Attitudes of people with different levels of fitness and wei

Bethie_B

I really don't know that it's so much an issue of denial. I think there are a lot of us that start to feel hopeless, particularly if you're trying really hard to lose, and either plateau for an extended period of time, or like me, have been working hard, cutting calories and not losing anything. Yes, yes, I know that it's all a process and each individual has to figure out the correct balance of calories in and out to have success. But the constant roadblocks can really set a person back. It's not an excuse, it's a fact.

I exercise 6 days a week now. When I'm out in my neighborhood walking, it's almost a daily occurrence of people shouting things out of their cars at me. I've heard "go home fattie", "fat a**" and the most popular "Moooo". So believe me, it's not denial that I'm fat, or denial that I need to do the work to have positive results. Sometimes we just need some hope and kindness, instead of judgment for ruining our bodies in the first place.

BrettPGH

I really think everyone should be encouraged as much as possible. It's hard, we know that. But everyone can do it.

Also, this is weird.

grinch031

I guess all the ongoing obesity research is a waste of time since it all boils down to gluttonous behavior and excuses right? Why bother researching when a simple physics equation is the answer to a complex biochemical process?

Phrak

I guess all the ongoing obesity research is a waste of time since it all boils down to gluttonous behavior and excuses right? Why bother researching when a simple physics equation is the answer to a complex biochemical process?

Simple. Money. If they can figure out that "silver bullet" that allows people to lose weight without putting in effort. It will be worth billions of dollars.

escloflowneCHANGED

I think it can all be boiled down to one thing. Excuses. Losing weight and being in shape is damn hard. There's no way around that. To do it takes work and effort and dedication.

So you either do the work and get fit or make excuses as to why you can't. It's a defensive thing your brain does that allows you to take it easy on yourself, "Hey it's not your fault. Gyms are too expensive. You don't have the time. Bacon is delicious and even more so with mayonnaise."

If you really want to be in shape you have to work hard at it. There's no other way. People who are in shape or have worked to get there realize this and have the attitude to match.

A big thing is education on the subject, I know how I got fat...Food and lack of exercise, that simple. Now I am losing weight and feeling better eating more than I ever have. I still eat bacon and mayo because I took the time to educate myself on weight loss and exercise. Everyone want's a quick fix like a 7 day soup diet. Look at the forums here, it's the same thing everyday, different people asking the same questions over and over because no one looks anything up or does their own research.

grinch031

I guess all the ongoing obesity research is a waste of time since it all boils down to gluttonous behavior and excuses right? Why bother researching when a simple physics equation is the answer to a complex biochemical process?

Simple. Money. If they can figure out that "silver bullet" that allows people to lose weight without putting in effort. It will be worth billions of dollars.

I don't buy it. Its really simple that most people on this thread have narrow-minded unscientific views of the world around them. There is plenty of scientific evidence supporting the idea that our body's response to the environment we live in (ie. full of easily accessible toxic processed foods) is the cause of obesity, not the psychological behaviors of each individual.

Not everybody is in it for the money. We really do need to find a solution that works. There is no compelling evidence whatsoever that either calorie restriction or exercise are effective treatments for obesity.

tlc12078

I have this very same problem as you, been tested. But one thing I did find when my body was going through hell being pregnant 3 times in row (them being c-sections) and 2 other surgeries, 1 being a very huge hernia that got repaired and then infected. That I found a high protein diet worked for me. I am not making excuses for my over weight problem either, but I am so sick n tired of people just saying cus you over eat which is not the case. My log on here tells me so. I actually by the time I am done, have between 500 to 1,000 calories to spare. I have had problems all my life, been fighting the bulge all my life. But my doctors tested my thyroid, came back ok. I know I am on the birth control shot. I got onto it every time I had a baby, but had to get off because it was effecting me drastically, including my weight. So, I am not in denial of my weight problem, but frustrated that nothing worked, but I am at it again, only because I have lost 30 pounds in the last month of me being on this high protein diet. SO I dont want to give up just yet.

fatzombiegirl

"Most people are very supportive and complimentary, but there are one or two people who, when they ask how I've done it, seem to immediately switch off when I tell them I just ate better and got a gym membership. It's like they don't want to hear that it's a hard graft and want me to tell them about some magic pill or fad diet that makes you lose 10lbs in a week."

