Making a Lifestyle Change (or Plus Sized and OK with it)

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Replies

  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    I suspect the OP is taking issue with people accusing her of being a lazy quitter for not having their idea of perfection as her target. There's a lot of wiggle room in between "love you rainbow" and "you're a total failure".
  • acorsaut89
    acorsaut89 Posts: 1,147 Member
    sofaking6 wrote: »
    logg1e wrote: »
    sofaking6 wrote: »
    logg1e wrote: »
    LaurenAOK wrote: »
    Because maybe she LIKES having a bigger, curvier body. Not everyone has to have the same beauty standard. Not everyone has to want to be thin.

    I think that some of us are questioning because her goal isn't to be thin or beautiful. It's to be healthy. Being over-weight is not healthy. Being a healthy weight is healthy.
    LaurenAOK wrote: »
    Why is that anyone's business but hers?

    Because she started a thread "throwing it out there".

    Aren't body builders and many athletes technically overweight? Are they all unhealthy?

    Well, quite. The typical idea here is how rugby players have unhealthily high BMIs. But I don't think that's what the OP means when she says she's "plus size".

    I'm just saying that BMI isn't as accurate a health indicator as people in this thread seem to be saying it is. I know that obesity carries a lot of related health risks, but how 'plus sized' do you need to be in order to automatically be unhealthy? A pound, a kilo, 20 pounds? According to some BMI charts I've seen, I'd be overweight at 130 pounds. Would I also therefore unhealthy at that weight? My GW is 140, btw.

    But that's the point - see BMI is a number and what I would look like at 140 and what you would look like at that weight would be incredibly different and I would probably look too thin at that weight because I'm 5'9 almost 5'10. However, we could wear the same size - like lets say we both wear a size 8 . . . we are the same size, but our weight could be 30 or even 40 lbs difference.

    That's why I'm asking why she still wants to be plus sized. Weight isn't what I'm asking . . . it's wanting to wear size 14+
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    acorsaut89 wrote: »
    sofaking6 wrote: »
    logg1e wrote: »
    sofaking6 wrote: »
    logg1e wrote: »
    LaurenAOK wrote: »
    Because maybe she LIKES having a bigger, curvier body. Not everyone has to have the same beauty standard. Not everyone has to want to be thin.

    I think that some of us are questioning because her goal isn't to be thin or beautiful. It's to be healthy. Being over-weight is not healthy. Being a healthy weight is healthy.
    LaurenAOK wrote: »
    Why is that anyone's business but hers?

    Because she started a thread "throwing it out there".

    Aren't body builders and many athletes technically overweight? Are they all unhealthy?

    Well, quite. The typical idea here is how rugby players have unhealthily high BMIs. But I don't think that's what the OP means when she says she's "plus size".

    I'm just saying that BMI isn't as accurate a health indicator as people in this thread seem to be saying it is. I know that obesity carries a lot of related health risks, but how 'plus sized' do you need to be in order to automatically be unhealthy? A pound, a kilo, 20 pounds? According to some BMI charts I've seen, I'd be overweight at 130 pounds. Would I also therefore unhealthy at that weight? My GW is 140, btw.

    But that's the point - see BMI is a number and what I would look like at 140 and what you would look like at that weight would be incredibly different and I would probably look too thin at that weight because I'm 5'9 almost 5'10. However, we could wear the same size - like lets say we both wear a size 8 . . . we are the same size, but our weight could be 30 or even 40 lbs difference.

    That's why I'm asking why she still wants to be plus sized. Weight isn't what I'm asking . . . it's wanting to wear size 14+

    Ah - I guess I'm assuming OP used that interchangeably with overweight...maybe not tho! Thanks..

  • acorsaut89
    acorsaut89 Posts: 1,147 Member
    Good morning!

    Hi, I'm Tina, aka Tea. I've successfully completed my first week with MFP, which included two holiday mine fields that I didn't blow too badly. Yay, me!

    Browsing the boards, I see a lot of people here starting this journey wanting to completely transform themselves, and that's great. However, I'm not one of those people. I'm plus sized and I'm more than ok with it. My weight loss goal is 55 lbs, which will still leave me firmly in the Plus category when all is said and done. I'm looking to get healthier, watch what I eat, and sure, lose weight, but I REALLY want to feel better and improve my health overall. I don't want to develop diabetes or any other conditions that my doctor warns me about.

