Why Women Lose Weight—or Don’t

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  • Posted By: msfrits @ 12/05/2007 3:41:56 PM

    Those chicks in this articles picture are completely nasty! God help us if we ever have to fight on our own soil. Allowing the media to convenice us to accept this disqusting lack of self control will certainly lead us to down the path of weak, unheathly society! For goodness sake....push yourself away from the troth!

    • Posted By: RNandMommax3 @ 12/05/2007 6:03:55 PM

      Push yourself towards your dictionary.

  • Posted By: tricia2006 @ 12/05/2007 2:39:55 PM

    DONTEATMEAT - Why then were you so downright nasty to those you used to be like? What makes you think you will change someone's opinion or outlook by insulting them? I agree with another reader who said you might want to think about treating humans with the same compassion as the animals you are no longer eating.

    • Posted By: BubblesBrideToBe @ 12/05/2007 5:54:44 PM

      RIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Posted By: tamzee @ 12/05/2007 3:33:39 PM

    Waderaide:

    I like your tips you give.....I am short and fat and feel hopeless, but you just gave me a pep, so I may try some of your tips and see how I feel. Why is the protein so bad? And if you aren't eating any meat, what other kinds of food can you substitute to get some protein?

    • Posted By: waderaide @ 12/05/2007 5:51:41 PM

      Hi -- I wish all sorts of luck!

      I'm not saying protein is bad at all! But for some odd reason (likely businessrelated), America pushes protein to an extreme and overemphasizes its role in a healthy diet. For protein, there are tons of natural sources: broccoli, tofu, beans, nuts, seeds of all kinds. One glass of Silk Soy Milk contains 25-50% (depending on who's calculating it, the FDA or WHO) of your recommended daily amounts.

      I highly recommend the book "Healing with Whole Foods" for a *comprehensive* overview of a nutrious/healthy diet. Some of its ayurvedic theories may not jive with some people, but it gives the clearest example of how what you eat really impacts all aspects of your life.

      GOOD LUCK! =)

    • Posted By: SpringNicht @ 12/05/2007 3:39:59 PM

      tofu its virtuasly flavorless as it takes on the flavor of the food you cook it in. many great recipies out there too. (i like mine in soup!)
      nuts are great protien, high in fat but its all good lol.
      veggies,fruits , berries all those yummy things.

  • Posted By: THERIGHTTOBEFAT @ 12/05/2007 3:04:19 PM

    TO DONTEATMEAT, YOUR LUCKY I DONT KNOW YOU..CAUSE I SURE WOULD PUNCH YOU STRAIGHT IN THE FACE..YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT PEOPLE'S CIRCUMSTANCES ARE WITH THEIR WIEIGHT. MAYBE YOU HAVE KNOWN OR EVEN YOURSELF IS OVER WIEIGHT AND YOU OR THE PEOPLE YOU KNOW MAKE EXCUSES, BUT NOT EVERY OVER WEIGHT PERSON MAKES EXCUSES AND IS LAZY. i MYSELF COULD AFFORD TO DROP SOME WEIGHT, BUT I'M NOT LAZY BY NO MEANS, I DO WORK OUT IN A GYM, I DO WEIGHT WATCHERS, I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THAT I TAKE CARE OF AS A SINGLE MOTHER, AND EVERYTHING ELSE TO TAKE CARE OF AND I DON'T LOOSE WEIGHT LIKE EVERYONE THINKS I SHOULD. I HAVE HAD TEST DONE TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, IT'S JUST HOW I AM..I'M A BIG GIRL, IF GOD WANTED EVERYONE TO BE THE SAME HE WOULD HAVE CREATED US THAT WAY, BUT FOR YOU TO SAY THAT FAT PEOPLE ARE LAZY, MAKE EXCUSES, AND THE ONLY THING THEY DO IS SEND OUT THEIR KIDS TO GO TO MCDONALDS IS WRONG..I BET YOU ARE FAT AREN'T YOU..AND YOU FEEL GUILTY FOR BEING LAZY..THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM, BUT NOT ALL FAT PEOPLE ARE LAZY..IT'S PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT MAKE THIS SOCEITY SO TERRIBLE TO LIVE IN..

