I can't help but think of this and laugh hysterically
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVg5QqJoxuU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVg5QqJoxuU
"Anti-obesity: The new homophobia?"
- Thread starter SeanR1221
- Start date
- Status
The majority of that education is just bad advice and condescension.
Steve Youngblood
Member
The thing is that it requires a transition to planning. You can save a ton of money by buying stuff on sale and stocking up on a variety of things to have options when you've got a good idea of what is both convenient to cook and that your family agrees tastes good, but without planning? You ever go to the store just to buy food to cook for that night? Often times, this route proves to be neither cost nor time effective.
SuperEpicMan
Banned
I think in situations like this the world is crazy. There is nothing healthy or normal about being obese, it is not something that should be seen as okay. There are obviously a number of conditions where an individual is overweight or obese due to things other than lifestyle and choice. But for the large majority of people who are obese or overweight, it is because they have drastically unhealthy lifestyles, and telling people it is an acceptable way of living is wrong.
I used to be overweight when I was a child, but when I was in my mid teens I had a medical condition which caused me to be considered obese, I was around 12 and a half stone at my heaviest (I am also about 5 foot 6, but was probably a few inches smaller at the time). After my health problem was resolved I gradually lost the weight and more and I am now about 8 stone 10.
There may be many people on this site who are overweight, and this subject may be sensitive. But don't think that it is acceptable to live in such a unhealthy state. Unless you really have a severe condition which causes you to not be able to lose weight, weight loss is always achievable with the right diet and exercise, it will make you feel better, live longer etc.
I used to be overweight when I was a child, but when I was in my mid teens I had a medical condition which caused me to be considered obese, I was around 12 and a half stone at my heaviest (I am also about 5 foot 6, but was probably a few inches smaller at the time). After my health problem was resolved I gradually lost the weight and more and I am now about 8 stone 10.
There may be many people on this site who are overweight, and this subject may be sensitive. But don't think that it is acceptable to live in such a unhealthy state. Unless you really have a severe condition which causes you to not be able to lose weight, weight loss is always achievable with the right diet and exercise, it will make you feel better, live longer etc.
brianjones
Member
Kai Dracon
Writing a dinosaur space opera symphony
"Shaming" fat people is becoming increasingly ridiculous in a society that as a whole promotes unthinking lifestyles, structurally encourages bad habits and unhealthy eating, and does everything it can to economically prosper off feeding people poorly and selling them diet plans at the exact same time.
It's like a Mad Magazine strip about hypocrisy. Only it's real. And everywhere.
By that same token, I think there's also an argument to be made that the "fat acceptance" organizations and movements may be playing into the hands of society, while trying to do the right thing in a misguided manner. They are attempting to respond to the hatred and scorn directed at the overweight, but rather than focus on a holistic picture about what's wrong with society, they focus on immediate defense only against mean people.
Some people approach the issue in simple terms, and think that because obesity and poor living are increasing rapidly in the west, everyone should just become more cynical, cruel, rude, and attack-oriented. I don't think that is problem solving.
Rather, the fact that such a society-wide phenomenon is spreading so fast points to sweeping problems that need to be addressed in a far more serious and objective manner than "LOL FATTIES UR STUPID CUZ U EAT LOTS". You don't change that much of society by pointing and laughing, but by engaging people.
In shorter terms, a lot of people who LOL at weight don't seem to have any interest whatsoever in the welfare of the overweight person, though they may pay lip service to it. They are just disturbed and expressing it defensively, by objectifying and dehumanizing the other.
It's like a Mad Magazine strip about hypocrisy. Only it's real. And everywhere.
By that same token, I think there's also an argument to be made that the "fat acceptance" organizations and movements may be playing into the hands of society, while trying to do the right thing in a misguided manner. They are attempting to respond to the hatred and scorn directed at the overweight, but rather than focus on a holistic picture about what's wrong with society, they focus on immediate defense only against mean people.
Some people approach the issue in simple terms, and think that because obesity and poor living are increasing rapidly in the west, everyone should just become more cynical, cruel, rude, and attack-oriented. I don't think that is problem solving.
Rather, the fact that such a society-wide phenomenon is spreading so fast points to sweeping problems that need to be addressed in a far more serious and objective manner than "LOL FATTIES UR STUPID CUZ U EAT LOTS". You don't change that much of society by pointing and laughing, but by engaging people.
