Why do so many fat people say they can't lose weight?

[Isla]

Probably for some of the same reasons people are cruel to each other. They are unconscious and in pain.

I'm not fat now, but I was cross eyed as a kid and developed a weight problem as sort of a side effect from having constant double vision. You can't get much exercise if you can't even walk without falling down all the time. Kids were horribly mean to me so yeah, I sought solace in chocolate milk and Filet O Fish sandwiches whenever I could. It took 5 operations on my eyes to correct them. I come from a very athletic, healthy, and physically fit family so by the time my vision was fixed enough for me to walk a straight line without tripping over my feet, I had developed better habits. My family never really let me get too out of hand... I was overweight but never obese by any means. Still, I understand how having a handicap and/or being in emotional pain (I repeat, the kids were horribly mean to me) can trap you in a cycle of weight gain. It is my understanding that many people who have been sexually abused as children will gain weight as a subconscious way to protect themselves from further abuse.

There is a story behind every fat person.

 

[GermyBoy]

Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood
i'm 6'0". Back in january i was 250 pounds. it's now June and I'm 199.

All thanks to DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION.

Although I feel sorry for the way you did lose the weight, I commend you on your effort and actually doing it.

If people want to lose weight, they need to remember two things. First, take in less calories than you burn EVERY DAY (and you must stay with that program). Second, you need to sleep MORE because you'll be weak for a while.

 

[Lucky]

Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood
i'm 6'0". Back in january i was 250 pounds. it's now June and I'm 199.

All thanks to DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION.

Sweet, maybe I should try that. Im 6'0 and ~230. I wanna get rid of my gut and my bitch titties.

 

[Yeeny]

For the same reason people cannot quit smoking, drinking, drugs, give up caffeine, etc. Food is an addiction for some people, and unless they find the motivation inside themselves to do it for themselves, it will never go away. They may stop for a year or two, but the second life hits them again, they will take up the bad habits like a heroin addict. It's a sad cycle thats very hard to break. But like anything else, they can stop, as long as they find the willpower inside themselves.

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: Lucky

Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood
i'm 6'0". Back in january i was 250 pounds. it's now June and I'm 199.

All thanks to DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION.

Sweet, maybe I should try that. Im 6'0 and ~230. I wanna get rid of my gut and my bitch titties.

it wasn't just DDR though. I TOTALLY changed my diet.

No food after 7PM.
No fast food
no donuts and things like that.

I DDR'ed for 30-60 minutes a day for 5 months.

I was wearing XL and XXL shirts, my waist was a 40.
I now comfortably and confidently wear M's and L's and I have a 36 waist.

I gave away ALL of my old, big clothes. I have almost NOTHING to wear.

but i JUST bought some new boxers! kick ass!

 

[Lucky]

Damm. 🙁 I wanna be a 36, 40's are hard to find in stores.

Will just drinking alot of diet coke help? 😀

 

[pyonir]

Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood

Originally posted by: Lucky

Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood
i'm 6'0". Back in january i was 250 pounds. it's now June and I'm 199.

All thanks to DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION.

Sweet, maybe I should try that. Im 6'0 and ~230. I wanna get rid of my gut and my bitch titties.

it wasn't just DDR though. I TOTALLY changed my diet.

No food after 7PM.
No fast food
no donuts and things like that.

I DDR'ed for 30-60 minutes a day for 5 months.

I was wearing XL and XXL shirts, my waist was a 40.
I now comfortably and confidently wear M's and L's and I have a 36 waist.

I gave away ALL of my old, big clothes. I have almost NOTHING to wear.

but i JUST bought some new boxers! kick ass!

you remember when you wanted people to list blues singers, and your thread title was "please name me your favorite blues singers" and the mod changed your nick to "yourfavoritebluessingers"?

That was funny. 😀

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: pyonir

you remember when you wanted people to list blues singers, and your thread title was "please name me your favorite blues singers" and the mod changed your nick to "yourfavoritebluessingers"?

That was funny. 😀

you remember that? that was awesome.

of course, i was freaking out at the time b/c i couldn't login. 😉

Originally posted by: Lucky
Damm. 🙁 I wanna be a 36, 40's are hard to find in stores.

in NYC, 40's aren't so hard to find. 42's and up are really hard to find. So it's a good thing i didn't GAIN any more weight...
You gotta head over to the local BIg & Tall men's store to get the big stuff.

Big & Talls are for REALLY big people. I went in there one day (when i was 250 lbs) and all the clothes there were WAY too big for me.

i think their MINIMUM pants sizes are 42 or 44

 

[Russ]

You porko bashers seem to be forgetting something. Because someone is a chub, it does not automatically mean they are unhealthy. There are plenty of plumpers who are in perfect health, and will probably outlive most skinny people.