    • Posted By: BubblesBrideToBe @ 12/05/2007 5:47:37 PM

      I agree. I don't even eat fast food I watch what I eat, and I exercise. And it'snot easy and I have trouble taking off the LBS too! SO right on tell it like it can be!

    • Posted By: DontEatMeat @ 12/05/2007 3:20:36 PM

      Would you like fries with that B****?

      • Posted By: BubblesBrideToBe @ 12/05/2007 5:42:35 PM

        Stop acting like a child and GROW UP!

  • Posted By: rosewelsh @ 12/05/2007 5:43:35 PM

    From Joy Nash's blog at fatrant.com

    Joy Nash
    July 12, 2007 at 2:24 am

    http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2007/04/news-women-can-use.html
    or this:
    http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2007/06/when-does-it-stop-becoming-paradox.html
    or this:
    http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2007/06/when-fat-dare-i-say-it-is-good-thing.html

  • Posted By: ChrisHenricks @ 12/05/2007 5:07:28 PM

    The real message here is compassion and love, both for ourselves and others. You may dissagree with the way a person leads their life, but it is not acceptable to dicatate that they change. Lets not forget we are all human, with our own unique flaws - not one of us is perfect. This country, and those within it , suffer terribly from intolerace and critism. The more positive support and understanding we can offer eachother, the better people, and country, we will become. When judgment is passed or you try to solve a problem with negativity, you will acheive the opposite result of that which you intended.

    • Posted By: amazinggrace @ 12/05/2007 5:22:47 PM

      We read this the first time, Chris. It didn't get any more inspiring just because you posted it twice.

      • Posted By: Karlyn @ 12/05/2007 5:29:44 PM

        What a misnomer!!!..WHAT is SO AMAZING about YOUR LACK OF GRACE? As I replied earlier to a comment...try walking on water and comment your success at that!

        • Posted By: amazinggrace @ 12/05/2007 5:37:03 PM

          That's clever. Seriously. Walking on water. I never claimed perfection, as my comment states, I have a serious issue with people who pass on their self-destructive behavior to their children, which is where I find fault with Chris' live and let live approach. Before you start insulting me, the way you berate others on this post for insulting obese people, read a little more. You'll sound smarter.

  • Posted By: somethingtosay @ 12/05/2007 1:15:03 PM

    I agree, why is it only bad if a women is obese? The world accepts men as overweight for some reason, and drills women as petite sex objects... it's really frustrating

    • Posted By: nycgal07 @ 12/05/2007 5:33:37 PM

      There is nothing less attractive than an overweight man. I think there is somewhat of an equal balance in the attention overweight men and women receive. The same health risks apply to both genders. The same diets and exercise regiments apply to both genders. I think women are just more self conscious about being overweigth and analyze it more. Most of the articles about overweight women are written by women. Maybe men just don't care as much about how they look or their health? They are very simple ceatures, afterall =P

    • Posted By: hfloyd @ 12/05/2007 1:35:49 PM

      I agree. Why do we have to watch sitcoms on television that portray men as being obese with beautiful, sexy, thin wives? Is that acceptable? I've always thought it was a joke. If you don't like your weight, do something about it. If you are fine with your weight, who am I to tell you to loose it?

      • Posted By: nycgal07 @ 12/05/2007 5:28:12 PM

        There is nothing less attractive than an overweight man. I think there is somewhat of an equal balance in the attention overweight men and women receive. The same health risks apply to both genders. The same diets and exercise regiments apply to both genders. I think women are just more self conscious about being overweigth and analyze it more. Most of the articles about overweight women are written by women. Maybe men just don't care as much about how they look or their health? They are very simple ceatures, afterall =P

    • Posted By: jemstar @ 12/05/2007 1:39:43 PM

      No , fat men are just as bad. We are all paying for this lack of self control through higher insurance premiums. No expensive weight loss programs are needed or being hungry all the time. Pick up a bodybuilding mag and learn how to eat and exercise.

  • Posted By: JMalone1961 @ 12/05/2007 3:27:27 PM

    Great, now designers are catering to the fat people. It's bad enough that we are suppose to turn a blind eye to these people, now we are making their disgusting shape the 'norm'. These people should be ridiculed not rewarded for their appearance.

