Getting this off my chest...
Replies
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but as a social scientist,
Ah, here's the problem...0 -
Well, my resting heart rate is around 62, BP is 110/70, my blood lipids are exceptional, and always had. I work out regularly and I ALWAYS did at least daily walking, and usually much more except during pregnancies. I have 2 small kids, and I run after a toddler a lot, and have no problem keeping up with them. Not once I hit the gym after being in the ZOO or amusement park all day with the kiddos. When we go biking , often I am the one who pulls the the bike trailer. When we go hiking, I am the one who carries the 25 lb toddler in the backpack and not my normal weight husband. My son was/is very jealous of the new baby and often when I pick up the baby, my 5 yr old wants to be picked up too. It is very frequent that I end up holding a 25 lb toddler in one hand and a 45 lb kindergarten in my other hand.But I'm curious what you think a normal heart rate is... because truly healthy people's heart rate is like between 60-80. I highly doubt yours is that low if you are obese since carrying a ton of extra weight makes your heart pump faster/work harder therefore raising your resting heart rate. Even if your resting heart rate is say 85 or near there, it's a true mark of health/fitness if you can get it as low as you can :-)
My waist to hip ratio is less than 0.7! I have an hourglass figure with big boobs, giant *kitten*, and narrow waist. I had a dexa scan in february and I have minimal visceral fat . I am obese and have very high BF%, but it is almost all in a form of subcutaneous fat under my skin on my butt, thigh and upper arm, and very minimal in the abdominal cavity around the organs. Many research showed that excessive visceral fat ( not the subcutaneous fat) is the kind of fat that elevates cholesterol, lead to insulin resistance and increase the risk of cancer and other obesity related diseases. Subcutaneous fat pose a much much lesser risk to health. It does increase the pressure on the joint due to the actual weight , but not much more than that.
Here is an article that discuss the difference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18220642
Here is another one that actually states the ratio between the 2 type of fat maybe the best measure for the obesity related risk: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22898763
OR anybody can google them these term and everything will point toward the fact that the real risk of obesity come from the excess visceral fat.
It is genetic where and how people carry their fat. Luckily I have a tendency to gain only subcutaneous fat, and this is probably the reason why I am obese and I am physically healthy. I am here on MFP and I want to lose my fat, but not to be healthier, just because I want to look good and feel pretty again. My jiggly subcutaneous fat is very detrimental to my self esteem, but not so much to my physical health.0 -
I totally get where the OP is coming from. We can all agree I think that being obese raises your risk for a lot of conditions. However here is the kicker. An obese person who exercises regularly and keeps their diet relatively clean will almost certainly outlast someone skinny who is a trashy eating couch potato. People tend to misunderstand this because frankly in real life the two often go hand in hand. Most people who are fat ARE trashy eating couch potatoes too. And therefore have much shorter life expectancies. However your statement is also true. Someone with a bit of extra weight who otherwise keeps themselves healthy will likely live as long as someone who is of healthy weight. In fact there are even a few studies that suggest being mildly overweight and healthy actually offers an improved life expectancy compared to someone of a weight conventionally accepted as healthy.
While I am not satisfied with my body at the moment being VERY overweight. I do believe that our society has developed a problem when it comes to body-image. We all want to look like brad Pitt or the guys from 300. Or those stick thin catwalk models. And we forget that to look like that for their movies they actually have to undergo some rather unhealthy procedures. Catwalk models are basically skeletons. As a man I honestly can't think of a single one that actually seems attractive. And honestly the dangers of restricting your diet that much are just as many and horrible as the dangers of being morbidly obese. And as for those musclebound males most of them have to dehydrate themselves to get that much muscle definition. And the guys in 300 actually had highlights painted onto their abs to make them stand out more. We live in a word of unrealistic standards. And though health is a fine thing to strive for we should remember that health is a means to a long fulfilling life. If you must truly constantly suffer to lose those last x pounds It really really isn't worth it.0 -
To me, messages like those mentioned above are condescending, implying that fat people are too stupid to get out of their own way,
It's not an issue of stupidity, it's typically an issue of emotional and mental strength.0 -
I'm not even talking about physical fitness--though you're right, it's all on a case-by-case basis. I'm talking about BP, Cholesterol, heart rate, all that jazz. If all that is in acceptable ranges, how do you not qualify as healthy?
