The men who made us fat

EatClean_WashUrNuts

Its all lies. The only one that MADE you fat is YOU

jwdieter

Its all lies. The only one that MADE you fat is YOU

Why do people keep saying this? OP asked two questions about food labels.

claudialenz711

Unfortunately there is this pesky thing called REALITY. And she's a *****.

Reality is that you're never going to solve obesity until you force people to acknowledge that it is the result of poor lifestyle choices. It's not genetics. It's not the food supply. It is straight up lack of willingness to accept responsibility for your own decisions. The only sustainable way to "fix" obesity from a societal standpoint is to stop telling people that someone else is to blame for it.

You're talking about a fantasy land of unicorns and rainbows where we solve obesity by holding hands and singing songs while we dance around a campfire.

There are more factors that play into the obesity factor in America than willingness to accept responsibility for one's own decisions. We have a culture that chooses quantity over quality. It is easier to be thin in a country that makes good collective decisions, and makes you feel accountable to someone besides yourself. I lived in Italy for 5 years, and easily lost weight and kept it off. As soon as I returned to America the pounds just flew back on. There are many reasons for this, and one is that I am less active. However, I also feel that I became less accountable to myself because I was not expected to follow certain culinary/dietary rules. In Italy you used to be hard pressed to find clothes larger than a 10 in women's (this is changing). People eat together a lot more, and make healthier choices. I think that you tend to overeat less if you are with others as well. People generally go home to eat lunch during the workday, which I believe promotes healthier eating. Eating out is more of a treat than a habit. Overeating is not a daily event, and typically if you have one large meal, you make sure that the next one is smaller. I know that people are going to get ticked off about this comment, but they also make many healthier choices, and do not treat fast food and sodas as diet staples. Their sugar consumption is tiny compared to ours--our size small ice cream from DQ would be a size large there. These are all things that we could do in America, but I think that we've fallen into a vicious cycle. My husband works 12-13 hour days, and sometimes barely has time to choke down lunch. I think that the stressful lifestyle that we have adapted produces cortisol, and makes us crave less healthy foods. There are lots of other things that I could mention, or hypothesize about, but I don't want to make this into a dissertation.
I believe in personal responsibility. Today, with the internet, it is much easier to become and stay informed. When I was younger this was not as true. There is a saying in Italian "Volere e' potere" (to want is to do) but sometimes it is difficult to even know where to start, and we can have many misconceptions that we hold as facts that ultimately derail us. We all need to take a hard look at what we eat, and try to make the best decisions for ourselves. And while the Colonel is not stuffing chicken down our throats, it would be nice if society made health a priority as well, instead of just screaming about the obesity epidemic.

very interesesting and true...
just read about the insulin response aiding us to crave, and eat fatty carbs...best book i ever read...worth reading it as she is a professor in food and nutrition, and also had soo many health/ food related problems....so she has been ther and done that..made so much more sense than most diet book i have read.....
zoe harcombe if you are interested in having a look

Yep .... and the studies about foods wrapped or stored in plastic! .... The corn syrup thing was just the topic of the first of a three part documentary I was watching. Why so many got hung up on the sugar bit is quite a mystery to me. I totally agree ... sooo many factors playing a part in todays obesity epidemic that it's a mistake to look at only one tiny aspect of it on it's own. Each and every one who has commented on this thread has got a point. I don't see a right or wrong here, but it's obvious that there are those who actually look at the whole picture and those who can only focus on tiny pieces of it. Once upon a time the entire population believed the earth is flat!!! About time we put those pieces together and see how our choices have been hijacked and manipulated and get the woolly cap off our eyes ... just saying (and if this sounds random .. Just got back from a long bike ride)

etoiles_argentees

most of the epigenetic effects currently under study involve the mothers not the fathers, but there is new and intriguing evidence that fathers can pass information to their offspring as well. A British study found that men who started smoking at puberty had sons who were signifcantly fatter than normal by the age of 9. Scientists believe these epigenetic markers were passed on by the Y chromosome. Ancestral environment. Don't forget your grandparents.

stephanieluvspb

MEN who made us fat?? Now we are sexist as well!? What about those corporate WOMEN? geez! That must be hy i'm fat!

parallax1978

Nothing like absolving yourself of personal responsibility!

Meh personal responsibility doesn't solve every problem. These things are drugs just like crack or pot and should be illegal just like them.

iTrainHARD

Yes of course if you are eating an extra 1000 calories you are going to gain some weight,

But my point is if you cant naturally regulate your caloric intake, something is wrong. And if it's HFCS that is screwing up your natural mechanisms to regulate your food then that is a contributing factor to making you fat.

