Why fat camp?
The obvious answer to this question is, “um, because I was fat.” But that doesn't help much I suppose.
My freshman year was rough for me. Hormones, high school and depression- woo hoo! Not fun. I was put on Paxil and gained a good chunk of weight. I was very, very unhappy (suicidal), even though looking back, I didn't have much to be unhappy about. No crazy traumatic experiences, an okay family life, nice big house, whatever. The back of all the Teen and Seventeen magazines had ads for fat camps. I saw them and thought that was my answer. My mom helped me get information packets for all of them and I studied them like I would for an exam.
What are the dorms like? Are there boys? Are there bugs? You know, the typical things a vain prissy teenager wants to know.
As some of you mentioned, you only know about fat camps because of seeing “True Life: I'm Going to Fat Camp.” All of the camps seemed the same- cabins, wooded settings in the northeast woods somewhere, campfires and lots of exercise. They all seemed a little “girl scout camp” to me. I was much more cool than that, didn't they know that? No way I'd let my mom send me to one of those. And camps that are girls only? Yuck! I want to see the boys!!!
Then out of the stack of colorful brochures and pamphlets, I see these images:
It's like the angels opened up and sang to me! California! Woohoo! Mom, I want to go to CALI!!! Don't you get it? CALI! People won't think it's stupid I'm going to a fat camp, I'm going to CALI! to hang on the beach and boogeyboard! And OMG, there are field trips!!! DISNEYLAND, KNOTS BERRY FARM, THE BEACH!! I forgot all about eating tiny amounts of food and working out 6 hours a day. I forgot that I'd be across the country away from anyone I knew for 7 weeks. I just saw CALI!!! and BEACHES!!! Lord.
It was the farthest away and I think the most expensive. Although really, all fat camps are RIDICULOUSLY expensive. When I went, it was at least $1000/week and that didn't include canteen money. Prices now are well over that. I am very thankful that my parents were supportive enough to send me. I signed up and sent the deposit in and had NO IDEA what I was in for!
What do you think? Could you imagine jetting off like that? Would you want to? Could you send your kid off like that?
In the next installment of “Fat Camp Follies:” Arrival and Setting the Scene(ry)
