Excuses, excuses, excuses!!

[lupo pazzesco]

This could theoretically go in the thread about people with no drive, but it's a very specific rant against some folks I know, about a very specific topic.

BG: I decided to start a whole lifestyle change in April. After losing my grandfather, and a bunch of other shit besides, I just wanted to be a different, better me. And that started by losing the 100+ extra pounds I'm carrying around, not for the sake of the aesthetic, but because I want to be healthy. As such, I've really buckled down on making smarter food choices and being aware of what goes into my body. I keep track of calories, carbs, protein, fiber, etc, and try to stay within a specific range. I try to do at least 30 minutes of exercise everyday. I've had success. 32 lbs down so far, with inches coming off my waist, hips, bust and whathaveyou.

On to the rant. I know several people who are overweight, couple people at work and my ex roomie, to name a few. They all express desire to lose weight, to get into shape, but they're not willing to DO anything! I mention what I've been doing, and what has helped me, but get told oh gosh it's just too much to take in/track/understand!

This pisses me off. You want to lose weight. Yet you do NOTHING. I've invited my ex roomie to workout with me. Hell, something simple, like go for a walk in the evenings while she still lived in the same complex as me! Her reasoning? "Oh, I can't, I don't want to breathe the air outside!"

sure, air quality isn't great, but 30 minutes in it isn't going to kill you!

Or, my particular favorite excuse from her: SHe can't lose weight because she's built to be fat. It's horrible, really, and I should show more sympathy to her plight, that her body just isn't meant to ever lose weight. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with her food choices, the fact that she'll eschew anything that remotely is vegetable or healthy, unless it's drowned in oil, salt, butter, or alfredo sauce. But, she points, out she LOVES chicken, and chicken is healthy! (But the only way she can eat it is if she drowns it in thick sauces, or deep fries it). She claims she has low blood sugar, and that's why she's eating donuts and cookies, and fast food every few hours. But darn it, she just can't lose weight. Oh, and she cant' exercise, either, because she has asthma and bad knees and fibromyalgia, and arthritis in her back, and her boobs are too big. (Seriously. Her chest is too large, she can't work out)

Some of my CWs are the same way. They SO want to go get in shape, but they just don't have time to pack their own lunches so they HAVE to go to McDonald's everyday, and complain about the fact they have no choice but to eat supersized fries and milkshakes and big macs. Or, they're trying to count calories, but the 500 calorie cinnamon roll doesn't count, because they're tired and need a sugar fix. Or that when they're stressed they go straight for ice cream, and they've been so stressed lately. worse, I hate hate hate being told I couldn't possibly understand ANYTHING about what being stressed feels like, and I'm so luck to have such an easy life. (Great, thanks for confirming that when we were talking and i confessed how hard life has been this year, you weren't paying attention...)

Ok, I get it, fine whatever. the world is against you losing weight. It's a conspiracy, and you're biologically doomed to be fat forever, and people need to realize that and empathize with you. Further, people shouldn't judge you because life just ain't easy, and you HAVE to eat to feel better.

But you know what, sunshine?? I have bad knees and a big chest. I invested in a great sports bra, do low impact exercises and wear a knee brace when necessary. I get stressed and I love french fries when I do! I don't get the 1200 calorie super sized fries, I make oven fries on my own instead! 150 calories, just as crispy, and just as salty. I learn recipes to eat foods I love without restricting myself and I actually get up and move, instead of sitting online all day, trying to find dates on internet sites, and bemoaning the fact that your matches aren't thinking you're as awesome as you perceive yourself to be.

I'm not saying that they're lying. Sure, maybe there are some legitimate health reasons, but any doctor can tell you how to work around the restrictions! I don't think they're genetically doomed to be fat, really I don't. Especially with some of the BS they've tried to pass off as logical explanations, when there is an abundance of proof to the contrary.

Part of what irritates me so much is being told I'm just so lucky it's turning out to be so easy for me to get the weight off. It's NOT!! I bust my ass, I backslide. I fight the part of me that wants to eat fast food everyday! I pack my own lunches, I force myself to get up earlier in the morning to workout. And I do it all alone! I don't have anyone who can be a workout buddy, so when I hear people I know saying they want to change, and I offer, I get so fucking pissed when I get blown off with weak ass excuses. I would love to have someone working with me, but instead I get whiners and excuses.

Ex Roomie with all the health woes? Seems to forget the health woes when she was bragging about being in ROTC one semester while we lived together, and how she got so much exercise in and running was fun when people were telling her how awesome she was doing!!