    I'm tossing that out here in the hopes that I can meet some other like minded people as I start this journey. It's very nice to meet you, I hope we can be friends. :smiley:

    ~Tina

    Hi T1na, I never respond to these things, so sorry if it's a bit clumsy. Don't listen to these ignorant fools on this website. They are absolutely WRONG in their approach and they need to read some weight loss research. I am a Registered Dietitian and Certified Personal Trainer and a healthy lifestyle coach for 10+ years. By losing 55 lbs, you will lower your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease significantly, even if you are STILL in the "overweight" category. Your balanced "lifestyle change" approach will help protect you against yo-yo dieting, which causes long term weight gain and disease. READ THE BOOK "Intuitive Eating" by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch.
    + Also, those who practice healthy lifestyle habits (eat a healthy diet, drink in moderation, exercise regularly, and lower stress) who are overweight have a lower risk of disease than those who are of "healthy weight" but do not have these healthy lifestyle factors. AND CRITICS- you might want to ask yourself what you are getting out of telling this woman that she can't be OK with being overweight? I mean, have you honestly given up every unhealthy thing in YOUR life? Or have you maybe accepted that you have certain traits you are not going to change, and worked on other ones? Have you committed REALLY committed yourself to eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day? Are they organic?
    Oh, ya , and one more thing. I love all of the people who say "I respect your choice" and then proceed to tell you why you are wrong. SKINNY OBSESSED SOCIETY!!! GET A FRIGGIN" LIFE!!!!!! Also watch this clip from Ted Talks http://www.ted.com/talks/sandra_aamodt_why_dieting_doesn_t_usually_work?language=en

    Why half *kitten* anything?

    Why say ok so I'm half out of the woods for developing diabetes? I'm half way to being kind of healthy?

    Sure being "thin" and eating crap and treating your body like crap won't end well for anyone . . . but those of us who are overweight, put incredible strain on our bodies by doing this. If you can completely reduce the risks, why not?
  • paulawatkins1974
    paulawatkins1974 Posts: 720 Member
    sofaking6 wrote: »
    acorsaut89 wrote: »
    sofaking6 wrote: »
    logg1e wrote: »
    LaurenAOK wrote: »
    Because maybe she LIKES having a bigger, curvier body. Not everyone has to have the same beauty standard. Not everyone has to want to be thin.

    I think that some of us are questioning because her goal isn't to be thin or beautiful. It's to be healthy. Being over-weight is not healthy. Being a healthy weight is healthy.
    LaurenAOK wrote: »
    Why is that anyone's business but hers?

    Because she started a thread "throwing it out there".

    Aren't body builders and many athletes technically overweight? Are they all unhealthy?

    I can't talk about health . . . but in regards to weight yes they are but not plus sized . . . she said she wants to stay plus sized.

    What's the difference between "overweight" and "plus sized"?
    Plus sized is "Size." If you're a bodybuiler, and are overweight by BMI calculators, You're not gonna be as large a "Size." A person with fat and a person with muscle can both weigh 200 lbs but I can guarantee the one with fat will be much larger.

  • Torontonius
    Torontonius Posts: 245 Member
    edited December 2014
    Nothing wrong with wanting to be plus-sized, assuming you're expecting an apocalyptic event to take place and are counting on your body fat stores to keep you alive during the harsh winter. Only problem is getting away from the wolves....

    (yes I'm kidding)

    In all seriousness, I don't get the rationale. Why do something half-way?
  • ems212
    ems212 Posts: 135 Member
    DYELB wrote: »
    If you think at a specific poundage loss you suddenly and miraculously feel better and are healthy, I've got bad news for you. The goal itself is great, being healthier is more important than looking good, but I'd be cautious about attaching a specific number to that. That's not how it works.

    You can be slightly over-weight and still healthy. For a few years, I was over-weight, but generally healthy. My blood pressure was good, cholestrol was good, etc. The only thing the doctor said was that I could stand to lose a few pounds. Granted, things went downhill from that point until now, but generally speaking, I was a size 14, 185 pounds, and healthy.

