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A tough situation, true.
One thing to remember is the difference between REASONS + EXCUSES.
He had a REASON for what led him down the path to obesity.
And a very sad + unfortunate one @ that.
But he made EXCUSES for why letting himself become overweight was okay.
Unfortunately, there are thousands of people who are sexually or physically victimized in their lives (I was), but don't let that stand in their way of leading a happy, healthy life + making POSITIVE life choices.
It's difficult.
But it's your decision to make.
So, yes, it is a choice.
In his case, a tough one.
But he still had a choice.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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I was not, by any means, oversimplifying the situation for everyone.
As I mentioned before, there are thousands of people who cannot help their weight control due to genetics.
Perhaps you are one of these people.
I was addressing those who DO have a choice to make better lifestyle changes (ie. my own mother) + choose NOT to.

Regarding depression, I was referencing those who have clinical depression + are not overweight. People who are overweight + have depression, it is often caused because of being overweight. I know, that's my mom. She wouldn't otherwise be depressed, if it weren't for her physical condition. Squeezing into airline seats, stares, comments, name-calling, sticking herself w/a needle every day, taking dozens of pills several times a day, the fear of going blind or suffering a stroke or heart attack from the diabetes.

It's very likely that some people who are overweight have clinical depression not caused by being overweight. But there are a significant number who have depression because of it. So, in that scenario, the cause needs to be treated, not the symptom (ie. losing weight so you can start to feel better about yourself + minimize the negative impacts it has in your life). But, often times, therapy is needed to pull you out of the depression so that you have the motivation to do so.

None of this is black or white.
It's all shades of grey + every person + their situation is unique.
When we discuss these issues, myself included, we can only speak in general terms.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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A very good point + idea.
Prevention is much easier + healthier way to go about this vs. treatment afterwards.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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I believe the answer is "Yes".
To all of it.
Unfortunately, the American way of life
supports + encourages
their depression, lack of self-esteem + motivation, unhealthy food, etc.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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Depression is a clinical condition.
In most cases, being obese is an individual decision based on life choices.
You cannot compare the two.

I agree w/you regarding anger.
But that is also in the spotlight.
ie. Road Rage.
They don't get a hall pass either.

Being fat is in the spotlight a lot right now
because the current health system crisis.
Skyrocketing costs, etc.
So, if you wonder why so many people are thinking about it,
it's because so many costs incurred are spent taking care of those who make poor decisions.
Like the guy going to the emergency room 5 times thinking he was having a heart attack @ age 20.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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I agree!
So well put.
As I was taught when younger:
We all have choices to make in life.
But be prepared for the consequences.
Positive or negative.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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Exactly.
I'm glad you caught that too.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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Congratulations!
I think you bring up a very good point.
As in all situations,
you have to want to help yourself first.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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YES!
Very well put.

Also, let's think about the KINDS of food that the majority of Americans eat.
Things from boxes. Frozen packages. Preserved mystery things.
We've lost the REAL connection w/food. FRESH food.

I seem to recall a study that was done about the high-fat content of the French diet.
But why they don't seem to have as many problems w/overweight citizens.
If my memory serves me correctly, it had something to do w/how they interact w/food.
The fresh ingredients used. The positivity around food. Social gatherings. etc

Many Americans come home, through a pot of boiling water on, rip open that boxed food, dump, repeat.
Many don't COOK. They REHEAT.
I grew up thinking I knew what it was to cook. Sadly, I was groomed to reheat.

And I am thankful, that I now live in a part of the country that has a strong focus on farmer's markets, fresh produce, local foods, sustainability. It all goes hand-in-hand.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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Exactly.
And if I were part of THAT 5%, I would be upset w/all the people who are overweight due to poor lifestyle choices.
They are overweight for reasons that cannot be helped + are lumped in w/all those who can.
Unfortunate.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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An excellent point, Kat.
There are two nurses in my family who have suffered back injuries as a result of assisting these larger individuals.

Regarding your comment about overweight hurts. It's true. I will never forget the day I was watching television w/her when a prescription med ad (which I think should NOT be on TV as we have Americans self-diagnosing themselves) came on for foot pain. Naturally, my mother has problems w/her feet hurting because of all the extra weight she is carrying. She said "Hey, I should talk to the doctor about that medication."

No, you are just carrying more weight than your joints + feet can support.

Treat the problem. Not the symptom.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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I have a mother who was diagnosed w/Type II diabetes almost 8 years ago as a result of being fat, overweight, obese....take your pick of words for whatever makes you most comfortable. I thought this would be a "reality check" for her + provide some motivation to get her to re-evaluate + change her lifestyle.

Note: LIFESTYLE.

A couple of things that I keep reading in several posts is: "I diet....None have worked....I work out...." I am not certain of everyone's exact circumstance, but I know in the case of my mother (+ thereby it's just a matter of statistics that it applies to others) she runs w/whatever the next fad diet is for a few weeks, or maybe a few months + "woe is me" if she has not had success.

Note: It doesn't take very long to put ON the weight, but it takes MUCH longer to lose it. Even if you're not severely overweight. And when you are severely overweight it makes it much hard to be mobile + do some of the exercises that yield better results of weight loss.

That is why it is a LIFESTYLE change. Changing your eating habits. Your outlook on life. Your ability to set goals + stick to them. Fad diets don't work. And that's why there is the statistic that 95% of the people who diet + lose weight gain it back (as was mentioned in an earlier post).

STOP thinking DIET. START thinking HEALTHY LIVING.
ie. NO fast food.

Now, it is my belief that the government has some responsibility in the current obesity crisis facing our country. A number of mass-produced foods, etc. that make up the bulk of the "meals" in this country are loaded w/high-fructose corn syrups, preservatives + a host of other ingredients that contribute to poor health, low energy levels + a dependency on these "fat foods". They have also catered to large corporations like Kraft Foods, for example (or should I say Morris....as in cigarettes that is now their parent company) making all these non-nutritious foods the staple in the American diet.

And, how has genetically modified foods not made it's way into this conversation.....?

Lastly, there are people out there who genetically have propensities towards being overweight + cannot lose weight on their own. Unfortunately, I think that becomes an excuse or a scapegoat for many who make poor lifestyle decisions.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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