Fat America

shmoony

Is anyone else on this sight amazed that so many people in our country remain fat. Yes FAT. Not overweight, not underlean, not gravitationally challanged, not thyroid disabled...fat. If you weigh 250 pounds, you can eat over 2000 calories a day and still lose weight. That's a 400 calorie beakfast, a 500 calorie lunch, a 700 calorie dinner, 3 light beers, and a couple light snacks. Who the hell can't pull that off? And that's with no exercise and a lightly active lifestyle. I have a hard time not getting frustrated when I'm out in public surrounded by huge people. I drive by McDonalds at dinner time and see a line of cars at the drive-thru (who eats McDonalds for dinner?!), I see lines around the corner at Cinnebon at the mall, Entemann's and Hostess are gigantic thriving companies, and restaurants like Friday's and Cheescake Factory are constantly packed with people stuffing their faces with meals that must average 1500 calories apiece. It may sound like I'm on a high horse, but the sooner people refuse to accept this disgusting display of lack of discipline, the sooner it will change. Being fat is the the last addiction and form of self-abuse that is still somehow accepted in our culture. It doesn't have to be and for those of you who are gearing up to craft a angry response as one who is sensitive to the plight of the underlean, you are part of the problem.

seashman

I read the other day that the average American eats upwards of 2,700 calories daily. That's so unfathomable to me, but I guess when you're eating processed garbage that doesn't fill you up it's a lot easier to consume that many calories than it would be to eat 2,700 calories of whole foods? It's still disturbing, anyway.

Danied13

Eating healthy makes you realize the poor quality of food most Americans consume. It's really quite sad that people would choose quick and easy over healthy. When they have heart disease and diabetes at 50, they don't understand how it happened. I find it funny that many people who eat a diet full of fast food and boxed processed food thinks it's expensive to eat healthy. I spend <$10/day on food ....that's two trips to McDonald's for most. It's completely possible to eat healthy food on a tight budget, but most people don't want to invest the time to plan and cook meals. I want quality of life...I don't mind investing a little time.

FlaxMilk

Which meal do you think McDonald's exists for? That's honestly the point I am most stuck on.

likearadiowave

Is anyone else on this sight amazed that so many people in our country remain fat. Yes FAT. Not overweight, not underlean, not gravitationally challanged, not thyroid disabled...fat. If you weigh 250 pounds, you can eat over 2000 calories a day and still lose weight. That's a 400 calorie beakfast, a 500 calorie lunch, a 700 calorie dinner, 3 light beers, and a couple light snacks. Who the hell can't pull that off? And that's with no exercise and a lightly active lifestyle. I have a hard time not getting frustrated when I'm out in public surrounded by huge people. I drive by McDonalds at dinner time and see a line of cars at the drive-thru (who eats McDonalds for dinner?!), I see lines around the corner at Cinnebon at the mall, Entemann's and Hostess are gigantic thriving companies, and restaurants like Friday's and Cheescake Factory are constantly packed with people stuffing their faces with meals that must average 1500 calories apiece. It may sound like I'm on a high horse, but the sooner people refuse to accept this disgusting display of lack of discipline, the sooner it will change. Being fat is the the last addiction and form of self-abuse that is still somehow accepted in our culture. It doesn't have to be and for those of you who are gearing up to craft a angry response as one who is sensitive to the plight of the underlean, you are part of the problem.

Some people are ignorant of how to treat their bodies, and some people simply don't care. Either way, obesity is a multi-faceted issue, not something quite as simple as "lack of discipline." I believe from a cultural standpoint, it's far more complicated than that, and it's based on various cultural, socio-economic issues.

I don't believe i'm part of the problem for just stating the obvious.

Heyyleigh

I totally agree! Since I have started eatin clean and healthy I depise going out to eat- you cant get anything truly good out, they feel the need to put liquid margarine, fat and grease in everything! Even the salads, I had one from Zaxbys with no dressing it was freaking 600 calories, I almost had a stroke. I cook all my own food and snacks etc. Sometimes if I go to Mcdonalds to get a large water! I start looking at all the people in line and judging them, thinking my god- It seem bad and probably is... but I would LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEE it if you could go out and get a HEALTHY clean meal and that be the norm, and the fat meal be frowned upon. And the fat meal EXPENSIVE! You can see I feel strong about this.