    I think everybody approaches this differently. If you feel like losing 50 pounds is a good idea, then go for it. Maybe after the 50, you'll want to keep going and get down to what the government and health officials claim as a healthy weight. Or, maybe after the 50 you'll feel better overall, and want to maintain at that weight. It's your choice. Everybody is different, and every body is different.
  • MsHoo
    MsHoo Posts: 4
    OMG.... people just congratulate her on the mindset to start losing weight and call it a day. She doesn't need all this. Whe she loses 55lbs she might want to keep going, or not! Stop bashing and start encouraging.....................
  • rbfdac
    rbfdac Posts: 1,057 Member
    acorsaut89 wrote: »
    Wow, I went away to have a healthy lunch and come back to a couple of PMs that there was a "sh@tstorm" happening in my introduction thread were not lying (thank you, lovely people for the warnings! xo)!

    First off, thank you all for taking a moment to chime in. While I don't exactly feel welcomed, I think that this is a teaching moment for all those that think that I have to be free of my fat to be healthy and happy.

    This is my journey, not yours. My fat is my business, not yours. You do NOT get to judge me. You know NOTHING about my life, history or motivations. I won't be bullied nor shamed into changing my goals to be more palatable to your worldview.

    For those of you who have been very welcoming and messaged/friended me, thank you very much. I appreciate your genuine interest and kindness. I hope that we can all meet our goals together!

    XO!
    Tina

    Well then, to put this simply . . . don't post on here.

    Most people on here are here to get healthy . . . not to stay plus sized. If that's what you want, fantastic. I want to run a 5K, and then a 10K and maybe some point in my life a half marathon. I want to wear a size 10 pants . . . I want to lift heavy and I want to be able to treat myself to the things I want. I don't want a risk of diabetes or high blood pressure or MS (which my mom has and I'm more susceptible to it, it's not genetic but there's a chance) further I have a blood disorder that I was born with that I want to be able to managed without blood thinners. Do you know what it's like to tell people I'm on blood thinners and have been for a majority of my life? Most people associate blood thinners with being fat.

    Those are the things I want - the things I think about every single day . . . and I don't post about them on here because there are none of anyone else's business. If you don't want people's comments - good and bad - then don't post on here. If you post, it's fair game.

    A size 10 is considered "plus size" to many people. Many size 10's are also technically overweight. When I weigh 180 pounds, I am a size 10. Pretty good size, I think, but at 5'9", I would still be overweight. However, I could also be just a healthy and fit as a smaller woman. I'll say it again- you can be overweight and fit and healthy.

  • rbfdac
    rbfdac Posts: 1,057 Member
    This is now the second post I've read today where the poster got upset about people who had the nerve to respond. I honestly and truly do not understand why people "put themselves out there" and then get upset when they get input that isn't purely rainbows and unicorn farts.

    She didn't ask anyone to critique her plan, though. She was seeking like minded MFP friends. Where else but the forums would one do that?[/quote]

    This. She came here looking for support and she was essentially attacked for not wanting to "go all the way". Some even had the nerve to tell her that if she only wanted to lose 55 and still be overweight, she might as well not lose any at all (Whhhaaatttt).
  • rbfdac
    rbfdac Posts: 1,057 Member
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    So this is where all the Meghan Trainor fans are hanging out.

    Fail.
  • acorsaut89
    acorsaut89 Posts: 1,147 Member
    rbfdac wrote: »
    acorsaut89 wrote: »
    Wow, I went away to have a healthy lunch and come back to a couple of PMs that there was a "sh@tstorm" happening in my introduction thread were not lying (thank you, lovely people for the warnings! xo)!

    First off, thank you all for taking a moment to chime in. While I don't exactly feel welcomed, I think that this is a teaching moment for all those that think that I have to be free of my fat to be healthy and happy.

    This is my journey, not yours. My fat is my business, not yours. You do NOT get to judge me. You know NOTHING about my life, history or motivations. I won't be bullied nor shamed into changing my goals to be more palatable to your worldview.

