Fit and Fat

gritgirl

I am thrilled. Just found this wonderful book by Dr. Glenn Gaesser of the University of Virginia about how it's more important to be fit (active and eat healthy) than to be skinny. I feel like for once I can relax and just take care of my health rather than try to lose weight. Sigh. Happiness. I love my fat but fit butt. :-)

Has anyone else read this book? Incredible.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/285217.Big_Fat_Lies
Big Fat Lies: The Truth about Your Weight and Your Health by Glenn Gaesser

ejohndrow

I wish the Navy understood this.

rml_16

My mother was fit and fat her whole life. Now she can't walk because her knees are in horrid shape due to being overweight her whole life.

UponThisRock

The health benefits of not being overweight are clear and indisputable.

12skipafew99100

Funny banana.
I would do my knees a lot of good if I weighed less. But I can see the beauty in not stressing about a little butt fat. Butt fat is not the fat that hurts you like stomch fat. Thats the kind I have.

rml_16

Funny banana.
I would do my knees a lot of good if I weighed less. But I can see the beauty in not stressing about a little butt fat. Butt fat is not the fat that hurts you like stomch fat. Thats the kind I have.

Being slightly overweight isn't going to hurt most people. There are many recent studies showing that being up to 15 pounds above an ideal weight is OK.

But beyond that, it is not healthy.

Those studies have been twisted and manipulated by people -- especially in the Fat Acceptance movement -- to make it seem like it's better to be obese than to be a healthy weight and used as an excuse to remain overweight and claim it's for health reasons.

Personally, I don't care what other people do, but be honest about your reasons if you're going to talk about it at all. Don't tell me you're glad to be obese because it's healthy. It isn't.

But, really, I try to stay in shape not entirely for the shallow reason of liking how I look but because I want to be able to be active 50 and 60 years from now. Putting all that stress on the joints, even if you're healthy in every other way, will not allow that.

I don't know how much extra weight the OP has, but to make the blanket statement she did in her post is not accurate.

bcattoes

I haven't read the book but I've always known it is possible to be fit and fat, to a point. It's not uncommon to be a little overweight and remain healthy if you exercise and eat healthy. And it's possible, but rare, to be lucky enough in your genetics to be very fat and never get a disease. But if you are obese or very overweight, it's far more likely that you'll experience health problems from it eventually, even if you do follow a healthy diet.

12skipafew99100

Funny banana.
I would do my knees a lot of good if I weighed less. But I can see the beauty in not stressing about a little butt fat. Butt fat is not the fat that hurts you like stomch fat. Thats the kind I have.

Being slightly overweight isn't going to hurt most people. There are many recent studies showing that being up to 15 pounds above an ideal weight is OK.

But beyond that, it is not healthy.

Those studies have been twisted and manipulated by people -- especially in the Fat Acceptance movement -- to make it seem like it's better to be obese than to be a healthy weight and used as an excuse to remain overweight and claim it's for health reasons.

Personally, I don't care what other people do, but be honest about your reasons if you're going to talk about it at all. Don't tell me you're glad to be obese because it's healthy. It isn't.

But, really, I try to stay in shape not entirely for the shallow reason of liking how I look but because I want to be able to be active 50 and 60 years from now. Putting all that stress on the joints, even if you're healthy in every other way, will not allow that.

I don't know how much extra weight the OP has, but to make the blanket statement she did in her post is not accurate.

Be honest? A little confused about what you are reffering to. And I never said I was glad to be over weight.
On the contrary, I want to be so thin people tell me I'm too thin.

ShadowSoldier23

I was told by my doctor that I was healthy at a heavy weight and I didn't feel so bad then. Now that I have gained weight I feel worse, but I agree. The whole BMI and height/weight ratios out there are so old and outdated that I think you can be healthy and overweight (although within reason). Sometimes it is more important to focus on the health of your body versus your weight. I would relax and enjoy yourself while still making positive changes. Just because the media tells us we have to look a certain way doesn't mean jack. My goal is to lose weight but still have curves!

Jeff92se

My friend is pretty overweight (by about 30-40lbs) but he can kick my rear end running. And he does marathons. Amazing. I don't know his blood work and etc...

I think you can be fit and a touch overweight. But as said, it takes a toll on the joints IMHO.

