overweight-obese people

[realityjunkee]

Originally Posted by sugarless4life

When I see an overweight person exercising, I think, "Good for you." I meet alot of overweight runners on my running route and I always give them the thumbs up.

I was a thin sedentary person for many years. Trust me, thin does NOT equal healthy. Then I hit 40 and whoa, suddenly I was overweight. Thank God for Dr. Atkins.

Betty

I am one of those overweight runners. When people see me running they see an overweight woman. They don't see a woman who used to be 130 lbs heavier. When they see me in the drive through at McDonald's ordering my bunless Big and Tasty they see an overweight woman.

They don't know me. I don't elaborate.

I go to the gym early in the morning so I don't have to stress about getting stared at by the beautiful people. It's easier for me with my flappy arms and loose belly. I am 90% healthier than I was 15 months ago, but really no one can tell just by looking at me. It's kinda like my little secret.

I don't judge the OP for her opinion, I truly think the point she is making is valid. She knows what works and wishes everyone did. I feel exactly the same way. But...I don't know them, they didn't ask and if my advise is not solicited I don't give it. But when someone notices and asks me I give them plenty!

Kim

[MarblesLongGone]

But, the gym regulars KNOW that you have taken off weight. I know from having been a gym rat that even the really buff ones respect anyone who is really TRYING to make a positive change in their body. Yeah, the first 3 days, they wonder, "okay, how long will this resolution last?" But, when you become a regular, you are as much one of the normal crew as anyone else. Then, if you miss a day, and come back, they ask, "You okay? I didn't see you here yesterday!"

[painted_klown]

Originally Posted by MarblesLongGone

But, the gym regulars KNOW that you have taken off weight. I know from having been a gym rat that even the really buff ones respect anyone who is really TRYING to make a positive change in their body. Yeah, the first 3 days, they wonder, "okay, how long will this resolution last?" But, when you become a regular, you are as much one of the normal crew as anyone else. Then, if you miss a day, and come back, they ask, "You okay? I didn't see you here yesterday!"

This is so true. When I was living in Des Moines I had joined a gym. The regulars were actually pretty nice people once you were also seen as a regular there. I expected more rudeness but honestly everyone is just there to do their own thing and have ipods glued to their heads anyway(as did I)

[JerseyGirl1969]

Originally Posted by MarblesLongGone

But, the gym regulars KNOW that you have taken off weight. I know from having been a gym rat that even the really buff ones respect anyone who is really TRYING to make a positive change in their body. Yeah, the first 3 days, they wonder, "okay, how long will this resolution last?" But, when you become a regular, you are as much one of the normal crew as anyone else. Then, if you miss a day, and come back, they ask, "You okay? I didn't see you here yesterday!"

I hear that...usually when I've taken my rest day and you've helped me see it as different than I've taken it. I've thought "why are they so aware of my schedule? I'm not of their's." In some ways, I feel conspicuous there, but part of it is a popularity I've developed by being outgoing and nice. The irony is, I'm "still" there more than most. I'm not your 3x a week type, I do 6 days.

Funny, a friend of mine there is in marketing and shared with me about a meeting with the gym owner. He doesn't understand his demographic and she was like, "you know Laura." He does. "She's your demographic, your ideal customer." Yeah, lol, I spend a lot of time and money there....

[suzanneyea]

I should have done a better title for this post now that I think about it. There are lots of thin people who also struggle with their weight and food, what I want to do is help anyone who was like me prior to Atkins, struglling away at the gym and with my diet and never getting the results that I wanted. I used to look at other woman and wonder..."what are they doing that I am not?" I was eating so little and excercising so much, I did not understand why I was still heavy. I had so much pain inside and since Atkins so much has changed for me. I am not, as someone said, looking at other with pity in my eyes. I just know there are people out there who are struggling and eating almost nothing and not understanding why they cannot lose weight. It is very depressing to eat 800 calories a day and go to the gym for an hour and still be heavy. And I am 37 and not a total moron. I do understand that Atkins and LC do not work for every single person. I do understand that many people have medical conditions, I struggle with hypothyroid myself. No, I do not give my opinion on diet and excercise to people who do not ask me, but yes, I am very friendly to people of all shapes and sized . Please do not make it sound like I am walking around making harsh judgements about other people at my gym, that is trying to turn me into a person I am not. I am a person who has battled food and weight for almost my entire life and now I have been freed and just want to share.

