My opinion (don't read if you're overly sensitive)

Would recommend that you did not take on any job that involves supporting people in any way ....

There is a difference in supporting and babysitting.

I live in a flat, and I don't do CV exercises at home out of consideration for the neighbours below and their two small children. That actually seems a pretty reasonable, pro-social attitude to me.

Doesn't stop me cycling or walking everywhere or going to the gym, obviously...

Having been through major depressive disorder (among other mental illnesses) from 1999-2001, I can vouch for the fact that if a person is truly depressed, exercise ain't gonna happen, and it is not just a matter of "sucking it up". It may be a psychological disorder, but it has a very real physical impact, as do the meds. Which sucks, because exercise is one of the best natural antidepressants.

For the rest, I understand how frustrating it is to see people use excuses, particularly if they are friends who won't stop complaining about their own unhealthy nature in the first place...but as others have said, they just aren't ready yet. I try to be patient, but sometimes I just want to shake them and scream.

Aside from telling someone who is depressed to "suck it up", I agree with it all.

This.

I'm on my own path, I don't care about anyone elses diet, motivation, workout routine, etc....
Maybe you are putting a little too much thought into it....

Preach!

I've made some of those excuses in the past. I get your point - on the other hand, sometimes you'll find someone who really has (or thinks they have) given it their all and made absolutely no progress. That happened to me a number of times because I REALLY needed to track my food. I was reducing my intake during those weight loss attempts and moving more but wasn't creating the deficit needed to make any noticeable progress. Sometimes people do need just a little bit of encouragement or a little tweak to their "program" (for lack of a better word).

My all time favorite is...."It is my TOM, and I feel bloated and have no energy....so I can't work out."....Toughen up!

I suffer with endometriosis and can be doubled up in sheer agony sometimes. I always try to make it to the gym during "that" time, but sometimes I can barely stand, so going to the gym and trying to a squat with a barbell is an absolute no-no. However, that said I will always make up for it one way or another.

Who cares, it's their body and life, if they aren't bothered I'm certainly not.

My priority to keep fit and healthy lays with my children and myself.

I agree with you to a certain point - you have been incredibly successful and I congratulate you. But - how long have you kept it off? 5 years? 10? 20?Believe me, maintaining is harder than losing. Life happens, depression happens, motivation goes, people have children, lose jobs. These things affect peoples weight - managing a family and holding a high stress career, working 2 jobs for 20 years make people exhausted; and following a new program may seem very difficult for them. I am not being overly sensitive - just trying to view life in from different points of view.

Like, half of people that get down on here I believe is caused by constantly reading other peoples posts about being down etc, if I see one I skip it.

You could also take another tach by trying to bring their spirits up! Who know, you might actually feel good about using positivity to counter negativity?

I was with you until you told people with depression to "suck it up". So ignorant.

If someone tells me that they are depressed, I tell them that's even more of a reason to work out!

I think there is a big difference between being bluntly honest to a friend who is making excuses and making a general announcement justifying being bluntly honest.

Yes and no. What annoys me is our (as a species) over-reliance on Gyms. Or "working out".

What we need is a more active lifestyle. Sedentary lifestyles and inactivity are one of the global causes of death and disability. And yet we drive our cars half a mile to the shops, drive our children to school and take the lift at work.

(http://www.sustrans.org.uk/assets/files/AT/Promotional leaflets/General AT information leaflet_final.pdf a useful bit of information about active lifestyles)

This especially relates to people who are hugely overweight. If they could replace all their journeys under 5 miles with walking and cycling, take the lift or get off the bus one stop earlier, they would make a huge difference to their health and wellbeing. Gyms are all well and good (if you like that sort of thing) but they can be elitist, cliquey and scary for some people. Walking is free, and a great way to get your 30 minutes of "moderate" exercise a day, and yet we are still yelling "GYMGYMGYM" in people's faces. Taking up a new sport, or a workout regime is quite scary for some people and can be very hard to stick to. I know so many people with unused gym memberships. However, taking up walking or cycling for short journeys or leisure is much less intimidating, much cheaper and more accessible to many people.

I always like the idea of walking more but it's just not often feasible. Weather conditions in anywhere that isn't mild temperatures make half the year (summer and winter) an unhealthy prospect. Overheating or freezing. There is also baggage to contend with - I'm not carrying 40 pounds of groceries in my hands home for several miles. And there is often the safety concern - it's simply not safe to walk to many of the places around where I live.

But more mobility in general, whenever you can get it, is good. I do park further out now. And in the pleasant months, I take an extra day or two a week to drive out to the lake and go for a long walk there. (Much safer part of town.) That sort of thing.

To me THAT is mostly just excuses!

I live in the UK and our temperature has been shocking since about October. It's been snowing almost every week since christmas.

I, despite being pregnant and sick (bedridden for three weeks and suffering HG for 10 weeks), Ihave walked over 160 miles and cycled over 110 since the start of January. I often drive to the supermarket when I have a big shop to do, but inbetween I walk to the local shops (either 1/2 a mile or 1 mile), and if I need to do a medium shop, I cycle to the shop and carry my shopping home in my panniers. It's not about me telling people they must walk and cycle all the time everywhere- just about people making better decisions in their every day life, and not making rubbish excuses about the weather or something. Rain does not kill,. Sopending time out in the cold does NOT cause colds (contrary to popular belief- it's actually just that during the winter more people spend time couped up insdie togehter, spreading the germs!)

Simple example: my office is on the third floor, and I have to go up and down the staris 8-9 times a day. There's a lift I could use, but I don't

My weightloss might not be anything impressive but I have a healthy lifestyle. My exercise costs me the price of parts for my bike (and the odd service when I bust it). I know I can run 5 miles if I need to (outside, not on a moving platform at the gym), I can cycle 50 miles, I can walk 20. I know my heart is healthy, my bones are dense and I am happy and healthy. I also appreciate the good bits of our weather, which most people who live inside (house/car/office/gym/car/home) never get to see.

I don't need a gym!