Boris declares war on fat

[Weallhavevalidopinions]

Boris has said his being overweight contributed to his problems with Covid-19.
Stories this morning suggest he will wage war on fat...

What type of help do you think might be suggested?

Have you decided to lose weight due to Covid-19 worries?

YABU - no I will not lose weight due to Covid worries
YANBU - I will lose weight due to Covid worries

@Lockheart it was sertraline. Never again, still got the stretch marks to show for it.

Well I hope he’s going to allow gyms to open ASAP then. Otherwise we run the risk of More people dying from obesity related issues than Covid.

@Guylan I’m on sertraline which increases the appetite for some people, I just slightly increased my low calorie food and slightly decreased my high calorie food.

People need to take responsiblity for themselves, lots of posters saying schools should be teaching cookery, local authorities should be running weight clubs etc. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. Local authorities are terrible at successfully delivering this type of thing.

The easiest way would be to do it via direct contact points where there is a captive audience - doctors and schools (for children). There is way too much pussy footing around on this.

I do miss my gym actually... I never thought I'd say that! I've done very little proper exercise since lockdown.

I work long hours and live in a houseshare. My bedroom is already my office as well. I'm reluctant to turn it into my gym too. Plus it just doesn't have the equipment

The other issue is research into how people can maintain weight loss, as seen from me as well as PPs, it can go on as well as come off unless you change your diet permanently.

I really need to lose some weight and get back into my former athletic level of fitness.

Lockdown has been a nightmare for me as I cannot access the gym or water based exercise.

I have fat I need to lose but also have a lot of muscle so hard to know exactly how badly I will fare with Covid

Boris, marmite man, like or loathe he has said me being FAT made things much worse. I suspect Chris Whitty was unwell but being of the drink of water thin brigade got better quietly and privately. Ditto Matt Hancock. Covid loves FAT people. So either stay isolated or lose the fat. I say this as a FAT person.

I’m at the towards the top end of overweight. I lost almost 2.5 stone and felt so much better but I have put it back on.

If I’m honest I want to lose weight because I like the way I look when I’m slimmer. I can’t do the things I want or feel comfortable in my skin at this weight. If I put a few more pounds on I know it will really affect my quality of life - my joints will ache, I will feel sluggish and get breathless easily.

The stories about covid-19 and obesity wouldn’t necessarily spur me on to lose weight. I already know how unhealthy it is to be overweight. It’s good to raise awareness though. I think as a society we shy away from talking about the strain Obesity, or even being a bit overweight, puts on the NHS. It’s easy to talk about smoking but harder to talk about obesity. It feels more personal, more insulting.

Would you have lost weight if Lord Corbyn had suggested it? I'm no Corbyn fan but to be fair he is a better role model than Johnson when it comes to weight. He looks a healthy weight to me. I didn't realise he was a Lord now, when did that happe?

He needs to tackle the food industry then

I think people are well aware of the difference between healthy and unhealthy diets but don't care. I understand gyms are very intimidating for some but diet is more important for weight loss.
I know a lot of people whose health has been impacted by their weight yet they get annoyed if their GP brings it up. They prefer to have a prescription for high cholesterol, blood pressure etc and continue with takeaways and alcohol.
We have a friend who has been warned by GPS about his alcohol intake and smoking for years. He never maintained any changes. He recently had a massive heart attack and two stents fitted. Thank goodness he pulled through. He and his wife are full of praise for the NHS. Yet he's still smoking and drinking. I think that's a slap in the face to the NHS. His care will have cost thousands. Yet he could end up back in hospital again. If you had to pay out of your own pocket, you might think twice.

If we deny people NHS care or make them pay up front if they are overweight they might start eating less or skipping a meal a day. We have tried too many carrots. Now is the time for sticks to save the NHS and help nurses.

Or may be we could have a 10% tax/NI flat tax rate only if your weight is within the healthy range.

