people aren't different?

vjw221
vjw221 Posts: 34 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I keep seeing the use of "special snowflake" used in these threads. last I check we were all created differently otherwise we'd have to walk around with our full names tattooed on our foreheads so that we could tell one another apart.

we all are built differently men vs. women, tall vs. short, butt stored fat vs. belly stored fat. easy fat gainer vs. easy muscle gainers.

my point is why is there so much "you're not unique, it's an excuse" type of commentary in here? where's the none sarcastic, nonjudgmental, useful help? why the need to try and belittle people and argue?
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Replies

  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    We may all be created different, but the general functions of the human body doesn't. Thus...special snowflake remarks.
  • Escape_Artist
    Escape_Artist Posts: 1,155 Member
    We may all be created different, but the general functions of the human body doesn't. Thus...special snowflake remarks.

    Coudn't have said it better :flowerforyou:
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I keep seeing the use of "special snowflake" used in these threads. last I check we were all created differently otherwise we'd have to walk around with our full names tattooed on our foreheads so that we could tell one another apart.

    we all are built differently men vs. women, tall vs. short, butt stored fat vs. belly stored fat. easy fat gainer vs. easy muscle gainers.

    my point is why is there so much "you're not unique, it's an excuse" type of commentary in here? where's the none sarcastic, nonjudgmental, useful help? why the need to try and belittle people and argue?

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/you-are-not-different.html
  • bajoyba
    bajoyba Posts: 1,153 Member
    We are all different. But we're not THAT different. Science still applies. If our bodies were all drastically different, our doctors would have a heck of a time treating us. Think about it. Any treatment or prescription someone receives exists because it was tested across the board on large groups of people and was shown to be successful for its intended purposes.

    The same applies to weight loss.

    We are all different behaviorally and psychologically, and we may require different approaches to reach our goals. But physiologically, we're all pretty much the same, and weight loss comes down to being in a caloric deficit. It's simple, and that's actually a really great thing.
  • vjw221
    vjw221 Posts: 34 Member
    Thanks for proving my point.
  • MG_Fit
    MG_Fit Posts: 1,143 Member
    Beer doesn't affect me the way it does for most people :drinker:
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,961 Member
    We are all different. But we're not THAT different. Science still applies. If our bodies were all drastically different, our doctors would have a heck of a time treating us. Think about it. Any treatment or prescription someone receives exists because it was tested across the board on large groups of people and was shown to be successful for its intended purposes.

    The same applies to weight loss.

    We are all different behaviorally and psychologically, and we may require different approaches to reach our goals. But physiologically, we're all pretty much the same, and weight loss comes down to being in a caloric deficit. It's simple, and that's actually a really great thing.
    THIS. Approaches may differ, but the laws of thermodynamics still apply regardless if you're a man or woman. Underlying health and hormone issues dictate a different approach, but the commonality with approaches is still calorie deficit.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/you-are-not-different.html

    Worth highlighting
  • sullus
    sullus Posts: 2,839 Member
    Remember: You're special and unique, just like everyone else.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Everyone is subject to the laws of thermodynamics...it works the same for everyone...we might be different...but we're not that different. Also...these calculators account for the fact that you're male of female or taller or shorter or heavier or lighter or whatever...all of that goes into the formula for your calorie goal...from there, the laws of thermodynamics do apply...and if you think they don't then you are a special snowflake. Even for people with medical issues, the laws of thermodynamics still apply...it's just that there numbers are a bit off from the average individual.

    taso42...good to see you around again man...great kiddos you have there. Hope you're getting some sleep :)
  • vjw221
    vjw221 Posts: 34 Member
    basic science may be the same energy in vs energy out. i get that however all of the many differing variables that go into energy number is what makes us different

    so to make my point simpler.... our journeys are different and unique to our individual selves. what works for some doesn't work for all.

    attempting to make people feel little and put everyone into a box isn't helpful.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    basic science may be the same energy in vs energy out. i get that however all of the many differing variables that go into energy number is what makes us different

    so to make my point simpler.... our journeys are different and unique to our individual selves. what works for some doesn't work for all.

    attempting to make people feel little and put everyone into a box isn't helpful.

    So do you have lots of research supporting caloric deficits don't work? Since that is the backbone of every single diet
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,148 Member
    I sense this will be worth watching.
  • CoffeeNBooze
    CoffeeNBooze Posts: 966 Member
    We may all be created different, but the general functions of the human body doesn't. Thus...special snowflake remarks.

    QFT.

    When people say special snowflake, they are referring to when someone says something to the likes of "Oh I tried exercising and counting calories but my body just didn't lose weight like that, I must be different."
  • Chevy_Quest
    Chevy_Quest Posts: 2,012 Member
    Everyone is subject to the laws of thermodynamics...it works the same for everyone...we might be different...but we're not that different.

    Gotta love a good Thermodynamics quote! However I think I am going to pound a bunch of beers and sulk about the 2nd law of thermodynamics and the possible "heat death" of the universe...:drinker:
  • Seesawboomerang
    Seesawboomerang Posts: 296 Member
    The expression is still quite grating, though.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    We may all be created different, but the general functions of the human body doesn't. Thus...special snowflake remarks.

