Group: I am overweight or obese

Created: 2012/01/01, Members: 381, Messages: 6449

Being overweight is a common trait these days and there is not enough help out there. Find out how you can shed those pounds and improve yourself from within.

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Miyu
Miyu
Posts: 118
Joined: 2003/04/15
United States
2004/03/29, 02:21 PM
I recently watched a documentary following the lives of 3 obese teenagers for a 3 year period. Each summer the three would go to fitness camp (fat camp) and lose weight. They averaged about 30-50 pounds (depending on the teenager) in a three month period by being active and eating a1200-1500 calorie diet. The documentary then followed them through the school year as they tried and failed to lose/maintain their weight. All three teenagers 2 boys and 1 girl have been obese since childhood. By childhood I mean 2-3 years old. All three gained all the weight back over the school year; the exception being one boy who only gained 10lbs on the third and last year of the documentary.

What really stuck with me after watching this was the comment “We live in an obeseicentric society…it’s easier and less expensive to be fat.” The other thing that really stayed with me was the statement that obese teenagers have the same quality of life as a child with cancer going through chemotherapy does. The third thing that struck me was an interview with the teenaged girl’s mother. This mother dropped her daughter off at a bagel shop each morning instead of making breakfast: in the interview she said she blamed her daughter and was angry/frustrated with her for being overweight. Remember this is a girl that has been obese since age 2!

I was wondering if any of you out there have seen this documentary and what you thought of it.
newbreed
newbreed
Posts: 58
Joined: 2003/05/15
United States
2004/03/29, 03:28 PM
Yes, I saw it and thought it had some good points and bad ones. I believe our society breeds obesity but it is not the sole cause for it. The mother who dropped her daughter off at a bagel shop for breakfast, that was tough to watch cause this girl wants to change her life, but when all your getting from home is a few suggestions and compliments here and there, it is never going to last. I don't think some people who never struggle with their weight see how important the term "lifestyle change" is for the people who deal with obesity and all that comes with it. these people as well as all people should realize that dieting for a ashort amount of time or exercising for a short amount of time is gonna lead to results for a short amount of time. Having a healthy lifestyle is a permanent change and until that happens, not missing workouts, eating healthy, not for 6-8weeks then spoiling yourself for 2, then they are on an up and downhill battle for a long time. I think kids need guidance from their parents on everything, even what to eat. I watched my father eat whatever for years, it spread right to my sisters, all three are obese and struggle weekly with their diet. Luckily I came to college and learned a little bit about food choices and exerise and I am pretty much the only member in my immediate family whose health isn't at a high risk! So I am going to make sure my kids know what certain foods are going to do to their bodies so they will know the posible outcomes of the choices they make. These are my thoughts on this, hope I didn't offend anyone. Take care!

newbreed

dahayz
dahayz
Posts: 794
Joined: 2002/05/08
United States
2004/03/30, 07:20 AM
I have a hard time watching these types of shows anymore. Everytime I watch these I get so :angry:, No matter what people do or say, we will always have this problem unless we run into some type of famine (which I don't see in the near future) Being a personal trainer, I see this crap everyday and I also see how much people really don't care about taking care of themselves, they use every excuse in the book, and I have heard them all. After awhile, I have learned to not really care and to just focus on the ones that want to really change. Seems negative, but in the end you have to realize that you cannot force someone to change, it's there choice.
7707mutt
7707mutt
Posts: 7,686
Joined: 2002/06/18
United States
2004/03/30, 08:00 AM
Well I know as a person that has been heavy all my life that it is not easy to make a change. dahayz, I know there is no excuse but for a teenager to be like that it is hard to do anything about it trust me! Add to that the parents need to be willing to make a choice and change. I almost cried as that girl, that could just barley walk ate that bagel and then after school laid on the couch. There lies the problem.....her mom is going to hire a personal trainer....what a load of crap. Her mom is hiring someone to do the dirty work. But the mental state is also needing work on that girl a well. They also want to make a change. That is key. Oh well enough ranting!

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LIFT HEAVY! BECOME STRONG, LIKE BULL!

7707mutt@freetrainers.com
WAnglais1
WAnglais1
Posts: 329
Joined: 2003/10/23
United States
2004/03/30, 01:03 PM
Saw it, too. It's tough for me to watch these types of newsdocs, or whatever they call them. Being someone who has struggled his entire life with weight I do feel for these kids. No one gets made fun of more than "the fat kid." I can still hear the taunts of classmates from 25 years ago. There will be a time when each of the kids faces a choice. To live or die early. I did have hopes for the one guy who faced his challenge with humor and determination. I don't know if he'll achieve his goals or not. I hope they all do. A big problem is that in our culture instant gratification takes too long. We want it now! That includes weight loss. Oh, well...I've rambled enough. Thanks for reading.

