If you are overweight, what, in your opinion, made you that way?

[SistemaAddict]

There's been lots of threads recently about weight inspired by the government trying to crack down on obesity yet encouraging us to eat out and posters bemoaning the lockdown lard/pandemic pounds. There has been lots of discussion about the causes of obesity or being overweight due to societal and financial factors but I wanted to ask what posters think made them either overweight or obese because reasons will vary. Certain medications and conditions can cause weight gain and/or make it harder to lose weight and the peri-menopause/menopause doesn't help.

I stopped breastfeeding a year ago and my appetite didn't return to normal after stopping so I gained weight. Then my asthma was bad from October onwards and my ability to go on bike rides was limited. Then lockdown and shielding and my 5 mile school hike up and down big hills went out of the window and I ate too many biscuits and chocolate and would eat in the evening while reading or watching tv. I gained around a stone and that took me into the overweight category.

In June I decided enough was enough and started 16:8 and limited myself to around 1250 calories a day. I bought a fitbit and started using my fitness pal. Both encouraged me to go on walks with the dc and to take more trips up and down the stairs than were necessary to meet my target of 25 flights a day. I stopped eating after dinner, watched my portion sizes and cut out most of the junk I was eating. I'm now a normal weight with a BMI of 24. I'm carrying on with my healthier lifestyle and improved habits but it's hard especially in the evenings when I want chocolate. My aim is to get to a BMI of 23 as that is where I look and feel best.

I don't want this to be a judgemental thread, or for anyone to fat shame posters, I just wanted to share my own reasons for weight gain and ask others' experiences because it's a very individual thing beyond "too many calories in vs calories out" and it can be very complex.

Wine, mostly- then the munchies from drinking wine.

Issues from being withheld food as a child and near starvation as a teen if we hadnt have shoplifter food. All of which had an emotional impact of course and resulting in an addiction to food as an adult.

Poor diet as a child, PCOS and depression.

Before children I went to the gym 2-3 times a week and went out most evenings. Due to having no spare time, money or childcare I can't do either of those things. On top of that, being at home every night, breastfeeding, exhaustion etc, most evenings are now spent snack in hand. And bug portions too (why have a fun size when you can have a family size, right?)

I used to go for 10 mile walks at the weekend, but most were inaccessible with a buggy, or impossible with a toddler.

So in summary, change in lifestyle, evening boredom, bad sleep, lack of time, money and energy, greed, portion sizes, aging metabolism...

Homeschooling a 13 year old made reach for the late night pringles! Roll on September when she can go back to school

My grandad was a peado, I am scared of aggressive sexual attention, being fat helps me stay invisible.

I suffer from depression. It makes me eat because some days it's the only thing that makes me feel good.

Hard core medication, plus under active thyroid and a liking for beer

Antidepressants, joint problems, turning 40 and the gym closing for lockdown. It’s open again now but only during the hours I’m working which is not helpful...

Brain tumour prompting an excess hormones caused me to out on a massive amount of weight and I am still struggling to lose it 14 years later. Its not as easy as people for most make it out to be, but for those with medical problems and medications it is damn near impossible.

I love food and wine, I hate exercise. I do it from time to time, but I hate it!

Add in boredom and being stuck at home after work because of small kids and H being out 5 nights a week and I truly ballooned over 10 years.

Pregnancy, followed by an under active thyroid, followed by emotional eating.

By the BMI calculator I'm overweight. I found it really hard to put weight on when younger then got into a relationship that made me happy got out of the underweight category and then had 2 babies very close together and the fact I work at McDonald's doesn't help 🤷🏼‍♀️

The usual reasons plus an underactive thyroid and lipoedema, a hormonal, hereditary condition which starts off affecting the legs, then can progress to the arms and other parts of the body. It is a particular type of fat which cannot be lost by diet and exercise. Hereditary plays a part with body shape and weight in many cases.

Ultimately it’s because I like biscuits and wine and bread (I could go on)
I’m not motivated to exercise

I’m 40 soon and determined to lose a stone but I’ve been looking to lose that stone for years so.......

I have a very sweet tooth. I could happily eat cake for dinner, start my day with a big bar of choc.
Tbh I'm surprised I'm not bigger and no doubt it would catch up with me. I'm a size 14.. 5ft 4. And 12.4st.

Lack of sleep really really affect me.. If the kids have had me up.. I crave the quickest sugar fix. Despite having healthy high energy foods in the kitchen. I'd sooner grab a cake.

I made a very large choco cheesecake the other day... It was gone by the next day.

A few weeks ago. I really felt frumpy. I was sooo good for 3 weeks. Literally one small treat a week. And only. Lost 1lb.
Years ago I'd of lost way more.
So gave up.. No will power!

Only myself to blame.

I eat too much and I don’t have the time or motivation for exercise!

I like eating nice food. If you eat all of the nice food you get fat. If you eat some you stay the same weight, if you hardly eat any you lose weight.

I need to find new 'nice food's that are less calorific, but I've been baking again today, and am slow cooking a shoulder of pork (with crackling of course) tomorrow.

Sometimes fat people just like good food.

Loving food and placing my happiness around consuming it over my value in my weight and appearance

Genetics has an effect. My father was big. Big personality (a bit of a bully) and diabetic. Growing up in Africa I was always told to finish your supper as there are ‘so many starving children’. Portion size always excessive, which has led to me not really knowing what a ‘normal’ portion is, hence my children (now adults) also being overweight. I paid for bariatric surgery last year and have lost 3 stone. But it’s all portion size. Now hubby and I share, for example, a chicken breast, third for me and 2/3 for him. Also, I’m not afraid to leave food if I’m not enjoying it.

Anti depressants and boredom eating

Having children - no time to myself to do exercise, rushed meals as you are cutting your lunch hour to make sure you can get away on time at close of business, not adjusting portions to take account of the more sedentary lifestyle. My second child is 8 so finally getting back to exercise.

Coz I’m greedy!! I just love food !!

Too many treats, not enough movement.

Working 40 hrs a week sat at a desk.
Being tired from parenting small children and eating to try and feel less tired.
Not having time (despite being up at 6) before work to exercise due to having kids to get ready for school
Having a husband works shifts at night so I can't leave the house after kids have gone to bed.

I’ve always been overweight. Well, obese.
A year ago I started the Fast 800 and was extremely focused. Lost 3.5 stone. I looked and felt so much better. Then, lockdown and my holiday got cancelled. The holiday was the trigger for me to get myself together last year, I felt gutted it was over. I started drinking lots and eating carbs. Carbs really affect my weight. I put 2.5 stone on from March to July. Unbelievable.
I have always liked crisps, alcohol, and snacks. I’d graze on snacks constantly. Lattes, pastries on the way to work without really even thinking about it.
So easy to put on weight. I’ve been back on the fast 800 for a couple of weeks. I’m sleeping better, and the weight is coming off.
It’s a complex situation.