A question for overweight people...
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
United States
January 13, 2010 7:15am CST
I've been overweight my whole life. For the past 8 years or so I've been considered "obese". So I know how it is to make excuses for your weight. I know how it is to not care about the things you eat, or to make excuses not to exercise.
Here's the thing. I was watching The Biggest Loser last night, and for most of the episode the contestants were talking to the Dr. about their health risks. Here he is telling all these morbidly obese people about their internal age, and their risk for diabetes and things like that. It seemed to come as a huge wake up call to most of these people.
I couldn't help but to think that it should be common sense that obesity leads to health complications. Anyone who's overweight should already realize they're at greater risk for heart problems, breathing problems, diabetes, and a long list of other complications. But if they already know, then it's not making a difference to them. They're still eating unhealthy things and they still aren't exercising.
So I need to know... would it make a difference to you? If a doctor were to tell you that if you don't change your habits, you will have diabetes within the next 10 years, would that make you want to change? If a doctor were to tell you that you're losing 20 years of life by being heavy, would that change you? Or is this something that you basically already know, but it's just not important to you at the moment?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@AShraderJr (156)
• United States
14 Jan 10
I think that many Doctors care deeply for the Health of their patients. I ALSO think that some doctors use this tactic to scare their patients into expensive options. My entire family and I are overweight. Many of us are considered Obese. Some Morbidly Obese. I would say 60% of the adults in my family do have Diabetes. I only have 1 Uncle that had it and got rid of it. Unfortunately is his quest to be the healthiest person that he could be. He suffered 2 Heart Attacks, and a Stroke. He worked too fast and too hard to lose the weight. I have always been somewhat conscious of what I eat and go through healthy and unhealthy cycles. So if a Doctor told me I was going to DIE if I didn't lose weight. Yes I would change my habits. For a little while. Until I realize that I am constantly obsessing about my diet and not enjoying my life anymore. Maybe when I am older I will take it more seriously as we all seem to do.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
14 Jan 10
I think you probably need to reassess your dieting goals, because you aren't supposed to obsess over a diet, and you're not supposed to feel like you're not enjoying life while on a diet. What you should do is try to find healthy or lower calorie replacements for some of the foods you eat... eat a little bit less of some other foods you eat, and then work on getting more exercise. You can still eat some junk food, and don't have to kill yourself working out. Just start with baby steps, and every few weeks change something else really small.
@AShraderJr (156)
• United States
14 Jan 10
That's goof advice. Unfortunately my habits aren't easily changed. I have always been conscious of what I eat. When I am eating something horrible for me I am well aware of it. That's why I am the smallest member of my family. I have two teenage brothers that out way me by 40 - 50 pounds. They aren't great listeners, I wish they had my control.
@ramos7881 (344)
• United States
13 Jan 10
I too am overweight and am beginning to suffer health problems because of it. Unfortunately, I don't think having a doctor tell me that I was going to suffer form a chronic disease would make me change my ways. I do know the risks that come with being overweight, but those are long-term risks and I have a family with many needs right now which leads me to my unhealthy eating patterns. That is my justification for my weight, and I know that all the excuses will not improve my health, so I do try to make little changes when I can - such as choosing to drink water instead of soda, snacking on a granola bar instead of a chocolate bar, etc.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
14 Jan 10
That's the best any of us can do, is try to make healthier choices when we can. It's also a good idea to get in as much exercise as you can, even if it's just 15 minutes a day. Overtime it will make a big difference.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
19 Jan 10
I never realized that people didn't know this stuff, because I have done a lot of studying on nutrition and such. I think maybe even if they did know, hearing it from someone rather than reading it in a book, was a wake up call.
Last time I went to the doctor they said I was overweight, but not obese. Although, I think that because I am active (I run 20+ miles per week), I am not at increased risks. Although, I would still like to trim down anyway. I just can't seem to do it. I'm not good at dieting.
@glords (2614)
• United States
18 Jan 10
I think its common sense to know that your health suffers when you are overweight. When I had my first child I gained A LOT of weight and afterward I exercised and dieted until I wanted to pull my hair out and I couldn't loose the weight. I tried Atkins, Sugarbusters, Weight Watchers, and I went to the gym 4 times I week and nothing.
I think that is why most people stay overweight. Its not because they are lazy, or weak, or can't help themselves... its that they don't know how to loose weight. What works for one person may not work for someone else. Also what works at one time may not work at another.
It took me about two years to recover from having my first child. When my body finally recovered, I was able to loose weight again. I did weight watchers and the gym and dropped 30 pounds... I'm now pregnant with my 2nd child... and this time it is going much better. Even at 6 months I'm still able to hit the gym 3 times a week.
@HansonFan (1653)
• United States
13 Jan 10
I do know the risks and only the past year or so began to care about it. Hey - I'm 21 and have plenty of things to keep me occupied such as college and two jobs! lol. But, I was in an explosion as a young girl and they said being overweight probably saved my life. I stored that away and for a long time I used that as my excuse to keep it on. Then my family pestered me constantly to lose weight and that made me want to do it less. Now, as an almost graduate, I am thinking about my future and have begun to loose weight. I am working hard and its paid off. In 3 months I have gone from a size 26 to a 18/20. I see a noticeable change in the way I behave and feel and I hope to be a size 14 when I graduate in May, but If Im not I will just aim for a later date and keep going!
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
13 Jan 10
Excellent job! You're doing great. Keeping up the motivation can be hard work sometimes, I know, because I'm there. I've been working on my weight loss since the end of October and have gone from a size 20 down to a 14. I'm aiming to lose another 40 pounds or so, we'll see.
I understand what it's like to make excuses for your weight, I think we all do it. I did it for years, thinking for some reason I was just incapable of getting thinner. Now as I'm losing the weight I'm realizing how wrong I was for all those years.
@obe212003 (2299)
• Philippines
13 Jan 10
Right now, i'm overweight, probably mildly obese. i am trying and striving very hard to live a healthy lifestyle with exercise, having a diet, herbal food supplements, et cetera. Honestly, the only thing that is making me feel awful is not being able to eat my favorite dishes since my wife is a great cook!
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
13 Jan 10
Yep, that's the hard part about trying to be healthy... not eating all the yummy food we want!
@nitu1952 (286)
• India
14 Jan 10
overweight is an invitation to many diseases like malaria,typhoid,jaundince and many such types of diseases. no one like the person have more weight. today everyperson wants to maintain his health and wants to keep him fit. overweiht suffers from various problems in daily life.
