How can some people not get why they are overweight?

[Jennifer S]

I know why I'm fat....I LOVE FOOD!!! When I have attempted to lose weight it is really shocking to me how little I must truly eat in order to lose and stay thin!
How appetizing is this: 1 bowl of cereal and oj for breakfast
1 yogurt for lunch
4 oz. piece of chicken/fish for dinner w/all the veggies you want
and if I get hungry in between a piece of fruit or 2 and if I'm really living it up..a handful of pretzels

HOW FUN!!!

Can't I eat a bagel, egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast?
a tuna sandwich for lunch (or maybe a Subway 6")
a steak for dinner????
where does pizza fit in???? oh...that's right...maybe as a splurge I can have one piece now and then
Ice Cream anyone???

WHAT IS LIFE WITHOUT YUMMY FOOD!!!?????

What is truly depressing is that it seems some people can eat like this and have no weight problem! Life is not fair!!!

Your post sounded like me a few months ago. I love food too and by depriving myself I was MISERABLE. I thought it wasn't fair how some people were so skinny. I was jealous. Then I finally decided to change my life (in January). I found the web site www.sparkpeople.com. Let me tell you - it has worked wonders for me. I lost 25 pounds since then - less than 4 months and I am not deprived at all. I eat steak, ice cream, pizza and all that. The key is counting calories and keep it in moderation. You also can't eat too little because your body goes into "starvation mode" and saves every calorie instead of burning them up. Sounds crazy but it's true.

I also joined a gym - that is where all the skinny people are. I rarely see an overweight person there. They eat like that because they work it off. I went from a size 14 to an 8. Now that makes me happy instead of the food. I'm lucky I am a SAHM so I have the time to go and exercise. I see both sides of the story here but you can change your life. I feel better and have more energy and I am so happy with how I look.

I didn't mean to preach. I just have been on both ends and can understand where you are coming from. I'd be willing to help anyone here who wants to lose weight and doesn't know where to begin.

 

[mamaprincess]

I have always been able to eat whatever and whenever and not gain an ounce. I don't excercise. I am just a naturally small person. When I had twins i lost weight. I was a size zero maybe a month after having them. When I had my last child I also snapped back, But I have a daughter that is quite chunky. We are primarily vegetarian except for the occasional fish and They rarely have any kind of junkfood. We don't serve large portions. They don't have to finish their plates. They take dance class. They go outside to ride their bikes and play. One of the girls is big one is small. The larger twin takes after her father's body type.

We are all made different. Some are tall some are short, some are skinny some are fat. You can't always assume just because a person is big that they are lazy pigs. I'm more a lazy pig than most but you wouldn't know it to look at me. Just my two cents.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I do not think that more than one or two patients could truly be so surprised that that is not a healthy diet. I propose to you that there are many people who are educated and have healthy habits, but are overweight anyway. Let me present myself.

I eat 1600-1700 calories a day of extremely healthy foods. I go through 2-3 3 packs of romaine lettuce a week. I have egg whites and steel cut oatmeal or whole grain toast for breakfast. I love veggies burgers or salads with chicken or shrimp for lunch, I love fish and seafood, and I have 5-7 servings of fruits and veggies a day. Admittedly, I could drink more water, as I rather drink a lot of tea- I try to stick with green and white, but I prefer earl gray.

My mom is a nurse and she sees what I eat in a day. I work at a gym 2-3 days a week from 4-9:15 where I am exercising at a low to moderate intensity at least 3-4 hours of that time. (I am mostly on the gym floor, the rest of the time I'm weighing or measuring people or cleaning, unless I have to stop to answer the phone) I also work out 2 more days a week for 45 minutes at a higher intensity. Occasionally I will add another day to that if I work out on a Saturday morning (depends on my schedule).

Since adopting my healthy lifestyle, I have lost 27 lbs over the past year (though it has been filled with ups and downs) I do not lose more than 1/2 lb a week, even if I cut my calories to 1000. Since I have a history of eating disorders, my doctor has advised me to stick with 1600 calories, and continue to exercise rather than decrease my calories.

I still have 40-50 more lbs. that I need to lose. I am always freezing and I often feel hungry. My doctor tested my thyroid and I was considered normal. My doctor also prescribed me Meridia, since I do have a problem with emotional eating but my insurance won't cover it since I am not morbidly obese and do not have any weight related health problems, so I cannot afford to try it. My cholestorol is normal- in fact my HDL is normal but my LDL's are low. My triglycerides are low. My blood pressure is normal. My heart, joints, etc. are all perfect.