OP...I am curious...what happened to make you so angry about this?
I know it is a struggle and some times we look for reasons to throw in the towel. In all honesty though...I would bet that you know that your chances of living a longer life...a more active life...a healthier life...if you lose the weight. Don't look for reasons to stay obese.0 -
I totally get where the OP is coming from. We can all agree I think that being obese raises your risk for a lot of conditions. However here is the kicker. An obese person who exercises regularly and keeps their diet relatively clean will almost certainly outlast someone skinny who is a trashy eating couch potato. People tend to misunderstand this because frankly in real life the two often go hand in hand. Most people who are fat ARE trashy eating couch potatoes too. And therefore have much shorter life expectancies. However your statement is also true. Someone with a bit of extra weight who otherwise keeps themselves healthy will likely live as long as someone who is of healthy weight. In fact there are even a few studies that suggest being mildly overweight and healthy actually offers an improved life expectancy compared to someone of a weight conventionally accepted as healthy.
While I am not satisfied with my body at the moment being VERY overweight. I do believe that our society has developed a problem when it comes to body-image. We all want to look like brad Pitt or the guys from 300. Or those stick thin catwalk models. And we forget that to look like that for their movies they actually have to undergo some rather unhealthy procedures. Catwalk models are basically skeletons. As a man I honestly can't think of a single one that actually seems attractive. And honestly the dangers of restricting your diet that much are just as many and horrible as the dangers of being morbidly obese. And as for those musclebound males most of them have to dehydrate themselves to get that much muscle definition. And the guys in 300 actually had highlights painted onto their abs to make them stand out more. We live in a word of unrealistic standards. And though health is a fine thing to strive for we should remember that health is a means to a long fulfilling life. If you must truly constantly suffer to lose those last x pounds It really really isn't worth it.
"trashy eating couch potato"...LOL
As a once obese person...I was guilty more than once of being a "trashy eating couch potato". I still have those urges from time to time!0 -
To me, messages like those mentioned above are condescending, implying that fat people are too stupid to get out of their own way,
It's not an issue of stupidity, it's typically an issue of emotional and mental strength.
Agreed. Its a matter of will, not intelligence. You can be incredibly sharp witted and intelligent and still fail utterly at losing weight.0 -
I think what happens to many people is they confuse the word "risk" with the word "will."
Yes, people who smoke have a higher risk of developing lung cancer
Yes, people who are overweight/obese have a higher risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.
They forget that genetics also plays a part in our health over the long term, as well as our diet/activities
Case in point: My mother never smoked a day in her life. Neither did her parents. She didn't care to be around smokers as well, it played havoc with her allergies so she would remove herself. She passed with lung cancer.
My Dad had a physically demanding job, wasn't overweight, didn't drink, didn't smoke, and ate healthy all his life. His diet comprised of mostly veg and fruit, chicken, fish, very little red meat an very few sweets. He wasn't a fan of fast food, always said it didn't taste right, so he rarely ate it. Heart disease killed him at age 60.
After looking into my family history I learned that there is evidence of heart disease and various cancers stretching back several generations. So what does that tell me? It says that my genetics could play a significant factor in my long term health. It says that I have a higher risk for those diseases. What can I do about it? I certainly cant change my genetics, its there and it is what it is. I can however... reduce my RISK. I can eat healthier, exercise, I avoided taking hormone replacement during menopause (breast and uterine cancer are a risk for me) I want to do everything I can to insure that I die as a old old woman
^ This.
I think this person said it better than I did!
Yeah, but your avi totally rocks! :drinker:0 -
Because those tests are really only a small snapshot of what's going on in the body. For example, there's literature that talks about obesity being a chronic low grade inflammatory condition and that it can lead to a range of issues such as reduced insulin sensitivity and abnormal activation of certain immune cells. I can't link on my iPad but go to Pubmed and search obesity inflammation. Tests such as those you described don't capture pre-clinical issues. Eg. You can have a pet scan that says you don't have cancerous cells in your body but you may have atypical cells that have transformed to pre-cancer that can't be detected by the pet method.I'm not even talking about physical fitness--though you're right, it's all on a case-by-case basis. I'm talking about BP, Cholesterol, heart rate, all that jazz. If all that is in acceptable ranges, how do you not qualify as healthy?
