This just really annoys me!

[npmommie]

Actually how tall you are has no bearing on how overweight someone is. That is just an excuse that people use, along with the big boned excuse. Someone that is 5'10 or taller and wears a size 16 is in fact heavier than someone that is 5'2 and size 16. Yes the weight is spread out differently with different heights but either way it's overweight.

No I'm not a doctor, but I am a cardiac RN in my dh's cardiologist office. So while I may not have that MD title I still have a tremendous amount of experience in being healthy.

so you are saying a 5'10 person and a 5'2 person wearing size 16 are both overweight??
lets say the 5'10 person weighs about 160-170, that would not be overweight for them.
the 5'2 person weighing 160-170 yes that would be overweight.
I don't understand your point here.

You want facts, then go look at the AHA for facts. Here is an article written specifically for women since that is what most people are talking about here. http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/CIR.0b013e31820faaf8

My DH will give his patients praise for doing a nice job with their diet program. However if they are overweight he will also encourage them to still work on that. If you are really a MD then you of all people should understand that being overweight causes extra strain to the body. The best remedy for that is losing weight.

You didn't give me facts proven by science, you gave me a link to a Circulation piece that talks about risk factors. Just because someone is at risk for something does not mean it will occur.

what I asked for is the research that proves that EVERY overweight person has a health disorder. You cannot provide that because it does not exist.
You said EVERY overweight person is unhealthy and that is "fact" , but you cannot say that because it is not true nor is it a proven Fact.


there is so much that goes into weight and weight loss, and why some folks respond to a diet and some don't. Not everyone will have the same results from the same diet.
some people have issues with insulin resistance, etc.
so a one size fits all mentality just doesn't work.

 

[jenny13]

Well I must say that I am glad I am not a patient of yours. As a patient I wouldn't think very highly of a practice that was going on a message board calling their patients liars. Maybe they think they are following the diet, but you just aren't doing your job effectively explaining it to them. My mother works at a heart and lung hospital and she has seen many cases where she knows for a fact that people are following the diets given and they still end up in the hospital.

I am not saying that there aren't people that don't makes excuses, I am just trying to say that everything isn't as black and white as you make it out to be and you can't judge whether or not someone is lying and making excuses just based on what you are reading on a message board.

Many people make excuses. Do you realize how overweight americans are? Do you really think all of those people have medical problems that prohibit them from losing weight? There are always exceptions to everything and nothing is ever black and white.

Have you not seen the posts on here of people saying losing weight won't help because I have this or that? Being overweight always puts extra stress on the body. While it won't cure what they have it will always benefit them.

Have you not also seen the posts from people who are overweight and think they are healthy? This also goes back to the added weight equals added stress to the body. It affects the heart, organs, bones. It's not healthy to be overweight.

You have no idea about patients that come to our office. And did I ever mention anyones name here? No, and I never would. We happen to be very professional and see excuses all the time. How much more effective do you think we can be when we give sample diet plans? It's up to the patients to put in some effort and take some initiative to change their health.

 

[npmommie]

Many people make excuses. Do you realize how overweight americans are? Do you really think all of those people have medical problems that prohibit them from losing weight? There are always exceptions to everything and nothing is ever black and white.

Have you not seen the posts on here of people saying losing weight won't help because I have this or that? Being overweight always puts extra stress on the body. While it won't cure what they have it will always benefit them.

Have you not also seen the posts from people who are overweight and think they are healthy? This also goes back to the added weight equals added stress to the body. It affects the heart, organs, bones. It's not healthy to be overweight.

You have no idea about patients that come to our office. And did I ever mention anyones name here? No, and I never would. We happen to be very professional and see excuses all the time. How much more effective do you think we can be when we give sample diet plans? It's up to the patients to put in some effort and take some initiative to change their health.

maybe the sample diet plan is wrong.
one size doesn't fit all again.

carb centered low fat diets don't work for those with insulin resistance, it only makes it worse.
the aha diet is not the cure all.

 

[NotUrsula]

You know, there is an elephant in the living room in this discussion which no one has yet brought up, but it is possibly the number one medical barrier to weight loss among adults in this country: clinical depression.

Know what one of the 9 most common symptoms of depression is? Weight gain. Know what the most common side effect of anti-depressant medications is? Weight gain. Can't win for losing on this one.

All of these folks who are insisting that people who cannot seem to lose weight just really don't want to put forth the effort are overlooking the effects of depression. Not only does it often make it difficult to exercise and to control your eating habits, but it sabotages your mental processes as well. One of the very first things to go is your sense of perspective on what is and is not possible.

