Why are YOU so big?
04-01-08, 05:32 AM
#51
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cohophysh, because pretty much everything in our genetics and environment is conspiring against us.
we haven't had time to adapt to this surfeit of food and sedentary employment (and leisure). we're made to get calories whenever we can. and now we can get them ALL THE TIME. we don't have to do much to get them, and even to earn money to buy food, most of us probably sit at a desk. it's a huge physiological, psychological and cultural issue, and nothing about it is superficial.
here's an article: https://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...8/ai_n15650956
depending on how you look at it, food addiction IS a disease that makes you fat, and the disease is in your brain. that may be an extreme interpretation. but if you're an overeater with physical, chemical brain changes, regulating your diet is going to be an uphill battle.
about taking responsibility...
yeah, you can lose the weight, but it isn't easy, and it isn't as simple as "taking responsibility." i can take responsibility but it doesn't make me skinny. there's a lot more going on than personal responsibility.
does anyone really think people WANT to be fat? even when i counted every calorie and rode my bike over an hour each day, i still wasn't losing any appreciable amount of weight, and the calorie-counting put me under a huge amount of neurotic food-related stress. i took responsibility. still fat. it was a superficial solution for a deeper problem, and it didn't work.
nobody lives in a vacuum. you can say that your parents and society didn't make you who you are, and that your genes have nothing to do with your behavior, but when you realize that "sense of personal responsibility" is developed by genetics and life experience, it all starts to unravel. the only reason you are able to "take responsibility" (whatever that means) is because your temperament and life experience led you to that point. not everyone has had that experience. beyond that, other people just plain have more pressing things to worry about.
i don't want this to come off as defeatist, because i know it's possible to lose significant amounts of weight, and i know a lot of us here will do it. i just don't like to see people minimize something that is such a huge deal. it's insulting. if losing weight weren't so overwhelmingly difficult, then i (and almost every other fat person) would have done it already. that's all there is to it.
ps: blaming people is a waste of time, but not acknowledging the root of your problems is short-sighted.
we haven't had time to adapt to this surfeit of food and sedentary employment (and leisure). we're made to get calories whenever we can. and now we can get them ALL THE TIME. we don't have to do much to get them, and even to earn money to buy food, most of us probably sit at a desk. it's a huge physiological, psychological and cultural issue, and nothing about it is superficial.
here's an article: https://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...8/ai_n15650956
depending on how you look at it, food addiction IS a disease that makes you fat, and the disease is in your brain. that may be an extreme interpretation. but if you're an overeater with physical, chemical brain changes, regulating your diet is going to be an uphill battle.
about taking responsibility...
yeah, you can lose the weight, but it isn't easy, and it isn't as simple as "taking responsibility." i can take responsibility but it doesn't make me skinny. there's a lot more going on than personal responsibility.
does anyone really think people WANT to be fat? even when i counted every calorie and rode my bike over an hour each day, i still wasn't losing any appreciable amount of weight, and the calorie-counting put me under a huge amount of neurotic food-related stress. i took responsibility. still fat. it was a superficial solution for a deeper problem, and it didn't work.
nobody lives in a vacuum. you can say that your parents and society didn't make you who you are, and that your genes have nothing to do with your behavior, but when you realize that "sense of personal responsibility" is developed by genetics and life experience, it all starts to unravel. the only reason you are able to "take responsibility" (whatever that means) is because your temperament and life experience led you to that point. not everyone has had that experience. beyond that, other people just plain have more pressing things to worry about.
i don't want this to come off as defeatist, because i know it's possible to lose significant amounts of weight, and i know a lot of us here will do it. i just don't like to see people minimize something that is such a huge deal. it's insulting. if losing weight weren't so overwhelmingly difficult, then i (and almost every other fat person) would have done it already. that's all there is to it.
ps: blaming people is a waste of time, but not acknowledging the root of your problems is short-sighted.
04-01-08, 05:38 AM
#52
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Right there is the key - you have to make it yours. Every day, for a very long time. I've been struggling for almost three years now, and make no mistake - there isn't a day that goes by where I don't want to give up for one reason or another. I'm sure just about every person in this forum can relate.
04-01-08, 05:41 AM
#53
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Smart folks do stupid things? It's the best reason I can come up with.
04-01-08, 05:46 AM
#54
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Well, I eat to soothe many things. I used to treat my hyperactivity with sugar. I would get high on sugar and caffeine and get very productive, but fat too. In undergrad, I would get 4 liters of Dr. Pepper and sit down and do a week of homework in an all-nighter.
