"Obesity is a disease not a decision"

[Silock]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I eat next to nothing. That doesn't mean that others in the same situation can do the same.

I had a friend here last night that's trained in martial arts once he was four. He's in his mid-30's, owns a business, married,has a five year old and a six month old. With work, kids, more work, etc. it's tough to get to the gym. Is he fat? No. 10 pounds over? Yeah.

But when and where so you find time with all that going on to burn 10? Are you willing to spend time at the gym in lieu of your family? How about you miss a huge deal because you couldn't answer your cellphone midday because you were in the sauna?

It's a Catch-22.

They CAN; they're just unwilling.

Again, you don't need to exercise to burn 10 lbs. You simply need to eat less.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

This thread, of course, devolves into Gym Rats versus Regular Guys.

I can't wait to see the current Gym Rats in 20 years when they've spent the overwhelming majority of that time behind a desk 40 hours a week, dealt with infants, their wives and hormones, more work, four birthday parties every weekend, etc.

Let's see how you feel about hitting the gym when you've worked eight hours a day, then wake up six times a night to take care of your baby, then deal with weekends filled with more kids.

I work on office job, have a one year old and a six year old, a wife, and all that shit. You can always find an excuse to not work out, eat right, etc. You can also always find time to work out. Sprint 8 takes twenty minutes three times a week. Putting down the fork takes no time at all.

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

I work on office job, have a one year old and a six year old, a wife, and all that shit. You can always find an excuse to not work out, eat right, etc. You can also always find time to work out. Sprint 8 takes twenty minutes three times a week. Putting down the fork takes no time at all.

You are bliss.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

You are bliss.

Nay...I am but a man.

Seriously, though, I said the same shit for years and watched my weight creep up on me. I was never "fat"...but I was fat. I stepped on a scale one day and went "holy shit...I'm 25 pounds heavier than I was when I graduated college a decade ago." A little over a year later, I'm almost 25 pounds lighter and have good muscle tone.

I was out boating and drinking with friends this weekend. The guys were all in our trunks, and it was weird. I was surrounded by fat guys who didn't realize how fat they were. I know this because I was one of them just a year ago. When you look in the mirror the right way, you can convince yourself that you still look okay...but you don't. When all of your friends have beer guts, you can convince yourself that it's just an inevitable part of life...but it's not.

Ten years from now, there's a strong possibility that I will be 25 pounds heavier again. At the very least, hopefully I've set the clock back a decade. I'd like to think that I won't gain it all back. If I do, though, I'm not going to blame genetics or metabolism or the fact that I'm a busy man with a family and a job and no time to stay fit. If I gain it all back, it's because I chose to eat too much and work out too little.

I could sit on my ass watching sports, drinking beer, and eating deep-fried gravy all day every day and love every minute of it. Because I don't want to be fat and unattractive, I stop eating when I'm full instead of when my plate is empty. I run when I'd rather be watching television. I do pushups even though I ****ing HATE doing pushups.

Vanity is what keeps me from letting myself go. It's really no more complicated than that. When my laziness exceeds my vanity, I'll find excuses to eat when I should be working out...and when I weigh 200 pounds instead of 161 pounds, I'll either be disgusted enough to swing the balance back in favor of vanity, or I won't.

It's all a lot more simple than we make it out to be. (Actually, those who are in shape make it simple...those who aren't try to pretend its complicated). Calories in have to be less than calories out. Work out...or don't. Four beers and a skinless chicken breast while watching the game at the bar or ten beers and a mountain of wings. I still choose the latter over the former way too often, but just being disciplined six times out of ten instead of one time or even zero times out of ten makes a tremendous difference.

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

This thread, of course, devolves into Gym Rats versus Regular Guys.

I can't wait to see the current Gym Rats in 20 years when they've spent the overwhelming majority of that time behind a desk 40 hours a week, dealt with infants, their wives and hormones, more work, four birthday parties every weekend, etc.

Let's see how you feel about hitting the gym when you've worked eight hours a day, then wake up six times a night to take care of your baby, then deal with weekends filled with more kids.

It's all just a matter of priorities. Some people actually have MORE motivation to stay in shape after having kids. It makes it easier to keep up with them as they get older.

[keg in kc]

The mistake that we all make in discussions like this is thinking that our own personal experience reflects how it is for everyone.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Sigh. Of course obesity is not a disease. It is a series of bad choices, compounded by more bad choices that lead to a feeling of entrapment and hopelessness. Those of you who have never experienced it tend to be the ones casting the largest stones in this thread.

I'll give you a pass though, because both of you have tried to help me out over the years. Anyone else though that thinks you're douches have every right too, because you're laying down some gauntlet about something you have ZERO understanding of.

In the meantime though, Clay, Buck, Saulbadguy, myself, and others I'm forgetting are living proof that through hard work, dedication, will, and desire, those chains can be broken. However, it takes a level of resolve to lose over 100lbs that the vast majority of this country just doesn't have in order to accomplish those results. I won't judge them. And shame on you for judging them if you've never walked a mile in their shoes.

It's pretty easy to stack accomplishment on top of accomplishment. Try stacking some accomplishment on top of years of sheer failure. Then get back to me.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Sigh. Of course obesity is not a disease. It is a series of bad choices, compounded by more bad choices that lead to a feeling of entrapment and hopelessness. Those of you who have never experienced it tend to be the ones casting the largest stones in this thread.

I'll give you a pass though, because both of you have tried to help me out over the years. Anyone else though that thinks you're douches have every right too, because you're laying down some gauntlet about something you have ZERO understanding of.

In the meantime though, Clay, Buck, Saulbadguy, myself, and others I'm forgetting are living proof that through hard work, dedication, will, and desire, those chains can be broken. However, it takes a level of resolve to lose over 100lbs that the vast majority of this country just doesn't have in order to accomplish those results. I won't judge them. And shame on you for judging them if you've never walked a mile in their shoes.

It's pretty easy to stack accomplishment on top of accomplishment. Try stacking some accomplishment on top of years of sheer failure. Then get back to me.

Nobody on that list is/was obese.

You already know how I feel about this ..people who ARE obese are usually stuffing down pain..I feel for them..stuck in a moment...

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Originally Posted by stevieray

Nobody on that list is/was obese.

You already know how I feel about this ..people who ARE obese are usually stuffing down pain..I feel for them..stuck in a moment...

You absolutely have it nailed. And I praise you for it, considering you've never been affected by the condition.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Originally Posted by stevieray

Nobody on that list is/was obese.

You already know how I feel about this ..people who ARE obese are usually stuffing down pain..I feel for them..stuck in a moment...

Well, I'd say I was. At 440lbs I was more than a bit chubby.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Well, I'd say I was. At 440lbs I was more than a bit chubby.

not when you're 11 feet tall..

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Originally Posted by stevieray

not when you're 11 feet tall..

I love you, dude. /nohomo

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Stuffing down pain is actually a great analogy. For a lot of folks food is the one joy that is affordable to them that alleviates the pain they suffer in their day to day lives. Everything from marital problems, to work problems, to just being a social pariah in the World. It's a cycle that is very hard to break, and one that is far more a mental issue than just a physical one.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Stuffing down pain is actually a great analogy. For a lot of folks food is the one joy that is affordable to them that alleviates the pain they suffer in their day to day lives. Everything from marital problems, to work problems, to just being a social pariah in the World. It's a cycle that is very hard to break, and one that is far more a mental issue than just a physical one.

I agree that could be part of the issue. I know people overeat to feel better about themselfs. But thats not a disease. It's a mental issue and self confidence issue.

Taking out the very small % that being obese is a true medical issue (thyroid gland etc.) this is complete BS. It is not a disease. No way. No how.

I know I'm eating too much pizza and burgers. I know I should get up off my fat ass and exercise and eat a salad instead of that slab of ribs. How the **** is that a disease?

I understand that Dr.'s are drawing an analogy between obesity and alcoholism.

I know some of you have struggled with over indulgence of alcohol. I was a full fledged drunk for 10 years. I just decided to do something with my life than get drunk every night. I can drink a couple of drinks and stop. From my personal experience I don't see how it happens that one drink and you are back to being a drunk. But, I know its real. Saw too many friends struggle with this scenario. I still don't think its a disease, that someone is powerless against the alcohol.

I smoked cigarettes for 13 years. Quit first time I tried. Others really struggle to quit. It's a hard thing to do. That nicotine gets into your brian stem and won't let your body move on.

Me being fat is my choice. I don't have a disease. Considering my history, I could be HWP if I chose too. And FTR, I have chosen to stop being a fat ass.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

But when and where so you find time with all that going on to burn 10? Are you willing to spend time at the gym in lieu of your family? How about you miss a huge deal because you couldn't answer your cellphone midday because you were in the sauna?

It's a Catch-22.

We are talking about people who are obese, not 10 lbs over weight.

Jesus Dane, I thought your reading comprehension was better than that.

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Stuffing down pain is actually a great analogy. For a lot of folks food is the one joy that is affordable to them that alleviates the pain they suffer in their day to day lives. Everything from marital problems, to work problems, to just being a social pariah in the World. It's a cycle that is very hard to break, and one that is far more a mental issue than just a physical one.

You know how I feel about this. Depression and emotional issues ARE real and should be treated. Lumping obesity as a whole into a disease is ridiculous as you already stated.

Again, this isn't me bashing on people who have gone through or are going through tons of issues because I myself haven't ever had to go through any of it. This is about the fact we know exactly what causes obesity, there isn't a magic secret. Can it be the by product of another disease? Sure. Is it largely related to a disease for most of the population? No.