BerryH

I've been fit and fat. I ran a Marathon while obese. It's not fun. I'm looking forward to being fit and slim and being able to do more, faster and with less discomfort.

I do however believe there is a lot if research that shoes that moderately overweight but active people are healthier that slim couch potatoes.

I don;t know about you, but I hate skinny people who say "But I don't HAVE to exercise, I'm not overweight". Then need help opening a jar or miss the train as they can't run for it.

vim_n_vigor

I think there is some confusion here on the BMI scale realistically telling you what weight you should be. A healthy weight for you could be above or below what is shown on the BMI scale. Your body type and genetics play a role in that.

That being said, there are some people who can hold on to extra weight and be very active and eat very healthy. Most people who are overweight do not fit into that category.There are also people who according to BMI are in a healthy range and are really below what they should weigh for their body type and can have health issues because of that.

I am obese. I know that. I don't have any related health issues. My cholesterol is fine, my blood pressure is fine, no diabetes or elevated blood sugar, etc. I do have asthma. I haven't had to use any medication for it since my last pregnancy 3 years ago. I do not believe any of these factors should tell me that I don't need to lose weight. Sure, at the moment, it is not a crisis situation where I have to lose a certain amount to stay alive, but I do need to lose weight.

rml_16

Funny banana.
I would do my knees a lot of good if I weighed less. But I can see the beauty in not stressing about a little butt fat. Butt fat is not the fat that hurts you like stomch fat. Thats the kind I have.

Being slightly overweight isn't going to hurt most people. There are many recent studies showing that being up to 15 pounds above an ideal weight is OK.

But beyond that, it is not healthy.

Those studies have been twisted and manipulated by people -- especially in the Fat Acceptance movement -- to make it seem like it's better to be obese than to be a healthy weight and used as an excuse to remain overweight and claim it's for health reasons.

Personally, I don't care what other people do, but be honest about your reasons if you're going to talk about it at all. Don't tell me you're glad to be obese because it's healthy. It isn't.

But, really, I try to stay in shape not entirely for the shallow reason of liking how I look but because I want to be able to be active 50 and 60 years from now. Putting all that stress on the joints, even if you're healthy in every other way, will not allow that.

I don't know how much extra weight the OP has, but to make the blanket statement she did in her post is not accurate.

Be honest? A little confused about what you are reffering to. And I never said I was glad to be over weight.
On the contrary, I want to be so thin people tell me I'm too thin.

Not you specifically. I just have seen a lot of people who are morbidly obese use these studies (that they've misinterpreted) as an excuse to remain obese. If you like how you look or you just don't care, that's your business. But don't tell people (again, not YOU, just in general) that you're healthier at that weight.

Jeff92se

I think there is some confusion here on the BMI scale realistically telling you what weight you should be. A healthy weight for you could be above or below what is shown on the BMI scale. Your body type and genetics play a role in that.

That being said, there are some people who can hold on to extra weight and be very active and eat very healthy. Most people who are overweight do not fit into that category.There are also people who according to BMI are in a healthy range and are really below what they should weigh for their body type and can have health issues because of that.

I am obese. I know that. I don't have any related health issues. My cholesterol is fine, my blood pressure is fine, no diabetes or elevated blood sugar, etc. I do have asthma. I haven't had to use any medication for it since my last pregnancy 3 years ago. I do not believe any of these factors should tell me that I don't need to lose weight. Sure, at the moment, it is not a crisis situation where I have to lose a certain amount to stay alive, but I do need to lose weight.

Thanks for posting. Pretty honest answer. I hate the BMI though. At 19% bodyfat, it lists me as overweight. BMI does not like people who carry more muscle than most at a XX weight/height

ShadowSoldier23

Funny banana.
I would do my knees a lot of good if I weighed less. But I can see the beauty in not stressing about a little butt fat. Butt fat is not the fat that hurts you like stomch fat. Thats the kind I have.

Being slightly overweight isn't going to hurt most people. There are many recent studies showing that being up to 15 pounds above an ideal weight is OK.

But beyond that, it is not healthy.

Those studies have been twisted and manipulated by people -- especially in the Fat Acceptance movement -- to make it seem like it's better to be obese than to be a healthy weight and used as an excuse to remain overweight and claim it's for health reasons.

Personally, I don't care what other people do, but be honest about your reasons if you're going to talk about it at all. Don't tell me you're glad to be obese because it's healthy. It isn't.