There's no denying that obesity puts you at a greater risk of a number of issues, and 'tests' often don't have the sensitivity to detect something that's preclinical.0 -
I think for me the issue is: don't make unsolicited comments about other people's bodies. An obese person knows they are obese. They know there are health risks and most likely they know if they are unhealthy. You don't need to go around pointing it out to people out of concern. Only their doctor should be telling them what they should be doing in terms of diet and weight loss.
I can't remember where I read this, but there was a study somewhere that showed fat shaming was actually counter-productive to people taking steps to lose weight. When I was 16 or so I was at my highest weight, and while I wouldn't have been classified as obese I was getting more and more overweight. My mother decided to write me this long letter about how I was getting bigger, she was concerned for my health etc. I was so embarrassed and upset I wanted to die, and it took me years to get over it. You see, I KNEW I wasn't 'good enough' in the eyes of society but it hurt to hear it from a parent, even if it was coming from a place of concern. The thing is, I had to become an adult and forgive that before I could start taking steps to lose weight because it was only going to happen if I did it for myself, not for someone else.
If a friend who had stopped drinking alcohol or never drank came to me and expressed concern about my weekend drinking habits, I would be pissed. Of course I know the risks associated with drinking but I'm an adult and it's my life and drinking booze is fun. Maybe in the future I will choose to not drink, because I want to have kids or whatever but again, my choice.
Now having said all that, I think there are some things that could be done to improve the chances of a healthy population. There should be more education around nutrition available and it probably shouldn't be cheaper to eat massive amounts of unhealthy food than it is to cook a healthy dinner, but that's another story. Educate people about health, but let them make their own choices.0 -
I'm not saying being Obese isn't a risk. I myself am obese and trying to lose weight. I'm under no delusions that there are zero health risks associated. I'm just seeing too much stuff lately that basically says "YOU NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT OR YOU'LL DIE!"
I'm not getting my point across well, and that's my own fault. My issue is the sort of all-or-nothing language tied to the issue.
Those kinds of messages are to get people off their arses and do something about it. For every one of us that is trying to do something, how many aren't or quit and need additional encouragement? I'm sure more than 10x. So maybe take it as an attempt to improve other's lives and lower your ripoff level cost health insurance rates and not take it personally if you are working on it?
The best way to look at these messages is probability, which is the whole reason certain categories are targeted to try to encourage them to get out of that category, if it is changeable. If you are in Category O, S, or G, your risk of a whole host of diseases is increased. Now Category G isn't something you can change. But Category O and S are changeable if a person works at it. So, it makes sense to encourage category O and S people to get out of those Categories to reduce the risk.
To explain risk with an example, if you have say (complete fabrication of exact percentages here) 5% risk of a heart disease or stroke killing you over your entire life, and through studies we find that being in Category O increases it 10% and Category S increases it to 10%.. Now if you are in both O and S, the chances of your getting a heart attack are additive, to a whole whopping 20% plus the original 5%. Then, category G can sometimes become a MULTIPLIER of the S and O factors, and say you had a Category G factor that tripled your risk, now 60% chance if you are O and S, plus the standard 5%, making a full 65% chance! No, not all will be this high without a certain G multiplier, but even 25% is pretty big. So as we look at this, it makes sense because of the severity of a heart attack or stroke to either kill or disable you, to lower your risk. So, a way to do that is give ominous messages explaining what could happen to you. Now, since most people would have a lower risk, most would never ever have a heart attack or stroke, and they could easily walk around like the 90 yo smoker and say "see, it didn't really harm my health". And you can say that "Yup, its true, Category O doesn't mean you are going to die! Many of us are relatively healthy people with no problems!!!" and you are right, but it also doesn't mean your risk wasn't higher.
Don't you think if the cost of ignoring the risk factors of being in a category is to cause some people to die (statistically they will), and the increase in this chance to die is significant, isn't that worth some "bad/hurting feelings" of warning statements? Being made to feel scared or lazy for not doing something about being in the category is certainly less harmful than just letting some people die isn't it, even if you are taking some of the advice or all of the advice and working on both? I sure think if you aren't completely selfish its worth it.
