Suggestion for people giving out weight loss advise

If it was so easy to just eat healthier and add excercize to our diet, obsesity would not exist in this country.

Please, don't assume that everyone trying to lose weight has never considered trying the above. We all have, in fact from what I've read for most of the folks who have lost (or losing weight) that method is the most sucessful method to lose and keep weight off.

But writing it in a post is easier said than done. And when dealing with someone trying to lose weight who is craving sugar like it is the water of life, it's best not to post the obvious because many of us are already having a difficult time trying to lose the weight without someone smacking us with the obvious that we already know.

I have been pretty critical to someone but only because it was just the wrong advice at the wrong time making the wrong assumptions to a gal who wants to put an IV of pure sugar water into her veins. I empathize with anyone who is trying to quit smoking because my cravings are probably just as severe as what you're dealing with but my problem is 10x worse knowing that there is a vending machine mere feet from my desk (along with at least a dozen candy dishes spread about the area).

Maybe this rant is merely just medication for myself to get rid of the rage, but I've seen it many times before including a good friend of mine from college who just doesn't understand why I just eat healthier and excercize more. It's all about behavior modification, but with a major jones for processed food it's 1000times harder than you think.

Thanks for letting me rant!

:rant:

It isn't easy to lose weight. Gods knows I've tried for years. It took me 3.5 years of research and heart searching to decide to have weight loss surgery. It has been successful, I'm healthier than I was, I'm a LOT lighter than I was. I didn't make that decision easily.

It's not for everyone. And not everyone should consider it. It's a LAST resort.

good luck Lynne!

:hug:

for those who are trying to lose weight IMO it's ok...

Some who are overweight don't mind themselves that way, and are willing to accept the increased medical risk. We all take what we deem are "acceptable" risks.

I also had WLS.. it was a decision I came to after fighting with my weight my whole life. I remember that some here told me to just "diet and exercise". Like, "duh! I never thought of that!"

WLS is not for everyone, but I think it's important for us all to realize that the same is true for different diets and different fitness lifestyles. What works for some does not work for others... and NONE of it is easy.

Thank you for your post, Lynne!

I don't want to be, not that it's something horrible because I hear way more positive stories then negative.

I am getting there, it's just amazing how powerful and affected a person can get when they crave processed foods. And you can't imagine how emotionally wrecked someone can get trying to fight those cravings.

I'm glad that you and Aunt (posted above) have had sucess with WLS. I've told myself if I ever reach a certain weight I would seriously consider it but I think I'm 30-40lbs from that option. I know I can do this, it's just mind-wrecking stressful when dealing with it and sometimes well meaning intentions from someone can trip off a major rant

I only meant to say, who is anyone to judge anyone else when it comes to this sort of thing? All options are difficult, even WLS.

Millenia of evolution have designed our bodies to store up energy, in the form of fat, during times of plenty, as opposed to protein which constantly burns calories.

Most people don't become obese because they want to ,it's just that we are all forced into a significantly more sedentary lifestyle, sit in front tv screen to be amused, sit in front of windshield to get around, sit in front of computer screen to get work done...alas.

Certainly not most people's fault but with all the time constraints but it seems like even those individuals with time to spare will do anything to lose weight except actually eat healthy and exercise.

Nevertheless, thanks for reminding us: even advice givers need a measure of willpower and restraint.

but ultimately worth it.
Once you can wean yourself off of anything with high fructose corn syrup you'll start to feel better.

I posted yesterday that my ultimate goal is to eliminate as much processed foods as possible from my diet. Oddly enough I've been eating healthier for most of my meals. I've added fresh veggies for lunch & dinner, I eat Kashi Go-lean for breakfast with fresh berries added and a glass of soy milk. And dinner is usually my standard of grilled chicken, brown rice and a large bowl of green veggies. Hell, I even make my own juice in my juicer (fav being carrot/beet/pear (or apple).

But when I'm at work it's just nuts. I'm stressed and the junk food is so freaking easy to access.

I usuallt take some plain bran flakes, plain corn flakes, sliced almonds and flax seeds and eat it with soy milk (sometimes I add raisins or chocolate chips too)...:)

Sounds like you are doing all of the right things...it's hard, I know..

if I had to eat it plan :puke:

I have two overweight co-workers who have probably spent a bajillion dollars on Weight Watchers and diet books and they never lose any weight, so it's hard for me to stand by silently while they fall for every new diet fad that comes around.