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04-01-08, 06:09 AM
#55
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NO WAY! That can't be it. Someone must have done something bad to you. It has to be someone else's fault. I'm sure after you re-read the thread or continue on from here you'll change your story. I've never heard such a silly excuse... ate too much? c'mon... you can do better than that.
By the way, I have lost about 100 pounds in the past 6 months.
04-01-08, 06:11 AM
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Nope, self responsibility is what I find works best when problem solving. I also like to reduce some problems or challenges to their simplest form, just like my solution to the problem. If I simply ate too much then the solution is also simple, eat less and exercise more, basic and simple arithmetic. However, I have also learned a few things that also help, like reading labels. I try to keep my fat intake to a maximum of 22 grams per day. When I started reading labels I was surprised by the fat content of some foods, for example, one "healthy" looking bran muffin alone has over 40 grams of fat! That's almost twice what my daily intake should be for one stinkin' bran muffin. Of course your mileage may vary.
By the way, I have lost about 100 pounds in the past 6 months.
By the way, I have lost about 100 pounds in the past 6 months.
04-01-08, 06:18 AM
#57
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Thank you. It has been fun actually, I mean the bicycle riding part at least. I think I'm getting more enjoyment on that bike than I have with any of my other "hobbies" in years. You know we gotta have our hobbies.
04-01-08, 07:08 AM
#58
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<long rambling post deleted
>
Time
I can bike and walk no other exercise. I mean I can do other exercise but it wouldn't be good for my heart long term soo.
Working in an office far too long many times. Years with a very long commute where I'd leave home at 4 or 5am and get home at 11pm really took it's toll. Yeah I got in an hour or two of cycling each day as part of the commute but it just wasn't enough.
>Time
I can bike and walk no other exercise. I mean I can do other exercise but it wouldn't be good for my heart long term soo.
Working in an office far too long many times. Years with a very long commute where I'd leave home at 4 or 5am and get home at 11pm really took it's toll. Yeah I got in an hour or two of cycling each day as part of the commute but it just wasn't enough.
04-01-08, 07:41 AM
#59
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Why did I get big? That’s a good question and one that I’m not certain that I have an acceptable answer for. Simply stated the reason why I (and anyone else) got big was because calories in exceeded calories out. I’m a relatively young-un (23) and I believe that my problems stated back in High School. Ever since I was old enough to play T-Ball I had been involved in athletics which always kept me moving. At age 7 I stated wrestling, 11 I started football, and 16 I did track in favor of baseball. Summary: 10 years of baseball; 10 years of wrestling; 7 years of football, and 2 years of track. Back in 5th grade I can specifically remember acknowledging that sports and physical activity was keeping me in shape while I watched the rest of my classmates swell up. Even then I knew I was probably eating more than I should. My parents would always cook way too much food then act insulted if you didn’t want seconds (or thirds).
Then I went to college, the location I choose did not have any interesting sports so I did none. I went to work and class instead. Funny thing was that my appetite did not change even though I had little to no cardiovascular activity. Old suppertime habits die hard. I did hit the gym however, a roommate and I got into power lifting and the mentality that big muscle gains require large amounts of meat. We got good at it, benching nearly twice our bodyweight (I was 180lbs at the time benching 340 without a blast shirt) and pushing towards three times our weight in dead lifts. I guess you could say that we started to resemble roaringmadmarc in physical appearance, though not as big. Then we had a rift in our friendship and stopped going to the gym together. Classes got more intense and I began to focus on them (and the girl who is to be my wife come July) in favor of working out. I’m not going to blame stress, working 35 hour weeks in a warehouse, and a girl for getting out of the gym, truth was I was my choice. I gained 30lbs. She’s worth it though, I would gladly make it again.