    For those of you who have been very welcoming and messaged/friended me, thank you very much. I appreciate your genuine interest and kindness. I hope that we can all meet our goals together!

    XO!
    Tina

    Well then, to put this simply . . . don't post on here.

    Most people on here are here to get healthy . . . not to stay plus sized. If that's what you want, fantastic. I want to run a 5K, and then a 10K and maybe some point in my life a half marathon. I want to wear a size 10 pants . . . I want to lift heavy and I want to be able to treat myself to the things I want. I don't want a risk of diabetes or high blood pressure or MS (which my mom has and I'm more susceptible to it, it's not genetic but there's a chance) further I have a blood disorder that I was born with that I want to be able to managed without blood thinners. Do you know what it's like to tell people I'm on blood thinners and have been for a majority of my life? Most people associate blood thinners with being fat.

    Those are the things I want - the things I think about every single day . . . and I don't post about them on here because there are none of anyone else's business. If you don't want people's comments - good and bad - then don't post on here. If you post, it's fair game.

    A size 10 is considered "plus size" to many people. Many size 10's are also technically overweight. When I weigh 180 pounds, I am a size 10. Pretty good size, I think, but at 5'9", I would still be overweight. However, I could also be just a healthy and fit as a smaller woman. I'll say it again- you can be overweight and fit and healthy.

    Well considering I came from a size 22 - which is a real plus size - a size 10 is a great goal for me. I never once said it's the end game for me, I said I want to wear it, I want to fit into it.

    Size 10 is not a plus size. Plus size lines start at 14. It may be a plus size for models, but a size 10 US is not a plus size. Maybe for some people because anything over a 4 is horrendous to even think about but for most of us out there, size 10 is not a plus size.

    You can be overweight and healthy - athletes are overweight and healthy - they are not though, plus sized.
  • wow... what's with all this "do it 100% or don't do it at all" stuff? Not everything in life has to be 100%... do you really do everything in your life 100%? What if 50% is also great? Do you save 100% of the money you could save? Do you keep up with friends 100% as well as you should? Do you give your work 100%, 100% of the time? Do you donate 100% of the money you could donate? 50% of something good is still good!

    I hope MFP doesn't turn us into the weight equivalent of those ex-smokers that will run and gag if they see someone light up a cigarette 50 yards away... :-) it's all good!
  • _Waffle_ wrote: »
    So this is where all the Meghan Trainor fans are hanging out.

    *get over yourself*

  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    acorsaut89 wrote: »
    rbfdac wrote: »
    acorsaut89 wrote: »
    Wow, I went away to have a healthy lunch and come back to a couple of PMs that there was a "sh@tstorm" happening in my introduction thread were not lying (thank you, lovely people for the warnings! xo)!

    First off, thank you all for taking a moment to chime in. While I don't exactly feel welcomed, I think that this is a teaching moment for all those that think that I have to be free of my fat to be healthy and happy.

    This is my journey, not yours. My fat is my business, not yours. You do NOT get to judge me. You know NOTHING about my life, history or motivations. I won't be bullied nor shamed into changing my goals to be more palatable to your worldview.

    For those of you who have been very welcoming and messaged/friended me, thank you very much. I appreciate your genuine interest and kindness. I hope that we can all meet our goals together!

    XO!
    Tina

    Well then, to put this simply . . . don't post on here.

    Most people on here are here to get healthy . . . not to stay plus sized. If that's what you want, fantastic. I want to run a 5K, and then a 10K and maybe some point in my life a half marathon. I want to wear a size 10 pants . . . I want to lift heavy and I want to be able to treat myself to the things I want. I don't want a risk of diabetes or high blood pressure or MS (which my mom has and I'm more susceptible to it, it's not genetic but there's a chance) further I have a blood disorder that I was born with that I want to be able to managed without blood thinners. Do you know what it's like to tell people I'm on blood thinners and have been for a majority of my life? Most people associate blood thinners with being fat.

    Those are the things I want - the things I think about every single day . . . and I don't post about them on here because there are none of anyone else's business. If you don't want people's comments - good and bad - then don't post on here. If you post, it's fair game.

