Did anyone watch Oprah Monday night? Shame, blame and the weightloss revolution.

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Replies

  • chris_in_cal
    chris_in_cal Posts: 2,518 Member
    In the news there was a lot of talk about being “healthy and fat” at the same time. If we say it’s a disease, there is no being obese and healthy at any size.

    Your point here isn't clear, to wit: The day before the Olympics an athlete is given a diagnosis of metastatic brain cancer and a prognosis of six months to live. The next day they go and win the gold medal and set the world record. Are they healthy? Do they have a disease? What do you mean you can't have both. What's your point?

    I think you are sharing some opinion of yours which is perfectly valid, but it came off as you pointing out something factual, and it just wasn't clear.
  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,986 Member
    In the news there was a lot of talk about being “healthy and fat” at the same time. If we say it’s a disease, there is no being obese and healthy at any size.

    Your point here isn't clear, to wit: The day before the Olympics an athlete is given a diagnosis of metastatic brain cancer and a prognosis of six months to live. The next day they go and win the gold medal and set the world record. Are they healthy? Do they have a disease? What do you mean you can't have both. What's your point?

    I think you are sharing some opinion of yours which is perfectly valid, but it came off as you pointing out something factual, and it just wasn't clear.

    Pretty sure this is a theoretical.

    Because if a world class athlete is feeling off enough to be put through the tests needed to diagnose a metastatic brain cancer…. They would be very unlikely to be well enough to compete in The Olympics.

    Getting back to what I think is your point, BMI is only a rough estimate of health.

    There are plenty of people who are technically obese who are very healthy.


  • Adventurista
    Adventurista Posts: 1,657 Member
    edited March 24


    I’d be interested in seeing the obesity as disease in the debate section of MFP.

    I don’t think it matters how one becomes obese.. the fact is, once someone is obese it has many acute and chronic complications for the body.

    In the news there was a lot of talk about being “healthy and fat” at the same time. If we say it’s a disease, there is no being obese and healthy at any size.

    bold is mine.

    Agree, think obesity as a disease is an important discussion and would like to see it as a topic in debate ~ to further mutual understanding of the issues.

    As to "if we say it is a disease, then" statement. I get that. A common understanding in language would define disease as sick/unhealthy state/process - this is me stating my common language meaning of the word disease...

    Which leads to... disease can not both be "fat and healthy" in the same space as diseased.

    Can someone who has a disease still perform in a physical way, well yes, but if the disease progresses, the overall health and fitness would devolve....

    So, i would add... people don't typically jump from thin to obese, it occurs over time. If it continues and is not arrested, it becomes quite debilitating and deadly. Just 5 lbs a year over 20 years does not typically end up fit and healthy...

    My personal thinking about the "fat and healthy" movement perhaps mis-leads people away from understanding how "obesity" tends to progress with deadly consequences for all too many people.

    Edit to add, obesity as a disease treated with meds was a major part of Oprah's special.
    -- perhaps in defining obesity as a disease, it is an attempt to define the complex processes underlying the result of obesity..
    -- the thinking/terminology over past decades has evolved ~ metabolic x, metabolic syndrome, there were others, insulin resistance, but includes other systems...
    ~ the Glp1 drugs seem to target glp (hormones?) coming from fat tissues to the brain ... where it impacts/triggers a roaring appetite.... AND the med seems to target and quiet that driving urge to overeat... THIS right there seems tremendously helpful in ways CICO has not worked for so many despite sincere/sustained efforts and strong desire.... effective beyond willpower.
  • PlentyofProtein00
    PlentyofProtein00 Posts: 3,669 Member
    I honestly have considered this medication for myself. The fear for me or hesitation is we do not know yet, the full ramifications of taking this as a way to lose weight...for myself I fear the amount of muscle loss and difficulty it would cause to build muscle taking in such few calories...you wouldn't be able to get in enough protein to build and maintain a healthy amount of muscle...so long term years down the road what kind of impact would that have on bones, heart health, skeletal health over all...ive seen severe hair loss, muscle loss, and other red flags from those around me using medication...those are signs your body is trying to compensate for lack of nutrients...thats worrisome to me.
  • BCLadybug888
    BCLadybug888 Posts: 1,695 Member
    I honestly have considered this medication for myself. The fear for me or hesitation is we do not know yet, the full ramifications of taking this as a way to lose weight...for myself I fear the amount of muscle loss and difficulty it would cause to build muscle taking in such few calories...you wouldn't be able to get in enough protein to build and maintain a healthy amount of muscle...so long term years down the road what kind of impact would that have on bones, heart health, skeletal health over all...ive seen severe hair loss, muscle loss, and other red flags from those around me using medication...those are signs your body is trying to compensate for lack of nutrients...thats worrisome to me.