Then we graduated college. I moved back home with my family which was about a 7 hour drive from the girlfriends house. We did a distance relationship and suddenly I found I had the time to get back in the gym. My cousin and I started power lifting and once again we never did any cardio, history repeats itself. We worked out 4 times a week together until I found employment back in Harrisburg, I moved back to central Pa and continued to work out in the gym only this time without a partner. I faced with a challenge, with no partner I had no spotter, heavy weights were out of the picture. I watched as my muscles wasted away, all the while I was still eating the same amount so they were replaced with lovely goo. For awhile I tried working out alone (still no cardio) then decided that if I couldn’t lift heavy I would rather be home. So home I went. I work an office job so lets throw sedimentary lifestyle into the bag. I ballooned up to 242lbs when I decided to blow the dust off my old K-Mart “mountain” bike and start riding. I had forgot how much fun that was. The 10 year old bike made it three trips before a poorly landed jump bent the frame and boogied up the rear derailleur. I started searching around the internet for information on fixing the derailleur when I stumbled upon bike forums. I joined up and read many many threads. I scoped out the Historians blog and Tom’s blogs and found inspiration. If you ever get a chance to talk to the Historian he will tell you how much he hates it when people tell him that. I’ve had the chance to meet and ride with him and he is honestly a nice guy, not nearly as grumpy as he often comes across on the forums. Now I’m getting off track. After reading up I made the decision to purchase a bicycle from this new mystical thing called an LBS. It took two tries to find one I liked and I must say it was the best thing I have done. I didn’t have much in the way of funding but they worked with me and set me up with a mountain bike. Now 940 miles later (as of last night) I have lost 24lbs have started to fit into pants that I wore in high school. I can’t believe what I use to eat. Eating healthy is defiantly more expensive in addition to requiring a bit more planning but its worth it. So what made me big? Stupidity, greed, sedimentary lifestyle, and inexpensive junk food. Kind of simple huh?
Bau
Then I went to college, the location I choose did not have any interesting sports so I did none. I went to work and class instead. Funny thing was that my appetite did not change even though I had little to no cardiovascular activity. Old suppertime habits die hard. I did hit the gym however, a roommate and I got into power lifting and the mentality that big muscle gains require large amounts of meat. We got good at it, benching nearly twice our bodyweight (I was 180lbs at the time benching 340 without a blast shirt) and pushing towards three times our weight in dead lifts. I guess you could say that we started to resemble roaringmadmarc in physical appearance, though not as big. Then we had a rift in our friendship and stopped going to the gym together. Classes got more intense and I began to focus on them (and the girl who is to be my wife come July) in favor of working out. I’m not going to blame stress, working 35 hour weeks in a warehouse, and a girl for getting out of the gym, truth was I was my choice. I gained 30lbs. She’s worth it though, I would gladly make it again.
Then we graduated college. I moved back home with my family which was about a 7 hour drive from the girlfriends house. We did a distance relationship and suddenly I found I had the time to get back in the gym. My cousin and I started power lifting and once again we never did any cardio, history repeats itself. We worked out 4 times a week together until I found employment back in Harrisburg, I moved back to central Pa and continued to work out in the gym only this time without a partner. I faced with a challenge, with no partner I had no spotter, heavy weights were out of the picture. I watched as my muscles wasted away, all the while I was still eating the same amount so they were replaced with lovely goo. For awhile I tried working out alone (still no cardio) then decided that if I couldn’t lift heavy I would rather be home. So home I went. I work an office job so lets throw sedimentary lifestyle into the bag. I ballooned up to 242lbs when I decided to blow the dust off my old K-Mart “mountain” bike and start riding. I had forgot how much fun that was. The 10 year old bike made it three trips before a poorly landed jump bent the frame and boogied up the rear derailleur. I started searching around the internet for information on fixing the derailleur when I stumbled upon bike forums. I joined up and read many many threads. I scoped out the Historians blog and Tom’s blogs and found inspiration. If you ever get a chance to talk to the Historian he will tell you how much he hates it when people tell him that. I’ve had the chance to meet and ride with him and he is honestly a nice guy, not nearly as grumpy as he often comes across on the forums. Now I’m getting off track. After reading up I made the decision to purchase a bicycle from this new mystical thing called an LBS. It took two tries to find one I liked and I must say it was the best thing I have done. I didn’t have much in the way of funding but they worked with me and set me up with a mountain bike. Now 940 miles later (as of last night) I have lost 24lbs have started to fit into pants that I wore in high school. I can’t believe what I use to eat. Eating healthy is defiantly more expensive in addition to requiring a bit more planning but its worth it. So what made me big? Stupidity, greed, sedimentary lifestyle, and inexpensive junk food. Kind of simple huh?
Bau
04-01-08, 07:53 AM
#60
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I scoped out the Historians blog and Tom’s blogs and found inspiration. If you ever get a chance to talk to the Historian he will tell you how much he hates it when people tell him that. I’ve had the chance to meet and ride with him and he is honestly a nice guy, not nearly as grumpy as he often comes across on the forums.