So I say "just eat 20 fat grams or less every day, work out 6 days a week (40 minutes cardio, 20 minutes weights) and you WILL lose weight.

And they get mad at me and keep doing what they are doing. So I'm done.

and like any addict they aren't going to get better until they admit their addiction and get the real help they need. Unfortunately there is a multi-billion dollar industry that feeds on our addiction :cry: It's almost like they want us to stay fat because my fat keeps their wallets fat as I try new fads and what-not!

stress, metabolism, undiagnosed autoimmune diseases and other medical issues can contribute to weight gain and lack of success on diets.

that takes it all off overnight. I tried Atkins and I tried pills. The best thing that worked for me is sensible eating and excercise. Watch portions, definitely lay off processed foods and soft drinks.

It is still the best advise regardless of if we like it or not. We are probably never going to fit into them high school jeans again, but we can be healthy who we are..:)

...in exactly the same terms that any addict would likely describe most other addictions? No criticism, BTW, just an observation that might be helpful-- and from someone who is also currently struggling with a weight problem that certainly isn't pathological! Maybe you should talk to someone who has experience working with substance abuse patients as well as weight loss issues-- perhaps some of the same behavior/habit modification techniques might help you. Your comments certainly made ME think about that....

I've tried OA but it's just like any other weight loss group and was very demotivating. But I've always been interested in the addictive aspect of sugar, which basically affects the pleasure sensors of the brain in probably a similiar manner that even things like Heroin, Cocaine, Cigerettes and many other pleasurable but bad for us addictions have done.

Addiction, in a nutshell, is memory of the first time you ever used that addictive substance. Your brain recalls how great you felt when that addictive substance was used and each time you use that addictive substance again it's almost a memory trigger of that first time you used and how great you felt. Problem is, each subsequent time you use that addictive substance it probably isn't giving you the same feeling as the first time. BUt the brain has a powerful memory of that first time and that's probably where the cravings come in. Maybe if I eat just a little bit more sugar & processed foods, I'll get something close to that very first memory I have. I think there is an amazing science out there of treating junk food addicts in this same manner. But instead our world is filled with bad advice, bad books and bad products and none of them really get the results that we're desiring.

I hate that kind of advice about "just eat better and exercise". People have to look for what kind of exercise is good for them and what they enjoy doing. They also have to completely modify their diet (best if it is a lifestyle change) instead of a quick fix diet. I've been dieting since I was 13-most of them bad diets. I've learned my lesson the hard way.

tell those who are giving such crappy advice:

"Do YOU want to lose 40 lbs of unsightly flab?
THEN CUT OFF YOUR FREAKING HEAD"

I've been on the weightloss roller coaster myself recently. I gained 80+ lbs while on a certain medication, and NOTHING I did helped me lose the weight (went from 140lbs to 220lbs in about six months).

However, I recently changed meds again and I've dropped 20lbs and haven't done a damned thing. Our bodies are very mysterious machines. What works for some won't work for everyone.

I am very proud of you for being so disciplined. IMHO that is what's truly remarkable.

And if anybody tries to give you any crap, send 'em my way. I got a size 13 AAA dress shoe to put in their ass... :P

:hug:

:hi: Any word on how the kitties are doing?

i got another creepy voicemail from the ex-, but i stopped by and saw them wednesday. they're doing pretty well, but they were obviously lonely ;(. i'm getting them either monday or tuesday next week when i move into the new place in st paul. i can't wait!!!!!

how're you doing? :D

keeping my eating and exercise habits the same. :shrug:

It may be another stage of growing older.

i recon the more you obsess about it, the harder it gets. kind of a reverse mind-over-matter thing (matter-over-mind)? :shrug:

If I go back a year or so, it makes a total of ten. I'm pissed.

I fully understand. Granted, I could use more exercise and willpower, but a lot of it has to do with processed and refined food these days (like you mentioned yesterday). Good luck to you.

these same people who give that advice (who I'm sure are ectomorphs) always say that "it's not rocket science to lose weight -- just burn off more calories than you take in."

We'll duh. You're not imparting any profound wisdom. We all know that. The crux of the matter is to DO just that.

I want to say "Eat less and exercise more? You're a friggin' genius! Gee, you should write a book!"

some people like my friend from college are just naturally slim and atheletic and they just assume that everyone should be like that. But in a million years I don't think she means to be hurtful, she just doesn't know any other way.