Day 459 - Latest Rant

So the fattening of the nation is a big topic for everyone.  It is on the news, books, magazines, TV and radio.  And in all of these discussions there is an overriding fatalistic undercurrent about being over weight.  I listened to a talk on NPR where the guest talked about how an obese person has it so much harder and physically because of the chemistry and what not we have to "eat less" and "exercise more" then our thinner partners.  She was saying that if you lost the weight then you would have to eat 300-400 calories less then someone at the same weight as you to maintain it.

I mean really this is suppose to help?  I think a part of the obesity problem is trying to find excuses for it.  So maybe it is genetic, or there is something different chemically or what have you, but it doesn't help to say you are going to have a harder time to keep the weight off.  We already know how hard it is to take it off and keep it off.    I don't need to be validated for being overweight.  I don't need someone to tell me it is physical, and it isn't calories in calories out.  Of course it is physical, but it still is calories in calories out.

Really, it isn't helpful to tell someone that they are going to have a hard time keeping the weight off or losing the weight.  Do you really think that is going to help?  Do you really think that telling me that it is okay that I was overweight because it was a chemical / genetic / what have you, is going to motivate me?  You know what motivates people - success.  Stories about how people took it off.  Stories about how people kept it off.  Who cares if you have to eat less.  If your body is healthy what does eating 300 calories less really mean?  Who cares that I would have to work out an hour and a half instead of an hour.  Just means I will be stronger, more fit, happier.

I think we have looked at weight loss all wrong.  People need to stop blaming, and I mean they need to stop blaming everything, themselves, mom, dad, church, genetics.   Make a decision.  Do it or not.  But it is ultimately a choice, your choice, and whatever you choose it is the right choice at the time.  Really it is.  If you are not ready to lose weight your not going to.   Some people may never lose the weight while others may.   It is all about why you want to lose the weight, and once you know that the how will come.