Lets pretend this is a comparison of very large "families" of 100 people, all with the same risk, and lets relate it to a roll of 100 sided dice once for each person (which it isn't but this is an example). Jim's "family" is in none of the risk categories, but he still has that 5% chance (we don't know why), and he rolls a 4...sadly, Jim dies. You are in Category O, S and G (obesity, sedentary and genetic disposition multiplier) and because of your particular G risk you decide to exercise, but remain obese, and your risk is therefore 35% (O(10%) * G (3) +5%), you also happen to get a 89 and are perfectly fine. Your favorite relative is screened from all the constant annoying anti-obesity messages, and doesn't exercise or lose weight, so s/he has a 65% chance of dying from the disease, but rolls a 67...and you both don't have the disease or die! You win! Right? Well if you look at your personal case, if that is all you knew in life, then yes, you did, by luck. Just like the 95 yo 2 pack a day smoker who doesnt exercise and eats bonbons.
Well, the problem is, if you repeat this over and over for the rest of the people in your "family" group, they start dying like crazy, a full 65 out of 100 "family" members all die due to this disease, and additionally, some don't die but become disabled and live poor quality lives, the cost on your "family" is incredible with just of 35 of you healthy remaining, about one out of 3 still alive at family reunions. While people in Jim's "family" only die or become disabled at one in 20 of them rate over their lives, fully 95 of them are left to oversee Jim's funeral (he rolled a 4 and did die of the disease). Sadly, your "family" could have exercised and lost weight, and gotten out of groups O and S, and at the very least 90% of your "family" would have escaped dying too (even though less than Jim's family because you had the G factor). So, is hearing about how bad it was for you to be in Category O or Category S over and over too much to deal with in view of this life-like scenario? Isn't saving over half of your family group just by addressing these two Categories worth it? How is it even possible to think of this as "fat shaming" as opposed to "risk of death/disease education and reduction"? No, you probably dont have such a high risk factor, but then again, you really dont know, because your genetics (G) is not decoded for it, but even in the 25% risk, I'd say saving 20% of your "family" is still worth it, dont you?
Now of course there are other factors, and maybe Jim's "family" has a predisposition for some other disease, all we were talking about is the one set of risk factors for simplicity. The problem is though, almost irrespective of the disease you pick to look at, the non exercising obese "family" has a higher risk factor of that disease BECAUSE of the obesity and sedentary factors. Maybe not as high, but most studies show these two (O, S) as strong risk factors in most diseases.
Non-obese not getting exercise warnings is biased, but its a situation of two wrongs do not make a right. All should be encouraged to exercise at least 150 minutes per week, fat or thin, in fact in some recent studies exercise has been a stronger factor for certain disease reduction than bmi. But in most cases BOTH exercise and obesity are the two biggest risk factors that everyone can change to reduce your risk of a very large spectrum of the most common diseases.
Here are some of the real risk factors:
Below is the percentage of U.S. adults with heart disease and stroke risk factors in 2005–2006.
Risk Factor %
Inactivity 39.5
Obesity 33.9
High Blood Pressure 30.5
Cigarette Smoking 20.8
High Cholesterol 15.6
Diabetes 10.1
Inactivity and Obesity are the leading risk factors by far, and not only that, the risk factors of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes are ALL very strongly linked to both inactivity and obesity. This shows how huge those first two factors are, if all the top factors but cigarette smoking are connected to the first two. Yes, a thin inactive person should be encouraged as strongly to exercise as an obese person is to lose weight. But they are a little bit harder to identify, and not as many doctors are educated to recommend exercise to everyone, and if they do its more "you know you should do some regular exercise", thus the perceived prejudice.0 -
I am also classified as "obese." I take the stairs two at a time and I have awesome blood pressure (I don't know my cholesterol -- I've never had a doc suggest testing it...) I would not consider myself "healthy" though.
I am less healthy than I could be. I was at increased risk for gestational diabetes when I was pregnant because of my obesity. I didn't get it, but the fact that I beat the odds doesn't mean I'm not doing everything in my power to decrease the risks for my next pregnancy.