Now, morbid obesity is a different issue - that's a killer.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: GirlFriday
For the same reason people cannot quit smoking, drinking, drugs, give up caffeine, etc. Food is an addiction for some people, and unless they find the motivation inside themselves to do it for themselves, it will never go away. They may stop for a year or two, but the second life hits them again, they will take up the bad habits like a heroin addict. It's a sad cycle thats very hard to break. But like anything else, they can stop, as long as they find the willpower inside themselves.

Additionally, once someone gains a significant amount of weight, the problem seems so large (pun, sorry😱) as to be almost insurmountable. Losing 5lbs is easily done within a month, whereas losing 50 would be challenging to accomplish within a year. I think people get to a point where they just kinda give up and drown their sorrows in another bucket of KFC.

Fausto

 

[pyonir]

Originally posted by: Russ
You porko bashers seem to be forgetting something. Because someone is a chub, it does not automatically mean they are unhealthy. There are plenty of plumpers who are in perfect health, and will probably outlive most skinny people.

Now, morbid obesity is a different issue - that's a killer.

Russ, NCNE

true. look at Daryl Kile, he was in resonably good shape wouldn't ya say? and the preliminary autopsy showed a blocked coronary artery (most commonly associated with overweight or unhealthy eaters).

 

[Gaard]

Originally posted by: pyonir

Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood

Originally posted by: Lucky

Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood
i'm 6'0". Back in january i was 250 pounds. it's now June and I'm 199.

All thanks to DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION.

Sweet, maybe I should try that. Im 6'0 and ~230. I wanna get rid of my gut and my bitch titties.

it wasn't just DDR though. I TOTALLY changed my diet.

No food after 7PM.
No fast food
no donuts and things like that.

I DDR'ed for 30-60 minutes a day for 5 months.

I was wearing XL and XXL shirts, my waist was a 40.
I now comfortably and confidently wear M's and L's and I have a 36 waist.

I gave away ALL of my old, big clothes. I have almost NOTHING to wear.

but i JUST bought some new boxers! kick ass!

you remember when you wanted people to list blues singers, and your thread title was "please name me your favorite blues singers" and the mod changed your nick to "yourfavoritebluessingers"?

That was funny. 😀

Talking to Arnold* "You remember that one time in Terminator you said I'll be back? Hehehe. That was awesome!" 😉

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: pyonir

Originally posted by: Russ
You porko bashers seem to be forgetting something. Because someone is a chub, it does not automatically mean they are unhealthy. There are plenty of plumpers who are in perfect health, and will probably outlive most skinny people.

Now, morbid obesity is a different issue - that's a killer.

Russ, NCNE

true. look at Daryl Kile, he was in resonably good shape wouldn't ya say? and the preliminary autopsy showed a blocked coronary artery (most commonly associated with overweight or unhealthy eaters).

Right, but in his case we're dealing with someone whose genetics were likely going to do them in early almost regardless of their lifestyle. IIRC, his father died very young of a heart attack as well.

Russ, you're essentially correct although I would point out that many who are overweight are also completely sedentary. The two often go hand in hand. I think we're pretty much discussing obesity here anyway rather than those with an extra 20lbs on them.

Fausto

 

[drewshin]

it also has a lot to do with genetics too for mst people.

im 5'8" and weigh 145 lbs and haven't exercised in about two years and eat donuts every day. my co-worker is 5'6" 220lbs and works out at the gym for an hour, runs for about 20 minutes and eats salads for lunch and dinner. sure, he could lose weight if he worked out 3 hours a day, or made a full time job out of it, but geez it's tough when your genetics are against you.

 

[StageLeft]

I never said genetics don't play a role - they sure as hell do! For some people losing weight is undeniably easier than others. My main point was that if a fat person has tried to diet in the past properly and actually lost weight it proves they can lose weight. If they say "I can't lose weight" or "I lose it and it always comes back" then all it means is "I'm too lazy or lacking the willpower to stick with it." That's all it means. If you're predisposed to be 250 pounds cutting down to 190 won't be fun or easy but it can almost certainly be done.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: drewshin
it also has a lot to do with genetics too for mst people.

im 5'8" and weigh 145 lbs and haven't exercised in about two years and eat donuts every day. my co-worker is 5'6" 220lbs and works out at the gym for an hour, runs for about 20 minutes and eats salads for lunch and dinner. sure, he could lose weight if he worked out 3 hours a day, or made a full time job out of it, but geez it's tough when your genetics are against you.

That's really not true (and the point Skoorb is making if I'm not mistaken). There are those with hypothyroidism and similar conditions, but mostly it's just inactivity, bad diet and a healthy dose of self-delusion tossed in. I'll bet if your coworker made an honest appraisal of his caloric intake and output on a daily basis he'd know exactly why he is overweight (not genetics).