    I think that you still can eat a healthful diet, and don't have to go to an extreme deficit. By most accounts, the medications help with slowing digestion and helping with appetite and possibly cravings, but you still take them alongside watching what you eat and trying to be active. No different than now, just easier to control vs all willpower. If you want to eat low carb/more protein, no one's gonna stop you.

    I have read before (nothing to do with medications) that you should eat adequate calories and protein for your goal weight, and then you can just slide into maintenance - sounds good! 😉
    Of course if that is too drastic of a deficit, you could still scale down to that over time. No reason to not to get enough protein.
  • jcschwerin
    jcschwerin Posts: 4 Member
    In the special, a woman discussed how she thinks about food all the time. When is she going to eat next, what am I having for supper. Normal people can just go about their day and not worry about food. This is what makes it a disease. Our bodies are telling our brain we need more food. This medicine quiets those thoughts. It also isn't as easy as you make it to be to just eat right and exercise. An alcoholic doesn't have to sit in a bar every day and choose to drink soda instead of alcohol. It's very hard.
  • PlentyofProtein00
    PlentyofProtein00 Posts: 3,669 Member
    I honestly have considered this medication for myself. The fear for me or hesitation is we do not know yet, the full ramifications of taking this as a way to lose weight...for myself I fear the amount of muscle loss and difficulty it would cause to build muscle taking in such few calories...you wouldn't be able to get in enough protein to build and maintain a healthy amount of muscle...so long term years down the road what kind of impact would that have on bones, heart health, skeletal health over all...ive seen severe hair loss, muscle loss, and other red flags from those around me using medication...those are signs your body is trying to compensate for lack of nutrients...thats worrisome to me.

    I think that you still can eat a healthful diet, and don't have to go to an extreme deficit. By most accounts, the medications help with slowing digestion and helping with appetite and possibly cravings, but you still take them alongside watching what you eat and trying to be active. No different than now, just easier to control vs all willpower. If you want to eat low carb/more protein, no one's gonna stop you.

    I have read before (nothing to do with medications) that you should eat adequate calories and protein for your goal weight, and then you can just slide into maintenance - sounds good! 😉
    Of course if that is too drastic of a deficit, you could still scale down to that over time. No reason to not to get enough protein.

    My understanding based on reports is that it is a known side effect and which is one reason why people gain the weight back when they get off the medication. But in theory what you say is true.
  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,986 Member
    I honestly have considered this medication for myself. The fear for me or hesitation is we do not know yet, the full ramifications of taking this as a way to lose weight...for myself I fear the amount of muscle loss and difficulty it would cause to build muscle taking in such few calories...you wouldn't be able to get in enough protein to build and maintain a healthy amount of muscle...so long term years down the road what kind of impact would that have on bones, heart health, skeletal health over all...ive seen severe hair loss, muscle loss, and other red flags from those around me using medication...those are signs your body is trying to compensate for lack of nutrients...thats worrisome to me.

    I think that you still can eat a healthful diet, and don't have to go to an extreme deficit. By most accounts, the medications help with slowing digestion and helping with appetite and possibly cravings, but you still take them alongside watching what you eat and trying to be active. No different than now, just easier to control vs all willpower. If you want to eat low carb/more protein, no one's gonna stop you.