Is it possible that I can be the picture of health at my current weight which is about 60 lbs over what the weight chart for my height says I should be? I have accepted that I will always have curves and it is not reasonable to expect to be a size 6, but since you are a doctor, and are broaching this topic, I would love to know what you think about someone in this situation.

Shamelessly bumping my own post. This is a question I've been trying to answer for 20 years.

Thanks!

 

[AuntieM03]

Despite all the posts in this thread that suggested I was exaggerating, I promise you I am not. I saw a young woman recently who was concerned because she had lost some weight recently. She was 5'4" and weighed 186 pounds. At her last visit, a few months ago, she was 192. I wanted to congratulate her but she wanted me to find out what was wrong.

Many many people have lost track of what a normal weight should be. Your aunt is a perfect example, as is this patient.

I have read that if you have a sudden weight loss without changing your diet to have it checked out. I don't recall it saying unless you're fat and than you should just be grateful. We are only hearing your side. It's too bad some of your patients can't tell their side.

 

[ead79]

Lulu, do you know what your BMI is? The reason I ask is this: often ideal weight charts try to give a specific number or very small range of “acceptable weight” for a given height. If you want a better measure of your health, you should look at charts that give ideal weights based on BMI instead of just an on height. Of course, BMI can be wrong for exceptionally muscular people (like high school football players, for example). The Weight Watchers healthy weight charts are based on BMI’s between 18-25 when determining healthy weights. It’s a large range too.

 

[ducklite]

Shamelessly bumping my own post. This is a question I've been trying to answer for 20 years.

Thanks!

Congratulations on your weight loss

I don't have the answer to your question, but have you told your doctor that your health insurance won't pay for the prescription and asked if he could give you free samples to at least try it for a few weeks to see if it's going to help to begin with? Often a doctor who has a good relationship with a pharmacuetical rep can make this type of arrangement.

Also, sometimes a doctor can intervene with an insurance company on the patients behalf, see if he's willing to do this as well.

Good luck!

Anne

 

[MzDiz]

I have read that if you have a sudden weight loss without changing your diet to have it checked out. I don't recall it saying unless you're fat and than you should just be grateful. We are only hearing your side. It's too bad some of your patients can't tell their side.

I second this.
Wow, I seriously hope my doc isn't talking trash behind my back. I went to her last year because I had lost about 15 lbs when I wasn't trying. I certainly haven't lost sight of what normal weight is, but I was feeling bad, dizzy, headaches, etc., and wasn't thinking "oh yay, sick or not, I'm losing weight!"

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Thank you, Anne and Elisabeth!

1.) I will call my doctor tomorrow (office is closed now) and ask about samples/intervention.

2.) My BMI is still high- 31.8.

3. ) My bodyfat percentage is 31 percent.

 

[ead79]

Thank you, Anne and Elisabeth!

1.) I will call my doctor tomorrow (office is closed now) and ask about samples/intervention.

2.) My BMI is still high- 31.8.

3. ) My bodyfat percentage is 31 percent.

Lulu, I am by no means a medical professional, but I would say that given that BMI you should probably still try to lose some weight. Of course, if you’re extremely muscular that could be a different story. I would consult your physician to find out if he agrees, because the numbers are just averages. As someone who is currently losing weight, this is really hard.

 

[disneysteve]

I have read that if you have a sudden weight loss without changing your diet to have it checked out.

There is absolutely more to the story. I just told the highlights. Sorry if it made it sound like I blew her off. I most certainly didn't. She got a thorough exam and blood work to be sure everything was ok. For the record, she didn't come to see me because of the weight loss. She came for a totally unrelated reason. She wasn't aware of the weight loss until we weighed her in the office. That's when she started wondering why she had lost the weight. And a weight variation of 5-6 pounds over a few months is not at all abnormal.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Lulu, I am by no means a medical professional, but I would say that given that BMI you should probably still try to lose some weight. Of course, if you’re extremely muscular that could be a different story. I would consult your physician to find out if he agrees, because the numbers are just averages. As someone who is currently losing weight, this is really hard.