Not offending anyone, but stated so true below-

"Eating healthy makes you realize the poor quality of food most Americans consume"

VelociMama

It is very sad. When I was obese, I didn't really notice how fat so many Americans are. After dropping a lot of my excess weight, I notice it a lot more.

The saddest thing I see, however, are obese children. These poor kids are going to subjected to a lifetime of health issues, will never be able to be as active as they should be, and will have to deal with ridicule from their peers for most of their lives. It's heartbreaking.

We have a very serious epidemic in this country, and unless the government steps in with smarter regulatory policies, better access to nutrition and fitness education programs, and a complete overhaul of how we handle our agriculture subsidies, I fear it just won't change but continue to worsen.

pudadough

Is anyone else on this sight amazed that so many people in our country remain fat. Yes FAT. Not overweight, not underlean, not gravitationally challanged, not thyroid disabled...fat. If you weigh 250 pounds, you can eat over 2000 calories a day and still lose weight. That's a 400 calorie beakfast, a 500 calorie lunch, a 700 calorie dinner, 3 light beers, and a couple light snacks. Who the hell can't pull that off? And that's with no exercise and a lightly active lifestyle. I have a hard time not getting frustrated when I'm out in public surrounded by huge people. I drive by McDonalds at dinner time and see a line of cars at the drive-thru (who eats McDonalds for dinner?!), I see lines around the corner at Cinnebon at the mall, Entemann's and Hostess are gigantic thriving companies, and restaurants like Friday's and Cheescake Factory are constantly packed with people stuffing their faces with meals that must average 1500 calories apiece. It may sound like I'm on a high horse, but the sooner people refuse to accept this disgusting display of lack of discipline, the sooner it will change. Being fat is the the last addiction and form of self-abuse that is still somehow accepted in our culture. It doesn't have to be and for those of you who are gearing up to craft a angry response as one who is sensitive to the plight of the underlean, you are part of the problem.

So what are you suggesting here? That we go out and shame people who are fat? Or is this a pointless rant?

When has shaming ever worked to compel people to eat right? For a lot of people (me included,) criticism and ridicule are like a big flashing red arrow to bad food. It makes us eat more because we give up.

I agree that a lot of morbidly obese people are simply irresponsible about their eating. But shaming them about McDonald's isn't going to fix anything. And your whole post sounds borderline psychotic. If it's not killing *you* then butt out. Whether people want to kill themselves slowly with food or quickly with meth, it simply is not your business. And they have to want to change before all else.

likearadiowave

Is anyone else on this sight amazed that so many people in our country remain fat. Yes FAT. Not overweight, not underlean, not gravitationally challanged, not thyroid disabled...fat. If you weigh 250 pounds, you can eat over 2000 calories a day and still lose weight. That's a 400 calorie beakfast, a 500 calorie lunch, a 700 calorie dinner, 3 light beers, and a couple light snacks. Who the hell can't pull that off? And that's with no exercise and a lightly active lifestyle. I have a hard time not getting frustrated when I'm out in public surrounded by huge people. I drive by McDonalds at dinner time and see a line of cars at the drive-thru (who eats McDonalds for dinner?!), I see lines around the corner at Cinnebon at the mall, Entemann's and Hostess are gigantic thriving companies, and restaurants like Friday's and Cheescake Factory are constantly packed with people stuffing their faces with meals that must average 1500 calories apiece. It may sound like I'm on a high horse, but the sooner people refuse to accept this disgusting display of lack of discipline, the sooner it will change. Being fat is the the last addiction and form of self-abuse that is still somehow accepted in our culture. It doesn't have to be and for those of you who are gearing up to craft a angry response as one who is sensitive to the plight of the underlean, you are part of the problem.

So what are you suggesting here? That we go out and shame people who are fat? Or is this a pointless rant?

When has shaming ever worked to compel people to eat right? For a lot of people (me included,) criticism and ridicule are like a big flashing red arrow to bad food. It makes us eat more because we give up.