    A size 10 is considered "plus size" to many people. Many size 10's are also technically overweight. When I weigh 180 pounds, I am a size 10. Pretty good size, I think, but at 5'9", I would still be overweight. However, I could also be just a healthy and fit as a smaller woman. I'll say it again- you can be overweight and fit and healthy.

    Well considering I came from a size 22 - which is a real plus size - a size 10 is a great goal for me. I never once said it's the end game for me, I said I want to wear it, I want to fit into it.

    Size 10 is not a plus size. Plus size lines start at 14. It may be a plus size for models, but a size 10 US is not a plus size. Maybe for some people because anything over a 4 is horrendous to even think about but for most of us out there, size 10 is not a plus size.

    You can be overweight and healthy - athletes are overweight and healthy - they are not though, plus sized.

    Is there an official definition of plus sized? Most US size 10 clothing would be too big for me, and I am overweight by 20 lbs.
  • 0somuchbetter0
    0somuchbetter0 Posts: 1,335 Member
    I enjoy being plus size, I like the way my body looks.

    But there is a limit, and I know I've passed it, hence MFP. I want to be confident AND healthy, and both of those things are possible while being overweight. :)

    I'm at my heaviest weight ever, but I'm also the best cardiovascular fitness level I've ever been at. My blood work and blood pressure are perfect. If that's not healthy, I don't know what is. :)

    Good luck on your journey! And congrats on setting goals and not allowing society to tell you they're not good enough! ;)

    You're healthy because you're 23. Add another 20+ years to your age and those numbers won't look so good.

    That statement is for you and the OP and anyone else who thinks that being overweight is healthy. Statistics show without a doubt that excess weight increases the chances for developing the diseases that we're hear about all the time: heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, stroke, etc. That's not a bunch of internet "haters" telling you what to do, it's just public health data. Don't take your health for granted.

    I'll be 51 this year and I'm overweight and the only negative health marker I have that I can control is my weight. I just had my yearly checkup and all my blood work came back fine again. All cancer screens are negative. Stress test was good. Bone density is good. I am healthy and overweight and have been for quite some time.

    It's entirely possible that the OP will meet her goal and decide it's not enough. She may decided on a new goal. None of us know whether she will be healthy or not at her current goal. There is nothing at all wrong with having a goal that isn't perfect on paper.

    See bolded. I said it increases the chances, not that it WILL cause these problems.

    I agree that there is nothing wrong with having a goal that isn't perfect on paper. I have no illusions of being perfect, even at my goal weight, which is still 40+ lbs away. After 20+ years of obesity, 15 years of smoking (quit in 1999), and living life pretty hard, I'm amazed (and thankful) that I'm as healthy as I am. But it's a game of risk and now that I'm older and less stupid, I try to control what I can so I can be around for my kids.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    edited December 2014
    I enjoy being plus size, I like the way my body looks.

    But there is a limit, and I know I've passed it, hence MFP. I want to be confident AND healthy, and both of those things are possible while being overweight. :)

    I'm at my heaviest weight ever, but I'm also the best cardiovascular fitness level I've ever been at. My blood work and blood pressure are perfect. If that's not healthy, I don't know what is. :)

    Good luck on your journey! And congrats on setting goals and not allowing society to tell you they're not good enough! ;)

    You're healthy because you're 23. Add another 20+ years to your age and those numbers won't look so good.

    That statement is for you and the OP and anyone else who thinks that being overweight is healthy. Statistics show without a doubt that excess weight increases the chances for developing the diseases that we're hear about all the time: heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, stroke, etc. That's not a bunch of internet "haters" telling you what to do, it's just public health data. Don't take your health for granted.

    I'll be 51 this year and I'm overweight and the only negative health marker I have that I can control is my weight. I just had my yearly checkup and all my blood work came back fine again. All cancer screens are negative. Stress test was good. Bone density is good. I am healthy and overweight and have been for quite some time.

    It's entirely possible that the OP will meet her goal and decide it's not enough. She may decided on a new goal. None of us know whether she will be healthy or not at her current goal. There is nothing at all wrong with having a goal that isn't perfect on paper.

    See bolded. I said it increases the chances, not that it WILL cause these problems.