But the description of my reaction to being called "inspirational" is something I will admit to. I confess I often feel an obligation towards people who claim I inspired them, and that's what bugs me. But I'm getting over it.
04-01-08, 08:58 AM
#61
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I'm sorry, but I must take exception to this comment. If you want to see grumpy, look up "I-Like-To-Bike" on the commuting forum. I'm at times blunt, but usually not grumpy.
04-01-08, 09:11 AM
#63
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04-01-08, 09:17 AM
#64
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04-01-08, 02:31 PM
#65
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All you guys are freakin' awesome and to have such massive losses is truly astounding. My story is just unworthy of being with y'all. I have very dense bones from an active life and while people think I look 180lbs, it is more like 220lbs, as I weighed myself last week.
04-01-08, 09:35 PM
#66
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Great thread!
I'm fat simply because I have not taken responsibility, and done the things that I know I should.
I am tipping the scales at 330 lbs right now, but maxed somewhere around 340. The funny thing is that with my build, no one seems to believe that I am over 300. It sounds nice, but I feel like I am walking around with a dirty little secret.
Now whenever I ride my bike I hear this voice like Chris Farley in Tommy Boy in the back of my head singing "Fat guy on a little bike...."
I started cycling last summer and lost 20 lbs in 8 weeks... then my bike was stolen. And The semester started back up (I'm in grad school). And one thing let to another, and then the winter was finishing and I hadn't gotten back in the saddle.
So my wife and I bought new Treks and we have started making all trips under 2 miles on our bikes. In about a month, we have put up about 40 miles just running errands. We have signed up for a 10 mile bike ride at the end of the month as well.
We have no real plans except to correct years of bad habits.
I'm fat simply because I have not taken responsibility, and done the things that I know I should.
I am tipping the scales at 330 lbs right now, but maxed somewhere around 340. The funny thing is that with my build, no one seems to believe that I am over 300. It sounds nice, but I feel like I am walking around with a dirty little secret.
Now whenever I ride my bike I hear this voice like Chris Farley in Tommy Boy in the back of my head singing "Fat guy on a little bike...."
I started cycling last summer and lost 20 lbs in 8 weeks... then my bike was stolen. And The semester started back up (I'm in grad school). And one thing let to another, and then the winter was finishing and I hadn't gotten back in the saddle.
So my wife and I bought new Treks and we have started making all trips under 2 miles on our bikes. In about a month, we have put up about 40 miles just running errands. We have signed up for a 10 mile bike ride at the end of the month as well.
We have no real plans except to correct years of bad habits.
04-01-08, 10:42 PM
#67
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My friend, I think you are confusing descriptions of 'taking responsibility' with claims that weight loss is easy. I've seen a lot of the former, but none of the latter, in this thread. Take it from someone who lost 140 pounds - and regained 20 of them, it's not easy.
i probably got a little carried away earlier, but it does bother me when people say sarcastic things about "you mean you're fat because you ate too much, and it isn't your mom's fault?! that's UNHEARD OF!" i interpreted some of the comments as saying that people are fat because they haven't taken responsibility. i don't think that's the case.
jakereed, that's awesome! congratulations to you, too.
for myself, i find that the fewer calories i try to eat, the more i revolt. i know a decent amount about nutrition, but the tighter i try to regulate it, the harder it is for me to eat reasonably. just payign attention to the calories in and out starts a whole ugly, destructive process for me.
to you guys who have lost a lot of weight (and feel comfortable answering):
have you had to overcome compulsive eating? how did you do it? how do you keep doing it? what happens when you are under immense amounts of stress?
i'm asking because it doesn't seem to me like most compulsive eaters can detach from food enough to think of it as a math problem (e.g., 1600 calories in, 2000 calories out). so i'm looking for evidence to the contrary
04-01-08, 10:44 PM
#68
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yeah exactly! that's what i mean. i don't know how to do that yet. i think i'm going to get a dolphin-training book or something, and use the tricks on myself. i could use that information at work, too. with the kids and the coworkers
04-01-08, 11:10 PM
#69
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congratulations! i wish i could figure out how to lose half of what you've lost. i've lost maybe 10 pounds, so if you worked 14 times as hard, then i don't know why your head hasn't exploded.
