My 600 Pound Life
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I watch this show often. Even own the seasons on Amazon... Because I find it motivating...
But also because I have a very close friend who it almost 700 pounds and her 750 pound sister died from cardiac arrest at 28 due to her size.
I feel for these people. I get mad at the enablers and the excuses.. I applaud the successes! I have seen, first hand how it affects both the lives of the people on the show and the people around them. I have seen how easy it is for my weight to creep up and not really notice it till one day your can't believe your eyes. I understand cheap and filling. I understand the struggle. I feel their pain.
I also watch as my motivation to stick with it when it gets hard, I plateau, just want to give up and give it. Not everyone has the strength to come on here and be like us. Some are scared that they are so large that people will shun them. Some have emotional issues that they have to tackle with the weight loss making the whole process a double dose of crap. No man is an island but sometimes, being an island feels safer.0 -
I PVR the show. I'm not sure exactly why I watch it because I honestly feel a bit guilty when I do. The one thing that is prevalent is that these people have endured some type of abuse or neglect early in their life. Terrible, horrible abuse that is difficult to fathom. The weight gain is often an attempt to make themselves unattractive, in order to keep people away. A lot of the people on the show come right out and say that. Then they finally realize they are killing themselves, seek help from Dr. Now, and TLC televises their suffering for our entertainment.
We all go through crap in our lives, yes. We all deal with it differently. Some people drink, do drugs, etc. Some people eat away their pain. It's not for us to understand how or why, but to have some compassion for our fellow human being.
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OP, have you ever been obese? If so, you should understand how they got there.
For me it was a mixture of things. Depression. Lack of confidence. Ignorance. Lack of knowledge and understanding. It was a complete downward spiral. I could see myself going there but I couldn't do anything to stop it at the time. I just wasn't ready to face the mountain that's weight loss.
Hijack...Ninkyou...your profile picture is precious. What a cutey
Thanks. She just turned 1 and still has the cheeks.
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Really?
I can't see how someone can smoke crystal meth until their teeth fall out and they look like a monster.
I can't see how someone can drink so much their liver fails and they die
I can't believe someone smokes cigarettes in spite of all the dangers and continue to smoke after they get cancer and a hole in their throat.
I can't believe the adrenaline junkies that climb mountains or cliffs without ropes and constantly put their lives on the line to feel the rush!
Guess what... It's called life... Everyone has different vices, some are more apparent than others.
Just because you don't have that particular vice, doesn't mean you can't empathize with those who do.
The difference in food and all the things you mentioned is that people have to eat to survive. You can go your whole life without smoking meth or cigarettes, drinking to excess, climbing mountains without ropes, etc. I've never done any of those things. But I do have to eat. So here I am, trying to revamp my relationship with food and put it back in its proper place.0 -
Everyone's talking about not being able to imagine the amount of food... But what about the amount of money?! I could never afford that kind of calorie intake
eating 1 1/2 months worth of food in a single pay check? EEK! 0 -
I think we can all agree that the focus is not on the fat, but on the persons health. There is no reason why an 700 person can not be as healthy as a person in a normal weight range. In fact many elite athletes are obese.
The show should be titled my healthy life and concentrate more on healthy living than the nuances of moving numbers on a scale. I wish they would do at least one follow along with purposely keeping some persons calories in the 3000+ range and following their health long term. I would venture a guess that the results would be eye opening.3 -
I can see how it happens to someone. I started 2015 at 490 pounds. By the start of Dec 2015 I was 530. I am 100% positive that I would have cracked 600 by the end of 2016. Fortunately I'm getting help from my doctor and medical staff, and am back down to 490 over the last 8 weeks. I may (although won't be disappointed if I miss it a bit) hit 400 by the end of the year.
I'm not lazy. I know that binge eating causes weight gain. I'm not stupid. But it's always easier to start something tomorrow than it is today. You get to be 400, 500, 600 pounds by eating way more than necessary every day, and every day saying you're going to start tomorrow.