I have not seen a big outcry of "you need to lose weight or you're going to die." I have only seen honest depictions of increased risks. I also haven't seen smokers described as "healthy" just because of their numbers. So maybe I'm just not reading the same articles that you are?0 -
I think for me the issue is: don't make unsolicited comments about other people's bodies. An obese person knows they are obese.
I'm not saying that this is what you are referring to but just to make this clear, if you post on an MFP forum you are soliciting comments. If you don't like the comments you receive you can of course say so but people responding to what you say in a public forum isn't rude or unsolicited.
There is a big difference between going up to a random stranger in the street and telling them they are fat and they are more likely to die of heart complications than it is to tell someone on a weight loss forum that their obesity raises their chance of heart disease. There is also a big difference between a stranger approaching you and saying that and a loved one who probably is just concerned for your health.
Just because its something you don't like hearing doesn't automatically make it unsolicited or rude. Of course without any context in the OPs post have no idea what the circumstance was that made her feel this way. The one thing she mentioned was reading an article about it and feeling insulted by that. That is about as far from unsolicited as you can get.0 -
Obesity is also a significant risk factor for many types of cancer.0
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I think for me the issue is: don't make unsolicited comments about other people's bodies. An obese person knows they are obese.
I'm not saying that this is what you are referring to but just to make this clear, if you post on an MFP forum you are soliciting comments. If you don't like the comments you receive you can of course say so but people responding to what you say in a public forum isn't rude or unsolicited.
Yes, by 'unsolicited' I was referring to a trend I've noticed of people out in the 'real world' feeling the need to comment on people's weight out of 'concern.' If someone comes on here and asks for advice about weight loss and health, great go for it! I was just having a bit of a rant 0 -
I think for me the issue is: don't make unsolicited comments about other people's bodies. An obese person knows they are obese.
I'm not saying that this is what you are referring to but just to make this clear, if you post on an MFP forum you are soliciting comments. If you don't like the comments you receive you can of course say so but people responding to what you say in a public forum isn't rude or unsolicited.
Yes, by 'unsolicited' I was referring to a trend I've noticed of people out in the 'real world' feeling the need to comment on people's weight out of 'concern.' If someone comes on here and asks for advice about weight loss and health, great go for it! I was just having a bit of a rant
Fair enough. I do think its a bit rude to do that to a total stranger. Similar with smoking. It just puts them in a very awkward social situation from which there is no clean out and honestly the stranger is not likely going to have a positive influence with such comments.
I was just having a bit of a rant with people who post threads on MFP then get upset when people respond in a way that doesn't conform to what they want to hear.0 -
I also don't like it when ppl assume that if you are overweight it's b/c you don't know any better.
THe industry however has a vested interest in making it seem as though there is some information you or I as obese ppl are missing out on and that they have the answer.
I don't expect that to change as long as there are ppl trying to make money. the only thing I can change is myself, so I just ignore ppl who spout the latest thing commercials or magazines are saying and stick to the topic at hand. i never bring up my weight in public so anyone who brings it up is completely off topic and totally off base and I shine the light on that fact until it stops.0 -
I also don't like it when ppl assume that if you are overweight it's b/c you don't know any better.
THe industry however has a vested interest in making it seem as though there is some information you or I as obese ppl are missing out on and that they have the answer.
I don't expect that to change as long as there are ppl trying to make money. the only thing I can change is myself, so I just ignore ppl who spout the latest thing commercials or magazines are saying and stick to the topic at hand. i never bring up my weight in public so anyone who brings it up is completely off topic and totally off base and I shine the light on that fact until it stops.
Well to be fair if you are overweight as an adult it is because you never learned how to eat at a maintenance level. I think those of us who are overweight or struggle to build habits to maintain our weight are better served by that admission than by looking for things external to themselves to blame.0 -
I also don't like it when ppl assume that if you are overweight it's b/c you don't know any better.
THe industry however has a vested interest in making it seem as though there is some information you or I as obese ppl are missing out on and that they have the answer.
I don't expect that to change as long as there are ppl trying to make money. the only thing I can change is myself, so I just ignore ppl who spout the latest thing commercials or magazines are saying and stick to the topic at hand. i never bring up my weight in public so anyone who brings it up is completely off topic and totally off base and I shine the light on that fact until it stops.