    I agree that there is nothing wrong with having a goal that isn't perfect on paper. I have no illusions of being perfect, even at my goal weight, which is still 40+ lbs away. After 20+ years of obesity, 15 years of smoking (quit in 1999), and living life pretty hard, I'm amazed (and thankful) that I'm as healthy as I am. But it's a game of risk and now that I'm older and less stupid, I try to control what I can so I can be around for my kids.

    See bolded. My point was that adding 20 years is no guarantee that numbers won't still look good. What you do is just as important than what you eat. Probably more so.
  • rbfdac
    rbfdac Posts: 1,057 Member
    edited December 2014

    Well considering I came from a size 22 - which is a real plus size - a size 10 is a great goal for me. I never once said it's the end game for me, I said I want to wear it, I want to fit into it.

    Size 10 is not a plus size. Plus size lines start at 14. It may be a plus size for models, but a size 10 US is not a plus size. Maybe for some people because anything over a 4 is horrendous to even think about but for most of us out there, size 10 is not a plus size.

    You can be overweight and healthy - athletes are overweight and healthy - they are not though, plus sized.


    Is there an official definition of plus sized? Most US size 10 clothing would be too big for me, and I am overweight by 20 lbs. [/quote]

    Nope. "PLUS SIZED" IS SUBJECTIVE. Yes, "plus size" clothing lines often start at a size 14. "Plus size" models often start at a size 10. But the term "plus size" is defined by whoever is using it. I am a size 24 and consider myself plus sized, as most would. I also consider myself plus sized at a size 10.

  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,224 Member
    My goal, based on where I like the look of myself in old photos, is still firmly in the overweight category. Basically, I don't have a goal weight, I have a goal size and that's just to be able to buy clothes from normal stores. I really hate plus size clothes.

    I know that for health it's better to be in the healthy weight range, but it's also better to be a size 16 rather than a 22, so it's all relative. I like having curves, and my husband likes them too.

    But we will see. Right now I haven't been a 'healthy' weight in more than a decade, so my view of where I want to be is completely skewed. I may get down to where I think I want to be and decide to keep going. I may keep losing weight just because of the lifestyle changes I've made and being happy enough to not switch into maintenance straight away.
  • 0somuchbetter0
    0somuchbetter0 Posts: 1,335 Member
    I enjoy being plus size, I like the way my body looks.

    But there is a limit, and I know I've passed it, hence MFP. I want to be confident AND healthy, and both of those things are possible while being overweight. :)

    I'm at my heaviest weight ever, but I'm also the best cardiovascular fitness level I've ever been at. My blood work and blood pressure are perfect. If that's not healthy, I don't know what is. :)

    Good luck on your journey! And congrats on setting goals and not allowing society to tell you they're not good enough! ;)

    You're healthy because you're 23. Add another 20+ years to your age and those numbers won't look so good.

    That statement is for you and the OP and anyone else who thinks that being overweight is healthy. Statistics show without a doubt that excess weight increases the chances for developing the diseases that we're hear about all the time: heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, stroke, etc. That's not a bunch of internet "haters" telling you what to do, it's just public health data. Don't take your health for granted.

    I'll be 51 this year and I'm overweight and the only negative health marker I have that I can control is my weight. I just had my yearly checkup and all my blood work came back fine again. All cancer screens are negative. Stress test was good. Bone density is good. I am healthy and overweight and have been for quite some time.

    It's entirely possible that the OP will meet her goal and decide it's not enough. She may decided on a new goal. None of us know whether she will be healthy or not at her current goal. There is nothing at all wrong with having a goal that isn't perfect on paper.

    See bolded. I said it increases the chances, not that it WILL cause these problems.

    I agree that there is nothing wrong with having a goal that isn't perfect on paper. I have no illusions of being perfect, even at my goal weight, which is still 40+ lbs away. After 20+ years of obesity, 15 years of smoking (quit in 1999), and living life pretty hard, I'm amazed (and thankful) that I'm as healthy as I am. But it's a game of risk and now that I'm older and less stupid, I try to control what I can so I can be around for my kids.

    See bolded. My point was that adding 20 years is no guarantee that numbers won't still look good. What you do is just as important than what you eat. Probably more so.

