I’ve wavered greatly from my highest in college at almost 400 lb. down to 235 lb. at one point recently. Since I’ve been dating and engaged to my fiancee for a few years now, I’ve let myself go, but I’ll never let myself get back to where I was in college.
I’m 6’2”, so most people don’t see me as fat, more just BIG. When I was thin though, people really took notice. Our CIO even said something to some of his partners about my weight loss when he was on a tour of our data center. It was a great conversation piece in job interviews. The other side of that coin is true as well.
Fat people are viewed as lazy. I can think of at least 2 very obese women in our office who embody that, but that generality can affect those of us who are legitimately hard workers willing to do anything. Obesity is a big problem, as I see it, and I’m affected by it. No government program is going to make me thinner. I have to want to be thin and to maintain that. It takes a true lifestyle change to make it happen permanently.
Maintaining weight is VERY hard! I have a thyroid disorder that complicates things due to a slow metabolism, but I’ve dropped the weight safely and without surgery or medication. It takes a truly dedicated person to stick with it though.
Our society is bombarded by junk on every corner. Long gone are the days of random, homemade fare at a local diner or farmer’s market. We deal with so much bustle in our everyday lives that pre-made, manufactured foods like McDonalds or even the likes of Marie Callendar in your grocer’s freezer. Those foods are so tempting from a convenience standpoint in a world where we try to cut corners and make the most out of every moment of our days.
We need to slow down, get away from the TVs and computers, and get back to our country’s roots. We were healthy people once.
It really is difficult. I’m 5’4” and until my late 20s was pretty thin (usually between 110 and 120). But my metabolism slowed down and my habits didn’t. I never felt like I ate that much, but I gradually rose to 155, which is a lot if you’re short. I battled back down to 127 but every time I just relax and eat “like a normal person” (you know, three meals a day) my weight climbs back up into the 140s and 150s. I pretty much have to either starve, live on protein only, or work out like I’m preparing for a triathlon to get or stay under 130.