet, contemplate and reflect on my life and experiences. I don’t feel a need to be busy at all time. However, when I get motivated, I am quick to move. I love to exercise—I was quite good at step aerobics back in the day until I developed planters fasciitis which discouraged much of my exercise for several years. Now, I love to yoga, strengthening work and walking. I’m not an extreme exercise person as I’m not that competitive (although I understand why some people do love the P90X or similar workout plans). It’s just not my cup of tea.

Speaking of tea, I love to sit out in my garden and enjoy a cup of tea while I survey the fruits of my labor—my garden. This is a central source of my activity. In the height of spring and summer it is not unusual for me to spend up to 8 hours straight in the yard several days a week, planting, digging, transplanting and cleaning. While it may not look EXTREME, anyone who has spent significant time working in the yard knows that it is not an easy task and not an activity for the lazy of bones. It’s rejuvenating and exhilarating—much like the high that someone world get spending a day biking, golfing or some other outdoor sport. It’s just as valid an act of movement as any other.

art by Svetlana Petrova

Once again, Cassie and I share a love of the outdoors. She likes to sit in the sit in the sun, letting the sun drench her fur with radiance, and I enjoy the same right beside her. As I sit on the porch, I watch Chester and Connie chase each other and scurry up the nearest tree. I look down to see Cassie sitting contentedly beside me, and I realize some creatures are tree climbers and others are the planters of trees. Cassie and I plant trees. We like it here on the earth’s floor where we’re are comfortable and safe.

So what about Choice? Is Cassie making herself fat? Well, her eating habits can be improved (as can my own), but they are not too different from my smallest cat, Connie. They both run for the food dish, devour their plate contents and beg for more. They both like to spend time being active and laying in the sun (which cats do so well! I wish I were a cat in my house). They both are indoor cats with less exposure to the outdoor activity.

So why is Cassie more than 7 lbs more than Connie? If it’s not Cassie’s personal choices that made her fat; then maybe it has something to do with me.