    • Posted By: BubblesBrideToBe @ 12/05/2007 5:31:49 PM

      "Great, now designers are catering to the fat people"
      It said that it changed according to the designer not to the people around him/her. Therefore the person would be catering to him/her self not others.

  • Posted By: Vishugh @ 12/05/2007 5:13:31 PM

    I AGREE WITH THE GUY BELOW. Take a good long look in the mirror and what do you see? Get to work, you wanna look good, move your behind and eat well. It is all in your mind.

    • Posted By: Dangerousd37 @ 12/05/2007 5:17:12 PM

      Say NO to ignorance!!!!! The BMI scale is a false predictor of people whom are overweight. The BMI scale was created by insurance companies not by medical professionals. A person's BMI does not take into account a party's skeletal structure, organs or muscles. According to the BMI scale body buildres with less than 18% of bodyfat can be considered overweight and obese. Even scales do not take into account muscles, organs, skin, and water. Today's society is weight obsessed, either you are too skinny or too fat. You have girls starving themselves to be like the stars and the stars starving themselves because of the pressure to be thin. You have fast food at every corner for cheap money and fresh produce in the grocery stores for expensive amounts of money. You have sugar, fat, transfat and additives in food which creates an addiction. You have the government alowing companies with .5% of trans fat in their food to label it as no trans fats. You have the government allowing food companies to add additives such as carbon monoxicide in foods, albeit in small amounts. The government tauts that we have a health crisis of obesity and yet it does not step up to the plate to end the health crisis. Why? The reason is because drug companies can make more money off of a sick person than a healthy person. These drug companies contribute billions of dollars to politicians and government agencies. So those "healthy" government sponsored initiatives were designed to fail. After school activities have been canceled, some schools cannot afford gym classes or recess and the school lunches are as healthy as a big mac. What do the schools focus on? The schools focus on standardized testing, meeting educational requirements and school budgets. You see many people saying I'm fat because of a slow metabolism or a thyroid condition or some other medical condition. There are also medications such as prednisone, which makes a person gain weight that is beyond their control. Yes, there are people whom do fall into all of those categories, but the majority will say that and then fill their faces with 3 big macs, 2 fries, an apple pie and a diet coke. Being fat is an addiction to deal with emotional problems just like a drug abuser or alcoholic would. Society has more sympathy for drug abusers and alcoholics than they do with people who over eat. But what does not help a person whom is obese or fat is the awful ridicule and awful treatment that people give them. Overweight men have an easier time to be accepted in society than overweight women. Males can be especially cruel to women whom are overweight because they know that they can get away with it. Heathcare premiums are rising not because of obesity. Health Insurers run their companies like a business, wanting to bring more money in than dishing it out. This is true for house and car insurers as well. It's all about greed and nothing else. There are many people with conditions in which they cannot control from

      • Posted By: Dangerousd37 @ 12/05/2007 5:26:14 PM

        Enter Your CommentParkinson's, Cancer, to MS and their insurance rates rise or they are denied coverage because they have "pre-existing conditions". There are no 100% healthy people in the world. Everyone has some sort of condition, they just do not know it yet. It is complete hogwash to believe that someone who is obese is going to cost someone their medicare. Medicare and Medicaid are systems that were set up as band-aid solutions to a greater problem and were set up to fail. They will keep going on until a better solution comes around or the system fails completely because of the government not the people. Being obese does not mean you do not have self respect and a "skinny" person does. Alcoholics and drug abusers are "skinny". Do they have self respect- NO. Does a skinny person who only cares about their appearance have self-respect when they make fun of a fat person- NO. Do bulemics and anorexics whom are skinny respect themselves- NO. It is pure unadulterated ignorance to assume that all of the ills in society are caused by someone being overweight or obese. It is ignorance to assume that just because a person is thin that they respect themselves. It is ignorance to assume that we will lose medical insurance or benefits because of someone being overweight. It is ignorance to assume that a scale weight and a BMI score makes or breaks whether you are overweight or not. It is ignorance to assume that being thin will make you happy, respect yourself and that you are better than someone else just because you are "thin". Fat, thin, tall, short - we are al human beings and all deserve to be treated correctly and with respect. If you cannot respect a "fat" person think of it this way as a man you may end up old, fat and bald some day- would you want the same treatment you gave a fat woman. For women you may be thin now, but someday you may end up fat and old too. It's not about respecting yourself-- it's about respecting yourself enough to respect other human beings . If you cannot do that, you truly do not respect yourself because you are getting your ego boost by belitting another human being.