Not everyone who is thin actively tries to be thin and 'accounts' for their calories. They manage adjust their intake later without even thinking about it. So what is the different between them and the people that get fat? Why can some people naturally regulate caloric intake and therefore their body weight and others overeat and get fat?[/]

Thats the real question that needs to be answered

What does that even mean? Seriously.

Some people are just naturally thin. They don't have to count calories or regulate their food intake. They manage to regulate their body weight without trying AT ALL.

So, why (or how?), are some people overriding this natural caloric regulator?

I'm going with their parents forced them to learn self control

So, you are saying you don't know?

Maybe we should find out for sure instead of throwing out a random guess

Or maybe you shouldn't concoct some random theory?

BeachIron

Yes of course if you are eating an extra 1000 calories you are going to gain some weight,

But my point is if you cant naturally regulate your caloric intake, something is wrong. And if it's HFCS that is screwing up your natural mechanisms to regulate your food then that is a contributing factor to making you fat.

Not everyone who is thin actively tries to be thin and 'accounts' for their calories. They manage adjust their intake later without even thinking about it. So what is the different between them and the people that get fat? Why can some people naturally regulate caloric intake and therefore their body weight and others overeat and get fat?[/]

Thats the real question that needs to be answered

What does that even mean? Seriously.

Some people are just naturally thin. They don't have to count calories or regulate their food intake. They manage to regulate their body weight without trying AT ALL.

So, why (or how?), are some people overriding this natural caloric regulator?

I'm going with their parents forced them to learn self control

So, you are saying you don't know?

Maybe we should find out for sure instead of throwing out a random guess

Or maybe you shouldn't concoct some random theory?

Let them concoct their theories.

Those of us who have made changes for the better can enjoy being fit and healthy and comfortable in the knowledge that we know exactly what it took to get there.

If people want to listen, cool. If not, and instead want to blame "society" or sugar or HFCS, also cool. It doesn't affect my life.

Fortunately though, many people read these threads, and don't post, but do read and actually "listen" to what several of us have written.

pluckabee

Yes of course if you are eating an extra 1000 calories you are going to gain some weight,

But my point is if you cant naturally regulate your caloric intake, something is wrong. And if it's HFCS that is screwing up your natural mechanisms to regulate your food then that is a contributing factor to making you fat.

Not everyone who is thin actively tries to be thin and 'accounts' for their calories. They manage adjust their intake later without even thinking about it. So what is the different between them and the people that get fat? Why can some people naturally regulate caloric intake and therefore their body weight and others overeat and get fat?[/]

Thats the real question that needs to be answered

What does that even mean? Seriously.

Some people are just naturally thin. They don't have to count calories or regulate their food intake. They manage to regulate their body weight without trying AT ALL.

So, why (or how?), are some people overriding this natural caloric regulator?

I'm going with their parents forced them to learn self control

So, you are saying you don't know?

Maybe we should find out for sure instead of throwing out a random guess

Or maybe you shouldn't concoct some random theory?

I'm merely asking a question. I don't have any theories. I was using HFCS as an example (check use of the word if) to explain the question because the person I was replying to was also talking about HFCS.

PepperWorm

Nothing like absolving yourself of personal responsibility!

hahahaha.

Unfortunately the only person I have to blame for making me fat is me. Some people are so lucky! >.>

And I'm also one of those cray cray people that believes that sugar doesn't make someone fat but that overeating does. But I guess I'm just a special snowflake like that

THIS THIS A MILLION TIMES THIS.

pcastagner

Yes of course if you are eating an extra 1000 calories you are going to gain some weight,

But my point is if you cant naturally regulate your caloric intake, something is wrong. And if it's HFCS that is screwing up your natural mechanisms to regulate your food then that is a contributing factor to making you fat.

Not everyone who is thin actively tries to be thin and 'accounts' for their calories. They manage adjust their intake later without even thinking about it. So what is the different between them and the people that get fat? Why can some people naturally regulate caloric intake and therefore their body weight and others overeat and get fat?[/]

Thats the real question that needs to be answered

What does that even mean? Seriously.

Some people are just naturally thin. They don't have to count calories or regulate their food intake. They manage to regulate their body weight without trying AT ALL.

So, why (or how?), are some people overriding this natural caloric regulator?

I'm going with their parents forced them to learn self control

So, you are saying you don't know?

Maybe we should find out for sure instead of throwing out a random guess

Or maybe you shouldn't concoct some random theory?

Let them concoct their theories.

Those of us who have made changes for the better can enjoy being fit and healthy and comfortable in the knowledge that we know exactly what it took to get there.

If people want to listen, cool. If not, and instead want to blame "society" or sugar or HFCS, also cool. It doesn't affect my life.

Fortunately though, many people read these threads, and don't post, but do read and actually "listen" to what several of us have written.