i probably got a little carried away earlier, but it does bother me when people say sarcastic things about "you mean you're fat because you ate too much, and it isn't your mom's fault?! that's UNHEARD OF!" i interpreted some of the comments as saying that people are fat because they haven't taken responsibility. i don't think that's the case.
jakereed, that's awesome! congratulations to you, too.
for myself, i find that the fewer calories i try to eat, the more i revolt. i know a decent amount about nutrition, but the tighter i try to regulate it, the harder it is for me to eat reasonably. just payign attention to the calories in and out starts a whole ugly, destructive process for me.
to you guys who have lost a lot of weight (and feel comfortable answering):
have you had to overcome compulsive eating? how did you do it? how do you keep doing it? what happens when you are under immense amounts of stress?
i'm asking because it doesn't seem to me like most compulsive eaters can detach from food enough to think of it as a math problem (e.g., 1600 calories in, 2000 calories out). so i'm looking for evidence to the contrary
i probably got a little carried away earlier, but it does bother me when people say sarcastic things about "you mean you're fat because you ate too much, and it isn't your mom's fault?! that's UNHEARD OF!" i interpreted some of the comments as saying that people are fat because they haven't taken responsibility. i don't think that's the case.
jakereed, that's awesome! congratulations to you, too.
for myself, i find that the fewer calories i try to eat, the more i revolt. i know a decent amount about nutrition, but the tighter i try to regulate it, the harder it is for me to eat reasonably. just payign attention to the calories in and out starts a whole ugly, destructive process for me.
to you guys who have lost a lot of weight (and feel comfortable answering):
have you had to overcome compulsive eating? how did you do it? how do you keep doing it? what happens when you are under immense amounts of stress?
i'm asking because it doesn't seem to me like most compulsive eaters can detach from food enough to think of it as a math problem (e.g., 1600 calories in, 2000 calories out). so i'm looking for evidence to the contrary
One, the sarcasm about excuses offered for not losing weight is recognition that such excuses are commonly offered, and most of them are valueless. Sure, I could whine about being raised in a culture that promoted obesity, as Star Jones did last year when she went public with her bariatric surgery, but why? Blame doesn't change anything, and I wanted to change. People who lose large amounts of weight are doers. Those who whine they can't lose weight because blah, blah, blah, are whiners.
I think people who are fat HAVE taken responsibility. They have taken the responsibility to be fat. I was tremendously responsible for my 385 pounds. I had to feed it constantly.
Seriously, I was in denial for many years, and until I accepted responsibility for my obesity, nothing was going to change. Once I did, I could make the changes I needed.
And while I worked very hard, I didn't work 14 times as hard as anyone. I merely didn't give up.
As for being a compulsive eater, I probably fit the description. Like many folks, I eat when stressed. I do what I can with it. At times I'm successful, and at times, I'm not.
04-02-08, 03:09 AM
#70
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I am terrible at compulsive eating or do i mean fantastic? anyway i usually start off great and healthy eating for the first part of the day but then come the evening i just can't get enough sugar/carbs into me. Rollercoaster . All the good work i do during the day is gone and i feel so bad when i'm eating and can't stop myself. I might then go for a quick spin on the bike and makes me feel so much better but usually not
. I have started eating alot of protein with my breakfast (40g) and added 2 small but healthy sandwiches to my diet during the week. high fibre bread and cheese. my sugar urges are gone which is all that i want for now. it might work for other people but the idea for the protein is from www.radiantrecovery.com. I'm dubious but will give anything a go. I have/had an alcohol sensitivity too so suits me at the moment. It's great reading this thread. Thanks OP for posting.
p.s. i used to be really fit and healthy, cycled 200 miles a week when schoolboy racing but then hit puberty late on i'd say and things started going downhill, weight wise anyway;-) Now 5 10/11 and 238lbs. i wear it well to a certain degree too so lucky in some respects. But really want to lose these 40 lbs. 38 at least;-)
. I have started eating alot of protein with my breakfast (40g) and added 2 small but healthy sandwiches to my diet during the week. high fibre bread and cheese. my sugar urges are gone which is all that i want for now. it might work for other people but the idea for the protein is from www.radiantrecovery.com. I'm dubious but will give anything a go. I have/had an alcohol sensitivity too so suits me at the moment. It's great reading this thread. Thanks OP for posting. p.s. i used to be really fit and healthy, cycled 200 miles a week when schoolboy racing but then hit puberty late on i'd say and things started going downhill, weight wise anyway;-) Now 5 10/11 and 238lbs. i wear it well to a certain degree too so lucky in some respects. But really want to lose these 40 lbs. 38 at least;-)
04-02-08, 03:36 AM
#71
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Why am I big? Doesn't matter. Really it's about improvement. Yes I'm overweight at 28yo., 6' tall and 265lbs. Even losing the majority of the fat, I don't see myself closing and getting under 200. I'm big boned and my legs are all muscle; I even have the fat in the usual places like the gut, neck, and face. Probably a Clydesdale for life. For me it's the improvement in lifestyle. I see so many inspirational stories in here and that's awesome. People making improvements in the quality of their lives. Becoming healthier, appreciating, and enjoying our natural resources at the same time.
