We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!
"The big fat calorie counting con"
Replies
-
Who cares what they looked like. Ever wonder what people might think about the way you dress? That really has nothing to do with the subject. You're just attempting to paint a negative picture of them to make your point. It's unnecessary.
Of course I was attempting to make my point by painting a negative picture. What should I have said - "A family in the mall" riveting stuff with absolutely no point. As for how I dress - how is that relevant? Perhaps I am not the only one making "unnecessary" comments.0 -
This content has been removed.
-
Wheelhouse15 wrote: »You make a lot of assumptions for someone you just saw around the mall. I guess you start by avoiding assumptions that they don't know anything about diet and exercise -- perhaps they do. I've seen a lot of fat doctors, nurses, and even dietitians and you talk about them returning to their old habits but the reality is that it's a very safe bet since there is 90%+ chance of anyone returning to old habits after losing weight no matter what method they lost it by and no matter how much they educated themselves so I don't see your point nor your logic here.
Just for starters, I made no assumptions whatsoever. Not only did I see them in the mall but I KNOW the family but for the sake of the story, I shortened the whole version. Father works at the local café and cooks. Is lazy and hanging onto his job by a thread. Any food that is left over becomes their meal for the night - hot chips, fried food and absolutely NO vegetables ever. I KNOW THIS WITHOUT ANY IFs, WHYs or BUTs!! And I know the wife - she told me the kids refuse to drink anything but Coke. So before you tell me to "avoid assumptions that you don't know anything about" start my friend by doing the same and avoid assumptions about me!!!!
If you don't see my point nor my logic - think and wonder for one moment "Do I care!!"
You really do have an attitude issue and a superiority complex is just part of it.
-1 -
This content has been removed.
-
Yeah pretty much that. But I guess since we don't actually know how "lazy" the family is and how terrible they all are we can't understand that the poster superiority complex is actually justified. Because we all know she's perfect. Because only perfect people end up on MFP.Wheelhouse15 wrote: »Wheelhouse15 wrote: »You make a lot of assumptions for someone you just saw around the mall. I guess you start by avoiding assumptions that they don't know anything about diet and exercise -- perhaps they do. I've seen a lot of fat doctors, nurses, and even dietitians and you talk about them returning to their old habits but the reality is that it's a very safe bet since there is 90%+ chance of anyone returning to old habits after losing weight no matter what method they lost it by and no matter how much they educated themselves so I don't see your point nor your logic here.
Just for starters, I made no assumptions whatsoever. Not only did I see them in the mall but I KNOW the family but for the sake of the story, I shortened the whole version. Father works at the local café and cooks. Is lazy and hanging onto his job by a thread. Any food that is left over becomes their meal for the night - hot chips, fried food and absolutely NO vegetables ever. I KNOW THIS WITHOUT ANY IFs, WHYs or BUTs!! And I know the wife - she told me the kids refuse to drink anything but Coke. So before you tell me to "avoid assumptions that you don't know anything about" start my friend by doing the same and avoid assumptions about me!!!!
If you don't see my point nor my logic - think and wonder for one moment "Do I care!!"
You really do have an attitude issue and a superiority complex is just part of it.
Agreed.
0 -
No s*** Kanye.tennisdude2004 wrote: »
It's still akin to going on an Aston Martin appreciation site and bleating about how much better your Range Rover is at climbing hills.
Well, except no it's not.
This isn't a calorie counting forum. This a forum dedicated to a wide variety of topics, attached to a website that has a calorie counting app, among several other features. One can find plenty reason to be here without that one app.
Just because you use it primarily to count your calories doesn't mean the site is designed just for your purposes, or is any more your site than anybody who is here to utilize one of the other features.0 -
Clearly, education is not the whole answer, as can be seen right here on MFP. There are tons of people on here who know exactly how to go about losing weight, how to put together a nutritious meal, and plenty of strategies for avoiding pitfalls. Knowing all this doesn't mean that they actually do it. Hence having people return after having gained the weight back. If education was all that was needed, people would never need to lose weight again. And again. And sometimes a third or fourth time before they're either able to keep it off or else give up because it's difficult and they have other priorities.0
-
I honestly don't think the US overweight and obesity rates will ever significantly fall unless some type of wonder drug is introduced.