[SugarFreeSheila]

Originally Posted by suzanneyea

I should have done a better title for this post now that I think about it. There are lots of thin people who also struggle with their weight and food, what I want to do is help anyone who was like me prior to Atkins, struglling away at the gym and with my diet and never getting the results that I wanted. I used to look at other woman and wonder..."what are they doing that I am not?" I was eating so little and excercising so much, I did not understand why I was still heavy. I had so much pain inside and since Atkins so much has changed for me. I am not, as someone said, looking at other with pity in my eyes. I just know there are people out there who are struggling and eating almost nothing and not understanding why they cannot lose weight. It is very depressing to eat 800 calories a day and go to the gym for an hour and still be heavy. And I am 37 and not a total moron. I do understand that Atkins and LC do not work for every single person. I do understand that many people have medical conditions, I struggle with hypothyroid myself. No, I do not give my opinion on diet and excercise to people who do not ask me, but yes, I am very friendly to people of all shapes and sized . Please do not make it sound like I am walking around making harsh judgements about other people at my gym, that is trying to turn me into a person I am not. I am a person who has battled food and weight for almost my entire life and now I have been freed and just want to share.

For what it's worth, I completely understood you.

I also agree with the above in boldface; strangers have no idea what I do unless they ask. Once they do, invariably I'm drilled and never mind this so long as it's a personal interest about starting the program themselves. However, like you, it goes against everything I'm about to offer unsolicited advice to others I don't know (even close friends) regarding their weight - after all, I don't even have patience for trainers who attempt to approach me with tips when I am in the middle of my reps & focused. I immediately make it very clear that I am not at all interested in a trainer; thankfully, this is a seldom occurrence for me at my gym! But usually when approached by staff, it's to introduce themselves and congratulate me on how motivated/consistent/"zoned" I am without any followup solicitation of services. I'll admit it's awkward for gym employees to approach someone to say anything who is smack in the middle of their reps & wearing headphones; but it comes from a good place and overall, I really do love my gym.

[sugarless4life]

Originally Posted by realityjunkee

I am one of those overweight runners. When people see me running they see an overweight woman. They don't see a woman who used to be 130 lbs heavier. When they see me in the drive through at McDonald's ordering my bunless Big and Tasty they see an overweight woman.

They don't know me. I don't elaborate.

I go to the gym early in the morning so I don't have to stress about getting stared at by the beautiful people. It's easier for me with my flappy arms and loose belly. I am 90% healthier than I was 15 months ago, but really no one can tell just by looking at me. It's kinda like my little secret.

I don't judge the OP for her opinion, I truly think the point she is making is valid. She knows what works and wishes everyone did. I feel exactly the same way. But...I don't know them, they didn't ask and if my advise is not solicited I don't give it. But when someone notices and asks me I give them plenty!

Kim

YAY KIM!!!! I am so super proud of you, girlfriend!

I met a runner this morning who was maybe 50-60 pounds overweight. She was trying so hard .. and she really inspired me. I wanted to stop her and thank her....I only HOPE she didn't look and me and think "why the heck are *you* out here, you skinny thing!" Truth is, I wasn't always like this .. its a firm commitment to working out that has reaped its rewards and I know that she too will reap the same rewards.

ITS ALL GOOD, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR SIZE!

Betty

[a_thinner_rach]

Originally Posted by suzanneyea

I should have done a better title for this post now that I think about it. There are lots of thin people who also struggle with their weight and food, what I want to do is help anyone who was like me prior to Atkins, struglling away at the gym and with my diet and never getting the results that I wanted. I used to look at other woman and wonder..."what are they doing that I am not?" I was eating so little and excercising so much, I did not understand why I was still heavy. I had so much pain inside and since Atkins so much has changed for me. I am not, as someone said, looking at other with pity in my eyes. I just know there are people out there who are struggling and eating almost nothing and not understanding why they cannot lose weight. It is very depressing to eat 800 calories a day and go to the gym for an hour and still be heavy. And I am 37 and not a total moron. I do understand that Atkins and LC do not work for every single person. I do understand that many people have medical conditions, I struggle with hypothyroid myself. No, I do not give my opinion on diet and excercise to people who do not ask me, but yes, I am very friendly to people of all shapes and sized . Please do not make it sound like I am walking around making harsh judgements about other people at my gym, that is trying to turn me into a person I am not. I am a person who has battled food and weight for almost my entire life and now I have been freed and just want to share.

Thank you for clarifying. From your past posts, I knew you were not just looking at someone with pity, and I think that this post did come from a good place in your heart. I think I wrote the post the way I did because it's my knee jerk reaction when I FEEl like someone is making a judgment on how I should eat. Ever since I can remember I had people telling me what I should and shouldn't eat and what I should and shouldn't do to lose the weight.

It's such a sensitive issue for me that I don't always react completely rationally and I'm sorry if my misinterpretation led to hurt feelings on your part.

