Posts by helionix

Sorry, but it's probably easier becoming a sumo wrestler.

I mean... I wholeheartedly support your fitness goals.

Original Post by pavlovcat:

Then there's the obvious:

• people with bizarre medical symptoms that want us to diagnose and treat them
• people with eating disorders who want us to tell them it's okay that they ate 12 calories today, don't get their period anymore, or think it's perfectly reasonable to have a fear of certain foods
• people who don't agree with me

I disagree.

Original Post by crazydiamondchrysalis:

Original Post by peaches0405:

Original Post by crazydiamondchrysalis:

I really wish I could elaborate, but I just don't want to.

 That's cuz you only posin' that you know what ur talkin bout.

 yeah? well.. well! So's your FACE!

I wish my face could do that. Teach me how?

I see what you mean, but I also think it's in human nature to be egocentric. The "look at all the starving children in Africa!" deal doesn't always help. Sometimes people need to rant about their petty problems. It doesn't hurt to listen and give them a little boost, yeah?

You're beautiful. Your confidence really shines through your smile, and your tattoo is nothing short of kickass (hehe had to throw that one out there). You're perfectly within your rights to be insecure and bitter one day of your life. Plenty of thin people wish they had your confidence.

That said, try taking a break? Forget about weight for a few days, as weight is overrated anyway and has nothing to do with you as a unique individual. Take the opportunity to reprioritize. Cut yourself some slack, remind yourself why you're awesome, and pwn that job interview. If they're as superficial as to dismiss you for your weight, it's their loss.

For the record, I admire heavier people with cute workout clothes, no matter how "jiggly" they look. If you have it, flaunt it!

Question... do you guys drink diet soda? I find that diet soda really sets me off.

^I know! Ugly things are always hard to accept. To be honest, I felt terrible after solar told me to find my flaws, though I knew he was right. Solar, you made me take a good hard look at myself.

jessica, you're only a few years older than I am! I love hearing how you've regained control of your life. I know so many older people who can't say the same.

I've spent too much darn time on CC today. Will be back later :D

solar: Would it sound better if I said, "You got yourself into this. But it's okay. You didn't know better. Do a better job next time." The sympathy is outright stated. The fault is still there. How is saying "this is your fault" not holding someone accountable?

If you truly examined yourself for faults you will find many more than you believe exist.

Isn't that what it means to be human?

For me, it's a philosophical question. Why are people so afraid to face themselves? Why must the blame always lie somewhere else? Why can't an individual take responsibility for previous actions, learn from them, and be happy at the same time?

trcyh: That is a beautiful story. Your daughter will appreciate you someday and thank you for it. My mom constantly complains about her weight as well, even though she too is slimmer than me, but I have talked to her as I'm afraid she'll negatively influence my younger sister. I too would love to work on my self image for any of my future children.

solar, minda, jessica: I get it. This is why I try not to judge. You never know what someone's been through. Yes, I honestly do think this whenever I see an overweight person, or try to. I can be terribly judgemental, but I'm getting there.

All organisms have a natural right to health. Babies aren't born overweight, and I'd really love to see an overweight deer. That said, life has a tendency to suck. We take the cards that we're dealt and run with them. As solar said, external influences definitely affect us. But even considering the childhood obesity issue, I still believe in personal choice, and so does the rest of our society. Free will is no less diminished in childhood. It's your body. You chose to eat it. In the end, your life has always been and will always be in your hands. Thus, I still feel justified in the statement "you got yourself overweight." Hopefully I can manage to say it with sympathy and understanding. It's not pretty, it may not be helpful, but it's the truth.

I personally think that the responsibility should be more focused on current healthy efforts, and not related to prior weight gain, since it may have been supported by many factors. From depression, medical conditions, genetics, and, yes, poor eating habits, etc.

Point taken. I like your posts. We often have a wildly different take on things, but I've enjoyed the banter.

In jessica's lovely words... take care :)

These posts make me happy to be alive.

pgeorgian, is that your dog? Adorkable.

Original Post by minda_spk:

Taking personal responsibility for weight LOSS is extremely important, as I've stated. Taking personal responsibility for the weight previously gained is not. Or so my research says. As is the point of this post.