    Except when it does. Even physiologically fat gain / loss is not the same for everyone. And weight loss is even more different.
  • vjw221
    vjw221 Posts: 34 Member
    Please tell me where i said anything about calorie deficit not working?

    if 100 people ate the exact same things and performed the exact same exercises... nothing less and nothing more. their bodies would not repspond the same.... hence the difference.

    people are different, we behave differently, and our bodies react differently to different approaches.

    and again my point is why the need to try to belittle people about it? where's the helpfulness in it? what's the point in it?
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    The only time I have seen special snowflake remarks is when they claim that calorie deficit isn't working. So in that regards...sorry they aren't special snowflakes. Never have I seen that used in terms of a person's individualness.

    Also, just because someone is blunt, doesn't mean they are mean/rude/etc..., "Special Snowflake" is just that, a blunt remark.
  • Trechechus
    Trechechus Posts: 2,819 Member
    Genetics are a lot more complicated than hair and eye colour. Because you probably don't want me to launch into a huge lecture on human genetics, I am going to link to an article that breaks it up pretty nicely.

    Yes, you look different than the guy standing next to you in the elevator. No, your body is not different in terms of how it functions. As the article says, "Almost all human genetic variation is relatively insignificant biologically— that is, it has no apparent adaptive significance."

    http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih1/genetic/guide/genetic_variation1.htm
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Please tell me where i said anything about calorie deficit not working?

    if 100 people ate the exact same things and performed the exact same exercises... nothing less and nothing more. their bodies would not repspond the same.... hence the difference.

    people are different, we behave differently, and our bodies react differently to different approaches.

    and again my point is why the need to try to belittle people about it? where's the helpfulness in it? what's the point in it?

    "what works for some doesn't work for all. "
  • NovemberJune
    NovemberJune Posts: 2,525 Member
    Remember: You're special and unique, just like everyone else.

    :wink:
  • shannashannabobana
    shannashannabobana Posts: 625 Member
    where's the none sarcastic, nonjudgmental, useful help?
    LOL. [insert snarky gif here]. Boom.
  • vjw221
    vjw221 Posts: 34 Member
    Please tell me where i said anything about calorie deficit not working?

    if 100 people ate the exact same things and performed the exact same exercises... nothing less and nothing more. their bodies would not repspond the same.... hence the difference.

    people are different, we behave differently, and our bodies react differently to different approaches.

    and again my point is why the need to try to belittle people about it? where's the helpfulness in it? what's the point in it?

    "what works for some doesn't work for all. "




    lol...... and which of those words is "calorie" or "deficit" ?
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Genetics are a lot more complicated than hair and eye colour. Because you probably don't want me to launch into a huge lecture on human genetics, I am going to link to an article that breaks it up pretty nicely.

    Yes, you look different than the guy standing next to you in the elevator. No, your body is not different in terms of how it functions. As the article says, "Almost all human genetic variation is relatively insignificant biologically— that is, it has no apparent adaptive significance."

    http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih1/genetic/guide/genetic_variation1.htm

    Almost all...

    That sounds like it is relatively significant for a few people, one might even call them "special", like a snowflake.
  • kyleekay10
    kyleekay10 Posts: 1,812 Member
    Please tell me where i said anything about calorie deficit not working?

    if 100 people ate the exact same things and performed the exact same exercises... nothing less and nothing more. their bodies would not repspond the same.... hence the difference.

    people are different, we behave differently, and our bodies react differently to different approaches.

    and again my point is why the need to try to belittle people about it? where's the helpfulness in it? what's the point in it?

    "what works for some doesn't work for all. "




    lol...... and which of those words is "calorie" or "deficit" ?

    It's implied that you're referring to caloric deficits, OP, because "special snowflake" is a term used almost exclusively for healthy (meaning no medical conditions that would inhibit weight loss) people who are saying "Oh em gee. I'm eating at a deficit and STILL not losing. Guess I'm just different! Ha-ha-ha."

    As for your "where's the nice help" comments, there's plenty of that here, too. It's just generally not apparent when people are making excuses for themselves.
  • SillyFitMe
    SillyFitMe Posts: 130 Member
    I would agree that in general, yes most people are the same. I do believe the difference in why things work for some and not others is varying daily activity level and THIS is what accounts for the snowflake syndrome. You have to dig deeper than age, height, gender. I absolutely believe in snowflakes.
  • cleback
    cleback Posts: 261 Member
    Because this is the internet, and people tend to say things they wouldn't say to a person's face.
  • suziepoo1984
    suziepoo1984 Posts: 915 Member
    People who generally throw out the "Special Snowflake" remark are the ones that have done good research and are doing really well with weight loss/maintenance. They are also the most helpful people if you are willing to learn/listen to them and be ready to follow the advise.
    Weight loss is simple but not easy, but most people who cry about plateau want it to be easy.
    Weight loss involves accurate calorie counting, weighing of food, measuring activity properly, proper and regular logging.
    Most people who crib do not do most/all of the above and then complain about weight loss which = "you are not special snowflake" remark.
  • bajoyba
    bajoyba Posts: 1,153 Member
    ALL of my weight loss and fitness success came after I accepted that I wasn't a special snowflake. Almost everything I learned about weight loss and fitness, I learned from people who emphasized that point.

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