Question about being overweight

[Necrofudge]

Well I have heard some people say that they're happy with the way they look. (unfortunately they're also the same people who've never been in any sort of relationship or sport, but I digress)

It might be genetic for certain people, but a lot of times... It isn't. A while ago, I had a friend who was fat. Whenever I asked him about it, he said it was in his genes. This confused me greatly because both of his parents were skinny and athletic. My point here is that sometimes the genetics thing is just an excuse that is used because they don't actually want to try.

Still what was said above shouldn't be taken too seriously as I've been skinny my entire life regardless of what I ate and probably have no right to judge morbidly obese lazy people.

 

[RowdyRodimus]

Now I don't mean any offense by this but maybe it's just none of your damn business if she should lose weight or not. Just because you don't find it appealing doesn't mean that others won't.

Also, have you ever tried to lose weight, I mean a signifigant amount like 50+ lbs? It's not as easy as the P-90X commercials make it out to be, not even taking into account the medical reasons why it's harder for larger people to lose weight (such as the fact that usually they have heart or blood pressure problems that keep them from beginning a regimen that will actually do some good for them).

Honestly, it seems that the friend isn't the one with the problem but you do have the problem in that you are too concerned with image and looks.

 

[Limzz]

Now I don't mean any offense by this but maybe it's just none of your damn business if she should lose weight or not. Just because you don't find it appealing doesn't mean that others won't.

Also, have you ever tried to lose weight, I mean a signifigant amount like 50+ lbs? It's not as easy as the P-90X commercials make it out to be, not even taking into account the medical reasons why it's harder for larger people to lose weight (such as the fact that usually they have heart or blood pressure problems that keep them from beginning a regimen that will actually do some good for them).

Honestly, it seems that the friend isn't the one with the problem but you do have the problem in that you are too concerned with image and looks.

lulz :-D
She hates how she looks and it's incredibly unhealthy. I barely talk to her she's not my friend, but when I do see her I know by the way she acts that she has absolutely zero self esteem. The thread wasn't about this girl it's about why people who don't like being overweight don't just do something about it.

 

[lee1287]

More pushing for the cushion. or wha the kids say.

 

[TheLaofKazi]

The problem is, the cause of obesity isn't as simple as "eating too much" as many people here are saying.

http://www.alcat.com/assets/File/Food%20Intolerance%20Causes%20Obesity%20and%20-%20Premature%20Aging%20The%20Townsend%20Letter%20-%20Roger%20Deutsch.pdf

There's evidence that food intolerance is a significant contribute to obesity. Many of the artificial ingredients used commonly in food today can cause a variety of problems which lead to poor health and obesity. And it's not like people can just not eat the artificial stuff, but the problem is, it's fucking everywhere, and there's tons of misinformation on what's good for you and what's not. And it doesn't help that the stuff that's actually healthier for you costs more then the cheap, artificial stuff.

There's also significant evidence that malnutrition contributes to obesity:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/08/050805111232.htm

Yes, malnutrition is actually a big problem in developed countries. Our general diet has shifted from a healthy, nutritious one to one high in fat and sugar and large quantities of food. From the article:

"An increase in availability of more high-fat and sugar-laden foods has led to a surge of nutrition-related chronic diseases around the world. At the same time that diets have changed, physical activity has decreased. The highest rates of overweight and obesity are now often found in low-income groups. Many populations have been left in the midst of an obesity crisis that exists with food insecurity and under-nutrition."

The problem is, many people that don't have much money can't afford healthy food. Shitty, unhealthy food is cheaper and more available then healthy food.

"In a separate article published in the May 2005 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Kennedy and co-author Linda Meyers, PhD, Director of the Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, note that large parts of the developing world are plagued with micronutrient deficiencies. "Deficiencies of micronutrients, such as iron, iodine, zinc and vitamin A, contribute to 'hidden hunger' and while the statistics on micronutrient status for women in developing countries are scarce," she says, "it is clear that a large percentage of women from developing countries suffer negative health and nutrition consequences."

I'm not saying personal responsibility isn't a problem either, because it is, but there are other factors that a lot of people can't control as easily, especially with all the false nutritional information and fad diets that are constantly being shoved down our throats as how to lose weight and be healthy. It's not just the fault of people being lazy, it's also the fault of food producers and the government.

 

[chinangel]

i've gained weight recently and I'm super-paranoid about being overweight. Unfortunately, the amount of money i make doesn't make eating just-healthy foods viable option. Eating very healthy is startlingly expensive, especially when you factor in other living costs.

i"m NOT overweight, I just feel it but that's one reason: costs of eating and lifestyle.

 

[mad825]

snip

Why just you don't eluded yourself that everyone who is overweight should be bulimic/anorexic.

there are medical issues to be stated here both internally and externally no matter what you say or state, we are built to store and conserve as much energy as possible.

losing weight is never the problem, it can easily be done however the hardiest thing to do it to maintain that weight for the long term, not only are there mental issues to consider there are also lifestyle changes that must be considered as well for you life

mental issues can prevent or (drastically) cause a person to lose/gain weight, some people decide try and lose weight because of age, relationships (aka, sex in my biased words), ambitions (a morbidly obese man wants to be a pilot for example) and health.