      • Posted By: Dangerousd37 @ 12/05/2007 5:23:59 PM

        Parkinson's, Cancer, to MS and their insurance rates rise or they are denied coverage because they have "pre-existing conditions". There are no 100% healthy people in the world. Everyone has some sort of condition, they just do not know it yet. It is complete hogwash to believe that someone who is obese is going to cost someone their medicare. Medicare and Medicaid are systems that were set up as band-aid solutions to a greater problem and were set up to fail. They will keep going on until a better solution comes around or the system fails completely because of the government not the people. Being obese does not mean you do not have self respect and a "skinny" person does. Alcoholics and drug abusers are "skinny". Do they have self respect- NO. Does a skinny person who only cares about their appearance have self-respect when they make fun of a fat person- NO. Do bulemics and anorexics whom are skinny respect themselves- NO. It is pure unadulterated ignorance to assume that all of the ills in society are caused by someone being overweight or obese. It is ignorance to assume that just because a person is thin that they respect themselves. It is ignorance to assume that we will lose medical insurance or benefits because of someone being overweight. It is ignorance to assume that a scale weight and a BMI score makes or breaks whether you are overweight or not. It is ignorance to assume that being thin will make you happy, respect yourself and that you are better than someone else just because you are "thin". Fat, thin, tall, short - we are al human beings and all deserve to be treated correctly and with respect. If you cannot respect a "fat" person think of it this way as a man you may end up old, fat and bald some day- would you want the same treatment you gave a fat woman. For women you may be thin now, but someday you may end up fat and old too. It's not about respecting yourself-- it's about respecting yourself enough to respect other human beings . If you cannot do that, you truly do not respect yourself because you are getting your ego boost by belitting another human being.

  • Posted By: Dangerousd37 @ 12/05/2007 5:24:36 PM

    Parkinson's, Cancer, to MS and their insurance rates rise or they are denied coverage because they have "pre-existing conditions". There are no 100% healthy people in the world. Everyone has some sort of condition, they just do not know it yet. It is complete hogwash to believe that someone who is obese is going to cost someone their medicare. Medicare and Medicaid are systems that were set up as band-aid solutions to a greater problem and were set up to fail. They will keep going on until a better solution comes around or the system fails completely because of the government not the people. Being obese does not mean you do not have self respect and a "skinny" person does. Alcoholics and drug abusers are "skinny". Do they have self respect- NO. Does a skinny person who only cares about their appearance have self-respect when they make fun of a fat person- NO. Do bulemics and anorexics whom are skinny respect themselves- NO. It is pure unadulterated ignorance to assume that all of the ills in society are caused by someone being overweight or obese. It is ignorance to assume that just because a person is thin that they respect themselves. It is ignorance to assume that we will lose medical insurance or benefits because of someone being overweight. It is ignorance to assume that a scale weight and a BMI score makes or breaks whether you are overweight or not. It is ignorance to assume that being thin will make you happy, respect yourself and that you are better than someone else just because you are "thin". Fat, thin, tall, short - we are al human beings and all deserve to be treated correctly and with respect. If you cannot respect a "fat" person think of it this way as a man you may end up old, fat and bald some day- would you want the same treatment you gave a fat woman. For women you may be thin now, but someday you may end up fat and old too. It's not about respecting yourself-- it's about respecting yourself enough to respect other human beings . If you cannot do that, you truly do not respect yourself because you are getting your ego boost by belitting another human being.