[KOO]

Originally Posted by a_thinner_rach

Your fingers will fall off!

Lol, no that is from too much typing on LowCarbFriends!

[oobladee]

Funny that fat people seem out of place at gyms. Not funny ha ha either.

I also second the emotion that "skinny" people do not equal healthy. I can give names of those skinny peeps who smoke, eat the crappiest crap you can name in fantastic amounts. They think I am a complete moron for even considering exercise let alone watching my food.


I think your post is really about should you share what works for you with someone who appears to be lost. And by all means, sidle up to her and find out what her path is/has been. Do share what you find is working.

I'm sure that you will refrain from judging her no matter what she decides to do with your revelations. Finding the right path takes time, trials and errors.

[sugarless4life]

Honestly, I think the reason Atkins appealed to me in the beginning was the idea that I could actually lose weight without hunger. 6 and a half years later, that is still so true.

There is absolutely no depravity with LC. That's the total beauty of it.

Betty

[wifezilla]

There is absolutely no depravity with LC

Do you mean "deprivation"? While not suffering from deprivation on low carb, I am still pretty depraved

[sugarless4life]

Originally Posted by wifezilla

Do you mean "deprivation"? While not suffering from deprivation on low carb, I am still pretty depraved

Girlie, you are hilarious!

[JerseyGirl1969]

In the token of free advice and whether or not to give it to obese folks at the gym, this is as good a place as any to ask y'all's opinion on something:

Today at the gym was a woman coming to abs class for the first time. The woman, I'm guessing, looks like she's been through WLS in how her body has distributed her remaining weight. She's still at least 75-100lbs overweight, but something inside me thought "WLS".

Anyway, I'm now a staple at the gym and I do recognize how others feel when new there. So, I said, "is this your first abs class" and she said yes, so I prepared her for what she would need.

Now, our normal instructor had an emergency and a friend of mine filled in. Did a decent job, but it was not dialed down a tad and the usual instructor tries to keep things moderate and not too advanced. If I found some moves challenging, that says a lot.

Anyway, I noticed the woman left after 10 minutes.

When you're new to a class like that, it can really throw you.

I remember being afraid to take classes, afraid I couldn't keep up...and I couldn't. But I learned the key was hang in there and keep trying and your ability goes up.

This is advice I really wish to share with her if I ever see her again.

Dare I?

[hummingbird11]

Absolutely. Let her know the class was more intense than usual and to give it another chance when the regular instructor returns. Let her know how long it took for you to be able to keep up with the moves (and how afraid you were) and how everyone had to start somewhere and that it does take time. That will help her feel better about coming back. She has to start somewhere and sometimes all it takes is for someone to make you feel welcome and comfortable.

Originally Posted by JerseyGirl1969

In the token of free advice and whether or not to give it to obese folks at the gym, this is as good a place as any to ask y'all's opinion on something:

Today at the gym was a woman coming to abs class for the first time. The woman, I'm guessing, looks like she's been through WLS in how her body has distributed her remaining weight. She's still at least 75-100lbs overweight, but something inside me thought "WLS".

Anyway, I'm now a staple at the gym and I do recognize how others feel when new there. So, I said, "is this your first abs class" and she said yes, so I prepared her for what she would need.

Now, our normal instructor had an emergency and a friend of mine filled in. Did a decent job, but it was not dialed down a tad and the usual instructor tries to keep things moderate and not too advanced. If I found some moves challenging, that says a lot.

Anyway, I noticed the woman left after 10 minutes.

When you're new to a class like that, it can really throw you.

I remember being afraid to take classes, afraid I couldn't keep up...and I couldn't. But I learned the key was hang in there and keep trying and your ability goes up.

This is advice I really wish to share with her if I ever see her again.

Dare I?

[KOO]

I'd also let her know that it was okay that she only stayed 10 minutes, that maybe next time she will make it a little longer until she builds up to the whole hour. I don't attempt doing the classes cause I feel awkward and would love to have someone to support me the way you are trying to help her.

[whatjelly]

Originally Posted by JerseyGirl1969

OP, I didn't take your post negatively or as if you feel superior. I think wanting to help and share what we know has worked for us and can work for many yet will be perceived negatively is a challenge.

For me, low carb is a miracle. To be nearing 60lbs less than this time last year is wonderful. The thing is, I KNEW the frustration of "why isn't the weight coming off" with low fat/low cal and lots of exercise, so I know when I see another person of size, particularly one wanting to lose weight (by being in the gym), you want to ease that frustration and know that your little secret could be the ticket.

I see so many people at the gym that haven't changed in the last year. And then there's me. I guess now 60lbs is dramatic, though not as dramatic as say 100lbs or all my excess weight. I guess 60lbs is just a different place than say 15lbs. I use that as an example of the women that were on my Challenge team. That's what they lost and haven't really lost more but need to. You want to share your success, KWIM?

Anyway, it's not arrogant, IMO, it's perhaps more empathetic because you've BTDT and would like to help others. But as with anything, help is best only when asked.

I take the point of your post as this, plus the LC miracle that isn't accepted in the public as such.

Last words to add, I understand the points others made--particularly you don't know this other person, what they've done, where they've been. Someone could meet me today and think "poor dear, if she only lost 60lbs," not knowing I have accomplished that much already. It's wise words to encourage us to remember you can't judge a book by its cover, but I don't feel in my heart that's what you were doing.

I concur

[Mom2Mayhem]

Originally Posted by lowcarb0rbustmypants

I will honestly say that I will never look at an overweight/obese person and decide what I think is right for them to do in order to be acceptable to society, because I don't know their story.

My thought on this is: A person may be overweight/obese, but whose to say they haven't lost weight? Maybe they used to be bigger, and they are down some pounds. It is just that we don't know them--they could have been 400lbs and are down to 300lbs. Still pretty big, but hey, they have lost 100lbs, but we don't know their story. Also, it could be their first time getting the nerve up to go exercise in a public place since they lost those 100 lbs. It may still be new to them. I know people look at me and think, "Gosh, she is fat", and then I wonder what they would have thought if they had seen me 50 lbs ago???? Just my thoughts.

Oh, and I also look at other peoples' grocery carts. LOL.

[BeyondClueless]

Originally Posted by suzanneyea

I see this over weight woman (obese really) at my gym every morning and she is really trying, but she has not lost any weight. Do you guys ever feel bad? I see her looking at me and is probably thinking "skinny ***** has no clue how hard it is to lose weight." I want to scream, actually there is a secret to being thin! It is Atkins! I feel sometimes like I have this little secret I cannot share.

How do you know she hasn't lost any weight? If she is as "obese really" as you say she could have dropped 15-20lbs and you may not be able to notice it yet.
Maybe she is looking at you because you are staring at her and wondering what is her problem?

[MarblesLongGone]

Originally Posted by JerseyGirl1969

In the token of free advice and whether or not to give it to obese folks at the gym, this is as good a place as any to ask y'all's opinion on something:

Today at the gym was a woman coming to abs class for the first time. The woman, I'm guessing, looks like she's been through WLS in how her body has distributed her remaining weight. She's still at least 75-100lbs overweight, but something inside me thought "WLS".

Anyway, I'm now a staple at the gym and I do recognize how others feel when new there. So, I said, "is this your first abs class" and she said yes, so I prepared her for what she would need.

Now, our normal instructor had an emergency and a friend of mine filled in. Did a decent job, but it was not dialed down a tad and the usual instructor tries to keep things moderate and not too advanced. If I found some moves challenging, that says a lot.

Anyway, I noticed the woman left after 10 minutes.

When you're new to a class like that, it can really throw you.

I remember being afraid to take classes, afraid I couldn't keep up...and I couldn't. But I learned the key was hang in there and keep trying and your ability goes up.

This is advice I really wish to share with her if I ever see her again.

Dare I?

YES!!!!!

Oh, was that your first abs class? It's a shame that Jane subbed, as she doesn't work with all levels as well as Mary does. Next time that Mary is teaching, give it a shot again, you won't be sorry...

[painted_klown]

This thread reminds me of a story of the first time I tried doing the Atkins WOE.

I was in Wal-mart actually buying the newest version of the book (I had already read a borrowed copy but wanted my own so I could get started low carbing) and there was a very overweight man sitting on a bench in the store (considerably larger than I was at the time) reading or doing what ever it happened to be. I was standing around (also a very large man) waiting for my GF at the time who was off looking at whatever.....anyway, long story short....I engaged into a conversation with the gentleman, he saw my Atkins book and started saying. "Hey, that diet really works" ect..ect...

He then went on to tell me his story. He was actually completely bed ridden at one time and he was doing the Atkins and was now able to walk around some and that he was going for short walks in front of his house and getting stronger every day!! The guy was totally cool and gave we tips, advice, warned be about plateaus, ect, ect...

Still to this day I see him as inspiration. There is a guy who took control of his life, was making the right decisions, and was clearly excited to share his story and success with me! How cool is that?

I don't remember his name, and I of course never saw him again, but from time to time I will think about him and all the great advice he gave me on that bench in Wal-mart.

Thanks for reading all.