Well to be fair if you are overweight as an adult it is because you never learned how to eat at a maintenance level. I think those of us who are overweight or struggle to build habits to maintain our weight are better served by that admission than by looking for things external to themselves to blame.
It's extremely arrogant to assume that all fat people are that way because of ignorance or a lack of willpower. That simply isn't the case. In fact honestly till people started ragging on me for being fat in other words till I was bullied for it I had no problem with being fat. I decided that at that time in my life I simply didn't care to be thin. Even now I simply wish to be a healthy weight. I have zero wish to conform to some ideal of how my body should look. Many people are like this and simply don't care about the same things you do. For some this has a sad reason because their lack of self esteem has led them not to value their lives beyond immediate enjoyment. Or because indeed they are ignorant of their body's proper care requirement. But for some this is a conscious decision to follow intellectual, social or even spiritual avenues of accomplishment instead. Or simply a love of food that exceeds even their desire to live as long a life as possible.
Yes being overweight is damaging to your body's health. BUT it is not the be all and end all of everything. No matter how you live your life your body will fail and you will die. And from one perspective there are also many that spend hours and hours at the gym and live lives of deprivation out of some misplaced need to be accepted by society. Or out of escapism and the distraction that the benefits of a healthy body give to the reality of death and decay.
In short please rid yourself of the delusion that you know what's best for everyone. It is arrogant and vile.0 -
I am glad you are taking course of action and start your journey. I am sorry to hear you are around these people who should only mind their own business...0
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Personally I think people should just...chill out...Being obese or not is a person's own choice. Unless we were in the profession to educate people, it's no one's business...But of course, if that person is someone you care about very much, raising your concern makes sense.
I used to think people who I work with were smarter than me in any way because they all have computer science or math degrees. Then I realize everyone is intelligent in their own way. There's no fair comparison so please don't compare.0 -
Becaus body fat level is also a marker of health. Excessive body fat is unhealthy.I'm not even talking about physical fitness--though you're right, it's all on a case-by-case basis. I'm talking about BP, Cholesterol, heart rate, all that jazz. If all that is in acceptable ranges, how do you not qualify as healthy?
So are you saying someone who isn't overweight but has high blood pressure is perfectly healthy?0 -
Becaus body fat level is also a marker of health. Excessive body fat is unhealthy.I'm not even talking about physical fitness--though you're right, it's all on a case-by-case basis. I'm talking about BP, Cholesterol, heart rate, all that jazz. If all that is in acceptable ranges, how do you not qualify as healthy?
So are you saying someone who isn't overweight but has high blood pressure is perfectly healthy?
It is true high body fat is a marker of poor health but the POINT is that by itself it is a far less severe marker than society would have you believe.0 -
I did not read very far into the responses Im sure you received some very intelligent answers
Being Obese puts you at risk for heart disease
being Obese puts you at risk for diabetes
family factors and other environmental factors have something to do with it
so does sex height and race
does it suck
sure it does
I would love to be able to eat cup cakes my hearts desire like I did when I was in my 20s (I have been obese since I was a teen)
I would love to thumb my nose at the heart disease risks
but
I am 43
I'm not getting any younger
Cardiovascular issues and diabetes do not just run in my family they gallop
I have it from both sides
I have diabetes
I have high blood pressure
my poor eating habits and my own laziness have given me this
My SIL who does not have heart problems in her family or diabetes
weighs well over 400lbs she is 5 yrs older than I am
she can barely move
her knees and hips are shot
she cannot stand for long period of time
she has asthma
she has sleeping problems (sleep apnea)
but she loves to tell me she is not at risk for diabetes
I'll take the restricted diet and exercise over the pain and no sleep0 -
Obesity starts from BMI 30, which means most people who reaches 200 lb already considered obese. Still a 200 lb active person with zero health issues, are not even comparable to a 400 lb person who barely can walk.I did not read very far into the responses Im sure you received some very intelligent answers
Being Obese puts you at risk for heart disease
being Obese puts you at risk for diabetes
family factors and other environmental factors have something to do with it
so does sex height and race
does it suck
sure it does
I would love to be able to eat cup cakes my hearts desire like I did when I was in my 20s (I have been obese since I was a teen)
I would love to thumb my nose at the heart disease risks
but
I am 43
I'm not getting any younger
Cardiovascular issues and diabetes do not just run in my family they gallop
I have it from both sides
I have diabetes
I have high blood pressure
my poor eating habits and my own laziness have given me this
My SIL who does not have heart problems in her family or diabetes
weighs well over 400lbs she is 5 yrs older than I am
she can barely move
her knees and hips are shot
she cannot stand for long period of time
she has asthma
she has sleeping problems (sleep apnea)
but she loves to tell me she is not at risk for diabetes
I'll take the restricted diet and exercise over the pain and no sleep
I have a feeling that when people hear/ read the word obese , they actually only think about morbidly obese people who barely can catch their breath after walking a half mile. Well, that is not what obese word refers to.0 -
You need to chill out, thank your stars you are healthy despite being obese, and stop being so sensitive about it. These warnings are a way to help the general population. Be thankful you've been given a heads up, instead of being offended by it.