  • Posted By: McRlUvErR @ 12/05/2007 4:17:47 PM

    shut-up u fattys!!!! its not our fault tht ur fat if u wanna lose weight, get on tht treadmill n get those legs working!!!! stop moaning about it nd get it done!
    saying is easy but doing is the hard part

    • Posted By: Karlyn @ 12/05/2007 5:23:06 PM

      Boy, who pissed in your cheerios? Might I suggest that you learn to speak as well as write before you go off on what you think? Which by the way is ignorant, arrogant and just plain rude. Did Bush die and make you king? Blaming obese people for the rising cost of health care is spineless and based in your m ind not any fact.

  • Posted By: shyshicka @ 12/05/2007 5:22:04 PM

    Criticism and judgment lies on both sides of fence on this issue. Overweight people are just as judgmental of underweight or healthy people. I try live a healthy lifestyle, eating right 80% of the time and exercising regularly. It seems like I am always being criticized for that choice. I often hear comments like "you are going to eat that or that's not food" and "she's a gym rat" when all I am doing is trying to do what makes me feel good. I am dumbfounded by this. I don't openly criticize your food choices, but you can criticize mine. I try not to take these comments personal, they are still offensive and hurtful.

    In the last five years I have significantly changed my lifestyle habits and have never felt better. I am 34 years old and feel and look better than I did when I was a teenager. People automatically assume it???s genetics, but I can assure you it???s not. I was 20 pounds heavier in high school- when my metabolism was supposed to be at its peak. There is no magic pill; it is a lifestyle change that requires diet and exercise. It took me a long time to realize this and years of severe dieting. About eight years ago I ran into two old classmates, on separate occasions, who looked great and had lost weight. I asked what their secret was, both of them said exercise. I didn???t believe it because I was exercising a couple of times a time when I ???had??? time and never noticed much of a difference. It???s only when I made eating right and exercising a priority that I noticed a difference. Everyone I know that is healthy works at it- they eat right most of the time and exercise regularly. These are not people who watch every morsel and avoid sweets and alcohol, but they do practice moderation. These people don???t have more time than you do, they just make time for what???s important. When everyone else at work is walking to the cafeteria for lunch, they are walking to the gym.

    What I've learned is your damned if you and damned if you don't. We need to take care of our bodies like we take care of our vehicles. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. If you neglect or mistreat it, inevitably it will break down.

  • Posted By: shyshicka @ 12/05/2007 5:21:47 PM

    Criticism and judgment lies on both sides of fence on this issue. Overweight people are just as judgmental of underweight or healthy people. I try live a healthy lifestyle, eating right 80% of the time and exercising regularly. It seems like I am always being criticized for that choice. I often hear comments like "you are going to eat that or that's not food" and "she's a gym rat" when all I am doing is trying to do what makes me feel good. I am dumbfounded by this. I don't openly criticize your food choices, but you can criticize mine. I try not to take these comments personal, they are still offensive and hurtful.

    In the last five years I have significantly changed my lifestyle habits and have never felt better. I am 34 years old and feel and look better than I did when I was a teenager. People automatically assume it???s genetics, but I can assure you it???s not. I was 20 pounds heavier in high school- when my metabolism was supposed to be at its peak. There is no magic pill; it is a lifestyle change that requires diet and exercise. It took me a long time to realize this and years of severe dieting. About eight years ago I ran into two old classmates, on separate occasions, who looked great and had lost weight. I asked what their secret was, both of them said exercise. I didn???t believe it because I was exercising a couple of times a time when I ???had??? time and never noticed much of a difference. It???s only when I made eating right and exercising a priority that I noticed a difference. Everyone I know that is healthy works at it- they eat right most of the time and exercise regularly. These are not people who watch every morsel and avoid sweets and alcohol, but they do practice moderation. These people don???t have more time than you do, they just make time for what???s important. When everyone else at work is walking to the cafeteria for lunch, they are walking to the gym.

    What I've learned is your damned if you and damned if you don't. We need to take care of our bodies like we take care of our vehicles. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. If you neglect or mistreat it, inevitably it will break down.