WAnglais1
WAnglais1
WAnglais1
Posts: 329
Joined: 2003/10/23
United States
2004/03/30, 01:03 PM
Message deleted by moderator due to unsuitable content for this board.
Miyu
Miyu
Posts: 118
Joined: 2003/04/15
United States
2004/03/30, 01:37 PM
Watching these parents made me so angry. I know if my child was obese I would do everything I could to help him/her out. It seemed to me that all the teens did really well at the camp- the stuctured environment. I would try to recreate that environment as closly as possible. Maybe homeschool for a year, sign her up for dance classes, get her a personal trainer and consult a nutritionist. I'd make sure she was eating healthy and limit her opportunities to get junk food. I'd make sure she was active and busy as much as possible- EVERY DAY. All of them were willing to work to lose weight, but I think expecting them to maintain that level of discipline in the face of so much temptation, with little or no support or guidence is asking way too much from a 15 year old. These parents are acting like it's not their responsibility, that occasional verbal encouragement is all they need do. I would expect my child to do the work- but I would consider it my responsibility to create the frame work or schedule that they did their worked in.
2004/03/30, 01:43 PM
I came away with the feeling that these kids need parenting , not personal trainers. Makes me sad too Mutt.

My wife has fought a battle with weight all her life. It takes a horrible mental toll. The head thing is as important to deal with as the weight.

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A problem ceases to be such when you can laugh about it.

Charlie
mmaibohm
mmaibohm
Posts: 1,621
Joined: 2003/09/30
United States
2004/03/30, 02:58 PM
I have not seen the show but I will say my parents didnt instill in me how to take care of my self . They were lax with my diet and how I controlled my diabetes. But now that I am an adult and have learned so much I am healthy as a buffalo and going to become strong like bull:laugh:. I have also learned to except my weight when I was younger I would not eat at restaraunts because I thought i was being stared at. But any who I am proud of who I am not many people on this planet are 6'4 and weigh 365 and are fairly healthy and motivated as me.

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I am that
which must be feared, worshipped and adored. The world is mine
now and forever.No one holds command over me. No man. No god. I am a beast and that is enough.
dahayz
dahayz
Posts: 794
Joined: 2002/05/08
United States
2004/03/30, 03:31 PM
I think the parents should be charged with child abuse. I mean, it's sad when more and more kids are getting Type II diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure. There is just no excuse for that. There are way to many resources out there now and the awarness of obesity has gone up in the past 10 years. BUT, people and parents especially still don't care. Why should they care when they can just blame there genetics? I mean doesn't everyone? (Being sarcastic):(. I hate to sound so negative, but that's just the way I see it.
2004/03/30, 05:09 PM
dahayez, I don't believe that the parents don't care. I think they don't know.

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A problem ceases to be such when you can laugh about it.

Charlie
dahayz
dahayz
Posts: 794
Joined: 2002/05/08
United States
2004/03/30, 05:18 PM
But, like I said, there is way to much information out there these days. What is the excuse for not knowing? I mean, I realize that people don't know, but, me personally, as a young 18 year old, picked up books about health and learned how to live healthy. If you can provide me good reasons why parents are STILL oblivious to healthy living for themselves AND there kids, please tell me. I don't mean to be a prick, or put anyone down, I just get very into these types of discussions, that's why I became a personal trainer, to educate. But it's hard sometimes when people don't want to listen.
2004/03/30, 08:42 PM
dahayz, 70 million folk in this country can't read on a functional level. There are lots of reasons but thats a biggie.

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A problem ceases to be such when you can laugh about it.

Charlie
dahayz
dahayz
Posts: 794
Joined: 2002/05/08
United States
2004/03/30, 09:50 PM
Well, that could be one reason, but what about common sense. Why can't anybody own up to anything anymore? I mean, you don't have to read to realize that what most people eat in this country is unhealthy. INITIATIVE, that's what most people lack.
2004/03/30, 11:34 PM
d, your sensitivity is overwhelming.

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A problem ceases to be such when you can laugh about it.