Fuck you, bitch. Stop fucking calling me and telling me how much you miss my pumpkin cheesecake with vanilla creme. I miss it too! but until I can work out the substitutions to make it less fat filled and artery clogging, I'm not making it especially for you, though you're SO kind to offer to let me bake one, just for you!

And to the CW who ate Taco Cabana everyday this week, knowing how much I LOVE their queso, but have been abstaining from it until I lose this next five pounds, fuck you, too. I'm so glad you're finding it tasty, but chomping on tacos and queso, while talking about how you've mysteriously managed to gain 3 pounds isn't going to garner any sympathy from me. Keep squeezing your XXL ass into size L shirts and jeans and saying you're just retaining water, obviously.

Do whatever the fuck you all want to, just stop telling me about how lucky I am, how easy I have it, and how jealous you are that I'm losing weight. If you don't actually work for it, nothing's going to happen. I'm proud of my accomplishments, and I'm going to keep working, and trying to encourage myself. Maybe some of the weight I should be shedding is fairweather friends.

Ok, think I'm done... <Big sigh> Feel a little better.

Guh, want to go play a game where I get to hack things to bits...

[AdminAssistant]

I feel ya, Lupo.

I'm overweight. I know why I'm overweight. I'm unhappy about it to say the least. But finding the motivation....eeehhhhh, yeah. I can't even get started. I would love to have a buddy for support and would take someone up on the offer...(wellll, maybe after the show closes). HOWEVER, I don't go around whining about being fat or wondering why I gained that pound. And I'm certainly not going to bust on someone who's actually managed to stay on the wagon.

Go you!

[protege]

Go Lupo!

When I was at the gym constantly last year, there were these two "large" women that quite a few people wanted to smack. Why? Well, they'd come in...stand around and chit-chat, maybe do 5 minutes of exercise, and then whine because they "couldn't lose any weight." Seriously, when they'd come in, the *entire* cardio area would roll their eyes!

Granted, I'm not exactly perfect either--I could stand to lose my "spare tire," but at least I don't stand around and complain about it. My problem is, that my metabolism has slowed down a bit since turning 30. Not helping either, is that most of my workday is spent sitting on my ass. I try to get to the gym when I can, but when you have all of that, plus a house to take care of... it's difficult.

I do know one thing...if I get one more comment from my brother about my stomach...I'm going to rip into him about his lack of a job

[Cat]

Screw 'em Lupo. You're awesome, you working at your health....let them stay they way they are.

You keep up what you're doing!

[Rapscallion]

Ever thought about keeping a food diary for them? Do it. Be really nasty. When they start to go on about how they cannot lose weight, produce it.

Rapscallion

[Boozy]

You've lost over 30 pounds in six months? Yay, Lupo! Nice job.

I really hate to sound like one of those stupid inspirational posters, but I don't know how else to put it: Motivation is something that comes from within. Your friends know that they're making excuses and that they could change if they really wanted to, but they just aren't ready. And you are a reminder to them of what they could be doing, but haven't been able to bring themselves to do.

I'm glad to see their attitudes haven't brought you down. I fell off the non-smoking wagon because my smoking friends were always sharing their excuses for not quitting. They sounded very logical to the nicotine-junkie part of my brain. I ended up smoking for a few months before being able to quit again. Now I hear their excuses and they sound like the nonsense that they are.

[Cats]

Some people really do have a heavy body type though, and some do try and can't seem to make it work, and it's not all their fault. These people are okay, but they don't tend to be the excuse idiots.

I'm a small person and I eat a lot (seriously). But I'm also a very active person. I'm not a gym goer, but I walk a lot (90% of my job involves a lot of moving, plus I walk on nice days), and dance around the house like an idiot when I'm alone. All that activity does add up and maintains my weight. By my own admission, I'm not a healthy eater, and people are envious of me because of that and my size. Part of it is luck to have a natually thin frame, but part of it also is that I work off the extra calories I eat. I may appear to sit on the computer most of the time at home, but every 10-15 min I tend to get up and move around for 5!


But anyway, I totally agree with you. I see so many people whine about their weight but do nothing to change it. My dad was overweight for a long time, and every now and then, he'd diet, lose some, be okay for a bit, then go right back. He's diabetic now, and after learning about moderation and watching what he eats (with the extra motivation that now his health does directly depend on it), once he made that lifestyle change, the weight just melted right off, and he's actually healthier now than he has been in many years (despite the diabetes, which he has 100% under control). The man doesn't even cheat, period. Even his nutrionist says it's okay to go over the limit a little bit once in a while (it's not every day you get oh-so-yummy holiday deserts), but be disciplines himself and sticks to his limits.

