Now if only the airlines would follow suit to make people more comfortable getting there!

New Resort Invites People to Live Large
Thu Oct 2, 1:08 PM ET Add U.S. National - Reuters to My Yahoo!

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kelly Durst had always dreamed of going to the beach and having the water caress her sunburned toes. But at 287 pounds, she was always too self-conscious to don swimwear and get a tan. Until now.

Freedom Paradise, a 112-room resort south of Cancun, Mexico, is the world's first resort designed for the obese. The facilities include wide steps with railings to get into and out of swimming pools, instead of thin ladders. The bathrooms have walk-in showers -- with no tubs -- and many showers have benches to enable people to shower while sitting down.

The rooms have extra-wide doors, king-size beds and armless furniture designed specifically for overweight people. Chairs are twice as wide as normal and hammocks are made of stronger fabric. And the gift shop features 5XL polo shirts sporting the resort's logo: Live Large, Live Free.

'Plus-size people want to have fun. They want to go out to restaurants, to the movies, to the beach,' said Jurriaan Klink, operations manager at the resort.

'But they always have to think: 'Will the chairs be big enough? Are they going to stare at me when I get into my bikini? Can I take a second helping of food without being snickered at?' Now they don't have to worry anymore.'

Klink and his partner, Julio Rinco, bought two hotels on a secluded beach in Mexico and spent $2 million renovating them to accommodate the obese. They opened the resort in July and expect to break even as early as February.

'This is a market that's bursting to go out. Most of these people have been postponing their fun activities until they lose weight,' said Klink. 'Now they can have a life and have fun while they are plus-size.'

The staff goes through mandatory sensitivity training to ensure guests feel comfortable. As part of the training, they watch the movie 'Beauty and The Beast' to learn that people should not be judged on their appearance.

'Such training is of essence, because people can be physically comfortable and still miserable if they are emotionally uncomfortable,' said Kelly Bliss, a fitness instructor for large people, who plans to visit the resort this month.

During a recent Reuters visit to the resort, not many large guests were seen. But resort officials said they expect more plus-size people as word gets out.

Bliss is one of many people who have reservations at Freedom Paradise for this year or early next year.

Thirty five-year-old Durst, who has not been to a beach in 22 years, is another one planning to go to the resort and said she can't wait to get a tan. 'I'm just waiting for my husband to get some time off.'

Very interesting!!

Am I the only person who finds it sort of disturbing that a special resort is built for obese people?

I don't mean to offend anyone, but almost find the concept to be helping the obese people STAY obese!!!

Alina, this has nothing to do with helping obese people stay obese, just that most vacation spots, airlines, etc....make it very difficult for people to function. They aren't saying 'come here and eat'...they are saying 'come here and be and feel COMFORTABLE.

ETA: There are plenty of apparently obese people that are obese for reasons other that food....there are plenty medical reasons for it also. Just a touch of sensitivity?

Misty, but by making obese people comfortable you're taking away their 'potential' incentive to lose weight...

Although I will agree that with regard to airline seats, often, I find them being tight as well, and I am relatively small (size 2-4). And frequently the extra room on the seatbelt is pretty small, once I have it fastened.

But still, that alone, plus health reasons sort of makes me want to exercise and try to maintain my weight... I guess that's why I find it disturbing.

Perhaps if this resort (built in large size) focused on health/exercise/nutrition, I would feel more comfortable, b/c then I would feel that they are improving the obesity problem, not necessarily just making $$$ off of it.

So, I guess we should do what we can make anyone who is over a size 16 feel 'uncomfortable' so that they are forced to fit into what standards the size 0-14 set feel is appropriate? Come on....

Misty, I thought I was being sensitive when I said that I don't mean to offend anyone

I know that some diseases make you gain weight, and having underactive thyroid, I also know how easy it is to gain and not be able to lose.

But you can't realistically say that 40% (or whatever the huge obesity statistic is) is primarily due to disease... I believe most of it is due to poor nutrition/fitness habits, and perhaps a minority (perhaps even as high as 25% of that 40%) due to things like diabetes, etc.

I don't think its what the 0-14 size population thinks that matters, its more what is considered healthy that matters, no?

I don't know at what point 'a size' becomes too large.

*sigh* I really didn't want to hit a hot topic button on this.

And my size descriptions came from what most major department stores deem to be the 'womens' sections vs the missy sections....not my own thoughs on it.

No problemo...

I shut up about this for now, and see what others think...

Hot topics aren't bad if they remain civilized

pure capitalism...there is a demand...and this resort will supply want the people want...

I'm a size 10, but I still feel self-conscious in a bathing suit...

You're right Alina....but I see this deteriorating sooo fast.

And Erika, you hit the nail on the head with what I was thinking. I'm a 12...

Alina, I was just going to write the exact same thing you wrote when I saw your post ! You said it so well too!

I think that it is the 'obese 'resort that is being insensitive by providing such services. They are telling these people that it is OK to be so overweight! IT IS NOT OK! And IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LOOKING GOOD! Being obese is incredibly unhealthy. Very overweight people should be encouraged to get their life in order instead of being told:
'Sure, weighting 300lbs is perfectly normal and not at all dangerouse for you! Come and take a swim in our oversized pool!'

Of course, there are some people who are so big due to no fault of their own, but that is just a very small %. The rest is that way due to a very unhealthy life style!

I find this resourt very disturbing! We are a very unhealthy nation as it is and it shouldn't be taken even further by such places! JMO!

Just a friendly discussion, that's all!

I am a size 2-4 and I also feel self-conscious in a bathing suit... it's not the size, it's the fact that we are so exposed in a swimsuit, I think!

I see the resort from a different perspective...

it takes a long time to lose weight...but that doesn't mean that you can't take a vacation in the meantime

I think 99.9% of the people who are obese know they have to lose weight...but its very hard...this doesn't mean that they should have to suffer for it...

I'm so glad I don't have to type anything. Erika is doing it all for me.

I looked this place up on Google, and it's called Freedom Paradise. There are various articles about it that I found, and below are excerpts from them...

Dining is buffet-style and entrees are heavy on creams and sauces, with a wide selection of desserts.

American, Mexican and Italian meals are served in the resort's restaurants, with a la carte portions larger than usual -- and multiple trips to the buffet encouraged.

Bars highlight calorie-laden cocktails.


This is why I don't agree with it, but then again, this is just my opinion! I'm also a size 10-12 and have had weight issues too, but I know it's not good for me to gain weight. I don't think it's a good idea to promote obesity, but I definitely agree with yabbobay, too... it's all about capitalism.