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Why Do People Struggle to Lose Weight?

Edvard Munch

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My question is elementary, but I dont understand the answer. Also please note, this is negating the people who have a biological abnormality which prevents them from shedding pounds.

So you're over weight. You need to lose twenty pounds. Okay, ... so do it. I've certainly let my self go and have been mildly over weight at points my life, but when I needed to lose weight, I did it. It sucked eating healthy. Fuck carrots. It sucks exercising, too. But I had a goal of twenty pounds and it was done and I didn't really "relapse."


And I love food! Heaven is a mixed vodka drink and 5 lbs of cheap greasy Taco Bell burritos in front of me! But in the long run, I knew my gratification would return when I start noticing weight loss results.


Why is it so difficult for some people to stop eating bad foods when they know they shouldn't? I don't understand.
 
some peoples metabolism isnt always the fastest. also it has alot to do with your familys weight and lack there of for the matter. i was watching the thousand pound man on discovery health, and i hear ya man. i didnt understand why he didnt just stop eating, so he wouldnt get that big. people over eat for different reasons, idk. this reminds me i need to loose a few more, im down 10 but want more.
 
Some of us don't know how to put together a proper workout plan.

I naively thought that the Fitness for Dummies book would be enough for me to put together a proper weight-loss workout plan. So for months and months, I was doing mostly cardio; with a moderate bit of weights, alternating muscle groups from day to day. The book said that a moderate amount of weight training would help me lose weight because muscle tissue helps burn fat. I thought that by increasing my calories burned while keeping my calories eaten the same I would lose weight at the rate of 3500 calories per pound like the book said.

I was wrong.

So far, for every pound of fat I lost; all I did is put a pound of muscle right back on! So while I've lost a few inches, my actual weight and BMI are exactly the same as when I started. I'm kind of at a loss, and more than a bit PO'd, about the whole affair right now. I've skipped the gym for a couple of weeks now, and instead haunted the library and bookstores looking for a better source than "For Dummies". But it looks like I'm going to have to break down and actually fork out the money for a trainer, because I just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.


cya,
john
 
^^im guessing you know muscle weighs more than fat right?

why not try cutting the intake of calories and keep up w/ the cardio and weights? that should help.
 
same reason it is so hard to quit smoking, or pills or anything else people get addicted/habituated to
 
because sometimes enjoying yourself is more important than being thinner... i'm not talking about being obese here, but i'd prefer to be a bit over weight and enjoy my food and my lifestyle than having to worry about trying to fit in exercise that i don't particularly want to do or eating foods that i don't really want. It all depends on what you really think is more important...and at times, i think pleasure is the most important, and at times i think it's time to check that i am still healthy/fit and eat well and do some exercize - but i'll never live my life based on my weight or size.... people are much too preoccupied with weightloss these days, it's pathetic.
 
I suppose its more of a personal choice than why they can do it.

I think by now, most of the population is aware that McDonalds and the entire fast food industry is going to add shit to your junk. No doubt about that. But even in my family, its a clear distinction of choice. I am a health freak, being incredibly obese as a child, i had dropped the fork and have been living as a very healthy teen ever since. True, my meals probably arent AS enjoyable as a nice butterly sirloin steak, or a giant bag of chips with some beer or soda. However, i get a different gratification of my self image. Now for some people, they dont give two shits about what they look like, but must have a good meal. I respect that as much as i respect having a good self image. Its all up to the person.

Now for SvnLyrBrto,

I may not be a trainer, but i have lost 60 pounds healthy in the matter of a couple of years.

Yes, true, exercizing (cardio and weights) will increase your basal metabolism by adding more muscle to your body and will burn more calories faster. However, because life is a bitch, eating the same as before isnt going to change much. You consequently might gain weight from the muscles you are gaining from your work out and fat from all the un metabolized foods in your system. This is bad for it puts pressure on your bones, for you may exceed a healthy range of muscle and fat for your body

My work out plan is simple andit works. Just try it out. Its hard, so maybe slowly adjust to it but here is mine.

Make sure your meals consist of...
Less than 2-3 servings of carbs (excess carbs are turned into glyocogen, at this stage, many left over foods in your body will turn into fat) and if possible limit carbs to only breakfast and lunch.

Eat plenty of vegitables 4-5 servings a day. Any time of the day is fine.

Eat lean protein, preferably chicken breast only if you are a body builder. Other lean meats work too but avoid fatty meats, or chicken skin. Terribly greasy.

Dont forget the legumes and nuts and dairy, but if possible eat low fat foods and dont over do the nuts and dairy, they are high in calories.

I personally havent touched any form of candy, or simple sugars such as sugar, syrup etc for a couple of years but this may seem like an impossible task so go ahead and let yourself go if you really must. Keep it at a minimum though. I dont suggest diet sodas either, they will kill you in a different way.

Now thats how you should eat, here is my simple meal guide.
Breakfast: Corn flakes, skim milk, some fruits and a low fat yougurt.
Lunch: Chicken breast (grilled) and vegitables
Dinner: Some sort of lean meat and vegitables.

Its not actually so bland once you mix it up a bit. Also when cooking avoid peanut, sunflower, palm oil. go for canola or olive.

The portions of your meal should be like a period. Your breakfast shoud be plentiful, for the breakfast runs your day's metabolism. Your lunch should be plentiful too, but dont gorge yourself. Your dinner should be light. Not too much pressure on the stomach..


Now regarding exercize.
Weight lift first
then cardio.

I dont know what kind of body type you wish to build, but whatever it is, try to exceed 45 minutes when exercizing. Thats when the real fat starts to burn if you keep exercizing consistantly, whether it be cardio or weight lifting.

You should weight lift first for it burns all the days carbs, and when the carbs deplete, your body will start to burn the fat (which you will be burning off by cardio)

Try to exercize everyday. It doesnt have to be 3 hours, but maybe an hour and a half each day. If you really cant, skip the weight lifting and go with just the cardio. Make sure you know you are pushing yourself. Lifting 2 10 lbs of dumbels and doing a lap isnt exercizing.

Lastly, after a good run or weight training, provide your body with some anti oxidants such as green tea, or some citrus fruits.

Hope this helps.
 
Consistency. I for one know how difficult it is to lose weight one has gained over the years especially as one gets older. Consistency and discipline to stick thru with your diet/lifestyle change and exercise for as long as it takes until you reach your goal is not easy which is why it takes longer for some people to lose .
 
There are alot of people who dont realize they are eating the wroong foods ......there are diseases or illnesses that can cause people to be allergic to certain foods and they don't realize it or know how to avoid those foods.....i think that has some to do with it.sometimes its not all about exercising.
(i think this is very common in the us-)
 
Also, people should get to know their bodies and what makes it tick. What sort of diet/lifestyle change would be best for him/her , and not just blindly follow whatever he/she is told to do or what he reads in magazines or the latest diet fad book.

It took me quite a while to really get to know my body, what foods made me gain an absurd amount of weight in a short time, what foods were good for me, how much and what kind of exercise I needed for maximum weight loss for my body type etc. Being diagnosed with hypothyroidism (and my predisposition towards being insulin resistant as a result) really encouraged me to educate myself about my body and its needs. Now I know exactly what I have to do in order to be the healthiest I can be (although I must admit, I slack off every now and then ;)) Losing weight is easy for some and very hard for others and I know this firsthand thru my experience. This is why I cannot tell another person "why does it take you forever to lose weight? gain weight? etc etc" because everybody is so different. Until you put yourself in the persons body, you will never know.

Its all about educating oneself and knowing your body.
 
Weight loss and fat versus thin is very complicated ...
It's not always so simple as saying, "Just discipline yourself! Eat less and exercise more." A short answer is that age, health issues, genetics, metabolism, even work schedules all factor into your ability to lose weight. There's a lot of information available and it gets complicated. Do some research if you;'re interested.
 
Just remember kids, the fatter you are, the weaker you are, and therefore less worthy of a human being.

If you really want to lose weight, cut out all simple sugars, red meat, high fructose corn syrup, and burn off excess carbohydrates through exercise.
 
Chubba75 said:
I'm 132 pounds and I'm now eating 6000 calories a day.
!!!!!
Just curious -- how many miles do you ride a week? I"ve been road biking 100 - 150 miles per week, eat 2000 - 3000 cals a day and still weigh 220 pounds. My weight doesn't budge and I don't eat fat food. I go fairly high cadence and regularly fly past road bike-club riders too.
 
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kultron said:
Just remember kids, the fatter you are, the weaker you are, and therefore less worthy of a human being.

There are varying levels of obesity, and not all "fat" people are weak just as not all "thin" people are healthy. And judging someone to be less worthy of a human being because of their weight is a bunch of crap 8(
 
Cause people are lazy and theres so much misinformation on how to lose weight many people don't know how to go about it properly.

biological abnormality which prevents them from shedding pounds.

Also too many people using this as an excuse.
 
I wasn't exercising. I ate way too much. It takes constant dedication to a lifestyle change. I knew the solution. I was too lazy to do it. It was a struggle. I wanted health and wellness to come in an easy to swallow and no work form. I am at the point now that it isn't hard at all to eat well and exercise. It is now a way of life.
 
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