I'm new to the cycling thing, but it's helped me figure out who I am, what I want to do and pretty much is improving my lifestyle. I'm working towards a car-free lifestyle soon, next month or so should have a 2nd bike to assist with this and become free of the machines people depend on. It hadn't even occurred to me prior to reading these forums that cycling could become more of a way of living and a way to enjoy the outdoors. I'm improving my lifestyle, which is what counts.
Congrats to all of you whom are making progress with whatever goals you have!
I'm new to the cycling thing, but it's helped me figure out who I am, what I want to do and pretty much is improving my lifestyle. I'm working towards a car-free lifestyle soon, next month or so should have a 2nd bike to assist with this and become free of the machines people depend on. It hadn't even occurred to me prior to reading these forums that cycling could become more of a way of living and a way to enjoy the outdoors. I'm improving my lifestyle, which is what counts.
Congrats to all of you whom are making progress with whatever goals you have!
04-02-08, 03:48 AM
#72
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It's a bit of two things, laziness/lack of motivation and a knee injury at 17. I was 180 back then and pretty over weight. The laziness I have had my whole life and I am currently trying to change myself for myself.About a week before my birthday I slipped on a curb and hit my left knee, which tore my out side meniscus. I though I was fine till late last year where I had a hard time standing and walking, I had to drop out of school. Now I need to strengthen my knee. And the doctor said their were a few great activities to do that will strengthen my knee Biking and swimming. I like swimming, but I don't like having my shirt off. Add to that the fact that I don't have a car, so I am think about commuting on a bike.
I know I am going to want to give up but I that my problem.
I am currently 22 years old and 225Lbs. My is to get more healthy and stay healthy. What better way than on a bike? I am looking to get to 215 then to 205 and so on and so forth till I am healthy and fit. Most of my family is unfit and I am trying to break the chain to so the rest of my family we can be fit and healthy.
I know I am going to want to give up but I that my problem.
I am currently 22 years old and 225Lbs. My is to get more healthy and stay healthy. What better way than on a bike? I am looking to get to 215 then to 205 and so on and so forth till I am healthy and fit. Most of my family is unfit and I am trying to break the chain to so the rest of my family we can be fit and healthy.
04-02-08, 10:12 AM
#73
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I don't think we're blaming it on anyone else or any set of circumstances, we all know we are responsible.
I find it interesting to hear other peoples points of view.
I find it interesting to hear other peoples points of view.
__________________
The direct link to support me in the 27th Annual Prouty Bike Ride, July 12, 2008:
https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg...upId=219633987
Please support others by supporting me.
Thank You! -eric
The direct link to support me in the 27th Annual Prouty Bike Ride, July 12, 2008:
https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg...upId=219633987
Please support others by supporting me.
Thank You! -eric
04-02-08, 11:17 AM
#74
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I’ve posted some of this before but I’ll post it again because this thread has taken that turn.
When I was 350lbs I thought I was a 250lb guy trapped in a 350lb body. When I got down to 275 I realized that I couldn’t be a 250lb guy because I had way more than 25 more lbs to lose, therefore I must be a 225 guy trapped in the body of a 275lbs man. When I was down to 250 I though I must be 200, when I was down to 225 I though I must be getting close, but I wasn’t. When I was down to 200 I realized that I’m just a normal average sized guy who was just obese. I wasn’t “naturally” big or “big boned”. I was just way, way overweight. I now weight 195lbs and still have at least 15 maybe even 20 to lose. So that would put me at 6 foot and 180lbs. That is just about as average as you can get. When I was big I didn’t look, feel or act like I was all fat. I had plenty of bulk under the fat to carry me around. I and many others seriously thought I was a big guy that was just overweight also. I’m not; I’m an average sized guy who was overweight.