@Lockheart your theory has been disproved many times. Our bodies are not sealed chambers go listen to Jason Fung explain why it's NOT as simple as calories in v calories out

I think it is good that Boris is the one that has said about this as he obviously struggles with his weight so hopefully he will also be carrying on trying to lose weight and it is more encouraging then. I think if Matt Hancock had said about losing weight people would just think well you are skinny anyway and can probably eat what you want and likely ignore it.

I was shocked when I read that obesity is the second biggest risk with Covid apart from age and it's really scared me. I'm trying to lose weight at home but I have a serious issue with sugar (especially chocolate) and with 2 kids in the house not buying it isn't really an option.

I am 5ft 6 and weight 14.8 stone which makes my BMI 33 and that makes me want to cry, I feel like it's a mountain of weight to lose and with Covid around it's like I'm against the clock. I'm terrified and I know I should have been before because of the risks of Cancer, heart disease etc but they weren't knocking at the door like Covid is.

If anyone has any tips that would be great! My Dh has hired me a treadmill which is coming next week and we are going on lots of long walks.

@Xenia We have tried too many carrots

I mean nobody ever got fat eating too many carrots... unless you turn them into carrot cake

There should be better info provided for patients about this. And when someone gets this type of medicine a visit to dietitian or trainer would be great. A single visit can make difference on how people handle it.

@OmgThereAreNoPlanesAboveMeNow, yes, would be a good idea for some. I am bedridden and can’t exercise so a personal trainer wouldn’t help for me personally. I loved being active before I got ill. Hardest thing not being able to exercise. I have always cooked healthy meals and now my carer does for me. Chocolate is the one area I need to regulate better at times. A little bit of good quality chocolate helps me keep it down but portions have gone up recently!

Oh, and there is no scientific evidence showing that people have different metabolic rates

Yes there has. Plenty. Stop spouting such crap.

@Candyflosscookie

*just out of interest, do you mind saying roughly how old you are? It's interesting because I was similar to you when younger. Stick thin teen and twenties, could eat (and drink!) whatever the heck I wanted and never went above a size 10. Exercise was intermittent and I lived a party lifestyle into my early 30s. Never any issues with staying very slim.
I'm not sure if it was simply ageing or having DC in my mid 30s but when I hit 40 BOOM it all changed and I've had to really fight hard to keep my weight in check.

Just wondered if you're older and still have the metabolism of a youngster. Very jealous if you do*

Not at all, I’m late 30’s candy. I’ve got two children. I’ve got that ‘bit’ of overhang on my stomach since having my kids so I’ve certainly not got a flat stomach but I don’t think there anything that could get rid of that- and I’m too lazy to care lol.

I am actually heavier now than I was when I met DH. I’ve probably put on about 3/4 of a stone on in about 5 year’s. I definitely do put it on, but not as fast as some people do.

Used to weigh 8 stone 10 where now I’m more like 9 stone 5. Just crept up gradually over the years. My skinny jeans were all size 8 where now they’re all 10 and probably a bit too snug.

Must say though, I drink more alcohol these days. So assume that plays a role in extra weight gain. I drink pretty much every Friday and Sat (not on a work night mind) obviously within reason but still calories that I would have never consumed.

I also think I’m much more comfortable with my DH so I’ll eat everything and he just shakes his head... and actually gets annoyed with me as he Sats you might be slim but it doesn’t mean your healthy and he’s right.

My mam was about 7 wet through however my auntie was and gas never been slim...

I plan to lose weight but lockdown is also messing with my mental health so am finding it a bit of a struggle right now

How many shocks do people need though?

Corona, diabetes, heart disease, joint problems... Just put down the fucking Krispy cremes and be accountable for your own health.

@AmelieTaylor it's not my theory, it's basic physics.

You can't make something out of nothing.

We are not plants. We can't photosynthesis calories out of sunlight. We have to eat them. They don't appear out of nowhere.

Being overweight makes you at risk of early death already. Are people that irrationally afraid of coronavirus that this will make them get healthy when cancer, heart disease and dementia didn't?

Add diabetes to this. I agree.