Being fat is a choice…is it??
I think we all know where I stand on this issue, pretty sure the answer is a big fat NO. Being fat is not always a choice. We do have control of our lifestyle which can absolutely affect weight on a daily basis, however, to suggest that genetics plays only a minor role is seriously a bunch of crap. Period. The author of the article, “Confessions of a Chubster – The moral crusade on fatties” states, “Being fat is a choice. Genetics plays a role, sure. So does your upbringing. But you do not get fat unless you’re eating more than you need to nourish your body. That’s basic science.” http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-18663-confessions_of_a_chu.html
Basic science in his case obviously provided him without the metabolic challenge that many people, including myself, deal with every day. He says you do not get fat unless you are eating more than you need to. Again, a bunch of crap. I hate to repeat myself but we all know someone who can put away food like there is no tomorrow and stay fit and lean while others who even just think about a pint of Ben & Jerry’s gain 5 pounds. That is just the way it is and, yes, it is science. To put it simply, those people were not born with the wonderfully nondiscriminatory fat gene!!!
He mentions upbringing as contributory but does not elaborate whether he was a chubby kid or not. Back in the years when I was a kid in the 60’s to 70’s, my diet was controlled by what my mother cooked and school lunches. I was always a fat kid. Was I overeating?? No. We did not have an abundance of snacks in house like candy, chips, or other junk food. If we wanted an evening snack it usually would consist of saltines with peanut butter or fruit. Ice cream was a real treat, and certainly not daily consumption, and eating out was a rare occasion. We were not allowed soda with our meals and to really bring home my point, I am from a household where you literally drank juice in a “juice glass” for the portion size. See where I am going with this??
Kudos to the author for losing 100 pounds in 8 months! It once again just reiterates my point that everyone is different and what will work for one may not work for another. I am sure more will agree with me that his success is what is so deftly phrased as “Results not typical.”
Hey! Check out my YouTube video – Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQR5AC-r9qU
With a bunch of butt shots with measurements (yes I said measurements!) coming up to the slow rocking beat of stripper music, my video Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs definitely has the market cornered on making light of being heavy 🙂 Making Light of Being Heavy is a comical book with opinions and observations from a fat chick’s point of view that puts an unexpected and funny spin on dealing with the fat gene!
Until next time, keep laughing!
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- Willpower is not endless…who knew?? (makinglightofbeingheavy.com)
I think a lot of the time, in today’s society, we are just eating what we think are healthy foods due to tons of marketing and media when in actuality they are making us gain weight. Check out my blog post from today about eating REAL foods and see how your lifestyle measures up Good luck to you! http://manfonhealth.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/eat-real-food/
Hi Samantha! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Samantha,
I read your article, and you never mentioned how often and how much you exercise. I am 6′-6″, and I weigh #250, but it’s a weekly fight to kepp it at that. I have to exercise at least 4 times a week for at least 40 minutes. I’m not talking about walking, I mean real cardio work where you work up a heavy sweat! That exercise is in addition to eating right (many nights I have a single can of tuna with 20 saltine cracckers for dinner, or 2 bowls of healthy cereal.
The reason for my reply is the fact that I work really hard to keep from being fat, and here in Alabama I see so many seriously obese people who I believe just don’t want to work hard to keep the weight off. I see children who couldn’t run a mile continuously to save their life. I am very prejudice against obese people (not just overweight, but fat), and have always though that about 90% of obese people just don’t exercise and eat right. I hate people who walk for 15 minutes a couple times a week and call it exercise. If you aren’t sweating, it’s not exercise. Really.
Looking forward to you response. Have a great day!
Hi there, thank you for your post. I am not sure how many of my blogs you have read so I am not sure how familiar you are with my opinion on obesity, however, from my personal experience when a person goes up against genetics you will lose every time. Period. I am overweight and always have been since I was very little and will be until I am very old and I am perfectly okay with that. I was born with the fat gene, plain and simple. In the past I have tried to maintain lower weights by doing exactly what you mention, excessive exercise and eating a very restrictive diet. Any doctor will tell you that 15-20 minutes of exercise 3-5 times a week is acceptable from a medical standpoint and I think to dismiss people who do less than you does not make them lazy, it makes them realistic. I hate to sound cliche here but life is too short and I have better things to do with my non-working hours than excessive cardio workouts and eating a can of tuna with saltines. Like I say in my book, Making Light of Being Heavy, “Am I starving myself? No way! Am I exercising hours and hours a day? No way! Am I still eating Denny’s nachos, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and Chili’s southwestern egg rolls? You bet I am. Am I happy? You bet I am.”
Everyone’s situation is different and it sounds like you have settled into a routine you are comfortable with. So have I. Thanks again for your post!
Kandy
Lol… I understand completely. I misunderstood you.
You have the right to be as realistic as you want to be. Be happy with whatever health level you want to be at, I’ve just lost 2 friends my age that I tried to talk into being healthier. In Alabama here I see so many helth problems related to weight. I’m sure you understand.
I don’t agree with you, but it’s definately your choice to look like whatever you want to.
I appreciate your thoughts. I am sorry to hear about your friends, best wishes to you.
Kandy
There is no such thing as having a weight problem. Just an eating problem. As far as I know, no one has evolved to the point where they can derive calories from air or water.
If you take in more calories than your body requires at your current size and activity level, than you will put on weight. That’s it. Now, someone else being able to eat more and not put on weight doesn’t mean you have some genetic disease. It just mean, well, you’re not a clone of that person, and you shouldn’t eat like them for your body.
If you need to change your portions, do that. It’s that simple. If you choose not to, well that’s a choice. Or maybe you should take up weight lifting. You’ll be able to put on all sorts of size, and your friend who can eat and eat and eat without putting on any size, can cry and complain about there genetics and life being so hard because they eat like you, and they can’t put on size.
Thank you for your comment. You don’t say, but I am assuming you have never had a weight problem. A person who can eat and eat obviously more than their current weight and activity level and never gains weight absolutely has a genetic advantage. Obviously portion size in a person like that is irrevelent so your statement about not being a clone of another person is very accurate, which completely supports genetic differences.
I have had a weight problem. I have lost over 75 pounds, and could still lose more. Yes, a few people out there have a higher metabolism, but not me. But I make the choice of exercising everyday, and eating oatmeal for breakfast instead of a sausage biscuit, and eating the right foods. I understand your position and your choice. I make the choice to not eat everything I want, and to work out hard to look good and be healthy. It’s not easy, but I think it’s worth it.
Some people have to work harder than others, as you pointed out, but I do believe everybody can be healthy and beautiful(and not just on the inside) if they really want to. At least I haven’t met anyone yet (I know there’s like 0.5% of the population with thyroid problems) who’s fat and doesn’t eat ice cream and anything else they feel like. But that’s just my personal experience.
No, you can’t choose to eat Ben and Jerry’s and not work out, and then think you should be thin.
Congratulations on your weight loss!! Thanks so much for sharing. Best wishes to you 🙂
In today’s world obesity is a real problem but one can control obesity through a regular diet and exercise and there are many ways to regulate and check your health those are electronic joggers,torso belts,and even if you get hurted during the exercise you must have its cure also because technologies such as prp injections,trigger point injections and
viscosupplementation injections are also very effective.