In shorter terms, a lot of people who LOL at weight don't seem to have any interest whatsoever in the welfare of the overweight person, though they may pay lip service to it. They are just disturbed and expressing it defensively, by objectifying and dehumanizing the other.
What I do is make a tray of sugar free jello, and have a couple of bites when I get a craving for something sweet.
It's that or berries. Blackberries and cottage cheese, great combo.
Sometimes I'll do a big bowl of plain greek yogurt and add a tablespoon of honey. That's a little bit on the high side for sugar (~20g), but it's very rich and a healthier alternative than, say, cakes or candy bars.
I used to be an overweight kid until I stopped being okay with it. With only diet (AKA learning how to eat) I became healthy and thin in no time. It felt great, really. I see obesity as I see alcoholism and tobaccoism - yeah, it's your body and I respect that you can do whatever you want with it, but don't act like it's not unhealthy. Now, on the other hand, I'm sure body-shaming doesn't help at all and is a jerk thing to do.
I hope you don't talk that way around the people in your life cause it kind of comes off as douchey, just sayin.
spiderman123
Member
On GAF there are tonnes of motivational stories posted in the transformation thread and fitness thread. I myself, is living proof that losing weight is a possibility. Is it worth it, well IMO yes.
DR2K
Banned
The less money you have the less healthy options you get.
crazygambit
Member
I see your point, but I disagree. To get a great job is far more difficult than not being fat and depends on forces outside your control. It depends on the opportunities you had growing up, it also requires skill and intelligence. Being thin doesn't require any of that. Literally anyone can do it, your body is designed to not be fat, you just need to want it.
Most fat people say they wanna be thin, but in reality all they're saying is that they wouldn't mind being thin if it meant they wouldn't have to change their lifestyle. Everyone that wants to be thin, is. It's really that simple. The biggest looser example mentioned above is great. Some can lose they weight faster than others, but the ALL lose weight. If you keep at it long enough you will be thin.
Other fat people actually realize this and decide they prefer being fat than changing their lifestyle. I actually respect that a lot more. No excuses, like it's too hard or that it's impossible, they just don't want to live that kind of life. I myself could stand to lose a few pounds, but I have no interest in doing so. I just have no respect for the one that make excuses, like I'm fat and it's completely outside my power to do anything about it. That's complete bullshit IMO.
Skinless tenders are nuggets now?
Im either in my car or at a clients house. If I didn't pack my dinner before hand, would I not have to stop at a fast food place?
spiderman123
Member
Junior Chicken and a Bacon Cheeseburger is a $1.50
Dreams-Visions
Member
Not sure if serious or just trolling. For the OVERWHELMING majority of overweight Americans, dietary changes and exercise will result in a significant weight loss. For most, the issue is desire, persistence, and direction...not some physical barrier of some sort.
Comparing to homosexuality--which is a natural state and not something that should be changed--is offensive. I assume the author of the article believe homosexuality is a choice to, because being overweight is most definitely a choice for most (those with physical injuries, extreme metabolism issues, diabetes, on medications, etc. notwithstanding). Either that or the author is stupid.
edit: oh, I see this comment was the most addressed. carry on.
I am seeing chicken leg quarters listed for $.79/lb in my local ads.
There are cheap alternatives to fast food.
These are ads from Save a Lot:
A person could eat a pound of chicken and a pound of steamed veggies on $1.79.
Let's do it this way:
would you say that an average American person knows how to quickly prepare a cheap and nutritious meal?
do you think a typical school lunch (remember, this is a place of learning!) would widely be considered "health food"?
do you think the USDA's big push for carbohydrates over every other nutritional group is good for a national diet?
have you ever seen a "low/no fat" candy being advertised as a healthy snack?
It isn't about just educating fat people. It's about educating everyone. There needs to be an expanded focus on health and nutrition, especially in early education.
Buddha Beam
Banned
As a fatty, I encourage people to call me fat or tell me to lose weight. Sure, it occasionally (or even frequently) pisses me off, but I also recognize that I'm not healthy for it. It's hard as hell losing weight and I've been doing it very, very slowly... but I sure as hell don't want a bunch of touchy-feely weenies telling me that it's ok to be be 50 lbs overweight. It isn't and I don't want to fucking die when I'm in my 50's.
BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO
Junior Member
Avoiding obesity does require opportunities, skill, and intelligence - just look at the class/race rates of obesity. Also, bodies are indeed designed to get fat, it's not that women are just far hungrier and carb seeking than men that gives them a higher rate of obesity.
"Most fat people say they wanna be thin, but in reality all they're saying is that they wouldn't mind being thin if it meant they wouldn't have to change their lifestyle." Nice straw man. There's a whole industry based on bad advice, remedies, and gym memberships that's exploiting people's desire to be healthy and treated like an equal human being.
I fucking hate some of you guys sometimes. Shit like this really gets to me. It's none of your business if someone is fat or bald or poorly dressed or dumb. Just stay the fuck away from other people's lives.
spiderman123
Member
Yah but that chicken doesn't come with bread, ketchup, pickles and bacon.
And that's just wrong.
McDonalds for example is expensive as hell. If those people are really THAT poor, they would make their own dinner. Of course that's a bit of work instead of driving to McDonalds and ordering coke + french fries + burger. Yeah, you will need to know how to cook and what stuff to buy.
I mean look at third world countries. No one would say that those people are rich. But it should be pretty hard to find obese people there. If you can only afford rice for example, you will have a really difficult time to get obese.
FallingEdge
Member
Steve Youngblood
Member
OK, I see what you're saying in that regard. But then we just get down to the convenience factor. Whether you work in an office or are on the go, I think most everyone understands that brown-bagging/packing a cooler is an option. But it is one that requires planning and either having already cooked the food, or settling for stuff like cold sandwiches everyday.
That isn't inherently a big problem, mind you. I'm just saying a bit of time, effort, and commitment factors into eating like that everyday. Compare that, for instance, with the convenience/flexibility of eating out somewhere if you're on the go anyway.
brianjones
Member
fast food really isnt that cheap anymore
Alligatorjandro
Banned
If its so wrong why are the poorest usually the most overweight?
GAF is pretty strict on most discriminatory stuff. That's why I post here and not on Youtube.
& the only reply to that post in the entire first page (at least) was in agreement...
dark_chris
Member
fat people are the reason for high gas prices!
But seriously, besides genetics, fat people should control their intake of food. I remember going with a group of friends to get some food. The standard for one plate was 3-4 bucks, but this big guy in our group got $63 worth of food, that was everywhere including next to our plates because he couldn't keep it near him.
But seriously, besides genetics, fat people should control their intake of food. I remember going with a group of friends to get some food. The standard for one plate was 3-4 bucks, but this big guy in our group got $63 worth of food, that was everywhere including next to our plates because he couldn't keep it near him.
Steve Youngblood
Member
Most places -- McDonald's included -- have dollar menus that facilitate incredibly cheap meals if budget is your primary concern. At that point, the only things that really become cost-competitive are things like ramen noodles and crappy TV dinners. Plus, McDonald's gives you the meal cooked!
Erm, transitioning to eating healthier meant that I did do this more often. That I bought less processed foods that were stored for long periods of time and bought mostly for that week rather than for weeks.
Dollar menus were like the goddamn holy grail for food during college. Man ... never again.
Dreams-Visions
Member
I know why the people in my family who are overweight are overweight. It's very simple:
1.) Larger than necessary portions of food.
2.) Extremely fattening foods at virtually every meal, whether cooked at home or fast food. Nobody is counting carbs, calories or anything else. If it tastes good, it will continue to be purchased or made.
3.) Lots and lots of bread.
4.) Zero -- NONE -- exercise. They stand during work, but that's it. Worse yet, they're the types that will do 5 minutes of leg exercises and convince themselves that now they've "exercised for the day."
5.) Several hours of coach potato'ing daily.
6.) Fat family members who quietly provide a comfort zone. How can someone feel the pressure to do something about a growing waistline if most of the people they associate with have also eaten their way to being bigger than they are? Most don't. People you associate with influence you (which is why you should be selective about who you associate yourself with)...or in this case, give you space to feel like it's okay to be overweight. Even that it's BETTER to be fat, and that you should be proud of your weight.
7.) Enablers that don't care about them enough to give them some straight talk.
It's really not rocket science. Unless your metabolism is naturally wonky being made wonky by a medical condition (diabetes, etc), medications you're taking, or injury that prevents you from exercising, the only thing stopping you from losing weight is most likely you and your desire to do so. Most simply need motivation and direction in addition to better dietary choices.
One is mostly self chosen and can be changed, the other is genetic. There's no equivalency here.
Wickerbasket
Member
Poor education on health and geographic restrictions? Can be hard to get healthy food when all the shops near you sell nothing but crap.
Also, being fat is a choice. If you eat too much of the wrong foods and do zero exercise you'll be overweight. I say this as someone who is currently obese (by the BMI scale) and has made changes to my eating habits. I've lost 2 stone in the past 6 weeks from simply eating better, I could have done better but I cheated with food here and there. I'm eating more than I was before, but now I'm eating healthier foods. If you're eating the right kinds of foods you can eat till you're full AND lose weight. I've also saved hundreds of pounds I would normally have spent on takeout and microwave food.
If I'd known eating healthy was so easy I'd have done it a long time ago, but no one ever took the time to explain to me where I was going wrong. My body feels so much better just with that small weight loss, you owe it to yourself to try and eat healthy.
How about just not trying to insult, discriminate and degrade any type of person, huh?
Buying ingredients separately and preparing food yourself is a cheaper, better value than McDonalds. But I understand the appeal. It is difficult for many people to not eat the marshmallow.
The argument is more about immediacy and convenience than it is about money.
A Gay person can try and 'act straight', a minority could try and pass as white and an obese person can lose the weight. It doesn't mean they should be on the receiving end of bigotry, end of story. Fuck comparisons.
what was he eating? did he eat that amount/way before becoming fat? if you don't know you shouldn't judge.
I don't believe in giving fat people shit, but the comparisons in that article were ridiculous, and I can't believe I wasted my time reading the whole thing.
Gaf has made me have one concern about universal healthcare and that is how many people want to legislate their personal lifestyles onto other people on the grounds that it is costing them tax money. People are fine with euthanizing yourself, but your ass better not drink cola or eat McDonald's.
Gaf has made me have one concern about universal healthcare and that is how many people want to legislate their personal lifestyles onto other people on the grounds that it is costing them tax money. People are fine with euthanizing yourself, but your ass better not drink cola or eat McDonald's.
Well, I'm fat. And I know I would be healthier, fitter and more attractive if I lose the extra weight. However, in order to do so is not enough to eat healthy and exercise regularly, which I do. I have to starve if I want to lose the extra weight (spent way more calories that the ones I consume). And I'm not afraid of working for it, however I do believe that the extra pressure of not enough nourishment would be detrimental at this point in my time. Once I get more stable on my career I plan to do it.
My peers drug themselves with massive amounts of nicotine, caffeine and alcohol in order to keep up with the work load, I don't. However, I do indulge myself with not dieting at this point of my life. I do exercise regularly and eat healthy, I don't drive, I jog to work and back. I do 1k crunches every night. I don't eat seven cheese burgers every night either, I only drink water and sugar free tea. But I have decided to give my body all the calories he request in order to be comfortable. Does that makes me a lesser human?
So? They are still calories.
Dice
Pokémon Parentage Conspiracy Theorist
Those saying that it's hard for poor people to eat healthy need to meet some Vietnamese friends I have. Rather than it actually being too expensive, it's far more likely that they think to eat vegetables they have to buy some cheese or sugary sauces to go with them. Don't even get me started on how common alcohol consumption and smoking is in these "too poor to eat healthy" demographics.
Also, I've been poor most of my life and when that made it annoying (not impossible) to only go with healthy options, you know what I did? I ate less to counter for the shitty calories. It's called self control. Those whining about how helpless of a situation their obesity is annoy me about as much as religious people who deny scientific facts staring them in the face. I don't attack them, but you damn well bet I lose all patience and sympathy and become cynical. They can go ahead and fix their shit on their own whenever they decide to face reality.
dark_chris
Member
Soups, chicken, turkey, sandwiches, tacos, etc. I can't remember cause i counted about 10+ plates (and it was about two months ago). He also got three plates of dessert. No one said anything but the two girls i was sitting in between both told me they felt like their artery was gonna clog up just looking at all the food he was gonna eat.
- Status