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New York, 8:37 AM
Sat Nov 28
15 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/26/09
Yeah, thought I'd stop by and elevate the conversation a bit.
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Sure, there are some not-so-good choices going on in having people use a cash prize/crash weight loss system--but has the alternative of just sitting around and staying fat really done anything for obese america? I gotta say, the one thing the show does really well is get into the psychology of what causes people to self-medicate with food (just as AA has done for years with alcohol). God forbid we admit that food is just as dangerous (if perhaps not even more dangerous) a drug as all the illegal drugs we persecute people for every minute in this country.
And I gotta say, I'm a rather in-shape-kinda guy, but I purposely head to the gym every morning after watching the show because my workout routine is automatically doubled by still hearing the fabulous Jillian screaming in my ears.
Finally: fat people sweating, crying and hugging--kills me every episode.
11/25/09
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#tips
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Fat people are discriminated against in employment, housing, and other areas. They are mocked to their faces and continually get unasked for advice from friends and even strangers. People assume they lack willpower even though science shows fatness has an almost insurmountable genetic and we are bombarded with unhealthy foods (check out books by Gina Kolata and David Kessler). The trick is not in losing weight; the trick is in keeping it off, which 90% of dieters fail to do for the reasons I just mentioned. But still the fat people get little compassion or sympathy from society--even though most Americans are overweight now.
So don't attack the evil in The Biggest Loser as if it is some "other". We have met the enemy, and it is us.
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#tips
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#tips
11/25/09
Do not hate on people who are happily a little pudgy and eat a well balanced diet and exercise.
Maybe you need some counseling to help with your negative body image.
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#tips
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#tips
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#tips
11/25/09
Change your eating and lifestyle habits. I did. And I know a guy who went from 400 lbs to a 165-pound marathon runner in 18 months doing nothing more than fitness walking, then jogging, and eating right. He also joined Weight Watchers for the AA-style support.
Anyone who's lost a lot of weight (like me) while their fat friends naysay learns the frightening power of self-justification. Objecting to the hardly-rocket-science facts of fitness, and touting fat acceptance, is actually called 'co-dependency.' Ridicule, and support, are useful tools. And compassion too often equals an easy excuse.
We are indeed bombarded with the opportunity to eat unhealthy foods; But in the end, we ourselves choose them over the apples just down the aisle.
Most young- to middle-aged people can go from 30-40 pounds overweight to seriously honed in six months. The secret? No more excuses. Ever.
11/25/09
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#tips
11/25/09
And as for attitude, people won't motivate themselves, or they'll make excuses for why they aren't (my personal favorite one brandished around is they may have a thyroid problem). Genetics factor in 85% of the time, but that doesn't mean you can't lose it, just means it's a bit more difficult. It's not that it is hard to lose weight, it's just that it's so convenient to gain it.
Essentially, it comes from building proper eating and exercise habits, while being patient about it (good weight loss takes months to years). And as much as overweight or obese people complain about their friends, the moment you start letting them know you are going to seriously lose weight, they tend to become rather supportive, and even helpful, of your goal.
11/25/09
I think the trick for everyone, save people with medical conditions that prevent them from weight loss, should be not putting it on in the first place.
11/25/09
#tips
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#tips
11/25/09
Besides, body image is important, obviously, but anyone who eats an unhealthy diet, avoids exercise, and engages in other dangerous behaviors (like smoking, which, okay, guilty as charged), be they skinny or fat, is less healthy than s/he could be.
11/25/09
#tips
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#tips
11/25/09
I don't believe plain willpower works. You do have to have the will to reeducate yourself and organize your life in ways that promote different eating habits and exercise.
Clearly, it's extremely difficult. But not impossible.
11/25/09
#tips
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#tips
11/25/09
It's not just the big thing, drastic diet change and great quantities of aerobic exercise, that will help you lose weight, but the accumulation of all these small things that are easily rectified (unless you have some kind of crippling physical or psychological disability). You don't even have to do everything I stated, but the most important thing is for people to educate themselves on proper nutrition instead of looking for quick schemes like fad diets or exercise boot camps. If you rely on those of course you're not going to keep the weight off. But if you buy yourself the makings for sandwiches with fresh lunch meats instead of stopping at McDonald's every other day, or pick up a hobby such as Salsa dancing at a local community center, or make and maintain a garden , or go to a local community college and participate in the adult swim programs there, people will be on their way to successful weight loss.
And as for your friends, I'm pretty sure they're supportive of you for the most part, dieting or no. If not... well... I don't think they're really your friends, wouldn't you concur? But, keep in mind that friends... real friends... also are concerned for your welfare. So if and when you decide to make the effort of a healthy lifestyle, they will do what they can to help you. Being fat isn't a moral flaw (unless you're Christian, gluttony and sloth are sins, after all), but it is a physiological one. The stress you put on your body from being overweight and definitely obese is tremendous in body support by the muscles, ligaments and tendons, and bones, and the circulatory system. It boosts your self esteem not just by looking, but by feeling better; less chronic pain issues and you do build more energy.
Finally, you keep emphasizing dieting. The problem with many calorie cutting techniques is that your body adapts to your food intake. When it notices you're taking in significantly less food (as with a low calorie diet), your body goes into starvation mode, and attempts to reduce the amount of activity you do. A better idea is not to diet, but to eat regularly. "Eat like a king in the morning, like a prince in the noon, and like a pauper in the evening" while eating snacks in between. Eat five to seven times a day, and you'll notice you'll be a lot more satisfied with smaller meals... and cut calories in the process.
#speakup
11/25/09
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#tips
11/25/09
I would never deny that the human palate is exploited by Big Food. But now that we know that, what are we going to do about it? Simply cave, or try to change our habits?
In addition to people with a genetic predisposition to being heavy, which means they have to be more vigilant earlier, any American who grows old enough to have his/her metabolism slow down has to worry about this.
11/25/09
I don't belittle people. We all have our failings. I do admit to getting upset when I see obese -- obese -- not merely a bit overweight -- parents with children who look like baby blimps. It's not all genetics; some of it is habits learned from the parents.
11/25/09
#tips
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11/25/09
You would totally not get the cash prize, HamNo.
11/25/09
This seems a dangerous precedent to be set on a gossip website.
11/25/09
Yes, sometimes people are stupid and don't read the contracts they sign. But just as often (and probably more often), contracts are written by evil corporations who see it as their job to obfuscate as much as possible.
11/25/09
But then again I don't think any employer is legally required to monitor the private activities of their people outside of what's required for this particular workplace. If they go through all this exercise, and then ignore whatever advice is given to them to eat and drink properly in their off hours, then it's THEIR choice, and therefore their problem.
11/25/09
In a competition where the whole point is to get as thin as possible?
THAT'S CRAZY!!!
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