This is so true. I've seen them "swtich off" too. As soon as I tell people about eating healthier, they respond "Oh I couldn't give up FILL IN THE BLANK."

You have to reach a point where you want it bad enough to deny yourself some things. Eventually I realized I enjoyed the healthy foods as much or more than the unhealthy ones I used to eat. I took a while, though, to make that transition.

almc170

I think it's interesting to the extent to which these attitudes are fostered among healthcare professionals as well. I've been working with a nutritionist since December, when I first joined MFP. Aside from wanting to put me on some ridiculous DASH diet (six servings of grains a day, are you kidding me??), she also suggested that I not worry about exercise at first, that it's not really that necessary for weight loss. I think the idea was that at some point I would ease into fitness by counting steps with a pedometer and whatnot. I promptly ignored her advice and started lifting weights To be fair, the woman's not completely useless. She encouraged me to stick with a moderate calorie deficit and directed me to this site.

I think that, all too often, people aren't really pushed to make the necessary changes that will help them lose weight. My husband, a type 1 diabetic, has had the same experience. In fact, one doctor told him that getting patients to make diet and fitness changes was so difficult he had stopped incorporating it into treatment plans, relying on drug therapies instead.

r1ghtpath

i can't speak for the US obesity issue as a whole, as i am just one person. i can speak on my own situation though. i hear from my kids, almost daily, " mom, you have a big butt." now, granted, compared to them i do have a big butt :-) and compared to a lot of my friends i do too. i know this. my kids tell me i'm fat, and i have heard it from my mother my entire life. mind you, my mother has always been over weight and always on a diet and has never really lost weight.

i have ALWAYS been active! always. i was a gymnast, ice skater, soccer player when i was younger, and ended up with pretty big legs because of it. i remember one time in high school my ( now) step brother said that i had legs like a football player. i was offended, but i guess what he meant was they were very muscular. and they were, always have been!!!

i ran track, and swam, and did month long hiking trips in high school. i also spent my evenings running up and down the stairs, doing sit ups and push ups, while watching TV. i was NEVER skinny, but i had a really really nice body!

in college i worked out as well. initially losing weight my mother was ecstatic. and after gaining it back, she freaked out and the name calling got even worse. i belonged to a gym, worked out with my boyfriend, but because of my mom started eating less.......

this started a pretty bad trend for me. i graduated college about the same size i started. still working out daily. worked nights as an RN, stopped working out, started eating more junk. BAD!!! gained about 20 lbs. blah!!!! but, i fixed it after i rejoined the gym and stopped eating soft pretzels and bagel sandwiches everyday, LOL!!!

got married and started having kids, still working out. after my 3rd baby was born, i decided to go vegan. my caloric intake dropped DRASTICALLY, and even since then i have been the exact same size! no matter how hard i worked out i could not lose weight. i stopped being vegan because my 3rd child developed a soy allergy, which i contributed to my consuming so much soy ( due to being vegan). i had two more kids and quickly lost all of my baby weight, but could not lose the weight from #3. it was really annoying.

that was 6 yrs ago. i saw docs, tried WW, went to jenny craig, worked with a personal trainer. i have had a gym membership all of those 6 yrs. going at night almost daily. the number on the scale never budged and my clothing size never went down. it took me six years to figure out what my issue was!!!!!

i wasn't eating enough. and i still struggle to eat enough most days. it's a chronic mental block for me. the ONLY reason i know this is because i joined MFP and started logging every bit of food going into my body. my days were always under 1000. regardless of how much i worked out that day. i was basically at a stand still. i wasn't gaining, i wasn't losing.

i've ALWAYS lifted weights. since high school, i've lifted to varying degrees. i don't weight myself at all anymore. i use my clothes, pics and measuring tape. gonna start using body fat % too. i'm not saying my being fat is psychological, but there is definitely a mental component. last night, my mom was here for my daughter's birthday, and even though i had only had 1000 cal before dinner, and i was SHAKING and JITTERY, and had burned like 500 calories during my work outs, i still ate very very very little while she was in my house. she glares and makes comments, pretty much all the time. i hate eating in front of her.......