Our culture has become more and more focused on a brazen "I do whatever the hell I want" attitude, and sensitivities around weight and food are so oppressive that not even stigmatization n is likely to reverse the trend, as it has done with smoking.
Imagine if the US government tried enforcing maximum waist measurements, such as in Japan? The uproar would be legendary. There are a few nations who are actively working to fight the rise of obesity, and obesity related illnesses and societal ills, but the climate here is such that we'd never be able to do so here.
I'm a hopeful person, but on this I'm quite pessimistic.0 -
My story was not about judging them, it was about not knowing how to help them. Seeing two beautiful children aged 6 & 8 dressed in massive clothes simply because they cannot fit into "normal" children's clothes is very sad.
MrM27said
"What's the point of trashing the way they dress? You say how is it relevant how you dress, it works the same in reverse. What does their clothes have to do with how they eat?"
Of course it is relevant and I wasn't trashing the way they dress. I was stating a fact.
Wheelhouse15 said
"You really do have an attitude issue and a superiority complex is just part of it.
MrM27 said
"Yeah pretty much that. But I guess since we don't actually know how "lazy" the family is and how terrible they all are we can't understand that the poster superiority complex is actually justified. Because we all know she's perfect. Because only perfect people end up on MFP.
Wheelhouse15 agreed
I never said the family was "terrible" nor did I say the whole family were lazy, these are your words, not mine MrM27. And as for your statement "...................Because we all know she's perfect. Because only perfect people end up on MFP."
Are you suggesting that people who end up on MFP are flawed???
My concern is for the family? I would help them if I could find a way - would either of you do the same?0 -
As to all those you contributed to the discussion without personal attacks - I did read your comments and found them extremely interesting and worthwhile.
0 -
This content has been removed.
-
My story was not about judging them, it was about not knowing how to help them. Seeing two beautiful children aged 6 & 8 dressed in massive clothes simply because they cannot fit into "normal" children's clothes is very sad.
MrM27said
"What's the point of trashing the way they dress? You say how is it relevant how you dress, it works the same in reverse. What does their clothes have to do with how they eat?"
Of course it is relevant and I wasn't trashing the way they dress. I was stating a fact.
Wheelhouse15 said
"You really do have an attitude issue and a superiority complex is just part of it.
MrM27 said
"Yeah pretty much that. But I guess since we don't actually know how "lazy" the family is and how terrible they all are we can't understand that the poster superiority complex is actually justified. Because we all know she's perfect. Because only perfect people end up on MFP.
Wheelhouse15 agreed
I never said the family was "terrible" nor did I say the whole family were lazy, these are your words, not mine MrM27. And as for your statement "...................Because we all know she's perfect. Because only perfect people end up on MFP."
Are you suggesting that people who end up on MFP are flawed???
My concern is for the family? I would help them if I could find a way - would either of you do the same?
Although it's in my nature to help I don't think it's any of my business to get involved unless they ask. I might offer a friendly probing question about if they've read a book or been on a site like MFP but I wouldn't involve myself overly unless they asked. One issue is that they know that their situation is the way it is just as plainly as you and they've probably been attacked, or felt attacked, by many well meaning people over the years.0 -
SnuggleSmacks wrote: »Clearly, education is not the whole answer, as can be seen right here on MFP. There are tons of people on here who know exactly how to go about losing weight, how to put together a nutritious meal, and plenty of strategies for avoiding pitfalls. Knowing all this doesn't mean that they actually do it. Hence having people return after having gained the weight back. If education was all that was needed, people would never need to lose weight again. And again. And sometimes a third or fourth time before they're either able to keep it off or else give up because it's difficult and they have other priorities.
The idea of understanding, and being educated, goes beyond remembering and reciting a concept. In order to completely understand how to do something, one must also be able to apply it as well.