I repeat: Are you saying that overweight people shed pounds faster when they're in denial?

It seems sad. Of course comments such as "You lazy glutton" don't help, but "You got yourself overweight" is the truth if you believe in free will. If you're as comfortable in your own skin as you say you are, then the truth shouldn't bother you.

However, point taken. I have never mentioned weight to an overweight person, but I will watch my words in the future.

minda: No no, paragraphs are cool. What I meant was that you had your arguments clearly listed out. Your post looks like it's asking for a good debate, and a good debate is always welcome.

And let's not forget the myth that genetics is bunk and purely an excuse used by the obese to stay obese. Does it really matter than it's been supported by every research effort studying it? I suppose not. And the excuse bit? Turns out those informed of the genetic link find it has a 'relieving' effect that promotes realistic weight loss goals and greater satisfaction with weight loss. Those who were big in self-blame and negative feelings about current weight are most likely to fail at weight loss efforts, and the 'genetics talk,' reduces these feelings (Conradt et al, 2009). So it's true and useful? Now I'm just talking crazy.

Oh, and personality traits aren't related to weight loss. Not even the lazy, unmotivated ones (Poston et al, 1999). Nor is locus of control (whether one thinks they control their live, or the environment does) (Hankins & Hopkins, 1978).

You mention genetics and personality a lot. There comes a point when genetics and personality cease to matter, and overweight individuals must take personal responsibility. The way society sees it, their weight is their own fault. Some of us will point that out because we're sarcastic and blunt like you. (Although your sense of humor is totally cool with me :P)

I'm simply stating that the idea that one must take personal responsibility for their weight and be ashamed for being that weigh is shown to make weight loss more difficult.

No one should be ashamed. Shame won't burn calories. But personal responsibility? Are you saying that overweight people shed pounds faster when they're in denial?

musicalfishmich: Keep at it. I'm really enjoying this :D

Maybe minda IS trying to stir the pot. Look, she even establishes her arguments in quaint little paragraphs. What's the deal?

Minda, I agree with you. But in terms of productive weight loss, what it ultimately comes down to is a question of fate vs. free will. Of course some people have physical AND mental genes that make it harder for them to lose weight. In any aspect of life, select individuals will always be genetically superior. Sad, isn't it?

However, our society is based on the principle that everyone starts out with a clean slate. Everyone makes personal choices. Everyone has free will. And in social Darwinism, that's the way people think. No one cares if your genes suck or your childhood sucked or if your sucky mother kept shoving cake in your face as a little kid. There comes a time when one has to realize, "Gee, I better start taking responsibility for my own body." And even if it's not your fault, you bloody well better start pretending it is.

Now some people might feel better wailing about the genes they were born with, but personally I think it's more productive to accept yourself and move on. Free will is overpowering. Accept what you can't change. Change what you can.

pizzaranch: My heart goes out to your friend. I've always felt terrible for people on antidepressants or any medication that makes them gain weight, as that kind of weight gain really can't be controlled. On the other hand, those who don't work to be thin (genetic condition, forget to eat and then pig out on occasion, etc.) have a mixed blessing. They may be thin, but many of them certainly aren't healthy!

skookum: I hear ya. I don't even mention weight around my friends because it's such a sticky topic. And wow... treadmill everyday, at the end of a 12 hour shift? I'd be smug if I managed every week! The only exercise I regularly manage is walking, which doesn't feel like exercise now that the weather's nice. I hear ya on the heath bars, too. Have you tried Klondike? Stay away. It's evil.

dolphinclick: Thank you. I'm flattered :)

carolally and jgoguen: It's a relief to realize that we're in on this together. Congrats on staying healthy!

Does anyone else honestly engage in food porn? You'd probably get a laugh out of watching me bond with Danish butter cookies. Drool. Inhale.

Original Post by mommakitty:

I now pronounce you "Queen" of nothing important to me.

Hah. Thank you, my dear. I will soon be handing out the soup.

dkiesser: No effin way, dude. I don't know about you, but I'd soon be broke.