my oldest daughter mentioned that i log all of my food and my mom commented that it was a good thing i did. so, i made sure to say, " i have to log my food to make sure i am eating enough calories during the day." if i ate based off of appetite i would never get enough!

for the first time in 6 yrs i'm losing size! i work out a lot still. i'm slowly starting to shrink. i would bet i would shrink faster if i ate more. but, if i hadn't found MFP and started recording what i was eating, i wouldn't be shrinking now at all :-(

and i'm ok being called fat. i call myself fat. i laugh when my kids tell me ' i'm fat but i'm trying to be skinny.' well, i don't want to be skinny. i just want my body fat % low enough to show off all of these muscles i've spent years caring for :-)

busymom50

this is so true

chrishgt4

I guess all the ongoing obesity research is a waste of time since it all boils down to gluttonous behavior and excuses right? Why bother researching when a simple physics equation is the answer to a complex biochemical process?

Simple. Money. If they can figure out that "silver bullet" that allows people to lose weight without putting in effort. It will be worth billions of dollars.

I don't buy it. Its really simple that most people on this thread have narrow-minded unscientific views of the world around them. There is plenty of scientific evidence supporting the idea that our body's response to the environment we live in (ie. full of easily accessible toxic processed foods) is the cause of obesity, not the psychological behaviors of each individual.

Not everybody is in it for the money. We really do need to find a solution that works. There is no compelling evidence whatsoever that either calorie restriction or exercise are effective treatments for obesity.

"There is no compelling evidence whatsoever that either calorie restriction or exercise are effective treatments for obesity."

This comment convinces me that you are, as I suspected, trolling...

That is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard.

Open question on here - how many people have had success, whether it be fat loss or muscle gain that wasn't attributed to eating properly and exercising regularly?

I think anyone with any level of success knows it is all about those things...

WanderingMe

I was just having this conversation with my mother. She is 5'2" and 345lbs, and blames everyone and everything but herself. Yesterday she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and is POSITIVE that's the reason she can't lose weight. It's so frustrating to see her this way because of her denial, she's killing herself. I'm fat because I ate too much crap, hahaha but I'm proud that I'm working to change that the hard way!

galegetsthin

Here is the deal. Sometimes, there are legitimate obstacles that people dont know how to overcome or don't know are an issue. When I was a child, a very young child, my parents had some serious issues. My dad worked at a KFC, my mom had a position at a local convienience store. There was not much money. On top of that, they had some major issues with drugs. That meant there was NO money. there was often no lights, no groceries, no water either. My dad would bring home leftover food from KFC. That is what I had. It wasn't anything remotely healthful. I would also get hot dogs and macaroni and cheese, becasue $1.00 could feed all of us. There were nights that I didnt eat at all. They couldnt send me with lunch OR lunch money and they didnt qualify for free or reduced. So all I got to eat was fried chicken, hotdogs, macaroni, or other nutritionally void crap. The poor diet created some severe vitamin deficiencies. These deficiencies are linked to an insulin resistance, which causes your body to not process carbohydrates the way it should. So I had a diet HEAVY in cheap carbohydrates and a metabolic disorder that made me not use them. I was 6-10. I was hungry. I was sick. I had nobody to teach me. I got taken away at 10 and sent to live with my grandmother. Grandmothers spoil. I was 10. I didn't know any better. Of COURSE I was going to take the cookie. I was also still in the frame of mind of not knowing when I would eat again. It hadn't clicked for me. I would hoarde food under my bed, in my closet, anywhere I could. I would eat every bite and ask for more. Nobody taught me. I didnt realize until I was 13 that there was a big problem. I was not diagnosed with the insulin resistance yet and had no income and had just been released back to my parents. Who picked on me relentlessly about being fat. I would ask for healthy things. They refused to buy healthy things. I was heavier at that point than I am today. I grew through high school. Not having regular cycles, doing gymnastics, swimming and tennis daily and still growing. At 22 I was diagnosed with the metabolic disorder. I was 342 lbs by then. I was started on Metformin to fix the metabolic disorder. I began working with a nutritionist to learn what I am supposed to eat. And a Trainer to learn what to do physically. So, even though I would eat more than I should at times, It was not solely sitting on my *kitten* and not moving. Blanket statements do hurt those of us who actually DO have some barriers that we were not equipped to handle. How was I, as a 7 year old, supposed to fix that problem? It is not just lazy people who like fries and soda that are overweight. Now I am ok. I was taught what to do and given the proper medication to control my hormonal imbalances. I am down to 165 now, because I learned. But when it started, I was helpless and neglected. Who are you to look at me and assume I play video games and down mountain dew by the gallon or doritos by the family size bag? I have noticed that the fitter people tend to treat the people who have legitimate contributing factors like non-humans. Like we MUST have all looked at a cheesecake and said "meh..... I am fat, but THAT is yummy".

BrettPGH

There is no compelling evidence whatsoever that either calorie restriction or exercise are effective treatments for obesity.

Forgive me but if you truly feel this way I have no idea why you'd be on a website for tracking calories. Don't be surprised to find your statements met with great resistance around here. They fly in the face of everything this place is for.

almc170

I guess all the ongoing obesity research is a waste of time since it all boils down to gluttonous behavior and excuses right? Why bother researching when a simple physics equation is the answer to a complex biochemical process?

Simple. Money. If they can figure out that "silver bullet" that allows people to lose weight without putting in effort. It will be worth billions of dollars.

I don't buy it. Its really simple that most people on this thread have narrow-minded unscientific views of the world around them. There is plenty of scientific evidence supporting the idea that our body's response to the environment we live in (ie. full of easily accessible toxic processed foods) is the cause of obesity, not the psychological behaviors of each individual.

Not everybody is in it for the money. We really do need to find a solution that works. There is no compelling evidence whatsoever that either calorie restriction or exercise are effective treatments for obesity.

From the article you linked to:

"If dieting doesn't work, what does?

'Eating in moderation is a good idea for everybody, and so is regular exercise," Mann said. "That is not what we looked at in this study. Exercise may well be the key factor leading to sustained weight loss. Studies consistently find that people who reported the most exercise also had the most weight loss.'"

And there's this: http://www.ajcn.org/content/82/1/222S.full

missdee8

I am new to this site and just started reading the forums. I really appreciate your post and agree it is our own responsibility to control our eating and exercise plan. If we don't look out for our own health and wellbeing who will.

Your final statement really hit home. "No matter what you write down in your food journal or post about on the forums- your body records every meal, every workout, and every beverage. What you eat in private always shows in public- some people will accept it, some never will" I printed it and have it on my fridge as inspiration. Thanks

WanderingMe

Open question on here - how many people have had success, whether it be fat loss or muscle gain that wasn't attributed to eating properly and exercising regularly?

I think anyone with any level of success knows it is all about those things...

I did, but I also had cancer and was on rounds of tons of chemicals. For some reason I don't think that would be a wildly popular choice for weight loss haha! You are correct though, I think the successful people have it all boiled down to calories in, calories out.

busymom50

sometimes when I post a reply it is does not go under where I intend. But to the gal whose mom makes comments about her weight, my heart goes out to you. I got stuck on same weight for short time and found I was eating under calorie as well. But not for as long as you did. Logging my calories and realizing I was keeping my body on starvation mode make the difference. I ate more calories although they were healthy calories. I still want to overdo it,and probably always will. But I now know what my limit its,and drink as much of the 8 cups of water as I can. I usually get it all. Thanks to Planet Fitness I have a gym membership I can afford and find that I feel so much better after exercise. For the sweetheart whose mom has (probably unitentionally)made cruel remarks that now make eating at all an issue,you hang in there. I also had c-sections and would love to be your friend. You can talk to me about anything you want. Kathy

chrishgt4

Open question on here - how many people have had success, whether it be fat loss or muscle gain that wasn't attributed to eating properly and exercising regularly?

I think anyone with any level of success knows it is all about those things...

I did, but I also had cancer and was on rounds of tons of chemicals. For some reason I don't think that would be a wildly popular choice for weight loss haha! You are correct though, I think the successful people have it all boiled down to calories in, calories out.

Haha no I think the preferred method wouldn't include life threatening illnesses.

Having said that, during breakups and bouts of tonsillitis I have lost masses of weight in the past, maybe there's a new diet fad to be capitalised on......:ohwell:

madamepsychosis

Open question on here - how many people have had success, whether it be fat loss or muscle gain that wasn't attributed to eating properly and exercising regularly?

I think anyone with any level of success knows it is all about those things...

I did, but I also had cancer and was on rounds of tons of chemicals. For some reason I don't think that would be a wildly popular choice for weight loss haha! You are correct though, I think the successful people have it all boiled down to calories in, calories out.

Haha no I think the preferred method wouldn't include life threatening illnesses.

Having said that, during breakups and bouts of tonsillitis I have lost masses of weight in the past, maybe there's a new diet fad to be capitalised on......:ohwell:

The Depressed Diet - Cry those calories away!

Sick Yourself Slim!

Oh, I can just see it now...

gsager

Having being on MFP for a few years more recently I have started to look at the forums.

I have a genuine observation and wonder if people agree with me and what their opinion is. I am not meaning to be in any way offensive.

I notice that fitter / correct weight people seem to have a more no-nonsense approach - to get fit you exercise , lots , and eat less because you are overweight because you eat too much.

Overweight people seem to be constantly in denial and bringing up health and metabolism issues that are, whilst unfortunate in those they affect, rarely the true reason that is eating too much. The word 'fat' on here almost seems to be a massive insult

I saw a program on TV where someone had to have a leg cut off from health complications that were simply overweight - but there was no addressing of the weight problem just the acceptance of the situation -- if I had a leg cut off because of weight I would glue my mouth shut!!

So it always gets me wondering is the denial and political correctness that prevent appropriate honesty a major cause of the increasing trend of obesity??

Interestingly enough I'm English and find American posters on here (in a country with more obesity) very quickly flare up at the use of the fat word. As do the larger posters (I admit I am judging this from profile pictures) you wont see a toned person defending metabolism as a major cause of obesity - even if they once weighed 20 stone

I agree except for the part about fit people exercising and eating less....I think the fit people exercise and eat more and the fat people with the slow metabolisms eat less, slow their metabolism more and don't stay with it because the make it harder than it is.

escloflowneCHANGED

There is no compelling evidence whatsoever that either calorie restriction or exercise are effective treatments for obesity.

Forgive me but if you truly feel this way I have no idea why you'd be on a website for tracking calories. Don't be surprised to find your statements met with great resistance around here. They fly in the face of everything this place is for.

Damn Brett you found the BS crazy post of the day, two days in a row!!!

chrishgt4

Open question on here - how many people have had success, whether it be fat loss or muscle gain that wasn't attributed to eating properly and exercising regularly?

I think anyone with any level of success knows it is all about those things...

I did, but I also had cancer and was on rounds of tons of chemicals. For some reason I don't think that would be a wildly popular choice for weight loss haha! You are correct though, I think the successful people have it all boiled down to calories in, calories out.

Haha no I think the preferred method wouldn't include life threatening illnesses.

Having said that, during breakups and bouts of tonsillitis I have lost masses of weight in the past, maybe there's a new diet fad to be capitalised on......:ohwell:

The Depressed Diet - Cry those calories away!

Sick Yourself Slim!

Oh, I can just see it now...

Ok clearly you're marketing department with these slogans, I'll get us some celebrity endorsements and we're in business!

Wandering me, you can be the case example that shows how easy and effective it is!

yesthistime

bump

katysmelly

I actually think the complete opposite of the OP. I think its nonsense that an obesity epidemic that has skyrocketed in the USA since the late 1970s and is spreading through the rest of the world is a psychological disorder.

I think its nonsense that naturally skinny people who have not experienced chronic hunger can understand what an obese person goes through.

And I've been skinny and fit most of my life. Its not until the last couple of years that my body stopped tolerating certain foods, and exercise had absolutely nothing to do with it. I do twice as much exercise at 30 than I did at 18 and I have to eat less in order to stay thin.

As a naturally skinny person, I agree with this.

The fact is, scientists who study obesity and weight loss aren't entirely sure what the causes are, much less how to address them. They are still learning about how the body and metabolism work in regards to weight gain. There are scientists looking into genetics, some have pinpointed what may be a obesity virus, and then there are hormonal issues. Add to that the rapidly-changing lifestyles of the modern post-industrial society and there is no way that anybody can say there's one simple answer.

