Would you:
Stand still while a car approached you at 25 miles an hour with no intention of stopping?
Jump off a 10ft platform and hit the ground?
Let your toddler play unattended on a playground?
Juggle knives?
I assuming most would say "NO" to the above. But for some reason you say "Hey I can show you how to lose 5lbs in a week without dieting and exercise!" all bets go out the window. People are willing to shell out and take risks they normally wouldn't to lose 10lbs.
Discuss.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
ninerbuff
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Member, Greeter Posts: 45,416 Member
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The first one, sure. I do just need to be on the second floor of something while the car is on the street.
For the second one, is 10 feet that far a drop? That's 1 story.
And sure for juggle knives - butter knives wouldn't be that bad.
A lot of people don't see it as risky. They're willing to do all sorts of stuff, short term especially.
I've seen several people fall over because they try IF (and it obviously isn't the right choice for them), or too severe of a calorie deficit. And they're just like oh, maybe too much (or worse, they think it's not that bad and keep going. But what if they had been standing on curb and fell into oncoming traffic? At the top of a set of stairs? Driving?
I think I only had 1 overweight teacher growing up. The rest seemed "normal" even though I had no idea if they dieted or exercised.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Before doing the research a couple of years back, I thought it was perfectly normal and possible to lose 5-10lbs in a week, because of advertising. So, naturally, when I only lost a pound I considered myself a failure and gave up.
If they were told to take a medication, they'd want to hear the side effects and possible issues that may occur with taking it.
When it comes to supplements/diet aids, it's not what the risks are but "how much does it cost?"
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
I just can't buy into the lack of education as a reason for overweight or obesity. Ask a 3rd grader why someone is fat and they will say that person eats too much.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Fast food.
Quick heat processed food.
Instant loans.
Cell phones with data.
I could go on.
So many people want rapid weight loss like yesterday but don't want to put in the hard work to safely & gradually lose the weight. Most think the challenge is the weight loss. The real challenge is once you get there maintaining is the real life-time challenge & this is where most fail including myself.
This. There is plenty of psychology of perceived risk. Cows kill far more people per year than sharks, almost no one thinks of cows as scary animals.
A coal fired power plant emits more radiation than a nuclear power plant, but most people would be more afraid of living next to a nuclear power plant.
True. They do know that much. But do they know which foods are better or worse for you, in any sense? Kids love sweets.
My family was mildly obese growing up. We ate pre-packaged Betty Crocker food and counted that as home cooking. I thought canned peas and carrots counted as my vegetables for the day. I think when we talk about educating kids on health and fitness, it's not just the principle of "don't eat too much" -- but also teaching them to be active, go outside, find a sport/exercise you're into. As they get older, deepen the education into principles. Kids may or may not listen, but at least they can't claim ignorance.
Well said. I'm maintaining now, and I have to keep up with the same healthy habits I formed during my weight loss, and new ones to keep me challenged and motivated.
I wish MFP gave more guidance when you are setting up your account on what a healthy goal is and WHY losing faster could be unhealthy.
When I suggested lack of education, it wasn't as a reason for obesity, it was as a reason for thinking rapid weight loss is without risk and a typical result of deciding to diet.
Make it plastic ware ones. It would be fitting for those to both be involved in losing and gaining weight.