Severely morbidly obese people aren't asking for pity. Or excuses. However, those explicitly saying they don't have any empathy, or "just can't imagine", are speaking volumes about their own character and nothing about the obese people they reference. I'd rather be my compassionate, caring, empathetic 500 pound self forever than be a thin someone who doesn't have the ability to step in someone else's shoes or show compassion and understanding that everyone is struggling with something. Next time consider a kind word instead of judgement.
Yes. All of this - love this, and your attitude.
On the topic of what can't be imagined, I "just can't imagine" having zero compassion or empathy for other people. Speaks volumes about the OP.0 -
bellabonbons wrote: »And threads like this can also be very helpful to people. We are all vulnerable. Most here have the potential to gain enormous amounts of weight and most have experienced their own trauma to some degree. It's beautiful to see some of the contestants lose the weight. But there are a few who refused. I think of The mother who expected her teenage son to bring her loads of food and do everything for her. He had no life of his own. And she is the one that made every excuse not to get up and try to walk after surgery and wanted to spend most of her evenings at bunco games eating donuts and always expected her teenage son to take her. My heart went out for him this poor kid had no life while he waited on his mother. if I had a family member who weighed close to 500 to 600 pounds and expected me to bring them food while they are in bed you bat, I would bring them food but it would not be food loaded with calories it would be lean meats healthy vegetables and some fruits and water. And if they complained, I would suggest that they get out of bed and get it themselves. They have to eat so they would eventually eat the healthy foods that I gave them. One of the contestants made her two teenage daughters bring her deep fried foods. And liters of Coke. When her daughters finally said no, she threw her daughters out of the house and told them they couldn't live there anymore.
But your original post has the undertone of "I think I am better than you because I cannot imagine getting to 600 lbs. and I can't imagine (sounds judgy and no compassion) how someone would let themselves get to that."
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Some of the people followed have Facebook or Twitter accounts. I check in on Amber Rachdi from season 3 from time to time. She's still going strong. Very happy for her. 0
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I enjoy watching My 600 Pound Life. It's very fascinating to me, and watching people turn their lives around and lose extreme amounts of weight (in fastmotion thanks to television) can be very motivating. Moreso, it's interesting to hear the thoughts and perspectives of these people. I've never been anywhere near 600 lbs, but I can hear a lot of the same excuses I used to give coming out of their mouths. Their relationships with food also strike way too close to home.
After watching a few episodes, however, it's getting easier to tell who's going to quit and who will make it by their attitude. Those that continue bad habits and whine and gripe about have to keep to their diets usually end up failing. (One lady ended up losing nothing and blaming the doctor, even though she would beg her husband for off-plan food and would absolutely refuse to do any physical therapy.)
I have to admit, I get legitimately excited and happy for those who succeed, but when someone fails because of a horrible attitude, I don't feel any empathy for them at all. I realize some fail due to medical issues and complications from the surgery, but those who simply turned their noses up at the idea of change - no, they had the ultimate chance and blew it and what they get in the end are the consequences of their stubbornness.0 -
Really?
I can't see how someone can smoke crystal meth until their teeth fall out and they look like a monster.
I can't see how someone can drink so much their liver fails and they die
I can't believe someone smokes cigarettes in spite of all the dangers and continue to smoke after they get cancer and a hole in their throat.
I can't believe the adrenaline junkies that climb mountains or cliffs without ropes and constantly put their lives on the line to feel the rush!
Guess what... It's called life... Everyone has different vices, some are more apparent than others.
Just because you don't have that particular vice, doesn't mean you can't empathize with those who do.
Ha-ha, well said.
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I think we need to rememeber that these people have often experienced abuse or other extenuating circumstances that caused them to emotionally eat to the point that they're around six hundred pounds. And these people are well aware of the consequences of being that heavy.
I have a lot of empathy for them. And I like that Dr. Now tells them like it is.
The only person who has ever genuinely pissed me off was Penny, because she got the surgey then refused to cooperate with anything Dr. Now said or ordered.0 -
Both estrogen and progesterone influence your appetite, how much you eat, and the regulation and distribution of fat cells. Estrogen -- particularly estradiol, the major component of the estrogen hormone groups -- seems to decrease hunger by directly affecting the brain`s appetite center in the hypothalamus.
