Why do some people (mostly women) talk about losing weight or supposedly not being able to lose weight, when it's obvious that they're not really bothered by it? If they were, they'd educate themselves on how to lose weight.

It's really not that hard, but you'll have to get off your ass and do some reading first. Hell, you can do all that while you're sitting at the computer anyway. Don't even need to move around for that.

It's simple, if you consume less calories than you burn on a daily basis, you'll lose weight. If you eat more, you'll gain weight. If it's the same, you'll stay at basically the same weight, possible with some minor fluctuations between seasons.

You don't even have to cut out fatty foods from your diet. You should, cause it's healthier, but you'll still need to get about one third of your calories from fats, preferably unsaturated fats ofcourse and also a good amount of Omega 3.

Anyway, there's no need to get into details right now, but not eating is the worst thing you can do. Just keep track of all the calories you're consuming for about a week, then you add them, divide by 7 and you know what you're eating on an average day. Take off 500 calories, be a little more active and you'll find yourself losing weight in no time.

Perhaps you'll need to cut off another 500 calories after a few weeks and bump up the intensity of your daily activities (brisk walking, cycling, whatever you like). When you've reached your "ideal" weight, bump up your calory intake carefully and when you notice you're staying at the same weight you know your maintenance intake.

Screw all those fancy diets by people who just want to make a quick buck. Same goes for all those shakes, meal replacement bars/shakes etc. Just spread it all out over 5 small meals a day, drink plenty water (minimal of 8 glasses) and you'll be fine.

Now if I see one more person whine about not being able to lose weight I'm going to that ass!

Human beings eat for reasons other than energy/fuel. There are many emotional issues linked to eating that override our rational mind. "Knowing" and "doing" the right things in life are not the same thing. People know what they're not supposed to do, they know what's bad for their health, yet there is pleasure or some pay off or need being met, so they continue the behavior. Often it's not even conscious behavior on their part.

If it all was as simple as you make it out to be--that it's just a matter of education--the weight loss issue wouldn't be as large a problem as it is. I highly recommend some Human Behavior or Psychology courses, if you're truly interested in the "whys" of it all...

Damn dude

... Talking from experience...
I once carried a max of 115 kg and got it down to 68kg, now steady at 78.
The problem is that humans live according to patterns set during the years and it takes more than eating a bit less and taking that walk - of course, that's part of the plan, but you really need to turn your live and eating habbits upside down. I was so busy doing two jobs I hardly had time to eat or sleep. By the time I got around to a normal clocked life my body was used too taking in less food and I had no prob in eating less.

a couple of pointers...

1) eat 5 times a day, ofcourse not too much and not too fat, but not eating results in a slowdown of your metabolism, and that's the last thing you need.

2)Avoid meat, certainly red meat. Stick to a litle once in a while. Eat more fish.

3)same goes for bread, rice, pasta's - keep those limited, maybe every other day and in small quantaties.

4)don't avoid things you really have a craving for, because trying to stay away from them for a long time will result in eat-attacks. I looove choclat, so I ate tiny portions of it daily. No coockies though; the dough things are really bad.

5)Eat a lot of soups (without thickening flour). They contain loads of water and veggies, and they fill the stomach.

6) Drink a lot of water.

7)try to have the heaviest meal during the day instead of for diner. You're more lickely to work of that food during the day then what you eat at a later hour.

8)Have diner around 6 or 7... not at 9 or 10.

9)Try to have at least a 30 minute walk; bikeride every evening. You'll digest better and sleep better.

10) Eat loads of veggies and fruit. I hate fruit so I tried a kiwi once in a while and made sure i got enough fiber from the veggies. Eating vegetarian, and less, gives you some room for experimentation and you learn which foods you digest easier and which make you feel stuffed or uneasy.

I'm no foodcouncelar, but this worked for me.
[This message was edited Fri Sep 5 0:00:24 PDT 2003 by zobilamouche]

AnotherLoverToo said:

I disagree. People usually think they need to eat less, which only helps them to lose weight in the first few weeks. After that their body will adapt to the new situation which can even lead to them gaining weight again while they're actually eating less than before.

As for the psychology. Sure, that's part of it, though the funny thing is that if you don't break the cycle you'll end up getting bigger and bigger and feel worse. Besides, I think sociology might shed some more light on the situation as the problems seem to be more serious in certain countries (or even ethnic groups within one country) than others. But you're right. People who are seriously overweight have a lot of other issues, but the majority of people I'm talking about are 30-40 lbs overweight and would like to "tone down" as they call it.

Far too often people blame it on slow metabolism or whithout them knowing what that really means and what can be done about it. In our society we tend to look for reasons behind things, but not in order to understand the problem and fix it, but to use it as an excuse. Knowledge is the key (ironically you seem to agree with me on that), whether that's knowledge of psychology, sociology or physiology in relation to weight loss we seem to disagree on, but if you know what's wrong, it's much easier to tke care of it.

Zobilamouche I have to say you did a great job though. I'm 100% sure you feel a lot better these days and still get to eat plenty of things you used to before, just in moderate amounts.

I'm not saying my lifestyle is the way to go, 'cause in fact it is very unnatural (bodybuilding that is), but it does shed some more light on the principales of weight loss. If you're happy with a few pounds extra, that's cool too. It's not worth developing an eating disorder over which will do more harm to your body than 25 lbs of extra bodyfat. Just do what you think needs to be done. Don't just say it because you feel that's what people are thinking when they look at you.

For the women who have had children and can't loose the weight... and or have had bouts with baby blues that lead into clinical depression. Have your hormones checked!!! I cannot express this enough and most doc's do not test your hormones if problems occur after birth.

The problem lies in progesterone depletion- progesterone helps regulate weight and mood.After my kids were born my body stopped making progesterone for some reason and it took me four years to find this out!! I worked out i ate healthy- and still I was 200 #'s and depressed. Once i found a Doctor that knew what to do- my life changed dramatically in about 2 weeks! He put me on a compounded natural progesterone, suggested to stay away from all white breads and flours, and continue my excercise program... I am now about 125#'s I feel great! I am maintaining without the progesterone now and using a mild 2% cream. it only took about 2-3 months for it all to drop off. I have seen many women go through this and it has been linked to progesterone deficiency (estrogen dominance).

This whole xperience has upset me,all the overweight women with children and depression do not have to be on prozac or be unbearable to live with! Progesterone cream in itself can also help with PMS!!!

And of course follow the advise above- eat healthy, excercise, drink plenty of good water and get good rest as well.(also take time for yourself!- don't try to make everyone around U happy- make yourself happy 1st!)

and an extra tip for those that are choosing a healthier lifestyle and want the weight to come off as well as the cellulite...L-Carnitine! it is an amino acid that our body starts to stop making if you have had BAD eating habits. L-Carnitine takes stored fat and moves it into the muscles to be burned as fuel/energy. take it 20 minutes before excercise- it is not a caffeine substance and does not have the effect of ephedra! And it is not a diet pill!

there is a book called the Carnitine miracle by: robert Crayhon, M.S.

Carnitine also promotes heart health, brain wellness and longevity!!!

so yes by all means...read!

all the best to those who are currently trying to transform themselves...never give up!

EvilSkittle said:

I think maybe you and I are talking about very different things. You seem to be focusing on how to lose weight and why people aren't successful and complain. Whereas, I'm talking about emotional barriers to changing unhealthy behaviors, whether it's overeating or smoking cigarettes or refusing to wear a seatbelt.

Paisley said:

Double damn dude

kisscamille said:

Why's that?

EvilSkittle said:

Chill dude. :LOL:

EvilSkittle said:

Commie!

AnotherLoverToo said:

EvilSkittle said:

imo it's actually harder to gain weight than to lose it.

think about it. all that time, money and energy devoted to eating. . .

AnotherLoverToo said:

co-sign, Carrie... you're dead-on!

irresistibleb1tch said:

So are we once again back to making excuses? I can talk about what I want to talk about. This is a thread I started and I wanted to vent about the issues I have with certain people. I could also talk about how some people believe everyone has some sort of disorder these days.

In fact eating healthy can also help you deal with things like depression. If you think seeing a shrink will help, good for you. Whatever it is you think you need to take care of, just do it.

EvilSkittle said:

I'm a little puzzled at your tone. No, "we" are not making any excuses, "I" was just pointing out that you and I seem to be looking at different parts of the same equation, in the way we view the role of human behavior with weight loss. I never attempted to silence you or not let you voice your opinion--just because we don't view things exactly the same doesn't mean one of us must be silenced or conquered, "right" or "wrong". I also never recommended that anyone who wanted to lose weight should see a "shrink"--what I said was that since you seemed to be interested in "why" people complain but don't do anything, that perhaps study in the area of psychology would be helpful.

who's a fatty boomba?

EvilSkittle said:

I hear ya EvilSkittle. For example...I get frustrated being around stupid people, when all they have to do is pick up some books and learn a little.