To a depressed person, the prospect of getting out to go to a gym every day (or even walk down to a local park and back) is usually HUGE; in many cases you might as well be telling them that they need to grow another foot taller, because to that person's mind, what you are asking him to do looks just that difficult. No amount of telling the person that it isn't that difficult will overcome that, either; the mental illness doesn't respond to just being told. Meds may help with the mental disaffection (though in 50% of patients, antidepressant medications fail to relieve depressive symptoms), but the meds also add a layer of physical resistance, because most anti-depressant medications cause the body to begin to step up the storage of fat. The end result can be the practical impossibility of implementing effective weight-loss strategies.

Is that a good thing? No, of course it isn't. However, if different and more effective treatments are not found for clinical depression, then it can be as effective a barrier to weight loss as being chained to a recliner and force-fed Twinkies.

 

[melissapealo]

so you are saying a 5'10 person and a 5'2 person wearing size 16 are both overweight??
lets say the 5'10 person weighs about 160-170, that would not be overweight for them.
the 5'2 person weighing 160-170 yes that would be overweight.
I don't understand your point here.

Sorry doc I don't understand your point here. I'm 5'8,160 size 10. Are you saying if i grow 2" I'm going to suddenly be 3 sizes bigger???? I'm not a doc but I'm pretty sure if I were 2" taller and still the same weight by waist would shrink not increase. My mom on the other hand is 5'6, around 195 size 16. So if she grows 4" and loses 25lbs she's still going to be size 16????? I can see someone 5'2,160 being a size 16. I can't understand how anyone 5'10,160 could be even close to a size 16. It would appear to me that for them to be size 16 they'd have to be over 200lbs.

 

[Enchanted_Mama]

Sorry doc I don't understand your point here. I'm 5'8,160 size 10. Are you saying if i grow 2" I'm going to suddenly be 3 sizes bigger???? I'm not a doc but I'm pretty sure if I were 2" taller and still the same weight by waist would shrink not increase. My mom on the other hand is 5'6, around 195 size 16. So if she grows 4" and loses 25lbs she's still going to be size 16????? I can see someone 5'2,160 being a size 16. I can't understand how anyone 5'10,160 could be even close to a size 16. It would appear to me that for them to be size 16 they'd have to be over 200lbs.

Thank you for posting this. I had been wondering the same thing. I'm 5'7, 153 lbs. and a size 10. I'm not slim, but not really overweight, either. Someone 3 inches taller than me, but only 10 lbs. heavier would NO WAY be three sizes bigger. The idea that a size 16, on any height, might not be overweight doesn't sit right with me.

Do I think someone wearing a size 16 is likely at a healthy weight? No. Do I think that person doesn't have the right to feel good in her own skin? Of course not. Frankly, it isn't my business and to tell you the truth, I don't sit around patting myself on the back for all the things I "must" be doing right to be at the size/weight that I am. Instead, I mostly just count my blessings that I don't have to struggle with my weight. There is no single recipe for achieving/maintaining a perfect weight. Yes, diet and exercise are key factors, but other things (genetics, health conditions) do come into play and can influence how successful someone is at losing weight. to suggest otherwise seems ignorant and cruel.

That said, I think a few people on this thread are so bent on being right that they're speaking in absolutes and ignoring how hurtful some of their comments are. On both sides of the argument.

 

[kwelch10377]

Many people make excuses. Do you realize how overweight americans are? Do you really think all of those people have medical problems that prohibit them from losing weight? There are always exceptions to everything and nothing is ever black and white.

Have you not seen the posts on here of people saying losing weight won't help because I have this or that? Being overweight always puts extra stress on the body. While it won't cure what they have it will always benefit them.

Have you not also seen the posts from people who are overweight and think they are healthy? This also goes back to the added weight equals added stress to the body. It affects the heart, organs, bones. It's not healthy to be overweight.

You have no idea about patients that come to our office. And did I ever mention anyones name here? No, and I never would. We happen to be very professional and see excuses all the time. How much more effective do you think we can be when we give sample diet plans? It's up to the patients to put in some effort and take some initiative to change their health.

I am very well aware of what people are posting here, how over weight americans are and what effects being overweight has on the body. You just seem to think that it is impossible for someone saying that they are dieting exercising for them to still be overweight and have the conditions that they have. There are several people here who are that they are dieting and exercises, but the weight isn't coming off and they still have problems, you just saying that they aren't doing what they are saying.

You may have not mentioned names, but to call your patients liars is unprofessional.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I really did not want to come back on here but I keep coming back.

