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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wonder why some people are in denial about their weight?

688 replies

penciltop · 21/01/2017 08:48

Not criticising anyone here but just wondering.

I had a morbidly obese friend who says she is that size because she is muscular and has 'big bones'. I don't comment but she clearly has a lot of fat on her body and she does overeat.

I have come across other people too who say people are healthier these days so are going to be bigger. People say it is because of genetics. Everyone is overweight in their family and that is the reason they are.

I know weight loss isn't easy - trying to lose weight myself! - but surely pretending it is because of reasons outside of your control isn't going to help. People keep telling me I am fine and I don't need to lose weight. Err yes I do according to BMI. I am in the overweight category

Not denying the reasons for people who have real medical reasons such as disabilities or because of medication

OP posts:
hoddtastic · 26/01/2017 16:47

this thread proves the OP's point. It's crazy.

AssassinatedBeauty · 26/01/2017 16:56

hodd what is crazy?

Original poster
penciltop · 26/01/2017 17:46

Does anybody need the amount of food that is recommended?

This really rings true. I now eat 75% less than I used to. The body doesn't need as much food as people think.

People who restrict their calorie intake live longer lives

OP posts:
Bibblewanda · 26/01/2017 17:54

People who restrict their calorie intake live longer lives

Source?

Original poster
penciltop · 26/01/2017 18:17

Source?

Look at research by Dr Valter Longo, director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 26/01/2017 18:26

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Best

HelenaDove · 26/01/2017 18:28

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Elphick

hoddtastic · 26/01/2017 18:53

the one in a thousand whatabouterys, the anecdata... all of it. madness.

AssassinatedBeauty · 26/01/2017 19:05

Why do you think obese people minimise or deny their size hodd?

Gwenhwyfar · 26/01/2017 19:09

"I see some of your comments as very judgemental about overweight people"

That's your opinion. I don't accept that criticism at all. I haven't blamed or judged anyone for being overweight. What I've said is that it's a problem we need to acknowledge and we need to acknowledge eating problem's role in it rather than go on about big bones or whatever. I do eat emotionally sometimes and I'm pretty sure that once the menopause hits I will end up at least a bit overweight. Nowhere have I said anything nasty about people who eat too much.

Gwenhwyfar · 26/01/2017 19:14

"But gwenfahr if being slightly overweight isn't bad for you then what does it matter if you're in denial anyway?"

Because it's a slippery slope. People tend to get larger with age (up to a certain age at least). Those who are overweight as teenagers have a risk of being much bigger by middle age.

Gwenhwyfar · 26/01/2017 19:18

"Gwen society's alcohol consumption is also a nationwide problem... But yet you're justified in drinking but overweight people should be vilified?! "

Eh? Nobody has vilified any overweight people on this thread!
Similarly, nobody has justified binge drinking or alcoholism. Excessive drinking is highly criticised in our society, just listen to complaints about them using A&E, much worse than any complaints against skiiers or others who take part in risky sports, for example.

Gwenhwyfar · 26/01/2017 19:21

"I strongly believe that the government has a responsibility here."

Yes, more regulation on food. Subsidies for healthier food and tax on the unhealthy food. Healthier school dinners, better education and more quick options for healthy food.

HelenaDove · 26/01/2017 19:23

"Because its a slippery slope" But the same can be said for drinking.

On another note ............im a hell of a lot smaller in my 40s than i was in my 20s. I even had a GP crack a joke about it "You do know its common to put on weight as you get older Youve got it all wrong" Grin

I suspect i may be approaching menopause so i will continue to be careful about what i eat.

But i will be doing my reading up on HRT and will be approaching the NHS about it if HRT may be suitable for me in the future.

Gwenhwyfar · 26/01/2017 19:27

""Because its a slippery slope" But the same can be said for drinking. "

Could it? I thought those with the tendency for alcoholism knew it right from beginning to drink. I don't think the average person becomes more of a drinker as time goes on in the same way that most of us get fatter.

FizzBombBathTime · 26/01/2017 21:16

Gwen overweight people have been accused of minimising/denying their obesity. Amongst other things. Yet you're someone that can't even socialise without alcohol... You don't see that as an equally big problem? I expect your liver does.

Gwenhwyfar · 26/01/2017 22:08

Fizz, saying some people are in denial is hardly vilifying is it?

I find it difficult to socialise without alcohol and no, I don't see that as an equally big problem as I drink less than the average British person. I don't see why my liver would be worse than the next person's.

SugarLoveHeart · 26/01/2017 22:56

formerbabe, I have a friend who's exactly like your old flatmate. Ate absolute rubbish when we were in school, had an amazing figure (but terrible skin). Still the same after two kids & pushing 40 now, wearing exactly the same clothes she did in the 90s! Known as a thoroughbred, that's what her family say. Her dad was the same.

HelenaDove · 26/01/2017 23:12

Gwen this thread is titled "To wonder why some ppl are in denial about their weight" Ppl who are in denial about their drinking sometimes minimise it as well.

Your liver is more likely to be worse than mine. Im a teetotaller who has never been drunk.

Gwenhwyfar · 26/01/2017 23:21

Helena, my liver might well be worse than yours, but still as good as or better than the average person. So what's your point? Are you trying to make out I'm an alcoholic because I'm a very moderate drinker and you don't drink at all?

tararabumdeay · 26/01/2017 23:39

Some of the 'thinnest' people I know are not healthy...
Some of the 'fattest' people I know are very healthy...
Some of the youngest...
Some of the oldest...
Some of the poorest...
Some of the richest...

All that matters is they are people and should be celebrated because it's only a short time to be here.

WorraLiberty · 26/01/2017 23:41

Obesity can cause the same kind of damage to the liver as alcohol abuse.

Although I'm not sure moderate alcohol consumption, can be described as 'alcohol abuse'.

Interesting link here

HelenaDove · 26/01/2017 23:52

Im not saying you are an alcoholic at all Im simply asking the same question as the OP is in her OP and applying it to drinking

Gwenhwyfar Thu 26-Jan-17 22:08:00
Fizz, saying some people are in denial is hardly vilifying is it?