Once I hit this point and the revelation that the past decade has been nothing but lies and excused for my condition I realized that I’m not the only one. I’ve been able to let go the self lies and excuses and take responsibility for myself. Other may not want or be able to do that same.
Now let me clarify that there is a difference between being big and being overweight. Genetics and other contributing factors will determining if you are tall and have a big skeletal structure. While there are contributing factors to how a person became and stayed overweight the two do not coincide with each other. There are plenty of overweight people who are average height and frame size just like there are plenty of tall and big framed people that are skinny.
When I was 350lbs I thought I was a 250lb guy trapped in a 350lb body. When I got down to 275 I realized that I couldn’t be a 250lb guy because I had way more than 25 more lbs to lose, therefore I must be a 225 guy trapped in the body of a 275lbs man. When I was down to 250 I though I must be 200, when I was down to 225 I though I must be getting close, but I wasn’t. When I was down to 200 I realized that I’m just a normal average sized guy who was just obese. I wasn’t “naturally” big or “big boned”. I was just way, way overweight. I now weight 195lbs and still have at least 15 maybe even 20 to lose. So that would put me at 6 foot and 180lbs. That is just about as average as you can get. When I was big I didn’t look, feel or act like I was all fat. I had plenty of bulk under the fat to carry me around. I and many others seriously thought I was a big guy that was just overweight also. I’m not; I’m an average sized guy who was overweight.
Once I hit this point and the revelation that the past decade has been nothing but lies and excused for my condition I realized that I’m not the only one. I’ve been able to let go the self lies and excuses and take responsibility for myself. Other may not want or be able to do that same.
Now let me clarify that there is a difference between being big and being overweight. Genetics and other contributing factors will determining if you are tall and have a big skeletal structure. While there are contributing factors to how a person became and stayed overweight the two do not coincide with each other. There are plenty of overweight people who are average height and frame size just like there are plenty of tall and big framed people that are skinny.
04-02-08, 11:22 AM
#75
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Wow...thought provoking thread...
Abridged Version
I used to be very active. Got lazy and ate too much and gained 110 pounds. Started to get more active and ate more sensibly and have lost 65 of those pounds with about 15 to go to my goal
Unabridged Version
Hmmm...while I probably never got as large as some folks here I certainly noticed it hampering my lifestyle.
I was pretty athletic as a teen. I weighed about 140 lbs (at a touch over 5'10") when I graduated from High School. I played football (wide receiver & def back). I wasn't big but I was quick and fast (4.8 40 - which used to be considered fast in that day and age) and I wasn't afraid to stick my nose in and knock the snot out of someone . I played basketball. Point guard. And I could slam dunk a volleyball (never got the basketball down 
. I could run 10 miles in under an hour and not even be winded. I would just stop because I had other things to do. For summer football workouts, if I couldn't catch a ride with someone, I used to ride my bike (Schwinn Varsity Sport 10sp) to morning practice 13 miles one way with a fairly good climb right out my front door. All of this without really even ever trying that hard. It just wasn't any big deal. Plus I was always running to band, jazz band, choir, swing choir, drama, marching band functions. I guess, to say the least. I stayed active. I ate a TON and even though my football coach BEGGED me to put on weight I just couldn't do it.
The problem started in college. I did not try out for college sports. I discovered beer. And pizza delivery. I learned to love to eat in high school when my metabolism was being pumped a million miles a minute. I continued to love to eat after that. I still did a bunch of activities but not in the same structured way when I was actually in sports. I came home for Christmas break at about 175 pounds (but still in darn good shape). In all fairness, my upper body had filled out quite a bit and became more muscular. I probably hovered around that weight for a while. Later in college, when I actually became more serious about my GPA
, I did even less exercise (more studying) and kept eating. My weight slowly crept up. 185...190...200...
By the time I graduated college (took me 7 years as I worked my way through and started over on majors a few times) I was somewhere around 210 - 215. Then I got my CPA and started my desk job and, you guessed it, continued my eating habits. When I got married about a year later I was probably around 230 and then peaked out at probably around 250 within a couple years of being married.