It both angers me and breaks my heart when I see massively overweight people at work buying nothing but $20-30 worth of junk food, mostly candy, everytime they come in (bonus points if they're using food stamps, but that's a whole different can of worms).

Yes, traditional excercise can be a bit of a bore. There's a reason some school gym classes have DDR and Wii Fit is popular...it's fun but still counts! Every little bit helps, and it doesn't HAVE to be boring!


I have to say, I do like Raps' idea.

[lupo pazzesco]

HOWEVER, I don't go around whining about being fat or wondering why I gained that pound. And I'm certainly not going to bust on someone who's actually managed to stay on the wagon.

Go you!

On those grounds alone, I think I love you...

Go Lupo!

When I was at the gym constantly last year, there were these two "large" women that quite a few people wanted to smack. Why? Well, they'd come in...stand around and chit-chat, maybe do 5 minutes of exercise, and then whine because they "couldn't lose any weight."

THIS THIS THIS THIS THIS!!! EX-roomie in a nutshell!! She claims she does Wiifit everyday, but 5 minutes of playing a balancing game? Pfft. Then hours of surfing the net and going back for another 5 minutes of something or other...really? and this is part of the reasoning for why it's obvious she's not meant to lose weight.

Ever thought about keeping a food diary for them? Do it. Be really nasty. When they start to go on about how they cannot lose weight, produce it.

Rapscallion

Raps, have I mentioned how much I adore how your mind works? I should seriously spend one day with these people, track their food, and then track mine.

Me: One healthy, homemade Asian chicken salad with a side of edamame and fresh fruit. 325 calories, 5g fat.
Her: Mcdonald's chicken nuggets, ranch sauce and large fries and one of the new mccrappe iced coffees...hrmmm... 1560 calories, 90g fat. Mmm, feel those arteries clogging...

You've lost over 30 pounds in six months? Yay, Lupo! Nice job.

I really hate to sound like one of those stupid inspirational posters, but I don't know how else to put it: Motivation is something that comes from within. Your friends know that they're making excuses and that they could change if they really wanted to, but they just aren't ready. And you are a reminder to them of what they could be doing, but haven't been able to bring themselves to do.

I talked to my mom last night after posting and she said the same thing. Essentially, it's sour grapes, and apparently I'm an uncomfortable reminder that it can be done despite having health issues.

Some people really do have a heavy body type though, and some do try and can't seem to make it work, and it's not all their fault. These people are okay, but they don't tend to be the excuse idiots.

It both angers me and breaks my heart when I see massively overweight people at work buying nothing but $20-30 worth of junk food, mostly candy, everytime they come in (bonus points if they're using food stamps, but that's a whole different can of worms).

Yes, traditional excercise can be a bit of a bore. There's a reason some school gym classes have DDR and Wii Fit is popular...it's fun but still counts! Every little bit helps, and it doesn't HAVE to be boring!


I have to say, I do like Raps' idea.

1. I never said I didn't think that there weren't legitimate reasons for some people. I just don't think it's right that people like my ex-roomie claim it's impossible to lose weight while she gorges on some of the unhealthiest things you can imagine and doesn't exercise because supposedly she can't, but then brag about how well she exercised in ROTC one year...

2. Oh, don't get me started! I hate that the one time I decide I want a quart of ice cream, I get the looks that I'm obviously overweight because I dont' make the right choices. Or, worse, I'll have a cart full of healthy stuff, and get the condescending looks that I'm trying too hard, or something of the like. And then there are the people like those you mentioned, who stock up on the junk food, and still bitch bitch bitch about how heavy they are.

3. I want to get a Wii for Wiifit, but right now I'm mixing it up by alternating between walking, bike riding, random DVDs, and so on.

4. I love Raps' idea, too!

[AdminAssistant]

On those grounds alone, I think I love you...

3. I want to get a Wii for Wiifit, but right now I'm mixing it up by alternating between walking, bike riding, random DVDs, and so on.

EA has put out another weight loss game type thing (can't remember what it's called at the moment), but I think I'm going to ask for it for Christmas.

[Giggle Goose]

That's so awesome, Lupo!!!! I know it certainly isn't easy and you should be very proud of yourself.

As for the whiners....I HEAR YOU!

I started a program in May (PM me if you want to find out more), and I find that when I stick with it, it works. I've lost about 34 pounds so far.

When I read about your friends and CWs I feel like you're reading my mind! When I first started, a lot of people asked why I wasn't eating "real food" and I should just give it up because I won't stick with it anyway, blah blah blah. "Why do you go for a walk at lunchtime? Why do you drink so much water?" Most of this came from a "friend' that was probably really jealous.

Of course NOW, these same people are asking how I did it. It's not a quick fix. If they think that they can sit around and eat fast food every day and change their appearance, then they're sadly mistaken. Eating because you're stressed? Please. It just makes you more stressed in the long run. Eating healthy and exercising has helped me with my depression, back pain, blood pressure, lowering diabetes risk...the list goes on and on. I'm also on antidepressants, too, so the whole "but it causes weight gain" is not a crutch for me.

However, I DO know what it's like to be in denial and unmotivated. You have to be in the right mindset to make a change, and it's only when these people know that only YOU YOURSELF can make that change that they will actually do something. No one else can do it for you, and I would NEVER judge someone who is struggling with weight. I knew I was fat, I didn't need the whole world to remind me.

Keep up the awesome work, Lupo!!!!

[Cat]

EA has put out another weight loss game type thing (can't remember what it's called at the moment), but I think I'm going to ask for it for Christmas.

ea Active...its awesome!!! (more encouraging than Fit....I use Wii Fit as my scale now, lol)

Both Active and Fit should have updates out toward the end of the year

(as much as I hateto plug another site, I did find Calorie Counters to be very helpful in my weight loss journey...esp now, since I am supposed to be maintainging)

[Rapscallion]

I have a Wii Fit. I don't use it.

It's more of a gateway exercise than anything else. Only two of the exercises on there got my heart rate up - jogging and hula hoop. Hula hoop had a maximum of ten minutes, which isn't really enough, and jogging was buggering my knees sideways. I've gone onto more strenuous stuff, such as the hill of doom (started to rebugger the knees) and exercise bike.

As a side note, I honestly think that the idea I have of a food diary for others is really going to piss them off. Use at your own peril. Of course, if it's someone you don't like, go for it! Alternatively, if it's someone you like who will forgive you once they realise, then go for it.

Rapscallion

[Fashion Lad!]

Awesome job on the decision to get healthier!!

If people can't find the drive, they shouldn't complain about what their own life-style put them in.

[lupo pazzesco]

Another gem I heard yesterday:

I ended up getting more hours at work for a couple days a week, and as such, have a longer lunch hour. I decided to spend the first half of said hour going for a walk, as the weather's been beatiful lately. I came in from said walk yesterday, and one of my CWs (One who's trying to lose weight, supposedly) wanted to know why I would do such a thing. I mentioned it was good exercise and easy to do and she said

"Not if you have children!"

That's right, her latest reason for being unable to lose weight is she's a mommy. Even while at work and her daughter's in school, she cant' go for a walk on her lunch break. Because she's a mommy.

And as she's plowing through her lunch from McDonald's she's complaining that her 9 year old daughter is overweight and it needs to change, but she has no idea where she gets it from...



Also, later, I was talking about food choices with a CW who's actually wanting to change, and other CW (Mommy CW) butts in, eating a bag of cheetos and starts lecturing CW about how maybe I shouldn't say anything, since everyone knows I'm Italian and that means I cook and eat nothing but pasta, and if CW wants advice, mommy CW is always ready to listen and help!

Irksome, but amusing. More irksome, though.

Some people...

[Flyndaran]

I found a weird way to make my gluttony fight my slothfulness.
I don't have a car, and buy my groceries in bulk delivered.
Except for my diet Pepsi that is. I walk the 0.75-1.0 mile to the nearby Fred Meyer for them or I just don't drink any. With my 6-8 liter a day habit, that's also quite a bit of weight to trudge back with. My record is a bit over 60 pounds.
So far my gluttony has won every time.
I haven't checked to see if my weight has changed, but my health must be getting better from all the sweat I have exuded by the time I get back home.

After experimenting, I found a couple of green vegetables that I love. My mom hates them, so she never cooked them when I was a kid.
As humans we can eat darn near everything on earth. It shouldn't be impossible for anyone to find some kind of healthy food they like or even love.

Who knew I would love mushy canned asparagus?