Proper education teaches people how to apply their knowledge. So yes, real education is the whole answer.
0 -
My intentions were never to make this family look bad but to highlight the need for educating our children so that they don't0
-
uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »SnuggleSmacks wrote: »Clearly, education is not the whole answer, as can be seen right here on MFP. There are tons of people on here who know exactly how to go about losing weight, how to put together a nutritious meal, and plenty of strategies for avoiding pitfalls. Knowing all this doesn't mean that they actually do it. Hence having people return after having gained the weight back. If education was all that was needed, people would never need to lose weight again. And again. And sometimes a third or fourth time before they're either able to keep it off or else give up because it's difficult and they have other priorities.
The idea of understanding, and being educated, goes beyond remembering and reciting a concept. In order to completely understand how to do something, one must also be able to apply it as well.
Proper education teaches people how to apply their knowledge. So yes, real education is the whole answer.
So you're saying that people who lose vast amounts of weight did not apply their knowledge if they end up gaining it back? Does that mean for the rest of their lives, with no statute of limitations? So if I lose 200 lbs and keep it off for 40 years and then end up obese again after that, then I didn't really know how to lose weight and eat a healthy diet?
0 -
SnuggleSmacks wrote: »uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »SnuggleSmacks wrote: »Clearly, education is not the whole answer, as can be seen right here on MFP. There are tons of people on here who know exactly how to go about losing weight, how to put together a nutritious meal, and plenty of strategies for avoiding pitfalls. Knowing all this doesn't mean that they actually do it. Hence having people return after having gained the weight back. If education was all that was needed, people would never need to lose weight again. And again. And sometimes a third or fourth time before they're either able to keep it off or else give up because it's difficult and they have other priorities.
The idea of understanding, and being educated, goes beyond remembering and reciting a concept. In order to completely understand how to do something, one must also be able to apply it as well.
Proper education teaches people how to apply their knowledge. So yes, real education is the whole answer.
So you're saying that people who lose vast amounts of weight did not apply their knowledge if they end up gaining it back? Does that mean for the rest of their lives, with no statute of limitations? So if I lose 200 lbs and keep it off for 40 years and then end up obese again after that, then I didn't really know how to lose weight and eat a healthy diet?
What? Of course you knew how to lose weight and you applied it. But you lost commitment and gained it back. Losing commitment has nothing to do with being educated or not. Real education is the whole answer to losing weight. Knowing what to do and applying it is the way to drop pounds. Committing to it will keep the weight off.
Did you watch Perry Mason when you were growing up or something?0 -
I disagree. Education does not automatically grant commitment or access. You could provide free nutrition classes to people in inner city food deserts but that won't make produce beyond a McDonald's salad just magically appear in a really stores.0
-
This content has been removed.
-
SnuggleSmacks wrote: »I disagree. Education does not automatically grant commitment or access. You could provide free nutrition classes to people in inner city food deserts but that won't make produce beyond a McDonald's salad just magically appear in a really stores.
What are you even going on about at this point? I said true education teaches people how to apply knowledge, it doesn't give them the absolute ability to do so. You're going way off on a tangent now. When I said someone must be able to apply it, I meant it as an attribute trait, not the physical ability of applying it.0 -
uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »SnuggleSmacks wrote: »I disagree. Education does not automatically grant commitment or access. You could provide free nutrition classes to people in inner city food deserts but that won't make produce beyond a McDonald's salad just magically appear in a really stores.
What are you even going on about at this point? I said true education teaches people how to apply knowledge, it doesn't give them the absolute ability to do so. You're going way off on a tangent now. When I said someone must be able to apply it, I meant it as an attribute trait, not the physical ability of applying it.
And I said simply that I disagree that education is the whole answer, and demonstrated how this is so in two different ways. Education is not the whole answer
0 -
My intentions were never to make this family look bad but to highlight the need for educating our children so that they don't
It's an extremely complex issue and goes way beyond education. In fact, if you have a look at this review and meta-analysis, it shows that education is effective in treatment, but not prevention of childhood obesity.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23454596
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the effectiveness of educational interventions including behavioral modification, nutrition and physical activity to prevent or treat childhood obesity through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.