What turned me around? Well, not being able to breath when I tied my shoes was one thing. Plus I really started not feeling well. Sluggish. And I still liked to go try to play some basketball, racquetball & touch football but found it wasn't as much fun when I felt like I couldn't breath. Other little nuisence things started popping up. Back pain, sciatica. Structural stuff like that
I started doing some exercise about 10 years ago. Started walking/jogging and slowly increased my miles. With that I worked my way down to about 190 before we moved to Nashville (to pursue some songwriting) and starting a new job down here. New baby came, new job, new house and I sort of lost track of my exercise again for a few years and slowly crept up to about 230 again. I also determined at this point that I tend to stress eat. Probably about January, 2007 I started swimming and slowly (very slowly) losing weight again. Dropped down to about 220 and in mid April, 2007 bought my first bike since the old Schwinn Varsity Sport in High School. Didn't lose weight right away there either as I tended to eat up the extra burned calories. Started riding more and more and watching my food intake in a sane way where I don't feel deprived (including proper post workout recovery nutrition which is very important for me not to over eat the rest of the day). Since June, 2007 I have dropped slowly from 220 pounds to about 185. My tentative goal is to reach 170. I expect to do this by the end of summer (I'm really in no hurry. I figured it took about 10 years to gain 110 pounds and that if it takes me about 10 years to lose 80 of that - it seems about right )
Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Abridged Version
I used to be very active. Got lazy and ate too much and gained 110 pounds. Started to get more active and ate more sensibly and have lost 65 of those pounds with about 15 to go to my goal
Unabridged Version
Hmmm...while I probably never got as large as some folks here I certainly noticed it hampering my lifestyle.
I was pretty athletic as a teen. I weighed about 140 lbs (at a touch over 5'10") when I graduated from High School. I played football (wide receiver & def back). I wasn't big but I was quick and fast (4.8 40 - which used to be considered fast in that day and age
) and I wasn't afraid to stick my nose in and knock the snot out of someone . I played basketball. Point guard. And I could slam dunk a volleyball (never got the basketball down . I could run 10 miles in under an hour and not even be winded. I would just stop because I had other things to do. For summer football workouts, if I couldn't catch a ride with someone, I used to ride my bike (Schwinn Varsity Sport 10sp) to morning practice 13 miles one way with a fairly good climb right out my front door. All of this without really even ever trying that hard. It just wasn't any big deal. Plus I was always running to band, jazz band, choir, swing choir, drama, marching band functions. I guess, to say the least. I stayed active. I ate a TON and even though my football coach BEGGED me to put on weight I just couldn't do it.The problem started in college. I did not try out for college sports. I discovered beer. And pizza delivery. I learned to love to eat in high school when my metabolism was being pumped a million miles a minute. I continued to love to eat after that. I still did a bunch of activities but not in the same structured way when I was actually in sports. I came home for Christmas break at about 175 pounds (but still in darn good shape). In all fairness, my upper body had filled out quite a bit and became more muscular. I probably hovered around that weight for a while. Later in college, when I actually became more serious about my GPA
, I did even less exercise (more studying) and kept eating. My weight slowly crept up. 185...190...200...By the time I graduated college (took me 7 years as I worked my way through and started over on majors a few times) I was somewhere around 210 - 215. Then I got my CPA and started my desk job and, you guessed it, continued my eating habits. When I got married about a year later I was probably around 230 and then peaked out at probably around 250 within a couple years of being married.
What turned me around? Well, not being able to breath when I tied my shoes was one thing. Plus I really started not feeling well. Sluggish. And I still liked to go try to play some basketball, racquetball & touch football but found it wasn't as much fun when I felt like I couldn't breath. Other little nuisence things started popping up. Back pain, sciatica. Structural stuff like that
I started doing some exercise about 10 years ago. Started walking/jogging and slowly increased my miles. With that I worked my way down to about 190 before we moved to Nashville (to pursue some songwriting) and starting a new job down here. New baby came, new job, new house and I sort of lost track of my exercise again for a few years and slowly crept up to about 230 again. I also determined at this point that I tend to stress eat. Probably about January, 2007 I started swimming and slowly (very slowly) losing weight again. Dropped down to about 220 and in mid April, 2007 bought my first bike since the old Schwinn Varsity Sport in High School. Didn't lose weight right away there either as I tended to eat up the extra burned calories
. Started riding more and more and watching my food intake in a sane way where I don't feel deprived (including proper post workout recovery nutrition which is very important for me not to over eat the rest of the day). Since June, 2007 I have dropped slowly from 220 pounds to about 185. My tentative goal is to reach 170. I expect to do this by the end of summer (I'm really in no hurry. I figured it took about 10 years to gain 110 pounds and that if it takes me about 10 years to lose 80 of that - it seems about right )Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!