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

[penciltop]

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

Ppl are very keen on the faux concern about the weight they can SEE. Its all about the aesthetic really . If it was really about the cost to the NHS visceral fat would be mentioned on this thread a whole lot more.

An ex colleugue of mine is a size 8 She has major health problems from living on junk food and cigarettes. She has blocked arteries and has had to have a stent put in and is in and out of hospital.

But because of the focus on the AESTHETIC that society emphasises all the time she thought it wouldnt affect her. Because the health problems caused didnt/doesnt show on the outside of her body.

Is the concern really about health or is it about the aesthetic?

Steroids don't have to lead to weight gain. They certainly do increase the appetite but they can't make you gain weight. It is responding to the feelings of increased appetite, eating more and gaining weight.

I have friend who has been on steroids for years, she didn't gain weight because she has learned to ignore her increased appetite and distinguish what is real hunger and the steroids making her feel hungry. She drinks more water and eats a LOT more salad to compensate and it has worked for her. Her consultant advised her to do this because too many people just go ahead and overeat ending up with even more health problems.

Want2b

It sounds like there is some great support available there.

BTW, so far I've lost 15lbs with my doctors heavy oversight. I have my first therapist appointment booked for march. I'm keen to address this issue because I never used to have a weight problem so I don't feel comfortable with how my body feels at this heavier weight. I also don't want any eating issues I have to affect my DC.

Well done on your weight loss Want2bSupermum

Want2b Well done. With me i find that if i cut sugar and carbs as much as i can the weight stays off.

helena There is great support available and I had no idea so many people use it. Here in the US you don't get the whole big is beautiful message because quite frankly at a U.K. 16 I'm the fattest person in the room. Yes you get fat people in America but doctors have spent the last decade hounding them, getting them to weight loss surgeries and providing therapy if needed. All these treatments are available on Medicaid (coverage for those who can't afford insurance).

What shocks me is just how thin people in general are here compared to the U.K.. A lot of people are close to vegan as in no animal products except for a small portion of lean meat. Rare to see people eating cheese, ice cream or frozen yogurt.

It's not easy losing the weight. I gained 60lbs with 3 pregnancies in 5 years. I've approached my diet the same way I approach our money. I figured I'm good at money management so I should take that willpower and apply it to food! My doctor doesn't like this approach so I've got to go see a nutrition specialist who apparently comes into the home and sets you up with a weeks worth of meals. I find it a bit invasive and patronizing at times but I'm committed to losing weight and making these changes is going to be uncomfortable.

I went to slimming world but tweaked it a bit to suit me. They keep pushing those bloody muller light yogurts but i refuse to eat them.

Ive just come off another thread about kids being weighed at school and BMI and a poster told the OP that her childs legs are quite large.

My legs were larger at school even before the weight gain. I was called tree trunk legs at school by some of the other kids.

It turned out that i have lipodema inherited from my dads side of the family.

Ive lost weight but that doesnt make a hereditary condition disappear.

More people are fat in America. But it is very concentrated within poor communities.

Im a UK 14 which i think is bloody good considering im carrying some loose skin. And have slightly larger legs than i "should"

I have a gorgeous red lace/black lace Per Una size 14 dress which fits great but i wont wear it because it clings around the belly and its too short.

I have a small waist and big boobs so the 1950s flared skirt style works so much better on me.

And when I asked for help at my GP, I was given a photocopied sheet which basically said exercise more and eat less.

I think those who don't actually know/are in denial are rare. Most do know but are approached on it on a regular basis so develop a coping strategy.

The big boned thing is always written off as an excuse...but even at my thinnest as an adult, I have never been 'thin'. Smallest I have ever been was a 12, though tbf, my waist was tiny, its my hips that are actually very large boned. I looked like a weird cartoon character. Skinny arms and face, larger rib area and shoulders, thin waist, large hips and legs. I feel I actually do look better as a 14/16..and thats not an excuse. MY BMI makes me in the 'overweight' category but apparently my bodyfat is ideal..according to my GP anyway.

I get 'well meaning' people telling me I should lose weight, so I can't imagine what larger people get. I don't try to excuse it, I find a swift, fuck off its none of your business works much better than trying to justify.

brasty Its the same in the UK too. One of the findings of the WIC program has been that the women and kids have much lower rates of obesity. I was like 'no shit Sherlocks'.

Wanking you sound similar to me. If i wear a fitted but flared skirt i can wear a 12.

A blouse has to be an 18. Im a 32HH.

Im usually left with huge sleeves and extra material at the back though. But i cant wear smaller as i wouldnt be able to do it up.

Wanking i have an old college acquaintance who criticises my weight Shes a lot heavier than me And is always giving me diet tips

I have a few stray hairs under my chin which occasionally i get waxed off.
Shes the only one who feels the need to mention them though.

There are people who will go around scrutinizing and looking for physical flaws and faults in others

But they are the ones with the issues.

Oh and my personal favourite was being told i could excercise off loose skin.

My shoulders are quite small. I cant do strappy tops

Helena dove- can you sew at all?
Darting tops will get rid of extra fabric around your waist and tummy, make it look much more flattering.

I don't give much thought to larger people in a critical way. The opposite for me. I'm terrified of being fat. I'm vegetarian, under eat, and I'd LOVE, just once, to pick up something that looks delicious and just fucking eat it but I can't. I tell people I'm a 12. A 12 hangs off my waist and slips down. It's like if I buy a smaller size, I'll think I'm thin and eat too much. I'd never think to comment on anyones weight in case my own issues came up. I love running but it leaves me exhausted. I'm anemic. Ironically I'm pushed to keep it up because people comment on my weight every time it drops. Sorry. Random outpouring

Yeah, that sounds like borderline anorexia... That's also not okay

Take a trip to the City, a smart part of Paris, Cannes etc and you will find most people are slim there. No difference in genetics either. It certainly focuses the mind. A week after returning from France and I am put right off my food. Until I forget about it again.

I found that bigger friends would say "Oh you can eat anything cos you're thin". Did they really think that? I was at the breakfast table with two women, who I've known for years, and they were polishing off the full English plus rounds of buttery toast. I was eating oatcakes & a banana. They assumed that I was on a diet. I've never been on a diet.
Since getting older I've discovered that I just have to eat less as the weight goes on so easily. If you don't watch it, then it really does pile on. I'm not "just thin" or "lucky". The two bigger girls are always either stuffing or starving. There's no short cut. That's what they don't get. Or can't be arsed with, I'm not sure...

pencil That's not actually correct about steroids. High doses and prolonged courses lead to water retention; mood face, fat around the neck and the middle. Of course, they're cheaper than the better, long-term drugs for aggressive autoimmunes disease.

Fatness being such a taboo subject, it's nice to see how you've been dealing with this thread OP.