Some people are lazy, yes. Some people have psychological issues of food addiction. But, I really don't think there would be an overwhelming issue of obesity if it were really so freakin' simple.

downsizinghoss

I have been fat for a long time. It was my own head getting in the way and it was a cycle. I was always big, but in shape as a kid.

Genetics do make a difference and do make it harder for some, just like some people can run faster than others.
It is still my responsibility to adapt to my own situation and get in better shape.

Everyone is tied to this weight number. When someone tells me they can't lose weight because of .____. I just tell them they should just get in better shape then. I have been on a plateau for a while now, but I increased my lifting and my cardio in that time, and I even dropped a couple of pants sizes.
I consider that successful even if the scale is stuck. Anyone can get in better shape, no matter what their genetic or medical situation might be.


On a side note, for those who have never been really obese, I do believe they don't always understand the issues. They DO work extremely hard to be in the shape that they are. But, I know that working out was MUCH harder for me 100 pounds ago than it is now, even though I push myself more now than then. It is much more about the battle in the head.

The hardest part was just going into the gym because it was physically painful and totally humiliating. The way I adapted was by going in at 4:30 in the morning while there weren't many people there. I remember showing up to the gym several times and it was so crowded that I froze. I couldn't go in. It happens less now, but hasn't gone away totally. As I get more confident, I am sure I sound more matter of fact and realistic. It didn't happen over night though.

SweetSammie

Depo (the pill shot), is horrible. I gained on it, too... and those pounds were way harder to lose than anything I have ever experienced. Even my doctor agreed that it causes weight gain (though, she did not tell me that BEFORE I took it). It is what led me to google any drug I take.

chicpeach

I agree with the OP. I had dieted for pretty much my whole adult life and thought I understood a lot about nutrition and exercise and their role in overall health and weight level. Coming here to this site, the tools, information and support is the most complete I've seen.

I've come to the realization that all the weight loss products out there are not designed to actually help you achieve weight loss and maintain it. The weight loss products out there, including weight watchers, nutrisystem and jenny craig, and the low fat, no fat, reduced calorie, calorie free, sugar free products, are put there by corporations who's motivation is to make a profit. If the masses that actually purchase and use these products really lost the weight permanently, this mult-billion dollar industry goes down in flames. So they keep people on their train by convincing them it's easy to lose weight, all they got to do is follow their program and never tell them, their program is set up so that they will fail.

I've grown weary of people eating all these "diet" foods, that are loaded with sodium, believing they will actually lose weight because they have fewer calories then the real version. Never do they realize that the real version offers them real satisfaction, wards off hunger till the next meal and nourishes their body with important nutrients that are removed when the calories are removed.

For the first time in 30 years, I'm not eating diet versions of anything. I buy real yogurt, not the fat free crap. When I want a cookie, I have a real cookie, not the reduced calorie or fat free crap. I eat, nutrient dense calories and a lot of them. I'm also diligent about resistance training and cardio, doing them 40 minutes each 5-6 days a week. I'm losing weight. More importantly, the weight coming off is actual fat, as my lean body mass has actually increased a slight bit.

Wake up America! Stop listening to the greedy corporations which hunger for profit at the expense of your health! Don't buy the load of crap their selling you! Learn what real nutrition is and think for yourself. Make wise and healthy decisions, don't take the easy, lazy way out!

linzfou

I was fit most of my life. After I got to college and got on birth control, I gained about 40 pounds. I wanted to be able to say it was the BC and that it messed with my thyroid. But the truth was -- and I knew this, I just never expressed it because I've always been someone who is "in control" -- I became addicted to junk food and wasn't active like I used to be.

Now that I'm a senior in college about to graduate, I've decided I'm going to be the weight I started college at. I've never been called fat, except by myself looking in the mirror. And that, along with knowing that I was looking for an excuse to be fat other than my own lack of control, was enough to get me started.

I've never tried a fad diet -- never believed in them. I won't pay someone to teach me to lose weight. Because I can teach myself to have enough self control to do what it takes to be healthy.



I have a couple of friends right now that are overweight and consistently blame it on thyroid/genetics. And they keep saying they're going to go on a diet and exercise to try to fight it, but they still sit there and do nothing. And I see how people look at them skeptically whenever they say something about their weight, and I never want to be on the receiving end of that skepticism.