RESULTS:
Of 22.852 articles retrieved, 26 trials (23.617 participants) were included. There were no differences in outcomes assessed in prevention studies. However, in treatment studies, educational interventions were associated with a significant reduction in waist circumference [-3.21 cm (95%CI -6.34, -0.07)], BMI [-0.86 kg/m(2) (95%CI -1.59, -0.14)] and diastolic blood pressure [-3.68 mmHg (95%CI -5.48, -1.88)].
CONCLUSIONS:
Educational interventions are effective in treatment, but not prevention, of childhood obesity and its consequences.
0 -
Losing weight has requires virtually zero "education" or "knowledge". All anybody needs to know is that if the fat is padding on, eat less and move more.
"If you don't put it in, you can't put it on."
0 -
SnuggleSmacks wrote: »uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »SnuggleSmacks wrote: »I disagree. Education does not automatically grant commitment or access. You could provide free nutrition classes to people in inner city food deserts but that won't make produce beyond a McDonald's salad just magically appear in a really stores.
What are you even going on about at this point? I said true education teaches people how to apply knowledge, it doesn't give them the absolute ability to do so. You're going way off on a tangent now. When I said someone must be able to apply it, I meant it as an attribute trait, not the physical ability of applying it.
And I said simply that I disagree that education is the whole answer, and demonstrated how this is so in two different ways. Education is not the whole answer
I am going based on the average person who has access to internet and a computer and the ability to afford primary life needs. Lets take weight loss and change the subject to aerospace engineering. First you have to learn about how rockets fly and the process of building one, then you have to apply that knowledge in practice by building a rocket that flies. If you were taught the knowledge and HOW to apply that knowledge, you'll build a successful rocket. You can't come in here and say, "Well, what about people who can't afford the parts to build a rocket?"
I get it. There are people who are in circumstances in which they cannot apply their knowledge because they got screwed over in life. My point is, you are more likely to find people who have lost weight and kept it off long term that knew what they were doing. You are less likely to find people who lost weight and kept it off long term who knew jack **** about exercising or calorie management. Education isn't only about what you learn in a classroom. It is built through experience and trial and error. One does not become educated by sitting through a 1 hour seminar.
You don't need to turn into a lawyer over here.0 -
uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »You are less likely to find people who lost weight and kept it off long term who knew jack **** about exercising or calorie management.
That's backwards - it's the exact opposite.
The more an individual knows about the mechanics of weight loss, the more likely they are to be obese.
Plus you are starting from a nearly-circular position by limiting the discussion to the class of "people who have lost weight" instead of including everybody who doesn't need to lose weight.
-1 -
OK cute but back to subject.
Yesterday I saw a family, a very large family walking around the shopping centre together. Mum and dad were huge and wearing huge baggy clothing and their two children around 6 and 8 years of age were dressed the same. Horrible huge Tshirts and huge baggy shorts and all of them happily munching on donuts.
Now how can we get a family like that to count calories and exercise? Where do you even start? Tell them to weigh their donuts, lessen the amount of food they eat and to exercise? They would still remain unhealthy and pretty soon return to their old ways of eating and simply regain the lost weight. (I know for a fact this family buys seconds from the pie factory and uses them solely for their meals at night - no vegetables involved at all.)
Counting calories for the vast population will not work. Educating the public and children about nutrition will work.
Not always true. Just because someone is educated in nutrition does not mean they will follow sound nutritional advice.
Perhaps the adults in that family have studied nutrition but the just don't care.
Maybe they're all on diets but that day was their cheat day. Maybe they do count calories and decided they could allow themselves to eat donuts today.
Besides, it's not the donuts that made them fat, it's eating too much food in general.
Especially the carbs like donuts and pies that go to fat faster than fats or proteins.
0 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »OK cute but back to subject.