Thanks!
Yes, I am still trying. I'd like to lose about 40 lbs. more. I just feel like I'm at a dead end. I'm still doing what I've been doing and I'll drop 1/2 lb. one week, then stay the same for 3 or 4 weeks.

I am somewhat muscular, esp. my legs but not extremely so, and certainly not enough to justify my weight. It's fat. I have to be honest.

Doctor thinks I should lose weight, but doesn't offer any real guidance since I do eat healthy and exercise. When I explain my routine he told me to cut back on caffeine (tea) and salt (I do use a lot of salt and spices to make things like chicken, fish and veggies more appealing) drink more water and to get more rest. (I sleep about 5 hours a day, since I have (sort of) four jobs. (7:30-8:30 am I tutor, 8:30-3:25 I teach, on Wed. I tutor 3:30-5:00 and on Mon. , Tues and Thurs I work at the gym from 4 or 5 to 9:15 and I also sell Avon which I deliver on Friday evenings)

I was actually hoping my thyroid would be the problem- then I could have something to blame and I could get some help. I actually cried when it was normal. (Yes, I'm a dork, I know) Meridia was my next hope. Someone said it's supposed to be for those w a BMI of 30 or higher, so I would count there, as mine's 31 and change. My insurance co. says I'd have to be morbidly obese to have it covered, which would be a BMI of over 40 or have at least two major health problems resulting from my weight (which I don't have, since my blood work, blood pressure, etc. is perfect) and a BMI of 35 or over.
I would love to lose weight for vanity reasons but I wonder if my weight is really that unhealthy. Wish insurance paid for a nutritionist!

Thanks guys!

 

[canwegosoon]

Thanks!
Yes, I am still trying. I'd like to lose about 40 lbs. more. I just feel like I'm at a dead end. I'm still doing what I've been doing and I'll drop 1/2 lb. one week, then stay the same for 3 or 4 weeks.

I am somewhat muscular, esp. my legs but not extremely so, and certainly not enough to justify my weight. It's fat. I have to be honest.

Doctor thinks I should lose weight, but doesn't offer any real guidance since I do eat healthy and exercise. When I explain my routine he told me to cut back on caffeine (tea) and salt (I do use a lot of salt and spices to make things like chicken, fish and veggies more appealing) drink more water and to get more rest. (I sleep about 5 hours a day, since I have (sort of) four jobs. (7:30-8:30 am I tutor, 8:30-3:25 I teach, on Wed. I tutor 3:30-5:00 and on Mon. , Tues and Thurs I work at the gym from 4 or 5 to 9:15 and I also sell Avon which I deliver on Friday evenings)

I was actually hoping my thyroid would be the problem- then I could have something to blame and I could get some help. I actually cried when it was normal. (Yes, I'm a dork, I know) Meridia was my next hope. Someone said it's supposed to be for those w a BMI of 30 or higher, so I would count there, as mine's 31 and change. My insurance co. says I'd have to be morbidly obese to have it covered, which would be a BMI of over 40 or have at least two major health problems resulting from my weight (which I don't have, since my blood work, blood pressure, etc. is perfect) and a BMI of 35 or over.
I would love to lose weight for vanity reasons but I wonder if my weight is really that unhealthy. Wish insurance paid for a nutritionist!

Thanks guys!

It is my understanding that other complications of MO are back or joint pain, and depression. While you are not MO you might have other health risks I would ask for a referal to an endrocronologist(sp) and you might have a resistant metabolism(Atkins) and it might always be a fight for you...that's a possibility, but you are doing a great job...you just weren't born with the thin gene.

 

[aes74]

I absolutely agree.

I haven't read through all the pages of this thread, so forgive me if I'm repeating someone.

I've always maintained that its expensive to eat healthy. One of the key triggers for staying slim is money. Its easier for a family to fix a dinner with ground meat than a dinner of salmon. .

I completely agree. I taught elementary school where I had kids who didnt' have water for three months they were so poor. If you are a mom with ten bucks, you are going to buy those cheap fatty frozen chicken nuggets over fish just so you can put food in your kids tummies.

As for thyroid, my symptoms were not overweight. It was sleeping all the time, weakness, and many of the others

 

[aes74]

I was actually hoping my thyroid would be the problem- then I could have something to blame and I could get some help. I actually cried when it was normal. (Yes, I'm a dork, I know)

t

Why would you think you are a dork? When you are trying your hardest to be healthy and are hitting obstacle after obstacle, it is awful. These things kill your soul.