    I have read before (nothing to do with medications) that you should eat adequate calories and protein for your goal weight, and then you can just slide into maintenance - sounds good! 😉
    Of course if that is too drastic of a deficit, you could still scale down to that over time. No reason to not to get enough protein.

    My understanding based on reports is that it is a known side effect and which is one reason why people gain the weight back when they get off the medication. But in theory what you say is true.

    Would love to see those reports if you happen to have them handy.
  • sheriealicemad
    sheriealicemad Posts: 1 Member
    Watching that show made me understand that the drugs are a tool to lose weight. Not a tool that I need, but that some others do. I am limited in what I can do in my life if I don’t take a thyroid pill and an antidepressant every day. Those two little pills give me freedom to be active and engaged with life. The women on the show seem happy to be free from thinking about about food all day. I say, good for them! I don’t believe that obesity is a disease, simply because it was very rare prior to processed food production. It’s a good marketing strategy for the drug companies.
  • PlentyofProtein00
    PlentyofProtein00 Posts: 3,669 Member
    I honestly have considered this medication for myself. The fear for me or hesitation is we do not know yet, the full ramifications of taking this as a way to lose weight...for myself I fear the amount of muscle loss and difficulty it would cause to build muscle taking in such few calories...you wouldn't be able to get in enough protein to build and maintain a healthy amount of muscle...so long term years down the road what kind of impact would that have on bones, heart health, skeletal health over all...ive seen severe hair loss, muscle loss, and other red flags from those around me using medication...those are signs your body is trying to compensate for lack of nutrients...thats worrisome to me.

    I think that you still can eat a healthful diet, and don't have to go to an extreme deficit. By most accounts, the medications help with slowing digestion and helping with appetite and possibly cravings, but you still take them alongside watching what you eat and trying to be active. No different than now, just easier to control vs all willpower. If you want to eat low carb/more protein, no one's gonna stop you.

    I have read before (nothing to do with medications) that you should eat adequate calories and protein for your goal weight, and then you can just slide into maintenance - sounds good! 😉
    Of course if that is too drastic of a deficit, you could still scale down to that over time. No reason to not to get enough protein.

    My understanding based on reports is that it is a known side effect and which is one reason why people gain the weight back when they get off the medication. But in theory what you say is true.

    Would love to see those reports if you happen to have them handy.

    This sounds a tad condescending lol. You can Google. Let me be clear I was not referencing research. Solely news reports. And one thing in the reports that is mentioned that folks on this shot do have to be careful to include plenty of weight training and protein. But yes, it is "reported" that many lose lots of muscle due to rapid weight loss.
  • itchmyTwitch
    itchmyTwitch Posts: 4,019 Member
    I honestly have considered this medication for myself. The fear for me or hesitation is we do not know yet, the full ramifications of taking this as a way to lose weight...for myself I fear the amount of muscle loss and difficulty it would cause to build muscle taking in such few calories...you wouldn't be able to get in enough protein to build and maintain a healthy amount of muscle...so long term years down the road what kind of impact would that have on bones, heart health, skeletal health over all...ive seen severe hair loss, muscle loss, and other red flags from those around me using medication...those are signs your body is trying to compensate for lack of nutrients...thats worrisome to me.

    I think that you still can eat a healthful diet, and don't have to go to an extreme deficit. By most accounts, the medications help with slowing digestion and helping with appetite and possibly cravings, but you still take them alongside watching what you eat and trying to be active. No different than now, just easier to control vs all willpower. If you want to eat low carb/more protein, no one's gonna stop you.

    I have read before (nothing to do with medications) that you should eat adequate calories and protein for your goal weight, and then you can just slide into maintenance - sounds good! 😉
    Of course if that is too drastic of a deficit, you could still scale down to that over time. No reason to not to get enough protein.

    My understanding based on reports is that it is a known side effect and which is one reason why people gain the weight back when they get off the medication. But in theory what you say is true.

    Would love to see those reports if you happen to have them handy.

    This sounds a tad condescending lol. You can Google. Let me be clear I was not referencing research. Solely news reports. And one thing in the reports that is mentioned that folks on this shot do have to be careful to include plenty of weight training and protein. But yes, it is "reported" that many lose lots of muscle due to rapid weight loss.

    I knew what you meant 🤗
  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,986 Member
    I honestly have considered this medication for myself. The fear for me or hesitation is we do not know yet, the full ramifications of taking this as a way to lose weight...for myself I fear the amount of muscle loss and difficulty it would cause to build muscle taking in such few calories...you wouldn't be able to get in enough protein to build and maintain a healthy amount of muscle...so long term years down the road what kind of impact would that have on bones, heart health, skeletal health over all...ive seen severe hair loss, muscle loss, and other red flags from those around me using medication...those are signs your body is trying to compensate for lack of nutrients...thats worrisome to me.

    I think that you still can eat a healthful diet, and don't have to go to an extreme deficit. By most accounts, the medications help with slowing digestion and helping with appetite and possibly cravings, but you still take them alongside watching what you eat and trying to be active. No different than now, just easier to control vs all willpower. If you want to eat low carb/more protein, no one's gonna stop you.

    I have read before (nothing to do with medications) that you should eat adequate calories and protein for your goal weight, and then you can just slide into maintenance - sounds good! 😉
    Of course if that is too drastic of a deficit, you could still scale down to that over time. No reason to not to get enough protein.

    My understanding based on reports is that it is a known side effect and which is one reason why people gain the weight back when they get off the medication. But in theory what you say is true.

    Would love to see those reports if you happen to have them handy.

    This sounds a tad condescending lol. You can Google. Let me be clear I was not referencing research. Solely news reports. And one thing in the reports that is mentioned that folks on this shot do have to be careful to include plenty of weight training and protein. But yes, it is "reported" that many lose lots of muscle due to rapid weight loss.
    ::shrug::

    A claim was made.
    I simply asked for more information.


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  • AdahPotatah2024
    AdahPotatah2024 Posts: 2,237 Member
    <3 “I wouldn’t rely on television for my introduction to anything,” Magee confided in me, blinking from behind glasses so thick they appeared to be double-glazed for warmth. “It seems to me a completely unimportant medium.” Bryan! I wept internally… It was like being told there was really only ever one Ronnie, or watching David Attenborough kick a pigeon. But—remembering what television is generally like—it was hard to disagree. Magee smiled grand-paternally back at me from where he sat, inside a small arms-reach fortress of books and papers, wielding a copy of Dumas the size of house-brick; the television screwed to the opposite wall was, I assumed, purely ornamental.

    https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/philosophy/42872/the-last-interview-with-bryan-magee
  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,986 Member
    It was like being told there was really only ever one Ronnie

    :o Oh The Horror!
  • Adventurista
    Adventurista Posts: 1,657 Member
    edited April 30
    Fyi, was browsing MFP, and stumbled aross articles on nutrition for the glp-1 drugs and MFPs new FREE plan in the MFP app.

    -- An excerpt from a person behind the article "The weight loss industry is rapidly growing with GLP-1s leading the charge, yet comprehensive semaglutide nutritional guidance remains scarce. It’s crucial for individuals on these medications to have access to tailored nutrition and lifestyle strategies. At MyFitnessPal, we’re filling that gap.”
    /end excerpt

    The MFP article:
    https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/semaglutide-nutrition-plan-by-myfitnesspal/?_gl=1*1lc6och*_ga*MTg3ODMyNjkwLjE3MDQ4NDU3NjQ.*_ga_VG80VV73C6*MTcxNDQ4NjQ4My42NjkuMS4xNzE0NDk5NTEwLjAuMC4w


    Thought this is relevant, because, well, it is MFP and, like Weight Watchers expanded programs for GLP-1 drugs, imagine we will see ramped up programs throughout the billions dollar diet industry.
  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,986 Member
    Fyi, was browsing MFP, and stumbled aross articles on nutrition for the glp-1 drugs and MFPs new FREE plan in the MFP app.

    -- An excerpt from a person behind the article "The weight loss industry is rapidly growing with GLP-1s leading the charge, yet comprehensive semaglutide nutritional guidance remains scarce. It’s crucial for individuals on these medications to have access to tailored nutrition and lifestyle strategies. At MyFitnessPal, we’re filling that gap.”
    /end excerpt

    The MFP article:
    https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/semaglutide-nutrition-plan-by-myfitnesspal/?_gl=1*1lc6och*_ga*MTg3ODMyNjkwLjE3MDQ4NDU3NjQ.*_ga_VG80VV73C6*MTcxNDQ4NjQ4My42NjkuMS4xNzE0NDk5NTEwLjAuMC4w


    Thought this is relevant, because, well, it is MFP and, like Weight Watchers expanded programs for GLP-1 drugs, imagine we will see ramped up programs throughout the billions dollar diet industry.

    I’m not on a GPP-1 at the moment (considering it, though)
    Since I have MFP premium, and I am diabetic, I decided to check this out.

    So far it’s been interesting. Basic diet advice, and some information I didn’t know about this class of medications.

    Could be a good thing for those new to MFP and medication management.
  • arlene_dallas1
    arlene_dallas1 Posts: 1 Member
    Am I missing something? Everytime I click on a link it takes me to my food log. How do we access this diet? PS-I am a paying member.
  • Adventurista
    Adventurista Posts: 1,657 Member
    edited May 7
    @arlene_dallas1 ~ the article can also be found in the MFP Blog, plans tab. Here's the link I get going in that way:
    https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/semaglutide-nutrition-plan-by-myfitnesspal/
    -- it looks like there is a link to the plan in the article...

    Otherwise, Do you have the app? I think it says it is only available through the MFP app. (I use the web version, so I can't go further to see the actual plan.) Imagine it can be found in the "Choose Plan" ~ Maybe someone with the app can help further? @MargaretYakoda ?
  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,986 Member
    edited May 8
    @arlene_dallas1 ~ the article can also be found in the MFP Blog, plans tab. Here's the link I get going in that way:
    https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/semaglutide-nutrition-plan-by-myfitnesspal/
    -- it looks like there is a link to the plan in the article...

    Otherwise, Do you have the app? I think it says it is only available through the MFP app. (I use the web version, so I can't go further to see the actual plan.) Imagine it can be found in the "Choose Plan" ~ Maybe someone with the app can help further? @MargaretYakoda ?

    It’s not a diet plan but more of a few days of general information about semaglutides and how best to eat when taking them.
    Honestly I found it interesting. I do think it could be at least a little helpful for people using semaglutides.

    I use the iPhone app. I’m not sure if this plan is for paid members only.

    swfbn8a2b327.jpeg
  • Adventurista
    Adventurista Posts: 1,657 Member
    edited May 8
    Heard an interview with an author Johann Hari regarding his book "Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs"

    Interview was quite interesting and salient. Imagine worth the read for his take on the pros and cons.

    What I found interesting in the discussion was his experience with (insatiable/my word inserted) appetite he lays at the feet of processed junk foods, noting the experiment with rats. On regular chow, the rats seem to self-regulate moderate eating and stop when full. When introduced to junk food for example cheesecake and snickers bars, the rats way overate, diving into the junk food and disregarding regular chow.

    Author's experience was the Ozempic (drug he used personnally) took away that appetite for him.

    He also mentioned the current drugs can help a person lose a percentage of bodyweight (maybe 15%?) but others in the pike much more (40%?).

    His upshot was the thought that the pros outweigh the cons for obesity when other efforts like diet and exercise fail, despite willpower.
    /end fyi

    I have no personal conclusions yet beyond skepticism of the risks, but found the interview credible from a user's POV.