But, really, I try to stay in shape not entirely for the shallow reason of liking how I look but because I want to be able to be active 50 and 60 years from now. Putting all that stress on the joints, even if you're healthy in every other way, will not allow that.

I don't know how much extra weight the OP has, but to make the blanket statement she did in her post is not accurate.

Be honest? A little confused about what you are reffering to. And I never said I was glad to be over weight.
On the contrary, I want to be so thin people tell me I'm too thin.

Not you specifically. I just have seen a lot of people who are morbidly obese use these studies (that they've misinterpreted) as an excuse to remain obese. If you like how you look or you just don't care, that's your business. But don't tell people (again, not YOU, just in general) that you're healthier at that weight.

I can say from an obese point of view that most of us don't want to be in this position. It's not like we decided that we were going to eat until we got big. It's much harder to lose the weight the bigger you are, especially when you experience a lot of fatigue and low energy levels (although I have suffered from this regardless of what size I was). Many people do use that as an excuse but there are genetic and health factors that contribute to people not changing their obesity issue. I watched my mom at 330lbs suffer from severe arthritis in her hips and spine. She had gastric bypass because, although she tried, she could no longer exercise. Even though she had the surgery she is still over 200lbs but much healthier, although still very arthritic. We come from a background of people who were large/thick because of the region our ancestors come from (very cold). It's not always a walk in the park for the obese. Weight loss CAN be done and I am in no way sticking up for the lazy who do not want to change, but it is very difficult to feel so ****ty everyday and just jump up and exercise. I used to think it was pure laziness, but FEELING unhealthy does not make it easy to become healthy.

Jeff92se

It has to be tough to lose weight if you can't be active.

vim_n_vigor

Thanks for posting. Pretty honest answer. I hate the BMI though. At 19% bodyfat, it lists me as overweight. BMI does not like people who carry more muscle than most at a XX weight/height

At my lowest weight - I was still considered overweight by BMI standards. I was wearing a size 0 and could count all of my bones. (This was right after basic training, so not as a result of trying to lose to that point). My doctor kind of freaked out and had me gaining weight. I know for me that if in my late teens the BMI scale was so off for me that after having 2 kids and being almost 36, that I cannot take the BMI scale as my guidance for weight. I don't know what my end weight will be, but it will be what is healthy for me, not the BMI scale.

Jeff92se

Thanks for posting. Pretty honest answer. I hate the BMI though. At 19% bodyfat, it lists me as overweight. BMI does not like people who carry more muscle than most at a XX weight/height

At my lowest weight - I was still considered overweight by BMI standards. I was wearing a size 0 and could count all of my bones. (This was right after basic training, so not as a result of trying to lose to that point). My doctor kind of freaked out and had me gaining weight. I know for me that if in my late teens the BMI scale was so off for me that after having 2 kids and being almost 36, that I cannot take the BMI scale as my guidance for weight. I don't know what my end weight will be, but it will be what is healthy for me, not the BMI scale.

I ignore BMI. I use the mirror, scale and bodyfat to measure where I'm at. Given I'm not that far off from what I consider ideal though. I'm only talking another 10lbs at most. But those last 10lbs will be difficult at 19%. I'd be around 12%.

LabRat529

It probably depends on what you're calling "fit and fat". Does "Fit and Fat" = someone with 30 extra pounds or someone with 100 extra pounds?

If we're talking 30 extra pounds, than I'd agree with the OP's premise.

But if we're talking obese or morbidly obese... well no one can doubt the benefits of exercise. An obese person who exercises is going to be better off than their obese identical twin of equal weight who doesn't exercise. But obesity is unhealthy, whether you exercise or not.

And of course its always best to be fit and lean.

Unless you're a woman trying to conceive. And extra 15lbs can help there. Too much extra can hurt.

gritgirl

I'm the original OP (makes me think of "down with o p p). :-)

The blanket statement is from the book and supports what I've thought all along.

The main premise of the book iis that it's better for you to focus on staying fit (active and eating right), than to obsess about losing weight and yo yo diet. Apparently there's evidence showing how yo yo dieting can irreparably harm you.

The book posits that if you get at least 20 minutes of activity in a day and eat only 20% of your calories in fat, this will even the blood work out.