Yesterday I saw a family, a very large family walking around the shopping centre together. Mum and dad were huge and wearing huge baggy clothing and their two children around 6 and 8 years of age were dressed the same. Horrible huge Tshirts and huge baggy shorts and all of them happily munching on donuts.
Now how can we get a family like that to count calories and exercise? Where do you even start? Tell them to weigh their donuts, lessen the amount of food they eat and to exercise? They would still remain unhealthy and pretty soon return to their old ways of eating and simply regain the lost weight. (I know for a fact this family buys seconds from the pie factory and uses them solely for their meals at night - no vegetables involved at all.)
Counting calories for the vast population will not work. Educating the public and children about nutrition will work.
Not always true. Just because someone is educated in nutrition does not mean they will follow sound nutritional advice.
Perhaps the adults in that family have studied nutrition but the just don't care.
Maybe they're all on diets but that day was their cheat day. Maybe they do count calories and decided they could allow themselves to eat donuts today.
Besides, it's not the donuts that made them fat, it's eating too much food in general.
Especially the carbs like donuts and pies that go to fat faster than fats or proteins.
Nope, fat is the easiest to store. Carbs have to go through DNL.0 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »OK cute but back to subject.
Yesterday I saw a family, a very large family walking around the shopping centre together. Mum and dad were huge and wearing huge baggy clothing and their two children around 6 and 8 years of age were dressed the same. Horrible huge Tshirts and huge baggy shorts and all of them happily munching on donuts.
Now how can we get a family like that to count calories and exercise? Where do you even start? Tell them to weigh their donuts, lessen the amount of food they eat and to exercise? They would still remain unhealthy and pretty soon return to their old ways of eating and simply regain the lost weight. (I know for a fact this family buys seconds from the pie factory and uses them solely for their meals at night - no vegetables involved at all.)
Counting calories for the vast population will not work. Educating the public and children about nutrition will work.
Not always true. Just because someone is educated in nutrition does not mean they will follow sound nutritional advice.
Perhaps the adults in that family have studied nutrition but the just don't care.
Maybe they're all on diets but that day was their cheat day. Maybe they do count calories and decided they could allow themselves to eat donuts today.
Besides, it's not the donuts that made them fat, it's eating too much food in general.
Especially the carbs like donuts and pies that go to fat faster than fats or proteins.
That's not how biochemistry works.
-1 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »OK cute but back to subject.
Yesterday I saw a family, a very large family walking around the shopping centre together. Mum and dad were huge and wearing huge baggy clothing and their two children around 6 and 8 years of age were dressed the same. Horrible huge Tshirts and huge baggy shorts and all of them happily munching on donuts.
Now how can we get a family like that to count calories and exercise? Where do you even start? Tell them to weigh their donuts, lessen the amount of food they eat and to exercise? They would still remain unhealthy and pretty soon return to their old ways of eating and simply regain the lost weight. (I know for a fact this family buys seconds from the pie factory and uses them solely for their meals at night - no vegetables involved at all.)
Counting calories for the vast population will not work. Educating the public and children about nutrition will work.
Not always true. Just because someone is educated in nutrition does not mean they will follow sound nutritional advice.
Perhaps the adults in that family have studied nutrition but the just don't care.
Maybe they're all on diets but that day was their cheat day. Maybe they do count calories and decided they could allow themselves to eat donuts today.
Besides, it's not the donuts that made them fat, it's eating too much food in general.
Especially the carbs like donuts and pies that go to fat faster than fats or proteins.
I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you are talking about here. Carbs don't go to fat very fast, if at all, and fat just stays fat. Could you provide elaborate on this point?0 -
This content has been removed.
-
*has quit counting calories for the day and still snacking on gummy bears while i read the entertainment*0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 394.5K Introduce Yourself
- 44K Getting Started
- 260.5K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.1K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.7K Fitness and Exercise
- 444 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.1K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 4.1K MyFitnessPal Information
- 16 News and Announcements
- 1.3K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.8K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions