it doesn't matter what size or shape you are. some people will like you more becuase of your body, and some others will take exception to you because of it - whatever body type you have. that's life - and it would be a boring life if we were all the same. that said, for me, the positive benefits of sport (i can eat what healthy food i want, i like setting goals and achieving them, i am pretty much totally happy with my body, i value the support of others and the ability to support others, i love enjoying the countryside, and all the little things - say, i don't sweat as much as others when the sun comes out, etc, etc) outweigh the negatives (time, injuries and times when i can't be assed (though i always find that after about 10 minutes of exercise the body releases things and i get into it even if i couldn't be assed to train before). but who cares? it's my life. i'll be dead soon. so will you. so just enjoy doing what you enjoy doing

bottsicus: Maybe some teenage non-man-boobies?



"Do you know who I am?"

ItchyMcknobster: Just as predicted, the fat-hating perfect people are out in force.

But when I pose the question, "why am I over weight when I eat about the same as you?", you do nothing but mock me, instead of siting facts to back up your nonexistent reasoning...

\still jerks

Jumping in and violating the 5-Minute Rule...

Do you *really* eat "about" the same as "we" do? Seriously...take a look at your perspective. I've known people who think "about" equals 115% of what "we" eat (that is, 15% more). Over time, that's enough to get anyone overweight unless they exercise the excess calories off.

Also, being heavy can be affected by your genetics, but it's not insurmountable. I've known people with overweight parents who were very fit and trim. They just have to work a little harder at it.

I consume up to 3500 calories a day, and my weight is pretty stable (overweight, but mostly because I work out, so I'd *like* to think the extra weight is in muscle). One theory to weight loss and maintenance is how often you eat and how much you eat when you do eat. Eating many small meals throughout the day is supposed to keep your body from going into 'survival mode', where it thinks it's being periodically starved, and must store as much of the food you eat as fat so it can survive.

These are just 3 possibilities why you have a hard time with your weight: perspective about how much you really eat (and WHAT you eat!!!!), genetics, and keeping your body out of 'survival' mode. The fourth is this: do you do any type of aerobic activity? Just 30 minutes a day of fast walking will help melt the pounds away.

Finally, I remember an article in Men's Health about this guy who did Ironman triathlons, lifted weights, etc...yet he was as big as a house (i.e. fat). Doctors examined him, and determined that he was in spectacular cardiovascular health (better than me, I'm sure); but discovered he had a thyroid problem (I believe it was). So, despite the fact that he was in every other way perfect shape, he couldn't drop the fat. The instant he stopped doing any physical activity, his metabolism crashed, and the fat stopped burning. So, have a doctor check you out for hypothyroidism, as well. It's a possibility.

There...was that more informative?

Resistance training boosts your metabolism.

I think most people eat too much these days. I can only eat half of what they give me in a restaurant before I start to feel sick. I see other people woof down all that, then order more along with dessert. Granted, I'm not a big person but I am amazed at the carbs and fat people try to ingest in one sitting.

If you're convinced it's just a "gland" problem, go to the damn doctor. If your endocrine system is that farked up, who knows what it's doing to your internal organs and your lifespan in general.

SaladMonkey: oh, and I guess I should have mentioned this in my Boobies.

One of the most contextually appropriate filterages of all time.

ihatedumbpeople: Hey...strange idea here. Instead of reduction surgery, how about not eating crap food all day and occasionally getting off the couch?



I'm pretty sure that lack of exercise didn't cause this...

SaladMonkey - you don't need to throw yourself into competition to begin with. try a few sports, find the ones you like, and just train by yourself - or in a small friendly non-competitive group. there will come a point where you may well want to compete with others (equally you might not), but that's up to you. for just about every sport out there most participants don't compete. most people just enjoy sports for the other benefits. actively look for a club which has others who don't compete (for example, most clubs have non-competing veterans, parents, family members and friends) and you'll love it and they'll love you if you're honest and enjoy the sport

Arthur Jumbles: I'm pretty sure that lack of exercise didn't cause this...

Someone should turn up the heat in there. He seems a tad chilly.

zekebullseye: Then I watch the kids grow up still topping the weight curves on the growth chart.

The other spinoff of that is that the formula-fed fatties actually skewed the charts, causing slimmer breastfed babies to appear underweight. The WHO has revised the charts back to normal, but many doctors are still telling the mothers of healthy, breastfed babies that their kids need supplements. (Since many doctors don't stay up-to-date.)

Even after our son moved on to solids, our family doctor thought he was too skinny. But when he sent us to a pediatrician who kept on top of these things, the specialist looked at his diet and said our son was completely normal for a well-fed, active little boy.