I agree that a lot of morbidly obese people are simply irresponsible about their eating. But shaming them about McDonald's isn't going to fix anything. And your whole post sounds borderline psychotic. If it's not killing *you* then butt out. Whether people want to kill themselves slowly with food or quickly with meth, it simply is not your business. And they have to want to change before all else.

OP is fat-phobic and is simply venting. Which is fine, but you know. Not any less annoying.

I guess it's easy to go out and look down on people who eat at cheap fast food places, but then I would also suppose that if you do that, you have to feel superior to those people who can only afford fast food because they are poor or just too tired to cook, or just because they enjoy eating it.

Either way, modern society has changed things so that instant gratification is always possible. Is it healthy? no, but then again, neither are the "stop being fat fatty" attitudes. People today do less to get more, and so one outcome (among others) of this is obesity.

Is anyone else on this sight amazed that so many people in our country remain fat.

No, because that's a product of the above. And also, "Site."

melodyg

I am not 250, but close. I have GAINED weight eating well under 2000 calories a day (what MFP told me to eat, before my doctor changed that) and am maintaining eating around 1700. Quite frankly, I am tired of people who think all I do is eat fast food and Doritos all day. (Today is probably one of my worse days because I had no access to MFP and had to eat out all day). There are people with legitimate health issues that make it almost impossible to lose weight. And it just makes it harder when I constantly have to deal with people like you. I'm probably one of those who will have diabetes before I'm 50... everyone else in my family does. I'm hoping the fact that I eat better than most of them is in my favor... but so far they are the ones who drop the Cokes and crappy food and lose weight while I'm maintaining and gaining on a healthier diet. (Also, being fat is by no means "accepted'" by society... if you were very overweight and had to deal with the attitude and comments I hear or overhear or get thrown at me by the media every day, you would understand that.)

kittyhasclaws

I ate mozzarella sticks and jalapeno poppers last night. Dipped in ranch dressing. They were AMAZING. Nothin' wrong with a few unhealthy noms.

MrsBully4

I don't really care what other people eat.

chivalryder

http://youtu.be/6y_d-T-oeFI

Birdie

I would rather they be fat than an *kitten*****, because fat you can fix....

likearadiowave

I ate mozzarella sticks and jalapeno poppers last night. Dipped in ranch dressing. They were AMAZING. Nothin' wrong with a few unhealthy noms.

I look down at your lack of self-control!

Sarcasm. But seriously, those sound delicious ...

jamielovesjbs

i like fat people waaay more than i like self righteous a**holes.... just saying.

jamielovesjbs

Is anyone else on this sight amazed that so many people in our country remain fat.

No, because that's a product of the above. And also, "Site."
[/quote]
i love you for your correct spelling! @like....

redheaddee

I am almost 250, and although I have weight to lose, I am not as you describe, and quite frankly, I am offended by your post. I eat fast food once a month at best, and I compensate with exercise. I may have a fat @ss, but this fat @ss can hike 7-8 miles with no problem, hit softballs at the batting cages for days, and kick the @ss of most everyone I know (including the guys). I am not stupid enough to think that fast and fried foods are healthy in any way, shape, or form, but occassionally I treat myself. I am by no stretch of the imagination lazy or dumb, as I have more energy, am more active, and get more accomplished in any given day than most people I know. You have no idea about people and would do well to keep your judgement to yourself. Some people have disabilities or diagnoses that affects their ability to maintain a healthy weight, such as thyroid, PCOS, back injuries, recent surgery...I could go on for days here. Might I suggest getting off your high horse, your majesty, before someone kicks it out from under you.

Squiggs67

It's a vicious cycle, not a whole lot different than smoking, alcoholism or drugs. We see success stories daily on MFP of people who found the strength to change their habits (bad or otherwise) and those stories give hope to others who want to change.

I must say that the sight of so many obese children does bother me. I work in the school system and see what some parents are sending their kids for lunch (snackables? lunchables? really? every day?) or bringing them 3 or 4 days a week (Arby's, McDonalds, DQ...really?). There are kids who don't stand a chance because of the choices of their parents. That's sad.

kittyhasclaws

I ate mozzarella sticks and jalapeno poppers last night. Dipped in ranch dressing. They were AMAZING. Nothin' wrong with a few unhealthy noms.