I have to "weigh in" here on the whole height issue.

You height does matter. If someone is 5'11 and 160 lbs that is a very good weight for them to be at, if they were 125lbs they would almost anorexic. That would not be a healthy weight for that person.

However, if somone is 5'2 and 160lbs to some they may be overweight but their own health is another story.

I feel this thread went in a very different direction and some on here are being very mean on both sides.

But I will say as others have on this thread - not everyone loses weight or is healthy the same. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, no 2 people are alike at alll.

Why do you think there are so many different types of "diet" informercials out there. I also agree with a PP that said depression plays a big role in peoples lives as far as their eating habits.

Food can also be an addiction just like gambling, drugs and alcohol. But those things you can live without, you can't live without eating something.

Granted there are better things to eat than others, but its also EXPENSIVE to eat healthy. Whole Foods forget about it, I prefer Trader Joes but even then its expensive and I am not getting a raise anytime soon. However, I digress from the topic.

The OP was upset that the article used the word REAL for woman who are size 16 and above, I think that when you read the article it makes more sense but the word REAL isn't what she should have used, she should have used AVERAGE, because JLo, Jennifer Aniston, Beyonce' they are not average they have alot of help and support where the AVERAGE American Woman does not have that.

But for me I was always tall, when I was 10 years old I was already having to shop in the Miss Department because I was 5'7 I was embarrassed and alwasy teased about my height AND I wore glasses to top it all off.

I was slender but now as an adult and certain medical issues and genetic issues I am heavy set, the only health problem I have is high blood pressure, BUT my Dr. has said to me numerous times and after I lost 35lbs, it was still high and he said it may just be your genetic make up, even if you lost 150lbs (not that I need to) you may just have high blood pressure.

There are so many factors its not cut and dry, I do understand where the OP is coming from BUT the OP needs to also understand what others are saying as well and not be so mean. I may not agree with the OP BUT I do see her point.

 

[melissapealo]

I really did not want to come back on here but I keep coming back.

I have to "weigh in" here on the whole height issue.

You height does matter. If someone is 5'11 and 160 lbs that is a very good weight for them to be at, if they were 125lbs they would almost anorexic. That would not be a healthy weight for that person.

However, if somone is 5'2 and 160lbs to some they may be overweight but their own health is another story.

I feel this thread went in a very different direction and some on here are being very mean on both sides.

But I will say as others have on this thread - not everyone loses weight or is healthy the same. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, no 2 people are alike at alll.

Why do you think there are so many different types of "diet" informercials out there. I also agree with a PP that said depression plays a big role in peoples lives as far as their eating habits.

Food can also be an addiction just like gambling, drugs and alcohol. But those things you can live without, you can't live without eating something.

Granted there are better things to eat than others, but its also EXPENSIVE to eat healthy. Whole Foods forget about it, I prefer Trader Joes but even then its expensive and I am not getting a raise anytime soon. However, I digress from the topic.

The OP was upset that the article used the word REAL for woman who are size 16 and above, I think that when you read the article it makes more sense but the word REAL isn't what she should have used, she should have used AVERAGE, because JLo, Jennifer Aniston, Beyonce' they are not average they have alot of help and support where the AVERAGE American Woman does not have that.

But for me I was always tall, when I was 10 years old I was already having to shop in the Miss Department because I was 5'7 I was embarrassed and alwasy teased about my height AND I wore glasses to top it all off.

I was slender but now as an adult and certain medical issues and genetic issues I am heavy set, the only health problem I have is high blood pressure, BUT my Dr. has said to me numerous times and after I lost 35lbs, it was still high and he said it may just be your genetic make up, even if you lost 150lbs (not that I need to) you may just have high blood pressure.

There are so many factors its not cut and dry, I do understand where the OP is coming from BUT the OP needs to also understand what others are saying as well and not be so mean. I may not agree with the OP BUT I do see her point.

Sorry if I upset you. I was only commenting on size thing because someone that is 5'2 vs. 5'10 and both size 16 would obviously weigh different amounts. I never said anything about what anyone should be. I was just pointing out that while heights may vary so does how much someone weighs if they are wearing the same clothing size.

I agree everyone is different. Everyone is also a "real" women no matter what size they are.