  • Posted By: tangerine79 @ 12/05/2007 5:21:37 PM

    Friendly and Vishugh I am not sure if your comments are in response to what I wrote but if they are then you are the ones who need to take a good long look at my comment but if by chance your reading skills or vision isn't that great I'll write a little bigger for you. I AM A BEAUTIFUL CURY 5'3 180IBS YOUNG LADY!!!!! ONCE AGAIN I DON'T BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE TO BE THIN TO BE HEALTHY OR HAPPY AND MIGHT I ADD BEAUTIFUL. AND ONCE AGAIN FOR THOSE WHO DIDN'T GET THE FIRST TIME MY OPINION OF MYSELF IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS. IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT WELL THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM NOT MINE. INSTEAD OF WORRYING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED TO FIX ABOUT YOURSELF!!!!

  • Posted By: torixxrawr @ 12/05/2007 1:34:15 PM

    I'm 14 years old and I weigh around 265 pounds. I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and I probably won't be able to ever have childeren, even if I do lose weight. Fat should not be the normal. It's very unhealthy. And plus, people don't look at you like they do skinny people. I've never been skinny in my life. I don't know what it's like to be skinny. I know I sound like a hypocrite. I just don't want people to go through what I do everyday. I know I've made myself this way, and I regret it everyday of my miserable life. Obesity is not normal. It could kill you emotionally and physically.

    • Posted By: violettegirl @ 12/05/2007 5:19:25 PM

      Like you, I am 265 lbs, and have been dealing with the unpleasant side effects of PCOS since I was a teenager. For many years, my greatest secret fear was that I would never be able to have children. Then, at 27, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl with no fertiliity treatments whatsoever. In fact, after having her, my ovarian cysts have decreased by 75%! Things change, and your body changes as time goes on. It is true that I am still obese, and I am working on becoming healthier so I can keep up with my daughter as she grows. But one thing that I did not learn until I was an adult is that you have to LOVE THE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY before you can have the courage to make positive changes in your life. Believe me, I remember all too well how it felt to be an awkward, overweight teenager. Sometimes it feels so overwhelming. But I promise you have many amazing adventures awaiting you, and soon these high school years will be a distant memory. I hope that you can find a little encouragement by the positive comments people have left on this page. You are right, people will never look at you the same way as they do a skinny person-- some people will make assumptions about who you are, and it hurts. But this is your opportunity to be the extraordinary woman that you are! Take heart, it will get better.

    • Posted By: katblubel @ 12/05/2007 2:34:41 PM

      I too was recently diagnosed with PCOS. I had symptoms for years but they could never figure out what it was. When I got engaged, I was average weight but decided to join Weight Watchers and lose 10lbs for the wedding. Instead of losing, I gained 25lbs in a matter of 6 weeks. I was distraught but they still couldn't figure out what was going on. It wasn't until after the wedding when my husband and I decided to have a baby we discovered I wasn't ovulating. Then they discovered the problem was PCOS. They told me that PCOS mimicks a lot of the symptoms of diabetes and you become insulin resistant making weight loss terribly difficult. They put me on a medication called Metformin, and I cut out all caffeine and processed sugars from my diet. I only lost 8 lbs, but I got pregnant after only 3 months! All is not lost, trust me. There are advances being made in understanding and treating PCOS. Find a good doctor and get treatment!

    • Posted By: violettegirl @ 12/05/2007 2:04:08 PM

      torixxrawr-- I am currently 31, 265lbs just like you. I, too, have been dealing with all the various side effects of PCOS since I was a teenager. but take heart; there is so much more awareness and knowledge about this disorder now! For many years, my greatest secret fear in life was that I would never be able to bear children. And guess what-- I conceived a completely healthy baby girl at 27 years old without any fertility treatment at all. And since I have given birth, the doctors have found that my ovarian cysts have shrunk by 75%. I just wanted to share with you that things CAN get better, your body changes over time. Yes, I am still obese, and I am working on making small changes every day. I want to be able to keep up with my daughter as she grows up. But I have learned that it is infinitely important to love yourself AS YOU ARE before you are strong enough to make any changes in your life. I know that life seems so overwhelming right now-- and believe me, I remember all too well what it was like to be an unpopular, overweight teenager. But, trust me, you have many exciting adventures ahead of you in your adult life, and high school will soon become a distant memory.