I'm trying to understand how your two options are exclusive?

So when I moved to the USA as a fourth grader, and went from a fit kid to a fat kid, was that just personal responsibility? My parents' fault for not knowing "healthy school lunch" meant "massive calorie fest daily at noon"?


I've transformed my body because I wanted it bad. But I'm not so enamored of my own efforts that I am too busy patting myself on the back and feeling superior to take a look around me as I travel the world, so I notice public policy seems to have an effect on the health of overall populations.


Ponder for a second how painless a 5% improvement of BMI due to public policy would be in a population of 300 million, relative to the intrusiveness or lost freedom of such a tiny change. And before the haters go off about BMI not being a good measure, let me just remind everyone that it is a very good metric when studying large populations, as useless as it is for individuals.

Still baffled how some of you can be so sharp, yet fail to notice groups of people don't operate using the same rules as individuals. I'm wondering if the nature of MFP maybe pre-selects those more likely to hold this kind of belief, by virtue of attracting those who have taken control of their fate.


On a personal note, I feel kinda weird on this thread, because ten years ago it was me arguing the individual is everything, and similarly outnumbered by what I called "collectivists". Funny how things change.

jwdieter

I'm trying to understand how your two options are exclusive?

Are you really? You answered this yourself on Page 2 or 3.

pcastagner

I'm trying to understand how your two options are exclusive?

Are you really? You answered this yourself on Page 2 or 3.

Yeah, but beach iron seems particularly astute so asking him to clarify makes sense. Is that ok with you, repetition police?

jwdieter

I'm trying to understand how your two options are exclusive?

Are you really? You answered this yourself on Page 2 or 3.

Yeah, but beach iron seems particularly astute so asking him to clarify makes sense. Is that ok with you, repetition police?

Hehe, adding the edit drew me back! You're right there are two simultaneous arguments going on that don't have to be in opposition. Your 8 pages of effort, valiant though it has been, hasn't made a dent in this dynamic. It seems a little goofy to pretend to continue to strive for understanding. But obviously you don't need my approval to carry on

ashleyisgreat

Excited to read this later. So very excited.

pcastagner

I'm trying to understand how your two options are exclusive?

Are you really? You answered this yourself on Page 2 or 3.

Yeah, but beach iron seems particularly astute so asking him to clarify makes sense. Is that ok with you, repetition police?

Hehe, adding the edit drew me back! You're right there are two simultaneous arguments going on that don't have to be in opposition. Your 8 pages of effort, valiant though it has been, hasn't made a dent in this dynamic. It seems a little goofy to pretend to continue to strive for understanding. But obviously you don't need my approval to carry on

Ha! I'm a stubborn SOB but, but this kind of dialogue has shaped my views over time.


I don't feel bad about it because I'm not holding anyone her against their will, and most replies have been respectful in their disagreement. Not being able to dictate to others what they should think is no reason to avoid dialogue.

BeachIron

I'm trying to understand how your two options are exclusive?

Are you really? You answered this yourself on Page 2 or 3.

Yeah, but beach iron seems particularly astute so asking him to clarify makes sense. Is that ok with you, repetition police?

Hehe, adding the edit drew me back! You're right there are two simultaneous arguments going on that don't have to be in opposition. Your 8 pages of effort, valiant though it has been, hasn't made a dent in this dynamic. It seems a little goofy to pretend to continue to strive for understanding. But obviously you don't need my approval to carry on

I'm honestly baffled as to any point in this thread. Seriously. Is there a solution for anyone on MFP in all of this? And I mean specifically. I've read that society is at fault, that if we disagree we are all just yelling "commie," etc. It doesn't add up to a cogent argument that I can argue with or agree with or take some of and discard the rest. Help me here. Seriously. What is the point?

I will also say that we can talk public policy until we're all blue in the face, and rather smug with our nobel intentions, but it won't make a bit of difference to anyone here. It also ends up confusing things for individuals because it draws attention away from what they can control (their own behavior) and onto something that they cannot (public policy).

Would the U.S. be a thinner nation if we completely did away with fast food and chinese and pizza delivery? I think its possible if not probable.

Is that going to happen? No.

Do I want it to happen? No.

Can I live in a society with fast food, and chinese and pizza delivery and still be in great shape? Of course. Heck, I can even eat it regularly if I want it, and I do.

I choose to focus on what I have control over, and pretty much the only things that I have control over are my own behavior and my own attitude.

Therefore, I read labels, I count calories, I balance my macros, I exercise, and I point out to others that they can do the same. It's not particularly ambitious in terms of recreating society, I realize, but it does work.

jwdieter

I'm honestly baffled as to any point in this thread. Seriously. Is there a solution for anyone on MFP in all of this? And I mean specifically.