I look down at your lack of self-control!

Sarcasm. But seriously, those sound delicious ...

Indeed. I am a horrible, terrible fatty McFatterson.

lyttlewon

I don't agree that obesity is the last accepted form of self abuse in our culture. I think the opposite, it is highly unaccepted and many obese individuals encounter problems daily with their weight not being accepted.

likearadiowave

I don't agree that obesity is the last accepted form of self abuse in our culture. I think the opposite, it is highly unaccepted and many obese individuals encounter problems daily with their weight not being accepted.

Well, this is reality.

OP simply paints "huge people" as all being lazy, slovenly blobs with no concept of self-control. Perhaps they don't live in reality, but in their own distorted world view.

pastryari

I love it when people use this site to lose weight and then decide to judge and criticize others for what they themselves used to be.


And by love, I mean fcuking hate.

Jynus

I am almost 250, and although I have weight to lose, I am not as you describe, and quite frankly, I am offended by your post. I eat fast food once a month at best, and I compensate with exercise. I may have a fat @ss, but this fat @ss can hike 7-8 miles with no problem, hit softballs at the batting cages for days, and kick the @ss of most everyone I know (including the guys). I am not stupid enough to think that fast and fried foods are healthy in any way, shape, or form, but occassionally I treat myself. I am by no stretch of the imagination lazy or dumb, as I have more energy, am more active, and get more accomplished in any given day than most people I know. You have no idea about people and would do well to keep your judgement to yourself. Some people have disabilities or diagnoses that affects their ability to maintain a healthy weight, such as thyroid, PCOS, back injuries, recent surgery...I could go on for days here. Might I suggest getting off your high horse, your majesty, before someone kicks it out from under you.

You're a rarity then. Most people are fat for exactly the reasons she listed. You might try and kick her down, but the fact for every one of you there are hundreds who support her would make your task difficult.

melodyg

I am almost 250, and although I have weight to lose, I am not as you describe, and quite frankly, I am offended by your post. I eat fast food once a month at best, and I compensate with exercise. I may have a fat @ss, but this fat @ss can hike 7-8 miles with no problem, hit softballs at the batting cages for days, and kick the @ss of most everyone I know (including the guys). I am not stupid enough to think that fast and fried foods are healthy in any way, shape, or form, but occassionally I treat myself. I am by no stretch of the imagination lazy or dumb, as I have more energy, am more active, and get more accomplished in any given day than most people I know. You have no idea about people and would do well to keep your judgement to yourself. Some people have disabilities or diagnoses that affects their ability to maintain a healthy weight, such as thyroid, PCOS, back injuries, recent surgery...I could go on for days here. Might I suggest getting off your high horse, your majesty, before someone kicks it out from under you.

You're a rarity then. Most people are fat for exactly the reasons she listed. You might try and kick her down, but the fact for every one of you there are hundreds who support her would make your task difficult.

10% is a conservative estimate of the number of women who have PCOS, which makes it very difficult to lose weight. That isn't factoring in the percentages of those with hypothyroid disorder, those on steroids for asthma or other medical conditions, and those with many other medical issues that I can't think of right now. I wouldn't call that a rarity. Please try to be supportive instead of tearing others down. Again, you do not know what others are going through. YES, everyone should try to be healthier. That does not always translate to immediate (or any) weight loss.

iggyboo93

Obviously everyone is different. I know people who are rail thin and can eat fast food 3 times a day and not gain an ounce. I know other people who faithfully eat salads and exercise but can't lose the weight. There are so many factors that Americans are in the midst of this obesity epidemic. I asked my hubby what he thinks about this (he's a nutritional physiology professor). His take is this - obesity has many causes - rampant use of high fructose corn syrup as a cheap sweetener and preservative (fructose does in fact metabolize differently than other sugars - don't listen to the corn syrup industry propaganda), way too much sugar and salt, overuse of pre-packaged / convenience foods, over-processed food, lack of basic skills on how to cook a wholesome meal (he sees this a lot working in the food insecurity program through extension services) and an underlying sense of entitlement to overeat as a result of underlying emotional issues. His answer to obesity is read food labels, spend more time in the fruits and veggie section, learn to cook and, instead of eating the entire box of Oreos, find another outlet to vent frustrations or loneliness/sadness. I told him that it's easier said than done. He agrees.