    • Posted By: jenngor @ 12/05/2007 1:48:46 PM

      I watched a show on Discovery Health with Dr. Oz and he said that PCOS could be related to being overweight. Maybe if you adopted a healthy life style, eventually you could have children. Check into it. He has some books out there that maybe you could look into reading. Good luck, and there is never a better time to start than now.

    • Posted By: d6t9k12 @ 12/05/2007 1:44:21 PM

      I know that you are suffering, and that your life does not seem to be what you might have envisioned in your dreams. I just wanted to encourage you to do your best to adopt a healthy diet, and to engage in a physical activity-- even walking Please do not fixate on losing weight, but rather, on making healthier choices every day. And if you slip up, please do not focus on that either-- just try to make better choices more often.

  • Posted By: normal_one @ 12/05/2007 4:53:27 PM

    They are relying on BMI to indicate obesity. That is crazy. BMI does not take into account muscle tone or body structure. My 15 year old son has a BMI of 27. He is 6'0, weighs 185, has six pack abs, runs cross country, lifts weights, and looks like something out of a health magazine. His teacher said his BMI indicates he is obese. He has always been healthy and at fifteen, does not need to hear that he is fat. Self esteem is fragile at that age.

    As far as cooking and eating healthy, it does cost more in a lot of areas to eat healthier. I have been poor and not poor and lived all over the US. Depending on location it can make a difference. Also, 5 people eating the same foods can have different results. My family is all body types and we all have different issues. We eat the same foods.

    Several comments said that it takes little attainable goals to lose weight and keep it off. The thing about heavier people not wanting to lose as much weight as others think they should is just self preservation. Losing weight is difficult. It's also a multi-billion dollar industry. Are things really as bad as "they" say????

    • Posted By: TheSouthPacific @ 12/05/2007 5:16:55 PM

      there is actually a statistically significant association between high BMI and hypertension, high cholesterol and ultimately mortality. Your son may be an exception, as it always is with a heterogenous population that varies greatly within, but the correlations has been documented and is very real.

  • Posted By: rosewelsh @ 12/05/2007 5:15:19 PM

    **Joy Nash*** is my hero...... Fat Rant and Fat Rant 2 here http://www.youtube.com/user/joynash1

  • Posted By: Friendly @ 12/05/2007 5:02:57 PM

    Take a good long look in the mirror and what do you see?

  • Posted By: msfrits @ 12/05/2007 3:45:58 PM

    Those two chick in this articles picture are totally nasty. For heavens sake..push yourself away from the troth and take some responsibility for your long term health! You are an embarrassment to the rest of us, who actually take care of ourselves......I certainly hope this doesn't become the norm for the USA. It projects lazy and a lack of self control. Do we want that????

    • Posted By: ktpal1293 @ 12/05/2007 4:12:08 PM

      "An embarrassment to the rest of us"? Get over yourself. I would rather take either of their bodies over your personality. To me, that comment is an embarrassment. Not only do you have no clue of their story, but you also assume that their lifestyle choices have some relevance to yours. Again, get over yourself - it's not all about you and your decisions.

      • Posted By: BubblesBrideToBe @ 12/05/2007 5:00:18 PM

        I totaly agree. Get over it!

  • Posted By: tangerine79 @ 12/05/2007 4:58:19 PM

    I am a beautiful cury young lady who is 5'3 and 180lbs, I am aware that is not the ideal weight for my height. I am 28 years old and I have struggled with achieving what I consider an ideal weight since I hit puberty. At one point a physician told me that for my height I should weigh 110lbs ( I thought this was is insane). My aunt who is also a physician told me a weight between 145 and 150 would be more suitable for me which I was inclined to agree with and I did almost reach this goal. But my weight fluctuates for a number of reasons and to be honest I am happy with where I am now. I don't believe that I have to be thin in order to be healthy or happy. There are thousands of people who are thin and they are just as unhealthy as the severly obese and their self esteem is just as low. In addition while all of my girlfriends are full figured, some smaller than me and some bigger their decisions regarding their weight don't influence me, because what may be good for them, may not be good for me. I will not allow anyone to dictate to me what I should weigh or how I should look, not society, not my family or friends, not a man, nor my physician. I am educated, well enough informed and fully capable of making these decisions on my own and at the end of the day my opinion of myself in the only one that matters.

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