Fausto

 

[luv2chill]

Talking to Arnold* "You remember that one time in Terminator you said I'll be back? Hehehe. That was awesome!" 😉

Hahaha... Chris Farley show! I miss him... 🙁

I just want to echo Isla's and GirlFriday's comments. It seems so easy when looked at objectively, but if you're faced with the daunting task of losing 20+ pounds it can seem insurmountable.

What it comes down to is a lack of willpower and belief in oneself. That has to come from within, but can be fostered by loving and caring people. Too bad those kind of people are few and far between in this world.

It's fine to advovate personal responsibility for one's problems... but that doesn't have to come at the expense of patience, understanding, and empathy. There is a nice place called a "happy medium"--I spend quite a lot of time there. 🙂

l2c

 

[Russ]

works out at the gym for an hour, runs for about 20 minutes and eats salads for lunch and dinner.

He tells you he eats salads for lunch and dinner. And, maybe he does. Followed by a steak, potato with sour cream, a bag of chips and a cheesecake.

Look, more then most, I understand addictions; I have many, some that I took care of some that I haven't. I happen to be a food addict myself; the higher the sugar and caloric density, the better. I also happen to have a nuclear body metabolism, so weight was never a problem, but cholesterol did become a problem. The solution? I changed my eating habits, dropped the number 60 points and, as a side affect, lost 20 ilbs that I didn't need to lose.

Point is, addict or not, anybody who REALLY wants to do it, can.

Russ, NCNE

 

[StageLeft]

I want to say I agree with Russ but it's hard to admit :Q

 

[MikeO]

Why do so many fat people say they can't lose weight?

It's a lot easier than actually losing weight.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: MrsSkoorb
Skoorb, don't you remember the show we saw on TLC about this? They proved beyond fact (and the study was peer reviewed and published in a medical journal) that obese people CAN lose weight, no matter what, and keep the body at a reasonable weight once the weight has been lost.

I watched that TLC show, and came away with a completely different viewpoint than you did.

They said people can lose the weight, but that the majority of diets are actually counter productive in that the body reacts to the diet as it does to starvation... this is why the vast majority of dieters gain back ALL the weight, plus additional weight. In fact, the typical dieter who loses the weight, the gains it back, then loses it again, and gains it back will weight 50% more in the end than when they started.

It appears the body is geared to gain weight much more easily than it is to lose weight. The starvation mode our body falls into seems to be a throwback to the days when our meals were irregular and rare.

They also said that once the weight is gained, it does not require significantly more calories per day to maintain that weight. And that once the weight is lost, it does not require significantly more calories to gain it back, as the body has changed to starvation mode and stores the calories on a mass scale.

In other words, they were making the point that once you've gained the weight, you're pretty much screwed unless you have massive will power and can stand what your body does to you as it goes through what is essentially a constant starvation cycle with your brain screaming at you to eat, and your body storing every calorie it can find.

It made me feel really bad for people who have to go through this.

[edit]It made me think about what the future holds. We are destined to me less active in the future if past trends hold out. What is needed is a way to turn off the starvation reaction our body has. It is this that makes diets fail. I know of very few people who could stand what the body does to them when it thinks it is starving.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: AmusedOne

Originally posted by: MrsSkoorb
Skoorb, don't you remember the show we saw on TLC about this? They proved beyond fact (and the study was peer reviewed and published in a medical journal) that obese people CAN lose weight, no matter what, and keep the body at a reasonable weight once the weight has been lost.

I watched that TLC show, and came away with a completely different viewpoint than you did.

They said people can lose the weight, but that the majority of diets are actually counter productive in that the body reacts to the diet as it does to starvation... this is why the vast majority of dieters gain back ALL the weight, plus additional weight. In fact, the typical dieter who loses the weight, the gains it back, then loses it again, and gains it back will weight 50% more in the end than when they started.

It appears the body is geared to gain weight much more easily than it is to lose weight. The starvation mode our body falls into seems to be a throwback to the days when our meals were irregular and rare.

They also said that once the weight is gained, it does not require significantly more calories per day to maintain that weight. And that once the weight is lost, it does not require significantly more calories to gain it back, as the body has changed to starvation mode and stores the calories on a mass scale.

In other words, they were making the point that once you've gained the weight, you're pretty much screwed unless you have massive will power and can stand what your body does to you as it goes through what is essentially a constant starvation cycle with your brain screaming at you to eat, and your body storing every calorie it can find.

It made me feel really bad for people who have to go through this.

I did see that show but the same conclusino can be made. It is harder but like you said willpower can do it. One of the shows we saw on TLC (we watch a lot on that) had a bunch of fat people on the show and they were very closely monitored over a long period of time and all lost a crap load of weight. On another show one woman said "I can't lose weight. My metabolism won't allow it." Well one doctor didn't believe her. They threw her into a metabolism recording room overnight and saw that she was fine - the problem was she ate way more than she thought. SHe put herself on a diet and started excercising and it all came off. THe problem is that most people have the will power to lose some/most. However most people don't have the willpower or determination to stay with the responsible lifestyle.