Hang in there, it's one day at a time.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Why would you think you are a dork?

Lulu, if you're a dork, I am too. I also have had trouble losing weight and was happy to find out I had a thyroid problem (even though my numbers were within the normal range, I had symptoms and thyroid antibodies in my blood). Actually, I also felt the same way when I was unable to conceive a second child. I was hoping that they'd find a fixable fertility problem, because then I'd know, and I'd be able to do something about it.

I think it's completely natural to want to hear that there is something that can be done to help you.

 

[mickeysgal]

I completely agree. I taught elementary school where I had kids who didnt' have water for three months they were so poor. If you are a mom with ten bucks, you are going to buy those cheap fatty frozen chicken nuggets over fish just so you can put food in your kids tummies.

I'm glad someone else sees this as one of the reasons. You're right - a mom is going to pick up frozen nuggets vs. filets of salmon at 5.99/lb. It infuriates me when I see morning talk shows, news reports, etc. showing people how to simply eat healthier. I can't imagine how a normal working-class family can afford to eat in the manner that these shows present. They show high end cuts of beef or fish with expensive side dishes. Come on! They are totally clueless as to how a typical American family has to budget for their food bill. The real challenge is to present healthy eating within a reasonable weekly grocery budget. I've yet to see it - gee...I wonder why?

 

[punkin]

I'm glad someone else sees this as one of the reasons. You're right - a mom is going to pick up frozen nuggets vs. filets of salmon at 5.99/lb. It infuriates me when I see morning talk shows, news reports, etc. showing people how to simply eat healthier. I can't imagine how a normal working-class family can afford to eat in the manner that these shows present. They show high end cuts of beef or fish with expensive side dishes. Come on! They are totally clueless as to how a typical American family has to budget for their food bill. The real challenge is to present healthy eating within a reasonable weekly grocery budget. I've yet to see it - gee...I wonder why?

This is interesting. I often wondered how it i possible that a McD's meal costs less than cooking at home. You can buy a cheeseburgers and a side of fries for $2.

If I make burgers at home, it will cost me at least $3 per person just for he burgers. Of course, we would not have fries, but a salad and maybe baked potato.

 

[tinkerbell1967]

I was glad to see this thread and all the comments. People that are not overweight and have never had to deal with it just do not understand. I was very thin until about a year after I had my daughter. Then the weight just came on. It was and still is very frustrating for me and my daughter just turned 16 so I have been trying to deal with it for some time now. I have tried Weight Watchers and did do good with that, lost 30lbs, but like every other diet I got bored with it and just stopped following the plan. I exercised, drank water, tried diet pills, you name it I did it. I had my thyroid checked and just thought to myself that had to be the reason I was getting so heavy to find out the test results were normal. I do agree that to eat healthy it is expensive. The one poster said you can pick up a box of Little Debbies for .99 cents but to purchase fruit like they mentioned can be very costly. I also know in this day and age with parents and especially a teenager that is always on the go it is easier to pick up something fast food or just cook a box of mac n cheese or whatever for dinner because you don't have the time to cook like you should. I totally understand peoples frustration and I know even for myself if the dr would ask me to write down or tell him what I ate for a day I would probably be shocked myself!! So I do believe that a large majority of people just do not realise what amount of food they are consuming. To anyone trying to lose weight I wish you all the best!!!

 

[disneysteve]

If I make burgers at home, it will cost me at least $3 per person just for he burgers.

I agree that eating healthy can be more costly than eating junk, but I'm curious what kind of burgers you are making that cost $3 each. You can get ground beef for under $3/pound. Heck, the veggie burgers we buy cost $5 for a box of 4. That's only $1.25 per person. Add a roll, some toppings and a side and the meal is only about $3 per person total.

 

[FreshTressa]

Just checked...

Whole wheat hamburger buns....$3.49

Lean ground beef $3.49 also

Sliced cheese $2.89 for 12 slices of the store brand

Head of lettuce $1.89

1 Tomato 87 cents

Condiments....I will estimate about 25 cents for the using of existing condiments

$3.88 for each hamburger for each person if you have a family of four. Not that your burger is any more healthy!!

Add a side and drink and you are up to $4-5 per person....about the same as a value meal.

There are healthy ways to eat for less though...but not organic.