Life Rant

I don't think anyone (credible at least) is arguing that it's impossible for people to beat their genes rather that some people are more predisposed to being fat. Sure anyone that tries hard can lose the weight, the problem lies in that it's more difficult for some than others to lose and easier to gain.

My roommate and I have almost exactly the same exercising/eating habits (I eat slightly healthier,) same jobs, same height, he's 7 years old than I am and despite all this I have a much harder time keeping weight off than he does.

From my "Mcdonalds" post:

"Well, the reality you'd have to face is that body mass is not highly correlated with caloric intake."

"A very high proportion of body mass is genetic--only a small amount if any responds to dieting, and it's typically not the amount that would take someone from say, the kind of fat person you despise to the thin person you want to be/masturbate to."

Small differences in quantity and quality of food can make a big difference over time. If your roomate is just drinking one can of soda a day and you're not, that can make the difference between gaining one pound a month (12+ pounds per year) as comparred to you, or not.

Vic

Have you heard Vic that in the UK the Government are considering putting things like stomach stapling for children on the National Health Service!

I'm going to say that there can be huge genetic differences between individuals that can cause dramatic differences in weight loss and gain.

It's the same for body building (something I did for quite a while). The exact same thing for two different people can have very different results.

However it's not just genetics involved, there's everything in life from sleeping hours to time of day you exercise, from cooking styles to the type of job you have.

Exercise, good work life balance, and the most important thing of all...

Everything in moderation!

In the end though, enjoy life and be happy with who you are.

Hey! I live in Thailand and my wife and I (as well as our maid) have all put on more weight than we need. How can I get into your program? Can you tell us what we have to do to eat better? My wife loves cooking me great meals, but every time I complain she gives me too much she doesn't listen. Frankly, she's put on so much weight I no longer find her sexually attractive. What can we do to bring back our svelte selves and put the magic back in our marriage?

Help!

Richard,

It's out of control and people are acting like it's out of their hands and it's happening "to" them instead of the reality which is they're doing it to themselves. It especially drives me insane when I see grossly overweight kids... I swear I want to walk over and punch the parents in the face.

The thing is, that as you say people's bodies do react differently... HOWEVER everyone seems to want the exception to be the rule. In other words, it seems to me that most everyone who is overweight wants to blame it on some genetic/emotional/whatever circumstance instead of just accepting responsibility for their situation.

The other really bad thing is that folks look this is only a "visual" problem and don't even begin to think about the massive healthy consequences.

Vic

Marc,

Dude, I can't help you with your marriage. :-) If you want a straightforward, non-extreme way to learn to take weight off and keep it off check out this ebook on losing weight.

Vic

The trainer from the previous seasons, Jillian Michaels, now has a radio show on KFI on the weekend, as well as her website. She takes calls and answers questions. One of the tidbits she reported was the fact that the Biggest Losers did 3 hours of aerobics a day in order to lose the weight. That's something the show doesn't tell us. She recommends 2 day rest between weight training the various areas, upper body, lower body, etc. (which is the norm I believe), however she does recommend up to an hour of aerobics a day in order to shed those lbs.
So, if we all do 3 hours of aerobics a day we can do it for sure. HA!

I'm actually surprised that's ALL they did in regards to aerobics. Seriously, I figure they work out 8-10 hours a day.

You have to remember that these are extreme circumstances and people that are very far gone weight-wise. Once one gets into shape and learns to eat right it's not necessary to do 3 hours of aerobics a day. :-)

Thanks for the tidbit on Jillian, I was wondering what happened to her this season.

Vic

Hi Richard,

Why not make working out and losing weight a challenge with your wife? Do it together and you'll build intimacy, friendship and bring back the spark! Have fun with it - maybe sit down and write a list of goals, then write a list of sexy rewards you'll do together for each goal you achieve. You've got a wellness buddy in a wife, so make the most of it! (But of course, be gentle in how you bring up the idea! We ladies are sensitive as no doubt you know).

Cheers from the health-obsessed (and only slightly nutty) gang at Mark's Daily Apple.