Progesterone, on the other hand, seems to stimulate the appetite by opposing and blocking out estrogen`s effects on the brain.1 -
bspringer544 wrote: »Everyone's talking about not being able to imagine the amount of food... But what about the amount of money?! I could never afford that kind of calorie intake eating 1 1/2 months worth of food in a single pay check? EEK!
If you've seen the show, many of the subjects aren't living a very high lifestyle.0 -
I think most of the patients are on some sort of disability insurance since they can't work (some can and do work but most are unable to because of their medical condition)0
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I have watched every episode to date, including the one from last night!! One thing I've noticed is the most common reason for the women gaining weight like that is they mention they were molested as children, how sad! And not all the enablers are obese, most are but some are actually skinny! And there's no way these people can get to that weight on their own, I think only one guy I saw didn't depend on anyone to feed him but I don't know how he was walking, dr now said these enablers enjoy helping and catering to their spouse and some of them are lost when their spouse starts to lose weight and gain independence...
The saddest one was zaslyn? Where her husband was angry she was getting the surgery and after getting it, the drive home he starts shoving fast food in her face and saying how good it was, and told her if she wants a salad she can go eat the grass outside! But she did it with no support and her husband tempting her!
I think the enablers are even more crazy than those who weigh 600 pounds, there's something wrong when you love someone and feed them watching them slowly die1 -
I really feel bad for those on the show. I lost 65 lbs and 10" off my waist - it wasn't easy and it took a year and half. They have a lot more to lose than that and there is no easy way to get there. It takes changing your entire diet, your physical activity, and really your way of thinking about food and so much more to lose hundreds of pounds. It also takes years. If you lost 7 lbs a month for a year, that's 84 pounds. 7 pounds is an awesome monthly amount, but 250 lbs would take you nearly 3 years to lose. Most of us don't like to wait 10 minutes in line for anything, so this sounds like an eternity to most people.0
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I'm not sure that I understand what the OP was looking for with this comment or this thread. Are you looking for validation that you're allowed to feel what you're feeling about someone you don't know? Are you looking for camaraderie with other people that lack compassion like you do? This is a site for people to lose weight, and that means everyone that has weight to lose, whether it is 5 pounds or 400 pounds.
You're right, you just don't understand it and you don't have to, because the world is not your place to figure out how everyone needs to live.
I am not 600 pounds, but I am well aware that I have the propensity to get to that point if I am not mindful of what I'm eating and how I move my body, do I then fall into that category of people who you just couldn't imagine being? Or is it okay because the scale doesn't say that about me?1 -
Wow. Your high horse must look like this:
Can I get one of those? Cause like a 600lb TLC character, I also got overweight by eating too much. It's a shame you weren't there to point that out to me...
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I watch the show sometimes and it's frustrating to see their SOs bringing them fried chicken, take out etc. If my SO was struggling with their weight so much that it became a health issue it would be time for a little tough love and a Dr visit. I know I'd get yelled at, begged for food and they'd be cranky but it's the addiction talking. There'd be a major family overhaul on what we all keep in the house and eat and all the junk would get TOSSED!
I'm sure they just don't want to be "the bad guy" saying no to them.0 -
bellabonbons wrote: »Yes and have you ever noticed the enabler's are often obese ? I must be honest I have no sympathy for someone that eats so much that they weigh 600 pounds I can't imagine.bellabonbons wrote: »I must be honest I have no sympathy for someone that eats so much that they weigh 600 pounds I can't imagine.bellabonbons wrote: »I must be honest I have no sympathy
Fixed it for ya0 -
I watch this show and am so inspired by all. I find myself routing for them and cheering them on in their accomplishments and am saddened when they fall back. They deserve so much credit for their courage, determination and exposing themselves both physically and emotionally for all the world to see. The common denominator in all their stories is some kind of trauma in their past. If they can resolve those issues seems like they are successful in their weight loss journey. I think about their struggles everyday and find strength to continue on my journey as well.0
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Seriously. If you see someone that's 600lbs and your first thought isn't "OMG you must be suffering terribly I will pray to whatever god I pray to that something can be done to help you so you don't have to suffer anymore", I'm ashamed to share the planet with you.
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People debate food addiction versus things like alcohol addiction often. I can't verify any of it one way or another.
My only input is that the only time I really don't feel sorry for someone is when they say things like "I gained 75 pounds overnight!" Aside from extreme outliers, anyone is going to notice a 75 pound gain. Either own up to the fact that you noticed it and didn't care or weren't in the position to take control of it rather than act as if it's a shock and you truly don't understand how the weight was gained.
I understand because I've been there. Not 600 pounds there, but once I reached high school I ballooned up to 190 pounds by the time I graduated. I lived with my mother and had a home life where she didn't provide lunch for school, so I was buying McDonald's and Wendy's with my allowance money from my father since it was cheap and filling. Other days my lunch was Skittles and M&Ms from the vending machine. She only made breakfast, a bagged lunch, and dinner every day for her husband. I knew nothing about nutrition and if I was hungry, the response was "eat cereal" or, if I was lucky, I was thrown a couple of bucks for cheap fast food. I didn't eat often, but it was enough cheap food with super high calories that it made me put weight on. Seeing myself at 190 was a real eye opener for me. I was 18 and on my own after high school, so I had the power to change things and I did. I haven't seen that weight since. Any time I've fluctuated in the past, I've always taken control before it got out of control. Some people don't have that willpower and discipline. Some people have emotional blocks. Quite frankly, yes, it takes a LOT of food for someone to reach 600 pounds, but for someone who doesn't have much else going on in life that may be easier for them to do.
That is a sad story...I think of this as child abuse! Unfortunately, there are far too many families that live this way. BTW - you look like you are in fabulous healthy fitness land now!
Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
Unfortunately, as you said, a lot of people live this way. I've always envied families I knew or on TV that had sit down family dinners at the table with home cooked, healthy food. I can't even stomach the things I had to eat as a teenager. A lot of people, especially those from lower income families, have no idea about proper nutrition nor do they live in the vicinity of a supermarket. The McDonald's Dollar Menu looks great when you don't have much cash in your pocket and want to eat something other than ramen noodles every night. People will say it's easy to eat healthy, but those same people won't subject themselves to having PB&J, beans and rice, or noodles every night like they expect poor people to. It's tough and food is just one of many vices people have.0 -
You don't understand how people can do that because you've must have never experienced any sort of addiction, especially addiction predicated upon serious childhood trauma. You also must not be able to grasp the idea of body dysmorphia in the way that BDD serves to distort one's own body image as opposed to reality.
I never had any serious childhood trauma that I'm aware of. I've always just had poor eating habits partly due to the way I grew up, and never being taught what a proper diet really was. However, when I got up to 320lbs at my heaviest, I would look in the mirror, and sincerely believe that I wasn't "that big." I would look at other bigger people, and sincerely believe that I was about their size, or even smaller, when the truth was that I had been at least 50lbs heavier in most cases.
My brain would not allow me to see myself for what I had become, and even now that I am down a significant amount of weight, I still don't really see much difference. I have to rely upon the tape measure, the way my clothes fit, and other people saying how different I look.
That is real, and while you're not heartless for thinking the way you do, you're most assuredly ignorant (likely not your fault due to no previous experience) bordering on callous.0 -
When I first came to the U.S I was shocked to see so many obese people. Especially in Florida. Now it seems totally normal. I don't even notice it so much anymore. Its just sad!0
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People debate food addiction versus things like alcohol addiction often. I can't verify any of it one way or another.
My only input is that the only time I really don't feel sorry for someone is when they say things like "I gained 75 pounds overnight!" Aside from extreme outliers, anyone is going to notice a 75 pound gain. Either own up to the fact that you noticed it and didn't care or weren't in the position to take control of it rather than act as if it's a shock and you truly don't understand how the weight was gained.