 

[LordMaul]

It's all muscle...

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: AmusedOne

Originally posted by: MrsSkoorb
Skoorb, don't you remember the show we saw on TLC about this? They proved beyond fact (and the study was peer reviewed and published in a medical journal) that obese people CAN lose weight, no matter what, and keep the body at a reasonable weight once the weight has been lost.

I watched that TLC show, and came away with a completely different viewpoint than you did.

They said people can lose the weight, but that the majority of diets are actually counter productive in that the body reacts to the diet as it does to starvation... this is why the vast majority of dieters gain back ALL the weight, plus additional weight. In fact, the typical dieter who loses the weight, the gains it back, then loses it again, and gains it back will weight 50% more in the end than when they started.

It appears the body is geared to gain weight much more easily than it is to lose weight. The starvation mode our body falls into seems to be a throwback to the days when our meals were irregular and rare.

They also said that once the weight is gained, it does not require significantly more calories per day to maintain that weight. And that once the weight is lost, it does not require significantly more calories to gain it back, as the body has changed to starvation mode and stores the calories on a mass scale.

In other words, they were making the point that once you've gained the weight, you're pretty much screwed unless you have massive will power and can stand what your body does to you as it goes through what is essentially a constant starvation cycle with your brain screaming at you to eat, and your body storing every calorie it can find.

It made me feel really bad for people who have to go through this.

I did see that show but the same conclusino can be made. It is harder but like you said willpower can do it. One of the shows we saw on TLC (we watch a lot on that) had a bunch of fat people on the show and they were very closely monitored over a long period of time and all lost a crap load of weight. On another show one woman said "I can't lose weight. My metabolism won't allow it." Well one doctor didn't believe her. They threw her into a metabolism recording room overnight and saw that she was fine - the problem was she ate way more than she thought. SHe put herself on a diet and started excercising and it all came off. THe problem is that most people have the will power to lose some/most. However most people don't have the willpower or determination to stay with the responsible lifestyle.

Sorry, but this goes beyond basic willpower. When your body kicks into autopilot and goes into starvation mode, the feeling is indescribable.

And it's not just a "responsible lifestyle" one must stay in after they lose the weight. They will, even months and years after losing the weight, still have their body screaming that it is starving. If mearly losing the weight and eating a normal diet was good enough, the vast majority of people wouldn't be gaining the weight plus more back as they do. They can do this even if they are eating LESS than the averge person does.

Like I said, what is needed is a way to turn of the starvation mode our bodies fall into.

BTW, I'm lucky here. I can eat massive amounts of food and never gain more than a few pounds and my cholesteral stays low. Good genes, I guess. 🙂

The point is, I decided to stop thinking everyone should have an easy time with weight control as I do, and decided to objectively look at WHY some people, no matter how hard they try, cannot keep the weight off. I've known fat people who could quit smoking, quit drugs, quit drinking, but they can't keep the weight off. This is why I'm more inclined to believe it's more than simply will power at play here.

 

[StageLeft]

The point is, I decided to stop thinking everyone should have an easy time with weight control as I do, and decided to objectively look at WHY some people, no matter how hard they try, cannot keep the weight off. I've known fat people who could quit smoking, quit drugs, quit drinking, but they can't keep the weight off. This is why I'm more inclined to believe it's more than simply will power at play here.

I know it's not easy but the thing is if these people at one point in their life had the willpower to lose the weight - say from 250 to 200 pounds - then keeping at 200 pounds requires no more effort then it did to lose the pound from 201 to 200. As time goes on your body reacts less strongly to the weight loss. For instance - if you stop eating right now your metabolism will quickly plummet, but you can get it up again by eating once again.

The reason why something like quiting smoking can be considered easier (I've never tried so I don't know) is because you simply stop. You never need another smoke. People always need food so going from having a reasonable dinner to a second portion it is difficult to say no. I know what it's like. My body, if i ate when I felt like doing so, likes to be overweight. It's a constant vigilence required to keep myself trim. I am able to keep my calories low for a day but if one night i decide to eat pizza then I basically give up for the rest of the night and i"m packing it in like a moron.

A lot of fat people don't seem to realize, also, that a 20 minute walk isn't excercise. Neither is a one hour walk once a week. It's insignificant. One chick I saw on TLC, discovery (dunno!) who was GIANT was saying that she knows she could lose the weight if she got the stomach operation but it requires a diet change also and why would anybody eat properly when they can eat cakes and junk food? It was like she was so pathetic she couldn't even control herself in the least. Instead of putting in an ounce of self-control she is simply waiting around for somebody to find something that allows her to have mcdonalds every night and cheesecake before bed and still lose weight.