 

[Donaldswife]

Thank you for posting this. I had been wondering the same thing. I'm 5'7, 153 lbs. and a size 10. I'm not slim, but not really overweight, either. Someone 3 inches taller than me, but only 10 lbs. heavier would NO WAY be three sizes bigger. The idea that a size 16, on any height, might not be overweight doesn't sit right with me. Do I think someone wearing a size 16 is likely at a healthy weight? No. Do I think that person doesn't have the right to feel good in her own skin? Of course not. Frankly, it isn't my business and to tell you the truth, I don't sit around patting myself on the back for all the things I "must" be doing right to be at the size/weight that I am. Instead, I mostly just count my blessings that I don't have to struggle with my weight. There is no single recipe for achieving/maintaining a perfect weight. Yes, diet and exercise are key factors, but other things (genetics, health conditions) do come into play and can influence how successful someone is at losing weight. to suggest otherwise seems ignorant and cruel.

That said, I think a few people on this thread are so bent on being right that they're speaking in absolutes and ignoring how hurtful some of their comments are. On both sides of the argument.

I am one who struggles with my weight, and I completely agree with you. Thanks for saying how I was feeling about this thread so succinctly. I truly hope in my earlier posts I did not come across as hurtful to anyone.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Sorry if I upset you. I was only commenting on size thing because someone that is 5'2 vs. 5'10 and both size 16 would obviously weigh different amounts. I never said anything about what anyone should be. I was just pointing out that while heights may vary so does how much someone weighs if they are wearing the same clothing size.

I agree everyone is different. Everyone is also a "real" women no matter what size they are.

Oh my goodness no, you did not upset me at all. I was actually agreeing with what you said.

I liked your post which made me want to post haha. I was just trying to say like you that height does play a factor in weight and sizing. Like you said if you were 2 inches taller does that mean you would be a larger size and that answer would be no.

 

[palavra]

Thank you for posting this. I had been wondering the same thing. I'm 5'7, 153 lbs. and a size 10. I'm not slim, but not really overweight, either. Someone 3 inches taller than me, but only 10 lbs. heavier would NO WAY be three sizes bigger. The idea that a size 16, on any height, might not be overweight doesn't sit right with me.

Do I think someone wearing a size 16 is likely at a healthy weight? No. Do I think that person doesn't have the right to feel good in her own skin? Of course not. Frankly, it isn't my business and to tell you the truth, I don't sit around patting myself on the back for all the things I "must" be doing right to be at the size/weight that I am. Instead, I mostly just count my blessings that I don't have to struggle with my weight. There is no single recipe for achieving/maintaining a perfect weight. Yes, diet and exercise are key factors, but other things (genetics, health conditions) do come into play and can influence how successful someone is at losing weight. to suggest otherwise seems ignorant and cruel.

That said, I think a few people on this thread are so bent on being right that they're speaking in absolutes and ignoring how hurtful some of their comments are. On both sides of the argument.

I actually think that dealing in absolutes is the issue for the "other side of the argument." I know that when I began posting, it was in response to the always-never statements such as being overweight means you are definitely unhealthy, and, conversely, that those with health issues such as high blood pressure could completely bring their blood pressure back into normal range by losing weight.

There are so many individual factors associated with health besides a person's weight.

 

[LisaR]

I wanted to come back today and apologize sincerely if I offended anyone with my comments or opinions yesterday. It truly wasn't my intent.

Obviously, I am very passionate about this subject. I have watched many family members die from complications associated with their obesity and many more suffer endlessly.

I recognize that I am blessed with one very important trait in life. I have a very determined, never give up, keep on trying attitude.

It boggles my mind that people would throw in the towel for any number of reasons (too busy, too many medical problems, too hard, nothing works for my situation, not a priority, overweight but still healthy, etc).

I do feel attitude has a great deal to do with it. Someone mentioned depression and maybe that factors in. I was cursed with horrible genes plus PCOS, a thyroid condition and enough female issues to last a lifetime. Oh, I also just found out I have arthritis in my right shoulder and elbow. I choose to look at those as challenges that I must overcome instead of barriers that won't allow me to get by. I can't cure them all but I can most certainly do things to lessen the symptoms. My health takes precedence in my life because if I ignore it and end up bedridden, in the hospital or dead, I will be of little use to my family.

I wish everyone the best of luck on the hand they were dealt. I have yet to run into someone in my age range that is in perfect health with zero complaints/issues. Some will ignore it, some will try, fail and give up, some will make excuses, and others will do whatever it takes to persevere. It is a journey most of us will take but we will all deal with it in our own way.

 

[AustinTink]

You know, there is an elephant in the living room in this discussion which no one has yet brought up, but it is possibly the number one medical barrier to weight loss among adults in this country: clinical depression.