We can talk public policy until we're all blue in the face, and rather smug with our nobel intentions, but it won't make a bit of difference to anyone here. It also ends up confusing things for individuals because it draws attention away from what they can control (their own behavior) and onto something that they cannot (public policy).

Would the U.S. be a thinner nation if we completely did away with fast food and chinese and pizza delivery? I think its possible if not probable.

Is that going to happen? No.

Do I want it to happen? No.

Can I live in a society with fast food, and chinese and pizza delivery and still be in great shape? Of course. Heck, I can even eat it regularly if I want it, and I do.

I choose to focus on what I have control over, and pretty much the only things that I have control over are my own behavior and my own attitude.

Therefore, I read labels, I count calories, I balance my macros, I exercise, and I point out to others that they can do the same. It's not particularly ambitious in terms of recreating society, I realize, but it does work.

The OP asked two questions. Half the answers in this thread have been complete knee jerk reactions to the thread title.

The way this could have gone:
Yeah, I look at food labels. It's a good idea.
I was also surprised to learn <insert any food here> had added sugar, but I <like it, avoid it, fit it in my macros>.

The way it went:
Men don't make me fat! I make me fat! I didn't read your questions and I don't care, because I just wanted to say that!

pcastagner

I'm trying to understand how your two options are exclusive?

Are you really? You answered this yourself on Page 2 or 3.

Yeah, but beach iron seems particularly astute so asking him to clarify makes sense. Is that ok with you, repetition police?

Hehe, adding the edit drew me back! You're right there are two simultaneous arguments going on that don't have to be in opposition. Your 8 pages of effort, valiant though it has been, hasn't made a dent in this dynamic. It seems a little goofy to pretend to continue to strive for understanding. But obviously you don't need my approval to carry on

I'm honestly baffled as to any point in this thread. Seriously. Is there a solution for anyone on MFP in all of this? And I mean specifically.

We can talk public policy until we're all blue in the face, and rather smug with our nobel intentions, but it won't make a bit of difference to anyone here. It also ends up confusing things for individuals because it draws attention away from what they can control (their own behavior) and onto something that they cannot (public policy).

Would the U.S. be a thinner nation if we completely did away with fast food and chinese and pizza delivery? I think its possible if not probable.

Is that going to happen? No.

Do I want it to happen? No.

Can I live in a society with fast food, and chinese and pizza delivery and still be in great shape? Of course. Heck, I can even eat it regularly if I want it, and I do.

I choose to focus on what I have control over, and pretty much the only things that I have control over are my own behavior and my own attitude.

Therefore, I read labels, I count calories, I balance my macros, I exercise, and I point out to others that they can do the same. It's not particularly ambitious in terms of recreating society, I realize, but it does work.

So... If it doesn't transform you, personally and completely, it doesn't matter?


Seems like there are two subjects worth discussing, one addressing the individual, and the other addressing groups. Banning Chinese food and pizza? That would be stupid. But what about not letting interested parties like cargill effectively write the farm bill?


Nope, public policy is not going to help you transform your body. But it IS going to indirectly affect your quality of life unless you live in isolation.

BeachIron

I'm honestly baffled as to any point in this thread. Seriously. Is there a solution for anyone on MFP in all of this? And I mean specifically.

We can talk public policy until we're all blue in the face, and rather smug with our nobel intentions, but it won't make a bit of difference to anyone here. It also ends up confusing things for individuals because it draws attention away from what they can control (their own behavior) and onto something that they cannot (public policy).

Would the U.S. be a thinner nation if we completely did away with fast food and chinese and pizza delivery? I think its possible if not probable.

Is that going to happen? No.

Do I want it to happen? No.

Can I live in a society with fast food, and chinese and pizza delivery and still be in great shape? Of course. Heck, I can even eat it regularly if I want it, and I do.

I choose to focus on what I have control over, and pretty much the only things that I have control over are my own behavior and my own attitude.

Therefore, I read labels, I count calories, I balance my macros, I exercise, and I point out to others that they can do the same. It's not particularly ambitious in terms of recreating society, I realize, but it does work.

The OP asked two questions. Half the answers in this thread have been complete knee jerk reactions to the thread title.

The way this could have gone:
Yeah, I look at food labels. It's a good idea.
I was also surprised to learn <insert any food here> had added sugar, but I <like it, avoid it, fit it in my macros>.

The way it went:
Men don't make me fat! I make me fat! I didn't read your questions and I don't care, because I just wanted to say that!

I didn't read those questions as anything more than rhetorical. Besides, pcastgner's large number of posts on public policy, fascism, communism, etc. made very sure this thread wasn't about answering those questions. I guess that's how "discussions" work though.