    Again...going back to public health statistics. If one is overweight one's chances of developing health problems increase over time. If one is a healthy weight, those chances are lower. It's a game of risk. There are no guarantees in any scenario.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    I enjoy being plus size, I like the way my body looks.

    But there is a limit, and I know I've passed it, hence MFP. I want to be confident AND healthy, and both of those things are possible while being overweight. :)

    I'm at my heaviest weight ever, but I'm also the best cardiovascular fitness level I've ever been at. My blood work and blood pressure are perfect. If that's not healthy, I don't know what is. :)

    Good luck on your journey! And congrats on setting goals and not allowing society to tell you they're not good enough! ;)

    You're healthy because you're 23. Add another 20+ years to your age and those numbers won't look so good.

    That statement is for you and the OP and anyone else who thinks that being overweight is healthy. Statistics show without a doubt that excess weight increases the chances for developing the diseases that we're hear about all the time: heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, stroke, etc. That's not a bunch of internet "haters" telling you what to do, it's just public health data. Don't take your health for granted.

    I'll be 51 this year and I'm overweight and the only negative health marker I have that I can control is my weight. I just had my yearly checkup and all my blood work came back fine again. All cancer screens are negative. Stress test was good. Bone density is good. I am healthy and overweight and have been for quite some time.

    It's entirely possible that the OP will meet her goal and decide it's not enough. She may decided on a new goal. None of us know whether she will be healthy or not at her current goal. There is nothing at all wrong with having a goal that isn't perfect on paper.

    See bolded. I said it increases the chances, not that it WILL cause these problems.

    I agree that there is nothing wrong with having a goal that isn't perfect on paper. I have no illusions of being perfect, even at my goal weight, which is still 40+ lbs away. After 20+ years of obesity, 15 years of smoking (quit in 1999), and living life pretty hard, I'm amazed (and thankful) that I'm as healthy as I am. But it's a game of risk and now that I'm older and less stupid, I try to control what I can so I can be around for my kids.

    See bolded. My point was that adding 20 years is no guarantee that numbers won't still look good. What you do is just as important than what you eat. Probably more so.

    Again...going back to public health statistics. If one is overweight one's chances of developing health problems increase over time. If one is a healthy weight, those chances are lower. It's a game of risk. There are no guarantees in any scenario.

    Agreed. Being overweight adds one risk factor.
  • skiclimbdive
    skiclimbdive Posts: 32 Member
    Welcome. I think it's great that you are working toward a healthier lifestyle!
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    NextPage wrote: »
    I think that if 55 lbs is what you and your doctor set as the important milestone for reducing your likelihood of obesity related conditions then this is a good goal. Once you get there you and your doctor can access your health and decide if further action is warranted. Obviously exercise and better nutrition are great for everyone...

    I agree with this. I'm not sure why people are worried about the final goal now, or would not see improvement as worthwhile even if they believe not being overweight is essential for health. Although I'm one for setting a final goal for motivation, you'll see advice that even focuses on just reducing weight by 10% as an achievable first step that will improve health or reduce risk/obesity-related issues.
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    wow... what's with all this "do it 100% or don't do it at all" stuff? Not everything in life has to be 100%... do you really do everything in your life 100%? What if 50% is also great? Do you save 100% of the money you could save? Do you keep up with friends 100% as well as you should? Do you give your work 100%, 100% of the time? Do you donate 100% of the money you could donate? 50% of something good is still good!

    I hope MFP doesn't turn us into the weight equivalent of those ex-smokers that will run and gag if they see someone light up a cigarette 50 yards away... :-) it's all good!

    Super Agree. If her GOAL is to lose 55 lb and she does, then she has reached 100% of her goal. I might as well say, if you're not going for a PhD, don't even bother with kindergarten. Same thing! I mean, why would anyone want only 68% of an education?

    :s <- is that smiley pooping?