Charlie
dahayz
dahayz
Posts: 794
Joined: 2002/05/08
United States
2004/03/31, 07:17 AM
Like I said, I get passionate about topics like these. I apologize for coming off so strong, but, to quote from a kick ass song I like "If you don't live for something, you'll die for nothing". I always stand behind my beleifs. I like the discussion though:)
7707mutt
7707mutt
Posts: 7,686
Joined: 2002/06/18
United States
2004/03/31, 08:13 AM
D do you have kids? I know as my son gets older it is by far eaiser to give him what he wants to eat then to fight with him screaming and all that at night. But we both are heavier people and I know as she does that doing that is not thebest way. But as a parent I know that when you have worked all day little sleep the night before it is hard to do what is right!

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LIFT HEAVY! BECOME STRONG, LIKE BULL!

7707mutt@freetrainers.com
mmaibohm
mmaibohm
Posts: 1,621
Joined: 2003/09/30
United States
2004/03/31, 10:56 AM
Mutt WAAAh WAAAHH I want a pizza WAAH wAAH darn one didnt show up at my door lol.

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I am that
which must be feared, worshipped and adored. The world is mine
now and forever.No one holds command over me. No man. No god. I am a beast and that is enough.
WAnglais1
WAnglais1
Posts: 329
Joined: 2003/10/23
United States
2004/03/31, 11:24 AM
Hey, what did I put in here that needed to be deleted? I don't think anything!


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Quoting from WAnglais1:

Message deleted by moderator due to unsuitable content for this board.
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Kyrah
Kyrah
Posts: 251
Joined: 2004/03/11
United States
2004/03/31, 11:28 AM
Probably just a duplicate post
dahayz
dahayz
Posts: 794
Joined: 2002/05/08
United States
2004/03/31, 01:20 PM
The experience I have with kids is with my nephew and seeing how he has been brought up. From what I have seen, it all starts when they are a baby. There was a point where I would criticize my brother and my sister-in-law for there horrible daily diet choices (I had to stop doing that, and have). He was raised on sugar, and unhealthy food, so he will crave sugar and unhealthy food, thus, he has joined millions on the downward cycle of the American diet.
Miyu
Miyu
Posts: 118
Joined: 2003/04/15
United States
2004/03/31, 03:01 PM
I think with eating habits and parenting- you can't do the 'ole do what I say not what I do routine. The problem is that as the show said we live in an obeseicentric (SP?) society. It's easier and much cheaper to have bad eating habits. It takes time and effort to eat healthy and when you work and have kids it's always a temption to buy the boxed dinner or order pizza or go out. It's hard to cook when you're tired. I do understand that, however, I feel that if you're a parent you have to make that extra effort. If you can't be the one to do it make sure somebody else does. Parents are masters of creative problem solving- find a way to solve this problem and keep your kids from living like cancer patients. I know there are many and various difficulties in doing this- but really, some common sense and creative effort can make such a difference.:)
dahayz
dahayz
Posts: 794
Joined: 2002/05/08
United States
2004/03/31, 03:38 PM
Those are some great points miyu.
Deby
Deby
Posts: 333
Joined: 2002/08/05
United States
2004/04/02, 04:13 PM
I have three grandkids from my son and daughter-in-law. Jacob 14 who is a skateboarder and "anything else outdoors" and has no weight problem at all. Elena 11 who just keeps getting taller and taller and that has helped slim her down. Taylor 7 she is very "pudgy" I know it really is baby fat, but I am concerned for her. She is actually a very good eater. When we take her to McDonald's she eats only 1/2 of the bun and some of the fries. She loves vegetables and only "likes" candy. She tells me I have to eat vegetables BEFORE I can have candy, then she will only eat a small amount of candy. She is just not active enough. She is a typical 7 year old and on the go but I think she is going to need to really be on the go. My daughter was on drill team in high school so she always stayed slim but now she is very overweight because she got into banking.!

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Gramma
jplatz
jplatz
Posts: 196
Joined: 2002/10/08
United States
2004/04/07, 09:07 PM
Dahayz, your enthusiasm and concern are commendable, and much of what you are saying is valid. You have to look beyond just the parents though and the parenting. The parents of these kids are the children of baby boomers from WW II. That generation was raised with the idea of having things being made easier for their kids. Thus, McDonalds, frozen dinners, cheaper and cheaply made food choices that quickly became part of the daily diet. Those parents weren't trying to do anything wrong, just care for their kids. The problem though is that the ease of fast foods became easier and a new cycle was created. Fast food equalled happy kids, which made the parents happy. Why? Because they were giving their kids more than they had. The real villain though is self-control on the parts of the children and the kids they are now raising.