I watched my mother yo yo diet for years and saw the pyschological damage it did to her. Based on that I've been leery to diet. It's in middle age I've gained weight and vanity has sent me down this road. Now I'm going to refocus on being fit and stop obsessing about losing weight. For me that is a huge relief.

And btw, it's none of anyone's business how much I weigh. If I'm comfortable at that weight and I'm healthy, that's all that matters. :-)

This short stocky chick got back. :-)

albayin

I thought "fit" and "fat" would never co-exist...
they are antonyms, right? darn ESL...:blushing:

fiberartist219

I've been fit and fat. I ran a Marathon while obese. It's not fun. I'm looking forward to being fit and slim and being able to do more, faster and with less discomfort.

I do however believe there is a lot if research that shoes that moderately overweight but active people are healthier that slim couch potatoes.

I don;t know about you, but I hate skinny people who say "But I don't HAVE to exercise, I'm not overweight". Then need help opening a jar or miss the train as they can't run for it.

I wish someone would have made me exercise when I was skinny.

albayin

I wish the Navy understood this.

LOL navy officers have to look good in those killer uniforms. :flowerforyou:

StacySkinny

That book has literally helped change my life! It's helped me to focus on the exercise portion of my life, instead of the scale and it played a big part in helping me to lose 43 lbs.

When you're a very large person you don't think that you'll ever be thin or at a "healthy weight" so a lot of people figure "why should I bother exercising if I'll never be what the BMI says I should be" (thus will never be "healthy"). According to many in the "medical community" a larger body means a person is automatically unhealthy. That book helps to open people's eyes to the fact that you can be fit AND fat and really helped me focus on my activity levels more than the scale. Once I realized that I don't have to weigh 140 lbs to be healthy, it made a lot of difference in who I am and how I take care of my body. And now I'm actually losing weight as a side effect of that! lol

Awesome book, I recommend it to anyone who is or knows someone who is "overweight".

StacySkinny

Another great one is The obesity myth: why America's obsession with weight is hazardous to your health by Paul F. Campos

gritgirl

Stacy, I'm so with you. Before I kept feeling like I was a failure for being a big girl. Now I'm focusing on being fit and and feeling proud of myself. It's certainly given me a whole new way of thinking. Even when I was young and weighed 135 lbs, doctors would tell me I was overweight because I didn't fit the insurance tables. Getting my focus on living healthy and away from weight.

ninerbuff

NFL linemen are examples of this.



A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

StacySkinny

Before I kept feeling like I was a failure for being a big girl. Now I'm focusing on being fit and and feeling proud of myself. It's certainly given me a whole new way of thinking. Even when I was young and weighed 135 lbs, doctors would tell me I was overweight because I didn't fit the insurance tables. Getting my focus on living healthy and away from weight.

Exactly! I totally agree that this is the way to go. By telling a person that they aren't healthy based on if they fit into a BMI chart is ridiculous and a sure fire way to make people want to give up. Instead the realization that one can be fit despite what the BMI chart says puts the focus where it should be - on being active and eating healthier, not on what the scale says.

BerryH

I've been fit and fat. I ran a Marathon while obese. It's not fun. I'm looking forward to being fit and slim and being able to do more, faster and with less discomfort.

I do however believe there is a lot if research that shoes that moderately overweight but active people are healthier that slim couch potatoes.

I don;t know about you, but I hate skinny people who say "But I don't HAVE to exercise, I'm not overweight". Then need help opening a jar or miss the train as they can't run for it.

I wish someone would have made me exercise when I was skinny.

Me too, I may never have become fat in the first place

Actually, I suppose they did - it was called school PE lessons. I believe they have a lot to answer for in making adults believe they'll never enjoy exercise. I may start a thread on this...

taramaureen

I think America's obsession with skinny has made us all have a warped perception of what is healthy. I think it's important to focus on healthy eating and staying active. Since I started my "weight loss journey" I have always felt this way.

I'm not comfortable where I am weight wise. I wish I were where I was before I had a second child. I struggle every day to understand why my body seems to hate me. Seriously, this is how I feel at times. However I feel that the choices I make are generally healthy ones, I eat "right", not the best all the time but generally OK, and exercise every day. The pounds don't come off easy for me, at all. "Fit and fat" is where I have to resign myself for the sake of my own sanity. I have to trust that I am making the better choices for myself, I think everyone should aim for a healthy lifestyle in general. Fat or thin.