annwyatt69

I am not 250, but close. I have GAINED weight eating well under 2000 calories a day (what MFP told me to eat, before my doctor changed that) and am maintaining eating around 1700. Quite frankly, I am tired of people who think all I do is eat fast food and Doritos all day. (Today is probably one of my worse days because I had no access to MFP and had to eat out all day). There are people with legitimate health issues that make it almost impossible to lose weight. And it just makes it harder when I constantly have to deal with people like you. I'm probably one of those who will have diabetes before I'm 50... everyone else in my family does. I'm hoping the fact that I eat better than most of them is in my favor... but so far they are the ones who drop the Cokes and crappy food and lose weight while I'm maintaining and gaining on a healthier diet. (Also, being fat is by no means "accepted'" by society... if you were very overweight and had to deal with the attitude and comments I hear or overhear or get thrown at me by the media every day, you would understand that.)

Thank you for posting this. I have been "fat" for the last 12 years now, due to health issues. I ate around 2000 calories per day and went from 125 to 246, at a rate of about ten pounds a year. I became a type I diabetic when I was 15 (and 5'5" and 120 pounds.) I have health issues and metabolic issues that make it nearly impossible to lose anything. Eating 800 calories per day, at doctor's request, I have lost 24 pounds in 6 months. I DO NOT eat junk food or fast food. I use no butter or margarine. I am a registered dietitian and I am FAT. The person who started this blog is an IDIOT.

StillChangingAmie

I was one of those obese children you all are depressed by. :[ I hit 200 lbs by the time I was 11 and my highest weight was 222 in high school. It's really not fair to judge all overweight people.
I'm not blaming my parents entirely, but I am not the one who buys the groceries. I'm doing my best now with what I've got, sorry I can't please all the thin people :[

TinGirl314

Thankfully I am above this now, but six months ago this post would have crushed me.
I started at 370 pounds and I hit 250 last week for the first time since 10th grade.
Did i eat badly? Of course, but I also spent half the time starving myself trying to lose weight. I happen to have PCOS and Diabetes, I had both by the time I was 14. for me to not gain (NOT to lose) I need a 400 calorie burn a day and under 2000 calories. I really have to question your intelligence...you come onto a site where people seek support and you say all these blunt stereo typical bigotries...what response are you trying to get?

You have it all figured out? Well GOOD for you.
I don't, and that's why I'm here.
Do not judge what you don't understand, it's a very ugly color on anyone.

slkehl

I do find it amazing people can maintain that level of fat on their bodies! You have to eat a lot to keep that up.

wiltl

... you are part of the problem.

Sorry, I think you are part of the problem. You maintain an ignorant view of why people are fat and just assume its all due to laziness and stupidity. If you truly took a look around this site, you would see that there are quite a few people who have medical issues or other circumstances that may have taken priority over their weight. You must also realize that, on average, people in the US work more and take less time off than in other countries. So, is that laziness for those that work 10 hours a day? Or, have a two hour round trip commute tacked on? Or, those with kids and family that also require attention? What gives? Yeah, it can mean they end up in a drive through at times. There is also a lot of misinformation out there about nutrition and influences from previous generations. Heard of the clean plate club? Yeah, thats a result of the great depression era parents ensuring their kids never had to go hungry and told them to eat whatever was on their plate as there might be time there wouldn't be enough. Those kids had kids and passed on what they learned.
How about those that have fought and fought for years, and then find out that they have a medical condition? Doctor after doctor just saying to eat less and it will be fine and not really diagnosing. You assume, but I'm not the *kitten*.
If it were just as easy as the fatties putting down the fork, there wouldn't be an issue. Obviously, its much more complicated than that.