  • uconnwinsnc1
    uconnwinsnc1 Posts: 902 Member
    I'm more concerned with people's difficulty in quoting other posts. :|
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    edited December 2014
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    NextPage wrote: »
    I think that if 55 lbs is what you and your doctor set as the important milestone for reducing your likelihood of obesity related conditions then this is a good goal. Once you get there you and your doctor can access your health and decide if further action is warranted. Obviously exercise and better nutrition are great for everyone...
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    NextPage wrote: »
    I think that if 55 lbs is what you and your doctor set as the important milestone for reducing your likelihood of obesity related conditions then this is a good goal. Once you get there you and your doctor can access your health and decide if further action is warranted. Obviously exercise and better nutrition are great for everyone...

    I agree with this. I'm not sure why people are worried about the final goal now, or would not see improvement as worthwhile even if they believe not being overweight is essential for health. Although I'm one for setting a final goal for motivation, you'll see advice that even focuses on just reducing weight by 10% as an achievable first step that will improve health or reduce risk/obesity-related issues.

    I agree with this. I'm not sure why people are worried about the final goal now, or would not see improvement as worthwhile even if they believe not being overweight is essential for health. Although I'm one for setting a final goal for motivation, you'll see advice that even focuses on just reducing weight by 10% as an achievable first step that will improve health or reduce risk/obesity-related issues.
    I'm more concerned with people's difficulty in quoting other posts. :|

    In what way?

    ETA Grr that should've been funny but my boss came over while I was trying to make epic quote fail happen. Sigh.
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    sofaking6 wrote: »
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    So this is where all the Meghan Trainor fans are hanging out.

    Just for the record, what exactly are you intimating by your suggestion that any of us are Meghan Trainor fans? I don't take your meaning.

    He means, "I'm a troll and everyone should really be ignoring me".
    Not at all. I thought that people would be able to identify with her song and feel uplifted at the message. You don't have to be a stick figure barbie to be happy.

    If that's what you're into, then go ahead and move along...

    (...from this thread.)
  • karyabc
    karyabc Posts: 830 Member
    i've being here using MFP for while now, and never ever i have felt more ashamed to be part of this community , i've read some of your opinions and all i can said it's thank god many of you are not my "friends", calling this person lazy, telling her that she might well stay the way she is now, judging her with such cruelty in her FIRST WEEK!? :( , you may not agree with OP but saying the things that many of you have said to her oh god no

    if you are associating 100% the being thin or perfect weight to being healthy, you are so wrongggg -___-, and 6 years of med school and years of experience working with patients show me that

    ps. TEA honey congrats on your first week, you are awesome
  • acorsaut89
    acorsaut89 Posts: 1,147 Member
    rbfdac wrote: »
    Well considering I came from a size 22 - which is a real plus size - a size 10 is a great goal for me. I never once said it's the end game for me, I said I want to wear it, I want to fit into it.

    Size 10 is not a plus size. Plus size lines start at 14. It may be a plus size for models, but a size 10 US is not a plus size. Maybe for some people because anything over a 4 is horrendous to even think about but for most of us out there, size 10 is not a plus size.

    You can be overweight and healthy - athletes are overweight and healthy - they are not though, plus sized.


    Is there an official definition of plus sized? Most US size 10 clothing would be too big for me, and I am overweight by 20 lbs.

    Nope. "PLUS SIZED" IS SUBJECTIVE. Yes, "plus size" clothing lines often start at a size 14. "Plus size" models often start at a size 10. But the term "plus size" is defined by whoever is using it. I am a size 24 and consider myself plus sized, as most would. I also consider myself plus sized at a size 10.

    [/quote]

    Well if you are 20 lbs over weight, what measure are you using? BMI because that's not the most fantastic thing to measure by.

    Either way, I highly doubt the OP is looking at a size 10 thinking she will still be plus sized. Maybe, but I'm not thinking so.

    I look at a size 10 and I want to be able to fit into it. I won't be the thinnest I could be, but I want to fit into it and see how I feel from there. Maybe it will be great, maybe it won't be. For the majority of women, in my experience, size 10 is perhaps a bit chunky but not plus sized. I'm also pretty tall at 5'9/10 so for me, that weight/size ratio could be different than yours
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    Why are people concern trolling? An adult can make up her own mind about her own body, whether others approve, or understand, or not. This really burns my biscuits.
This discussion has been closed.