Fat activists lean heavily on society for own faults

Deseret News ^ | 2/4/02 | Marianne M. Jennings

[oldvike]

I would say you are right about 99% of the overweight people out there. But I have no doubt that there is a small portion of those that are overweight that it is indeed genetic.

Okay, okay... if you really want to split hairs, I'll agree with you. LOL

[Moosilauke]

The finest part of this story is her 140-pound friend's quote, "If they're in a car unbelted and people are careening around, it's dangerous not only for the people without seat belts but for all the occupants of the vehicle."

But if they are buckled they are good to have along. As we all know, with automobiles "heavier = safer".

[MotleyGirl70]

Of course, this brings to mind the Simpson's episode in which Homer decided to get so fat he could quality for disability and work from home. Not only was it screamingly funny but ended with one of the greatest lines ever in a Simpsons.

That's also the one where he gets so huge he walks around in that oversized Hawaiian housecoat (i.e., dress type thing).

[MotleyGirl70]

Not only was it screamingly funny but ended with one of the greatest lines ever in a Simpsons.

What was the line?

[Sloth]

Yes it is. Quit blaming others for turning you into a monstrosity.

I think there is a significant difference between expecting fat people to accept the consequences of their lifestyles and holding them up for public ridicule, especially considering that many of them already have awful self-esteem.

[El Gato]

She now looks and feels great and I'm thrilled for her.

Come back in a couple of years and tell us how she's doing. Compared to keeping it off, losing weight, especially when you are relatively young, is the easy part. Been there, done that, multiple times, didn't even get a T shirt.

[zoomie92]

OK, You have to give us the Simpsons line now after that build-up!

[Trust but Verify]

if you quit eating all those fatty foods & delicious sweets, you'll find that fruits are terribly tasty once the palate is no long oversensitized.

You are soo right! I was 120 lbs overweight. I finally decided to do something about it. That was a little more than 2 years ago. I am 15 lbs from my goal and the most important thing I did was refuse to eat anything 'bad' for me. Sweets, fats, (fast food, especially) I quit them cold turkey. My sweet fixes now come from fruits. I will never, ever overeat again.

[Trust but Verify]

I could be this friend of yours. Story's the same with the exception of the starting and ending weights. I was 265, now weigh 165. Trying to lose another 10-15 but it's really tough. Have managed to keep all of it off for more than a year.

[Pistias]

Congratulations. Same thing I tell people who "can't" quit smoking--all you have to do is decide.

[scholar]

Genetics is evvverrryyythinnnnggg! All we have to do is pump more money into genetics research until we find the "fat gene"...

Yeah, check out all the research money going into finding the "fat" gene. The pharmaceutical companies will make money hand-over-fist so people don't have to take any responsibility for their condition. Then they start class actions suits over phen-phen, etc. while other important research is being ignored.

[Pistias]

To a certain point (i.e., losing vastly excessive weight) the body can be conditioned by controlling intake. The best way to lose weight is to increase the metabolic heat you burn at--eating proteins more than fats and exercise regularly. Go for one fast mile instead of 20 minutes of jogging. Do a little weight training (women look good toned, but Chyna is downright freaky!) to increase your basal metabolism, and use cardio to condition your heart and lungs and to burn off the calories you take in in excess of catabolic need. You'll start to love it anyway--relaxing, energizing, gets you high if you do it long enough, and puts you in the mood for some serious lovemaking.

[Pistias]

The pharmaceutical companies will make money hand-over-fist so people don't have to take any responsibility for their condition.

Yeah, it's called "job security."

[TX Bluebonnet]

That's also the one where he gets so huge he walks around in that oversized Hawaiian housecoat (i.e., dress type thing).

I believe they are called Muu Muu, appropriately enough.

[El Gato]

The plain fact of the matter is that dieting does not work. Or works for very few. Part of this is because being overweight actually changes ones metabolism, dieting changes it again, but not back to what it was, but rather to a condition that requires even less intake for weight maintainence. This is due mostly to changes in body composition, and is a result of the body "thinking" that their is a famine when you diet. Exercise definitely helps, but only to a point, and that is probably the true reason for our "epidemic" of obsesity. Our lifestyles, including our work and those things we do just to "live"(for example cleaning the cave), have been changed to require less physical effort. Meanwhile the time for "recreational" exercise, meaning non work related and non obligatory, hasn't increased, and may have actually decreased. One must "make time" for exercise of course, and one usually can, but not always.

It's not a simple matter of doing the pushaways, nor even of getting aerobic exercise, once one has gotton on to the yo-yo.

[Trust but Verify]

Well, I didn't mention that I now take two to three brisk walks of 20 minutes five days a week. You're right, it does energize me. As for the last part of your posting, do you think it's the 'energy' or the fact I look so much more appealing to Mr. Trust that has improved the love-life?

[muggs]

congratulations!

[scholar]

Go for one fast mile instead of 20 minutes of jogging.

I have really bad knees so was never able to jog or run. A few miles of brisk walking a few times a week kept me in good shape. Like I said before, need to get off my @@@ and get back to it.

[Publius6961]

I think there is a significant difference between expecting fat people to accept the consequences of their lifestyles and holding them up for public ridicule, especially considering that many of them already have awful self-esteem.

Small consolation if you ever have to sit next to one on a 5-hour flight.

[muggs]

You'll start to love it anyway--relaxing, energizing, gets you high if you do it long enough, and puts you in the mood for some serious lovemaking.

You are so right, that's what keeps me going to the gym 5-6 days a week. I'm addicted to the buzz it gives me.

(women look good toned, but Chyna is downright freaky!)

Who is Chyna?