Can you be "genetically obese"?

[tigra 0]

Did you read the whole thread? Aren't the words "slobs" and "lazy" derogatory and judgemental in nature?
Are these valid concerns and good points?

"The majority of the obese are just slobs"
"saying 'I'm fat due to my genetics and I can't help it' is a total bullshit approach and just tells me you are lazy"

Not to mention somewhat valid comments along the lines of "of course you can be predisposed, that just means you have to work harder/ eat less/ exercise more". The implication is that fat people are fat because they don't try hard enough not to be.

[tcnelson 1]

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Did you read the whole thread? Aren't the words "slobs" and "lazy" derogatory and judgemental in nature?
Are these valid concerns and good points?

tigra, are you serious? "lazy slobs" was YOUR VERBAGE. No one said that except you! how ironic...

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The implication is that fat people are fat because they don't try hard enough not to be.

that's not implied, that's true! if an obese person wants to be thinner, all that person has to do is use more energy than that person consumes. period. will it be harder for some people than others? absolutely. that person just has to try harder to succeed. nothing new to that.

"Don't talk to me like that assface...I don't work for you yet." - Fletch
NBFT, Deseoso Rodriguez RB#1329

[Shotgun 1]

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if an obese person wants to be thinner, all that person has to do is use more energy than that person consumes. period.

Have you been obese in the past and had this solution work for you? I haven't. And even if I had, I would not just assume that the same solution would work for everyone else. There are many factors involved, and those factors are going to be different for different people. For some, the solution may be that simple, but for others it may not be. (And even if it is that simple, there may be other complicated factors involved that are preventing that person from using more energy than they are consuming).

It's easy to pass judgment about what others should or should not do to solve their problems when you are not the person dealing with their problem.

This is not directed just at you, but at those who are claiming that anyone who is obese simply needs to "be more motivated" or "try harder to succeed"... It may not be as simple as that.

[peregrinerose 0]

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Have you been obese in the past and had this solution work for you? I haven't. And even if I had, I would not just assume that the same solution would work for everyone else. There are many factors involved, and those factors are going to be different for different people. For some, the solution may be that simple, but for others it may not be. (And even if it is that simple, there may be other complicated factors involved that are preventing that person from using more energy than they are consuming).

I HAVE been obese, and I dropped 85 lbs. I must have the metabolism of a pet rock, but by eating less and healthier foods (I live on b/t 1200-1500 cal a day) and working out 4+ days a week and staying as active as possible, it took 2 years to come off. I've been at the same weight for a year and want to lose 15 more lbs. It's tough as hell, but I also know that it is my own fault that it isn't coming off. I have been cheating a bit on watching what I eat more in the last year, and it does affect my body.

It IS as simple as eating less than you burn. Your body can not physically gain mass just by breathing, it gains it's mass from intake. That intake can either be stored or burned. To keep from storing it, burn it. The trick is coming up with a ratio that results in weight loss. It is hard to have the will power, it takes constant mental reminders and hard work.

I was fat, I still could lose a few pounds, but it is my responsibility and my choice to take care of my body. To lay blame elsewhere is making excuses.

Jen

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[tigra 0]

The words "slobs" and "lazy" were used by other people before my first post. I combined them to express my opinion about where the thread was headed (based on similar threads in the past and what was already posted to this thread) not to express my opinion about overweight people.

The original topic is valid, but since I've been viewing and posting on this site, every single time a thread like this comes up, it turns ugly fast. That was my point, someone said I was wrong and NOTHING of that nature had been said. Unfortunately, that simply wasn't the case.

I don't disagree that some people have to work harder than others to fight a predispostion to be overweight. But again, that really wasn't my point.

It does seem to be really difficult on this site to have a discussion on obesity and its potential causes without a certain amount of prejudice and blatant "fat bashing". (You know, comments like "The majority of the obese are just slobs.")
Just my observation. Sorry if you find that stupid or offensive.

[Shotgun 1]

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It IS as simple as eating less than you burn.

As I said:

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There are many factors involved, and those factors are going to be different for different people. For some, the solution may be that simple, but for others it may not be. (And even if it is that simple, there may be other complicated factors involved that are preventing that person from using more energy than they are consuming).

There are not many simple answers to anything in life, but if you found a simple answer that worked for you then that is great. I'm just pointing out that everyone's bodies are different and people have different issues to deal with. I'm not going to assume that what works for me will automatically work for someone else as I may have no idea what they are actually dealing with.

[tcnelson 1]

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Have you been obese in the past and had this solution work for you?

no, but my limited study of biochemistry and my more thorough study of chemistry in general is what i'm using to post. fatty acids (fat) are consumed and stored as fat and many fatty acids that the body uses are synthesized by the body if not found in the diet. that is one reason why some people have a harder time burning fat than others. their bodies synthesize fat more than other peoples' do. however, i believe that the lion's share of the obesity problem in this country is caused by overconsumption and inactivity.

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It's easy to pass judgment about what others should or should not do to solve their problems when you are not the person dealing with their problem.

i'm not judging. there's a difference between stating an opinion and judging.

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This is not directed just at you, but at those who are claiming that anyone who is obese simply needs to "be more motivated" or "try harder to succeed"... It may not be as simple as that.

i believe that there are many pieces to the overweight problem in america and, i agree, individual cases are not simple. however, i do think that the majority of the problem lies with basic diet and exercise.

"Don't talk to me like that assface...I don't work for you yet." - Fletch
NBFT, Deseoso Rodriguez RB#1329

[unformed 0]

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It does seem to be really difficult on this site to have a discussion on obesity and its potential causes without a certain amount of prejudice and blatant "fat bashing". (You know, comments like "The majority of the obese are just slobs.")
Just my observation. Sorry if you find that stupid or offensive.

Those were my words, and I speak my opinion. I'm not taking that back. My aunt is obese, sue to a medical condition. That's one thing, BUT the majority of people don't have medical conditions.

Some might have genetics that make it more difficult to lose weight than other people, but that's life. Those people should focus on eating healthier food and working out a little bit more.

As Jen said, she decided to change her lifestyle, and it worked.

The problem is, the majority of people, specifically Americans (yes I'm American too) are far too keen to lay blame on something else. (ie: "I'm not fat because I eat McDonald's and watch TV every day. It's my genetics, I can never be thin.") Bullshit. Get on a f.g treadmill.

Why is it that in Amsterdam there are no (or very few) overweight people? Because the typical mode of transportation is by bicycle. The Dutch get a major workout in their typical everyday activities.

We, on the other hand, try to get slim by low-fat diets that will make you lose 50 lbs in 3 weeks or whatever. We don't have the attention span or motivation to take on a challenge in the long run, and want results immediately. Hence why we are an extremely obese society.

Not everybody can look like a bodybuilder, but almost everybody can get rid of enough fat so as to not be obese, simply by changing their lifestyle. All it takes is motivation.

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[kelpdiver 2]

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if an obese person wants to be thinner, all that person has to do is use more energy than that person consumes. period.

Have you been obese in the past and had this solution work for you?

It is close to that simple, yes. I've lost 45 pounds in a relatively short period of time by an agressive training program for the Alcatraz Triathlon. Unfortunately, injuries later erased much of that and I get to try again this year. If you get used to a high workout diet, you have to stay with the workouts, or adjust the food if you're on the bench for a spell. Not easy, but the way it goes.

The other factor that I've found to be key is the job. I've done best when I live very close to the office, and am not spending 30-70 minutes a day commuting. That's the amount of time needed to train. Instead you come home drained from traffic and just sit on the couch. That was my job the past 2 years. People don't have total freedom of choice when it comes to earning a living, but may have more choices then they think. If one isn't happy with their job, it will affect their health. They need to find another way.

I have found that a flat belly is probably impossible for me to obtain without lipo. Even at my low of 12% BF, I still will have a little pudge, while my ribs are getting a bit pronounced.

[tigra 0]

Jen,

The basic formula may be simple enough. The execution? Not so much. I doubt losing that weight and keeping it off was even remotely simple for you.

Will you have to and can you live the rest of your life on less than 1500 calories a day, working out 4 times a week while working full time, maintaining a household and raising kids? Nothing simple about that in my opinion. Hats off to you for what you've already accomplished, though.

[unformed 0]

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Jen,

The basic formula may be simple enough. The execution? Not so much. I doubt losing that weight and keeping it off was even remotely simple for you.

Will you have to and can you live the rest of your life on a less than 1500 calories a day, working out 4 times a week while working full time, maintaining a household and raising kids? Nothing simple abput that in my opinion. Hats off to you for what you've already accomplished, though.

Life isn't supposed to be simple. If you have the desire to do something and really want it, you can do it. It's just much easier blaming it on genetics than actually doing something about it.

I have a lot of respect for the guy or girl at the gym who's out of shape or overweight; because it's extremely difficult watching other people succeed and having to work so much harder to get even half of the results. It's never easy, but at least they're doing something about it.

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