I've read and read and read AND read most of the posts here that seemed to be in line with MY problems. However one thing I did notice that I seem to be one of very few who want to lose the weight due to HEALTH problems.
I see a lot of "because I'm not sexy enough," "I want to look good in that slinky little number," "I want my hubby/SO to think I'm sexy/desirable," etc. Why aren't you doing this for YOUR HEALTH, first ?! Those other things will be the added "bennies" once your health is back on track.
Maybe I'm just weird (trust me it wouldn't be the first time & certainly won't be the last), but I want/need to do this for MY sake, aka living to a ripe old age without the complications of obesity.
Not slamming anyone, just was curious as to why the propensity to link everything to LOOKS and not health. Thass all.
I'm not sure I agree, maybe those stand out to you. I think I see a larger proportion of women that ARE doing it for their health...they realize they have a family history of diabetes, etc. There do talk about how they feel like cr**, and want to feel better, and look better.
One would probably assume that because I was "only" 144 lbs at the start of my journey, that I was doing it for looks alone. I wasn't...but, yes...that is part of it. All of us want to be comfortable in our own skin. But also, I now can jog a 5K, when I couldn't do a mile when I started. My emotions are more stable, I don't get sugar spikes/crashes all the time (cuz I don't eat table sugar anymore!!). My blood pressure and cholesterol were good before I started, so that wasn't an issue.
But BOY, do I feel SOOOO much better, both physically and emotionally.
Now, I will admit, there's a few on here that their goal is a BMI that's considered "underweight". It's hard to be supportive/understanding of that....
Health definitely is a reason for me, although I didn't include that on my initial post. (I think I'll go back and edit it to include it!)
Both of my parents are diabetic, controlled by medication and diet. If they'd both lose weight, the diabetes would disappear. My brother had the same thing, and he's lost weight and improved his health and it's gone. My 74-yr old father had a triple bypass 30 years ago, and has had a couple angioplasties since then. He doesn't eat properly or exercise, but he's still kicking, through the grace of God.
For me, the weight affects my sleep, which affects my overall health. I'm tired, run-down, and it's a never-ending spiral downwards into worse health. My cholesterol is barely within limits; my blood sugar is OK (for now), but I know that I could have serious problems down the road.
I love my husband and children dearly, and I want to be around well into old age to be with him, and with our grandchildren some day.
I think you may be noticing only certain areas of the boards or perhaps certain age groups mainly.
Many of our younger members who, luckily, have not yet developed serious health concerns are perhaps more likely to be thinking from a vanity angle, but as our members get older and/or develop other problems, the focus definitely changes.
I notice that you have been to the Diabetes Support Forum and have posted your bio over there, but most of your other posts have been in Introductions and 20-Somethings -- of course, that doesn't mean that you hven't been reading everywhere else -- but it is a very big site.
BTW . . . Coppertop . . . Diabetes, unfortunately, does not 'disappear'. Once you have it it is yours forever -- it just becomes easier to control and the continued need for medications may disappear. The condition known as pre-diabetes (insulin resistance) can be totally reversed and the final diagnosis of Type II Diabetes avoided. You are definitely right that the very best thing any Diabetic can do for themselves is to get down to and maintain a normal weight.
You are very correct in that this is a HUGE forum !! Very informative, but HUGE !
Sorry, I didn't mean to alienate anyone -- it just seemed a trend (and it wasn't JUST in the young-somethings threads either) & I was just curious as to why -- thass all.
I'll slink away now wif my tail tucked neatly tween me legs.
No need to slink away; you are allowed to have an opinion!
Honestly, I think part of the reason you may be noticing people talking about how they want to look, etc, is that it really goes without saying that we are almost all doing this for our health first and foremost. To prevent health problems later in life, or to ameliorate pre-existing conditions. And then it's an added bonus if we "look good in that slinky little number."
Yeah health is the major reason for almost everyone here. Me, I just want that sexyness I've never had any health problem due to my extra pounds (well, for now) and I can do any activities. I know I've risks anyway but that's not my major reason right now. I'm doing it for my peace of mind and self confidence... I lack of those and yeah, that makes me sick.
I look at it the other way around. I want to lose weight to look good now. I know my health will be better later in life as a consequence of taking care of myself now, but that's not why I do it.
I think as you read more here and participate more, you'll find that this is one of the few forums (in my experience) where being healthy as you lose weight - and losing weight to be healthy - is an integral part of every single post.
If you read the advice given to newbies here, it almost always starts with talking about lifestyle changes and being healthy, rather than just working to lose weight as quickly as possible.
Many of the forums are dedicated in their entirety to healthy lifestyles; whole foods, exercise and fitness, etc.
And I thing for many of us, because the attitude of "be healthy" permeates the whole of 3FC, we don't feel the need to explicitly state it every single time. We are all comfortable enough around each other to talk about the more "surface" reasons ... like looking good in our jeans, having better sex, being more attractive to our SOs, etc.
Hmmm. I find that I'm _afraid of_ things like diabetes and joint problems and all the other weight-related stuff, and that's definitely a huge motivator. But it's a lot more fun to talk about those boxes of "thin clothes" in the attic!
Welcome, Mollikins, and don't slink! I don't think anyone was offended by your post; it reminds us that maybe we do need to be make the implicit explicit sometimes.
anita
A Newbie's observation
I've never had any health problem due to my extra pounds (well, for now) and I can do any activities. I know I've risks anyway but that's not my major reason right now. I'm doing it for my peace of mind and self confidence... I lack of those and yeah, that makes me sick.