That's my opinion anyway.0 -
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I got fat by eating utter crap and lots of it. I never met a vegetable I liked (well not many) and I never stopped at just one of anything sweet. So I'm sure that my heart is not thanking me for my past behavior and is thanking me for being in a healthy weight range now.
That said, I won't put utter faith in a study like that until and unless a group of obese people who got fat on healthy foods are tested and also shown to have the same health issues as the junkfood eaters (and I mean really healthy foods, not pasta and chocolate from Whole Foods, divine though that may be).
The study was in Korea, though, so I'll bet dollars to donuts (haha) that they were all healthier than most Americans, including the skinny minnies.
I quibble with this quote from the article:
“Given our current lack of a ‘cure’ or efficient means of successfully treating obesity over the longer term, might the resources spent on trying to define and justify the existence of a ‘metabolically healthy’ obese population be more wisely allocated to elucidating ways to prevent or treat obesity?” he writes.
http://time.com/82848/theres-no-such-thing-as-healthy-obesity-says-study/
Researchers ought to be identifying metabolically unhealthy people from every weight range regardless of whether or not they find more among the obese. There might not be a cure now, but all the more reason to find ways to prevent problems for people of all weights while working on one. Of course, this doesn't say not to do so, either. So hopefully the bright rat chasers in the lab coats will keep working on it.
But I don't want to hear this bit:
“The amount of effort that has to go into losing that last 10 pounds can make life not fun. In that situation, I tell my patients that the whole point of being healthy is to have a good life,” says Katz. “If you are working so hard to lose these ten pounds and it’s going to ruin your quality of life, it’s not worth it.”
No darn it, just no. The last ten is going away. One of these days. Because I say it is. And that is all there is to it.0 -
My entire life up to my forties i was obese. I finally lost about 70 pounds by the time I was 41. When I was obese, my blood work was fine, I still exercised, but I never felt really well. After I lost that 70 pounds, I felt terrific! I could move better, breathe better, do everything better.
Then I gained about 35 pounds back over a five year period, putting me back into the obese category. Last year at this time, I was obese again. For two years I woke up with achy joints, to the point where the doctor was going to test me for arthritis if my pain got any worse, He took blood and everything was fine, including my thyroid. Yet, every day I was in pain. This was when I realized I needed to lose weight.
Flash forward to now and 42 pounds gone (10 pounds lower than my lowest weight) and, for the first time in my life, I am in the normal weight category! I don't ache, I can breathe better, I lift heavy weights, I run 4-6 miles at an average of 6.2 miles two to three days a week, and I feel amazing!
My blood work was fine, but my my obesity put a lot of pressure on my joints and my organs. It was difficult to move, breathing was harder. Your blood work and other medical testing coming back clean does not necessarily mean that you are healthy.
Obesity DOES give you higher health risks for disease, but it does not mean that your early death in imminent because you are obese. As for me, I'd rather keep my risk for disease low and continue to feel as good as I feel now.0 -
Genetics is the gun and environment is the trigger. It's true not all smokers and obese people will develop the same health complications but they are much more likely to. Reality isn't always what we want to hear but it is what is.0
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