Think about this. If you were given everything in your life, no needs, no wants. Wouldn't you tend to do the same for your kids? You would perceive yourself as being normal, so your kids would naturally be normal. Well, that's how the baby boom children are treating their kids now. They enjoyed restaurants and fast food so much that they wanted to share it with their children. Now though, the monster has been created and is running rampant throughout society.
I didn't see the documentary, but I always had trouble with my weight, still do. I'm technically obese, even though I work out and don't give the general appearance of an obese person. The feeling of being obese is still there though. The kids in that documentary are to blame only in that they have taken what was given. They have also been loved and have parents who "only want the best" for their kids.
While I agree that parents need to cook for their children, that's not all they need to do. We question why the parent doesn't cook. What about those kids who are obese, yet their parents cook every meal? If the original logic held, then they would be thin, right? No, the biggest problem is in education of eating properly. Does anyone teach how to control how much you should eat? Are these parents taught how to help their kids not overeat? Or how to recognize the symptoms of overeating? How many times do we see people devour two big hamburgers or a huge meal at a restaurant, knowing full well that they should have stopped half way through. Better yet...have dessert afterwards. Children need to be taught how to control their eating habits. How to recognize when they are full...and not just bored.

When I was a kid, I would watch television or do my homework in the kitchen. Most everynight I would get bored with the work or what I was watching and head to the refrigerator. I wasn't taught to recognize that I really just needed something small or that drinking water would make me feel better. Instead, I would grab the leftovers of the nights meal and start eating. I quickly became overweight, but no one taught me what I was doing wrong.
We, those of us who know better, need to educate those who don't. In truth, it is our duty to those in this world who need help...even when they don't know they do.

Thanks for allowing me to give my point of view.


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Pain is but a threshold to greater strength.
dahayz
dahayz
Posts: 794
Joined: 2002/05/08
United States
2004/04/07, 10:29 PM
Excellent post jplatz, a lot of good points.
mmaibohm
mmaibohm
Posts: 1,621
Joined: 2003/09/30
United States
2004/04/08, 06:52 AM
jplatz that is a good well thought post.

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I am that
which must be feared, worshipped and adored. The world is mine
now and forever.No one holds command over me. No man. No god. I am a beast and that is enough.
yadmit
yadmit
Posts: 4,670
Joined: 2003/10/05
Canada
2004/04/08, 03:39 PM
I saw a show like that a couple of years ago on W-5 here in Canada (similar to 60 Minutes, just without Andy Rooney)... they focused on one kid, early teens I believe who went to a camp... it was hard for the kid... I believe it... what was truly amazing, on the way to camp, they stopped at a Wendy's. His mom actually stopped and let him eat at Wendy's on the way to the camp.

It starts at home, man... my kids are weird, they actually like brocolli... but then again, so do my wife and I... :)

t

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Tim

"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self."

Aristotle

TimDay@freetrainers.com
skierajs
skierajs
Posts: 15
Joined: 2002/07/30
United States
2004/04/12, 07:49 PM
What dahayz said about INITIATIVE is so true though. Sure, when you're talking about children or even teenagers, ignorance and parenting is a problem, but I go to college and know many smart people who eat crap every day and never go to the gym. They know they have a problem, they just don't do anything about it.

I've been there...when I came here from high school I was overweight and ate terribly, so now that I took control of my own problem, I guess I am not as forgiving of the all the lazy folks here who don't do anything about their situation.

For example: One of my friends here at school is very obese and one of his extended family members in his 50s recently had a heart attack. After this happened, he said that he was going to get in shape... he lasted about a two weeks before going back to the junk food and quit going to the gym. True, the schoolwork takes a lot of time, but he does, however, have time to play video games several hours per week instead of going to the gym.

The same goes for a lot of other people here...and when there is an awesome fitness center right on campus near where you live, what is the excuse? I say laziness is a big factor.
dahayz
dahayz
Posts: 794
Joined: 2002/05/08
United States
2004/04/13, 07:27 AM
I think one of my reasons for going into another profession (personal training into law enforcement) is because I simply can't stand how much people complain about there health/weight problems, but when I offer my help, THEY DON'T CARE!! I try to help people, and a few have responded, but, in the end, living a healthy life is just to inconvenient for most people to deal with, so they simply give up. Then, they have the balls to call me and my fellow healthy gym goers "health nuts". It's nuts that people don't want to take care of themselves. That's why obesity is on the rise to being the #1 PREVENTABLE death in the U.S.:angry: