| At the gym.
Posted: 8/12/2007 8:44:01 PM |
...however, i've also received stares and inappropriate comments. Trust me, just going to the gym is a huge victory and an act of courage, and staying there even more so.
And that's what you have to keep telling yourself. In the past 3 years or so I've lost about 65 pounds, but I still have more to lose. I still have a belly and stuff, so often time when I get near the weights, the muscleheads will stare and I have heard one or two laughs and comments in my time (not so much lately, but definitely in the past). Thing is, I ignore them, especially when I know what I've accomplished. Every time you go to the gym instead of eating some sugary sweet, you've won. Every time you do cardio instead of just lying down on the mat for an hour, you've won. Never forget that! | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 8/13/2007 6:11:27 AM | ari626, it drives me crazy to hear people say "it's just my metabolism" too. I would much rather see anyone who is overweight out there doing something about it and I applaud anyone who does decide to take control of their bodies and their lifestyle.
My metabolism CHANGED when I had my third child. At some point in all our lives, our metabolism will change. So I get off my butt and go to the gym and try to RAISE my metabolism to what it used to be when I didn't have to exerise.
Sure, I could lie on the couch and complain that my metabolism changed, and I could be big as a house by now, but I'm not going to let that happen. I do like to eat, I'll never be one of those girls that starve myself, but I make sure I'm at the gym 5 days a week to make up for it. LOL! | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 8/13/2007 10:49:40 AM | ^^^
I have to agree with that.
Even the lady that said she has a thyroid problem admits that she sat on her big ass eating all day.
My metabolizm changed in the past few years as well. I don't want to look like a big slob so I now eat smaller portions and drink less alcohol. There are more things to enjoy in life than more food. One or two pieces of pizza is enough of a pizza experience for me. I don't have to eat entire pizza on my own to continue to enjoy the experience. If you are doing this you are as sick as an alcoholic.
I think it's time people with eating disorder face the same discrimination that alcoholics and drug addicts do. They are eating to solve a problem and their eating affects their health and affects the people around them (i.e. they can become less attractive to their mate). | |
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lttaa
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Joined: 7/25/2007
Msg: 79 | |
| At the gym.
Posted: 8/13/2007 12:20:01 PM | | Nice to see you are doing something about it for sure. I used to own a fitness centre out east for a few years in the late 90s early 00s, There are many overweight gals and guy in New Brunswick . I had one woman who was at least 350- 400lbs , could not weigh as I did not have a scale that could , I found that the scale can be too humiliating and always prefer measurments anyway , much more accurate. Regardless my heart went out to her and I went above and beyond what I would do for most of the regular sized clients that I had.She was so enthusiastic and determined that I was pulling for her everyday, I even had to limit her to certain cardio equip as she was too big for the treadmill , stepper etc. Needless to say she stuck with it and began to make definite progress and felt healthier every day. She wound up moving out of town after 6 months and I only hope she continued to keep up with her regimine. | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 8/13/2007 1:06:30 PM | I think it's time people with eating disorder face the same discrimination that alcoholics and drug addicts do
Right because fat people face no discrimination now.
not everyone who is overweight has an eating disorder. and stating that people with an eating disorder or drug addiction should be discriminated against in order to "solve" their problem may not have a thorough understanding of the underlying causes of addiction . In addition, There are more health issues than "a thyroid problem" that make it difficult to lose weight.
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| At the gym.
Posted: 8/13/2007 4:21:37 PM | ^^^
Yes I agree with your statements.
Do some serious walking and eat smaller portions and you will lose weight over time. You will look better and feel better as a result. | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 8/13/2007 5:46:59 PM | ^^^ well actually i was trying to point out that fat people face discrimination ALL the time...........a statement contrary to yours. discrimination, put downs, and name calling is not motivating.
again, not everyone who is overweight is physically able to "do some serious walking". Physical limitations are not always visible to the eye. But i guess it's simply easier to judge people based on our own "stuff". | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 8/13/2007 10:36:40 PM | | both, but im only thinking the "nice to see you recognize the need for pullin yourself together" after i look away | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 8/14/2007 6:02:55 AM | Losing weight isn't easy. there's no magic pill, formula or workout that will work for everyone. Having said that, overweight people can't use "It's too hard" as an excuse and still expect pity.
If you're doing *something* towards getting yourself healthy, eg:
Going to the gym
Lifting 5 lbs weights while on the couch (i started with 10 myself)
STOP DRINKING POP (seriously huge)
Go walk for as long as you can etc...
It may be painful for the 1st little bit, since your body isn't used to it, but you'll get used to it soon and be able to do more. As long as you're doing something to try and get better, then you don't deserve discrimination (and this is valid for those alcoholics and drug addicts).
But if you're not losing weight and just keep eating and do nothing about it, don't expect people to kiss your ass, because that only propagates the problem. Granted outright discrimination is wrong (eg. Fat F**k and those names like it), but if people keep going on like it isnt a problem, then you're going to keep eating cause you don't think its a problem.
Back on topic. I've seen some very large girls at a gym, and never heard anyone say stuff about them either. And if i did i would certainly inform the staff or say something myself. If you're giving an honest effort, don't let other people discourage you or think that negiative emotion is somehow proper motivation. | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 8/14/2007 1:14:33 PM | As long as you're doing something to try and get better, then you don't deserve discrimination (and this is valid for those alcoholics and drug addicts).
so.........there are groups of people that we can be mean to, and groups that we can't. and this is determined by whether or not they are meeting OUR standards of "trying", even though they may have a back issue that is not obvious to the eye, but prohibits them from being active.
sounds like a whole lotta judging and playing god.
I guess for me, I try to focus on myself and not on others because I have no idea what other people are going through. I save my energy for myself instead of looking for ways of feeling better about myself by putting down others. | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 8/14/2007 1:59:26 PM | The comment you quoted doesn't mean that those who don't do anything should be discriminated at will. I actually talked about how those people seek pity and should not have it. Discrimination and pity are 2 separate things. Your comments sounds like you're doing a bit of judging yourself.
There are lots of reasons why you may not be able to go to the gym, but they aren't all medical. If you have back pain, that can be slowly worked out through Physiotherapy (along with most other physical ailments) that allow you to become more active (which means you *can* go for that walk today, doesn't mean you have to go to the gym).
As an example, my father lost both of his legs. For the longest time all he could do is lie in bed and just slowly lift his Stumps until he was able to get fitted for his leg molds. From there he needed to use a walker just to get to the bedroom and back, cause thats all the energy he had.
Eventually, after a year or so, he was strong enough to walk around with a cane and even drive with a modified car. He would go to movies with my brother and I,Climb stairs, work, and be very active for a man with his health.
I guess the point i'm trying to make is that people will give up to easily because of some medical condition or pain that makes them exempt from trying to be more fit. I've seen guys paralyzed from the waste down that would lift weights with their arms and play basketball. If you think that you have something that prevents you to do it then it makes it easy to shrug it off and not fight for it, which is your choice. But it is your choice to give up, no one else's.
It is a fight, and you have to want to win it; and it is so worth it to win. | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 8/14/2007 2:50:46 PM | | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT7g18a026Y | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 8/14/2007 3:04:44 PM |
The comment you quoted doesn't mean that those who don't do anything should be discriminated at will. I actually talked about how those people seek pity and should not have it. Discrimination and pity are 2 separate things. Your comments sounds like you're doing a bit of judging yourself.
actually i was quoting you directly:
As long as you're doing something to try and get better, then you don't deserve discrimination (and this is valid for those alcoholics and drug addicts) in your quote you state that if you are doing something about it then you don't deserve discrimination. the oppositite of that, to me, is that if you aren't ---then you do deserve it. that is how i read your quote. You did not use the word pity, you used discrimination. i am not reading into your words.
actually i do go to the gym everyday. i do have a friend who, because of severe back problems, could not even attend physical therapy to improve her situation, and not everyone is healthy enough to have surgery.
I guess the point I am trying to make is that I don't think it's fair to decide for someone else how to live. If they want pity........they want pity. does not change who i am and the level of respect i would give them.
I think it's awesome that you are meeting the goals you have set for yourself and the one's that your father has. i wish you much fortune for the future. | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 8/14/2007 3:46:08 PM | Say, hey you want to go for a coffee, and chat? Thats more a dating, pof, bar thing for me.
But Im not on the prowl in a gym, just doing my own thang, relaxing in da hot tub more so then not. Trying to chat up the women. I dont really care if they have a few extra pounds or not, or if they are california hotties up in my hood. I tend to not even go for the hotties. Why bother? | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 8/14/2007 8:28:16 PM | I actually mentioned the Pity part in a previous post. I thought that would have carried over.
I think people make judgments about other people all of the time, everyone does it for a split second. You're right that its not fair to decide after glancing or talking to a person once how they live because you don't know their situation; But if we all took that stance, then there wouldn't be anything to discuss.
I'm sure there are valid justifications out there for people who can not get to the gym, but that isn't the only way to be active and healthy. There's hand weights, wrist weights, etc. You can also not drink pop, eat chocolate bars and fast food. those are things that most people, physical problems or not can do to be more healthy.
But it's sort of a redundant point for the topic at hand, since those people with physical problems won't be at the gym.
I usually just go in, do my routine/body section i decide for the day, and always throw in some cardio. One thing i found to be really bad is going to the gym to "make up for it". Like you ate a bag of chips and a pop at lunch, and then you need to bust your ass to "make up for it". this sort of mindset says that it's ok to cheat, and you Will/Have made up for it. But if you do it before, then you may not go to the gym, and thats bad. if you do it afterwards, you negate and probably detract your progress that you made that day. | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 10/15/2007 7:57:25 PM | | I will agree with the whole metabolism thing. From age 4 until I quit my junior a hockey career at age 20, my metabolism was in full swing and it wasn't I could eat whatever I want, whenever I want. For the last 3 years of hockey I frequented the gym about 3 times a week as school and practice took up my most of my time. After taking a year off and working oilfield and this and that, your body does changed unless you keep up the physical alertness that your body demands. After going to the gym now I realize how hard it is for people to get back into shape. After about 3 months into working out it is much easier to go, like clockwork. When I see large people at the gym actually working hard and sweating, not staring at the young talent around, that definetly fuels the fire to work as hard as you can. As for women at the gym I find it a distraction, it's hard to work-out in the presence of beauty as I don't feel comfortable being looked at and looking at women while they are doing their workout. The gym should be a place where you can go and let it all out and feel better about yourself rather than having people judge you and look at you, although sometimes it boosts the confidence. How about boyfriend/girlfriend workouts? Kissing and stuff at the gym, totally uncalled for, one of the only places in which it is unnacceptable, anyone else have a take on that? | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 10/17/2007 5:05:56 AM | | I've seen women and men drop absolutely tons of weight from just going to the gym. So it is kind of exciting to see peoples body change. I do wonder how they achieved that kind of weight, but I am too busy to dwell on their situation. | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 10/17/2007 5:16:38 AM |
Losing weight isn't easy. there's no magic pill,
actually there is - but it was outlawed by the FDA about 60 years ago | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 10/17/2007 5:32:53 AM | InteractiveJohn: If you are on a bike and are able to read while on there. Then you're not working out to your full potential. Quit making mountains out of molehills.
If you can't give your 110% when you're in there then what's the point?
You might as well be at home just swinging your legs up and down while on the couch.
You're blowing this out of proportion.
It has nothing to do with "killing" yourself while at the gym. It's about pushing yourself and surparssing your previous goals. Without pushing your body to new heights you end up stagnating. | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 10/17/2007 5:52:09 AM | | fair play to anyone for deciding to take care of themselves and sticking at it. | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 10/17/2007 5:55:50 AM | | I think its a good thing that they r making an effort | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 10/17/2007 6:15:15 AM | I work out at my local YMCA. Most of the people that I see working out are either athletic or average shaped people.
If I did see someone that was obese working out, I would think that was great and I would never do anything intentional to make them uncomfortable. | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 10/17/2007 6:37:09 AM | Without making it intentional so they don't feel uncomfortable I would offer support . . been in that boat before and know how it feels . .
Appreciate that they are doing something about it and Encourage is my view on this . . | |
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Ti3
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Joined: 3/22/2007
Msg: 99 | |
| At the gym.
Posted: 10/17/2007 11:24:46 AM | Ive come here and read this entired thread...Ive gotta say that I am one who has some issues with my weight. That being said however Ive not always been over weight. So I've lived on both sides of the track so to speak.
It was weird coming a crossed this thread when infact today I was to join a local YMCA w/my family. Gotta say I went in there feeling so self conscious, I nearly opted not to go. That was after reading this thread. hahaha I had never really thought anything about the ppl there being so blood thirsty & judgemental. I had to take a tour and of course ppl were working out all over the place....IM OVER WEIGHT PPL...and I about died inside walking through there after reading such harsh judgement of ppl. Fact of the matter is UNLESS you've walked a mile in someone elses shoes STOP THE HATING & JUDGING gawd...
I will tell you, as a heavier woman, that used to have a great body....ppl who are so harsh and judgemental towards obese persons are usually ones who have never experienced such challenges in their own lives.
When one becomes over weight I dont think their thinking ahead of time "Oh goody goody im gonna pack on an extra 100lbs just for the shits n giggles of it"....there may be emotional issues, marrital issues, hormonal issues, loss of a loved one, loss of a job that all helped to contribute towards the decline in health. Stress also plays a huge role in the decline in health. There are many issues that aid some persons in traveling down a not so healthy life style path.
I realize we are our own worst enemies sometimes too....and I myself have sabotaged my own weight loss success....It is really not right to judge a person based on preconceived notions about their size of stature because you feel they must simply be a fatass that chooses to sit n eat chips all day. Yah we(myself included here) that need to lose weight should get started...we have to start somewhere. Its however not easy being grossly over weight and having to then begin excersizing. Those of you that have said things like "those that are sitting on a bike reading might as well be at home dangling their feet off their couches" YOU strap on a bag filled with an extra 100lbs lets say and see if you do such a FABULOUSLY SEXY job in the cycle classes. I would rather think the person who is over weight sitting on the bike reading is atleast there moving rather than sitting at home wishing they were.
LOSING weight is a challenge and more so if you've got on larger amounts of weight. IT can be done but its still a hard challenge. IT can be hard on the knees and joints if not done properly. Ask Opra, she messed up here knees bad after taking on jogging early in her weight loss.
http://www.who.int/hpr/NPH/docs/gs_obesity.pdf
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with
more than 1 billion adults overweight - at least 300 million
of them clinically obese - and is a major contributor to the
global burden of chronic disease and disability. Often
coexisting in developing countries with under-nutrition,
obesity is a complex condition, with serious social and
psychological dimensions, affecting virtually all ages and
socioeconomic groups.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
The rising epidemic reflects the profound changes in
society and in behavioural patterns of communities over
recent decades.While genes are important in determining
a person's susceptibility to weight gain, energy balance is
determined by calorie intake and physical activity. Thus
societal changes and worldwide nutrition transition are
driving the obesity epidemic. Economic growth,
modernization, urbanization and globalization of food
markets are just some of the forces thought to underlie
the epidemic.
As incomes rise and populations become more urban,
diets high in complex carbohydrates give way to more
varied diets with a higher proportion of fats, saturated
fats and sugars.At the same time, large shifts towards less
physically demanding work have been observed worldwide.
Moves towards less physical activity are also
found in the increasing use of automated transport,
technology in the home, and more passive leisure pursuits. | |
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| At the gym.
Posted: 10/17/2007 11:27:45 AM | | I tend to to applaud anyone who tries to better themselves . That's the kind of person I want to meet. Would I jump into bed with a 400lb woman...probably not...but I'd definitely take a self aware, self improving girl with curves over someone model anyday. | |
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