 

[Tyburn Cross]

A lot of people aren't willing to accept pain, or discomfort. As such, they won't exercise or eat less/better. In this way, they pretty much block themselves from effectively losing weight. I was 280 pounds and 6'1' as a 14 year old, and I kept it until I got a job that not only gave me exercise, but taught me work ethic and a whole mess of other stuff. Long story short, within 6 months of getting that job I had lost 110 pounds, and then gained back 40 of that in muscle.

 

[tricky_tree]

Some people are just genetically fat

No-one is genetically fat, it may be easier for them to put on weight, but with proper diet and exercise, anyone can lose fat.

'genetically' fat people may have a simple intolerance to a staple food.

 

[wolf92]

general lazyness

 

[The Procrastinated End]

Laziness and a lack of said willpower or motivation.

 

[tricky_tree]

i've gained weight recently and I'm super-paranoid about being overweight. Unfortunately, the amount of money i make doesn't make eating just-healthy foods viable option. Eating very healthy is startlingly expensive, especially when you factor in other living costs.

i"m NOT overweight, I just feel it but that's one reason: costs of eating and lifestyle.

It depends, a big bag of pasta and a few cans of tuna are about £5, then a few chicken fillets, bag of rice, maybe a steak, a few other sides. A weeks shopping for £30-35

 

[Kurokami]

Seems like a majority missed the point of this so let me try again in a simplified version: If a person is overweight and would be much happier if they were fit why can't they summon the willpower to lose weight. I know people who hate how they look and wish they were a healthy weight, so I don't understand why they can't just sack up and do something about it if that would make them so much happier. And please don't mention medical reasons for being overweight yes that happens but rarely and it's irrelevant anyways.

I assume because some people enjoy food and dislike exercise. There are also those who don't find that the amount of time it takes to get fit for them is worth it and so they live on as they would. You could say a similar thing about people who don't study.

 

[tricky_tree]

I think the main reason is people are too focused on their long-term goals. If you are 17 stone (238 lbs) and want to lose 6 stone, obviously it won't happen overnight, or even within 6 months in most cases, that is a lot of fat to shift and it can be demotivating when it seems you're not progressing. Wheras if you focus on a short term goal of maybe losing 1 stone a month, and acheive it, you feel good and want to carry on.
Just my 2 pence.

 

[Kagim]

The same reason most drug addicts can't stop doing heroin despite the fact its the source of there depression.

Eating food gives you a very positive stimulus. It feel good to eat. It feels extra good to eat high fat high sugar foods. Eating shit food makes us feel loads better then eating steamed carrots and celery. Fatty foods and candies give us a high, and its hard to give up that high.

Mix that in with some people have a harder time losing weight then others along with everyday life...

Its not that healthy food isn't available to us. Nor that its to expensive.

I'm overweight as well, and i struggle with it as well. There is a withdrawal stage to not eating fatty, sugary foods.

When your biting into a rice cake with a side of carrot and steamed rice for lunch all I can think about is how much a god damn bowl of spaghetti with cheese and meatballs would taste right now.

I random get craving to eat cookies, or ice cream, or chocolate or... I need to stop I'm getting hungry.

The exercise. Fuck. No. You know the runner high people talk about? Well you don't experience that at first. What you experience is indescribable pain. Not to mention things like jogging or running is harder for us since we usually have some pretty heavy self image problems. When i jog i wake up at about 4:00am, running hurts and all you can think about when you have low self esteem is how your jiggling. This makes us more depressed, and makes us want our crutch(fatty foods) even more.

Finally, its just easier to get your hands on crappy food. How much effort do i need ot go through to boil some pasta, microwave some frozen meatballs, and melt some cheese on that.

Now, how much time does it take to cut up vegetables, sever all the fat tissue from your meat(Cutting meat is more helpful but is god damn hard to give up on meat), prepare rice and mix it together. It might not seem a lot, but when your used to making big greasy filling meals fast and now have to make thin, unfilling meals that take awhile its hard.

Some people mention money but, that's just not true.

Quite honestly i can get everything i need for a healthy two weeks of living for about 50 bucks. I spent about 150 bucks buying shitty food.

Healthy food is cheap. Rice is dirt cheap, fresh veggies are about 40-60 bucks for a whole months use, and if you got the guts to completely cut out meat well that's one less thing to buy.

Pop might be cheaper then juice but water is free, not to mention loads better for you and your metabolism. You should be getting your Vitamins from veggies and fruit anyways.

I don't have a medical journal, or scientific sites to backup what i say. Just my experience as a fatty trying to make a change in his life. In short...

-Fatty foods make us feel really good, Healthy foods can't compare.
-We get no enjoyment out of exercising, and those of us with serious image/self esteem problems find it extra hard.
-Its easier to prepare a high fat quick meal then it is to prepare a low fat meal that will not leave you feeling full(because heavy eating has likely stretched out your stomach and you likely have to cut your portions at least in half)
-Quitting meat is fucking hard.

 

[Flee the Cities]

food is delicious and beer is awesome???

 

[Sea Lumberjack]

For all the people saying that "Oh you're genetically overweight." or "Oh, I've worked out and dieted but still can't lose my weight/gain muscle" your wrong. Your either doing the wrong workouts or diets. Trust me, unless you are one of the 1 in 1,000,000 people who actually have a glandular problem, your can lose weight.

OP people are lazy.