Know what one of the 9 most common symptoms of depression is? Weight gain. Know what the most common side effect of anti-depressant medications is? Weight gain. Can't win for losing on this one.

All of these folks who are insisting that people who cannot seem to lose weight just really don't want to put forth the effort are overlooking the effects of depression. Not only does it often make it difficult to exercise and to control your eating habits, but it sabotages your mental processes as well. One of the very first things to go is your sense of perspective on what is and is not possible.

To a depressed person, the prospect of getting out to go to a gym every day (or even walk down to a local park and back) is usually HUGE; in many cases you might as well be telling them that they need to grow another foot taller, because to that person's mind, what you are asking him to do looks just that difficult. No amount of telling the person that it isn't that difficult will overcome that, either; the mental illness doesn't respond to just being told. Meds may help with the mental disaffection (though in 50% of patients, antidepressant medications fail to relieve depressive symptoms), but the meds also add a layer of physical resistance, because most anti-depressant medications cause the body to begin to step up the storage of fat. The end result can be the practical impossibility of implementing effective weight-loss strategies.

Is that a good thing? No, of course it isn't. However, if different and more effective treatments are not found for clinical depression, then it can be as effective a barrier to weight loss as being chained to a recliner and force-fed Twinkies.

This is a brave post. I'm sure many will not appreciate it. But, I agree with you. Most of my friends and family members who are obese fall into the category of clinically depressed.

My sister just re-claimed her life. She let go of the denial and admitted she had a problem with depression. Down that road she lost 50 pounds. Her daughter lost over 100. They both suffered from severe depression. As they came to terms with the root of their issues, the weight loss came with the healing.

 

[palavra]

I wanted to come back today and apologize sincerely if I offended anyone with my comments or opinions yesterday. It truly wasn't my intent.

Obviously, I am very passionate about this subject. I have watched many family members die from complications associated with their obesity and many more suffer endlessly.

I recognize that I am blessed with one very important trait in life. I have a very determined, never give up, keep on trying attitude.

It boggles my mind that people would throw in the towel for any number of reasons (too busy, too many medical problems, too hard, nothing works for my situation, not a priority, overweight but still healthy, etc).

I do feel attitude has a great deal to do with it. Someone mentioned depression and maybe that factors in. I was cursed with horrible genes plus PCOS, a thyroid condition and enough female issues to last a lifetime. Oh, I also just found out I have arthritis in my right shoulder and elbow. I choose to look at those as challenges that I must overcome instead of barriers that won't allow me to get by. I can't cure them all but I can most certainly do things to lessen the symptoms. My health takes precedence in my life because if I ignore it and end up bedridden, in the hospital or dead, I will be of little use to my family.

I wish everyone the best of luck on the hand they were dealt. I have yet to run into someone in my age range that is in perfect health with zero complaints/issues. Some will ignore it, some will try, fail and give up, some will make excuses, and others will do whatever it takes to persevere. It is a journey most of us will take but we will all deal with it in our own way.

Lisa, I also apologize for being much too vocal yesterday. I will definitely check out the book you posted about.

I think you and I are more alike than different in many ways. We seem to have similar issues. I don't have arthritis, but I do have Fibromyalgia. I absolutely agree that it would be sad to just give up because of challenges.

We are also both very passionate about this issue. For me, it comes from the frustration of knowing that losing weight will not lower my blood pressure or blood sugar to normal numbers. I guess you could say I am doing the best I can to live a healthy life, in spite of the medications that I have to take to stay healthier.

Really, I think the only thing we really disagreed on is how large a role weight plays in overall health. I simply believe that, for some people, genetics does play a huge role in overall health (I do not mean having a disorder like PCOS; I mean factors such a high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.) It's very similar I think to the idea of having to not being surprised to learn that you need glasses because both of your parents needed glasses at an early age as well.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

It only took 28 pages to get to Kumbaya!

Glad that's over with. We are growing up as a group -- being able to hash things out before the Mods step in and shut it down. I think this would be a great place to leave things -- wishing each other well and sending to each other.

 

[Shelton123]

I agree. I don't like it when people think skinny women "aren't real" so what are they imaginary? It's not a bad thing to be skinny, it's not a bad thing to be big, it's not a bad thing to be in the middle. As long as you are healthy, your weight is fine.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I agree. I don't like it when people think skinny women "aren't real" so what are they imaginary? It's not a bad thing to be skinny, it's not a bad thing to be big, it's not a bad thing to be in the middle. As long as you are healthy, your weight is fine.

YAY!!!!! You hit the nail on the head!!!



I think that is what most of the pp's were trying to say but it came out wrong