I understand because I've been there. Not 600 pounds there, but once I reached high school I ballooned up to 190 pounds by the time I graduated. I lived with my mother and had a home life where she didn't provide lunch for school, so I was buying McDonald's and Wendy's with my allowance money from my father since it was cheap and filling. Other days my lunch was Skittles and M&Ms from the vending machine. She only made breakfast, a bagged lunch, and dinner every day for her husband. I knew nothing about nutrition and if I was hungry, the response was "eat cereal" or, if I was lucky, I was thrown a couple of bucks for cheap fast food. I didn't eat often, but it was enough cheap food with super high calories that it made me put weight on. Seeing myself at 190 was a real eye opener for me. I was 18 and on my own after high school, so I had the power to change things and I did. I haven't seen that weight since. Any time I've fluctuated in the past, I've always taken control before it got out of control. Some people don't have that willpower and discipline. Some people have emotional blocks. Quite frankly, yes, it takes a LOT of food for someone to reach 600 pounds, but for someone who doesn't have much else going on in life that may be easier for them to do.
That is a sad story...I think of this as child abuse! Unfortunately, there are far too many families that live this way. BTW - you look like you are in fabulous healthy fitness land now!
Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
Unfortunately, as you said, a lot of people live this way. I've always envied families I knew or on TV that had sit down family dinners at the table with home cooked, healthy food. I can't even stomach the things I had to eat as a teenager. A lot of people, especially those from lower income families, have no idea about proper nutrition nor do they live in the vicinity of a supermarket. The McDonald's Dollar Menu looks great when you don't have much cash in your pocket and want to eat something other than ramen noodles every night. People will say it's easy to eat healthy, but those same people won't subject themselves to having PB&J, beans and rice, or noodles every night like they expect poor people to. It's tough and food is just one of many vices people have.
THIS.0 -
peachyfuzzle wrote: »You don't understand how people can do that because you've must have never experienced any sort of addiction, especially addiction predicated upon serious childhood trauma. You also must not be able to grasp the idea of body dysmorphia in the way that BDD serves to distort one's own body image as opposed to reality.
I never had any serious childhood trauma that I'm aware of. I've always just had poor eating habits partly due to the way I grew up, and never being taught what a proper diet really was. However, when I got up to 320lbs at my heaviest, I would look in the mirror, and sincerely believe that I wasn't "that big." I would look at other bigger people, and sincerely believe that I was about their size, or even smaller, when the truth was that I had been at least 50lbs heavier in most cases.
My brain would not allow me to see myself for what I had become, and even now that I am down a significant amount of weight, I still don't really see much difference. I have to rely upon the tape measure, the way my clothes fit, and other people saying how different I look.
That is real, and while you're not heartless for thinking the way you do, you're most assuredly ignorant (likely not your fault due to no previous experience) bordering on callous.
Stealing this, agree.0 -
CarboUnload wrote: »I'm not sure that I understand what the OP was looking for with this comment or this thread. Are you looking for validation that you're allowed to feel what you're feeling about someone you don't know? Are you looking for camaraderie with other people that lack compassion like you do? This is a site for people to lose weight, and that means everyone that has weight to lose, whether it is 5 pounds or 400 pounds.
You're right, you just don't understand it and you don't have to, because the world is not your place to figure out how everyone needs to live.
I am not 600 pounds, but I am well aware that I have the propensity to get to that point if I am not mindful of what I'm eating and how I move my body, do I then fall into that category of people who you just couldn't imagine being? Or is it okay because the scale doesn't say that about me?
Eh, I think some people are being too hard on the OP. I used to be a heavy drinker but I still couldn't imagine me drinking on the job, and when someone I knew got fired for this, we were all freaking out about it. Eating so much that you are not able to leave your house for years is a much bigger deal than being functionally overweight, so to speak.
Being shocked at someone's behavior does not mean you don't also have compassion for them. At 12 step meetings, I was often taken aback, yet always compassionate.0
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