Why does one spouse get fat?

[jimtem]

I have read several really negative posts. I am not a health nut that loves to work out and loves healthy food. I eat healthy and exercise because it’s good for me and not because I like to. I do this just as someone balances their checking account. They know about how much they can spend, they look for good deals, they write down expenditures, they plan ahead to make it until payday and at the end of the day its money in and money out.
We all know people that make 100K a year and are always broke or people that make 25K a year who have financial peace. One person is being responsible and the other isn’t. A person can complain all they want about prices being too high, being too busy to make time to reconcile their account or blame their lack of sufficient income but it is just excuses.
Someone posted about a fat person that was healthy and a thin person that was unhealthy. What was the point of that post? To prove that weight management is not important? Of course some are predisposed to disease. Of course some are disease resistant. Of course there are outliers in statistics. But the fact is that the over whelming majority of the population that is overweight will have a significantly higher incidence of premature death, chronic disease and reduced quality of life.
For the person commenting on health care, I agree. Every time an obese person stops at McDonald’s for a double quarter pounded it’s another dollar out of my wallet towards healthcare costs.
My obese neighbors sent their obese child to summer school yesterday with 2 slices of pizza packed as the child’s lunch. Not only is this a form of child abuse but these people are practically stealing money strait out of my bank account.

 

[JanniGirl]

My obese neighbors sent their obese child to summer school yesterday with 2 slices of pizza packed as the child’s lunch. Not only is this a form of child abuse but these people are practically stealing money strait out of my bank account.

Actually, pizza involves all the food groups (bread, vegetable, meat, milk, and if you consider tomatoe a fruite - fruit) -- So, as an occasional food, it's not a terrible choice . . . of course, its high in calories and probably fat due to the commercial aspect of it, which is why it should be an occasional food.

Once again, what's fat? You didn't answer the question. You listed overweight and obese . . . not fat.

And, yes, I would consider you a fanatic, though not a health expert.

 

[jimtem]

Over weight is fat. What us a health expert? What fanatical thing have i said?

 

[Conservativation]

Over weight is fat. What us a health expert? What fanatical thing have i said?

Nothing fanatical whatsoever. Weight is just another topic where Americans refuse to be held to facts. That your statement that statistically over weight means health issues is 100% true, dont be bothered by that because that is too unforgiving and absolute, too judgemental (even though facts cannot be) so we must equivocate, and label you a fanatic as if you are selling 2% body fat vegan lifestyle marathon running, instead of just common sense

 

[jimtem]

Thanks Consevativation, I was just posting recommended guidelines, definitions and statistics from the American College of Sports Medicine, the Center for Disease Control, the American Council on Exercise and the American Heart Association.

I understand that this is a hard subject to discuss.

 

[Athene]

You are exactly right. To greatly reduce your risk of chronic disease such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, congestive heart failure and stroke you only need to walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Or is your short on time you can power walk 20 minutes a day.

In combination to this the person has to balance their caloric intake. Even if the person is 40 with a 'slow' metabolism, has hypothyroidism, has abnormal ghrelin and leptin production levels, just had a baby, is on the pill and has a sedentary job it is still calories in minus calories out. A person can take in 1000 calories 20 minutes or an extra 200 calories in 3 minutes 5 times a day as simple extra calories. But it would take hours to walk that off. People never want to believe that they over eat. They don't realize how much they eat or are unaware of what a proper caloric intake is.

This is true. Especially with so many foods being high fat, high sugar, high calorie but not being especially filling. It's possible to consume your daily allowance of calories in one meal, deep fried fish and chips for example.

I've lost 30lb, I started in January and at the time I started I would have said I had a fairly healthy diet and probably stuck to within my recommended daily calorie allowance. DH and I are big on home cooking, don't eat take out much and generally have at least one veg with each meal.

And then I kept a food diary and noted all the little snacks, the bits of cheese on my pasta, the glass of baileys irish cream in the evening, it all added up to a heck of a lot.

 

[dallasapple]

You are exactly right. To greatly reduce your risk of chronic disease such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, congestive heart failure and stroke you only need to walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Or is your short on time you can power walk 20 minutes a day.

In combination to this the person has to balance their caloric intake. Even if the person is 40 with a 'slow' metabolism, has hypothyroidism, has abnormal ghrelin and leptin production levels, just had a baby, is on the pill and has a sedentary job it is still calories in minus calories out. A person can take in 1000 calories 20 minutes or an extra 200 calories in 3 minutes 5 times a day as simple extra calories. But it would take hours to walk that off. People never want to believe that they over eat. They don't realize how much they eat or are unaware of what a proper caloric intake is.

Well the other option is..if you really can not excersize...for any length of time ..(as in longer term)..is to just not eat as much.

IOW even if you dont excersize..other than lets say normal daily activities as in some walking and standing a little bending and lifting..(light)..then you dont need to eat 2,000+ calories a day..If I lead a sedentary lifestyle that requries say 1200 calories total a day ...then I need to keep it at 1200 calories a day period.or else..I'll store those calories in fat.

Of course we should excersize for obvious reasons..the muscles will get weak including your heart..but if you dont or cant..its all that much more important not to eat many more calories a day than you burn as in then you wil be "weak and obese"..

thats the ONE thing about the Larry North "plan"..its GRUELING ....but you had to eat a LOT...to have enough calories to be able to do all the weight lifting and cardio required..He had his body running like a well oiled machine..that he could eat 5,000+ calories a day and not only not gain weight..he burned it all up..

Its actually to me quite fascinating..how much like a 'machine" our bodies are..Look at that swimmer guy..the Olymppic champion..of course it ends up he was a bit of a pot head..but regardless..he was eatign something like 10,000/15,000 calories a day..and was hard as a rock..burned up every last calorie..

Dallas

 

[Cascade]

Stress? Long term sickness? My hubby has gained 30 lbs in 5 months because he is literally unable to walk much due to back injury. I'm not saying this is the norm but injuries cause weight gain.

 

[SearchingStudent]

How about over 45, peri-menopausal, jacked up metabolism due to yo-yo dieting in her younger years and enforced sedentary lifestyle due to various orthopedic injuries? I've put on about 40 lbs in the last 15 years...the hubster doesn't give a hoot...I eat healthy, but the weight won't come off. Heck, he leaves the lights on!!!

 

[JaneFW]

My h's weight has spiralled upwards lately. It is a cause for concern. It doesn't make any difference to me though.

 

[BigSigh]

I am fairly certain that it is my fault.

 

[LovedSparrow]

In the poll results, you didn't put medical reasons. My husband has always been tall and skinny. He was in a head on car accident in March. His back and foot was broken and he had a collapsed lung. He was not able to normally exercise like he used to. People brought easy to make dinners for us (lasagna, mac and cheese, etc.), things we don't normally eat because of fat content.

He's gained about 15 pounds. He's back to exercising, but the weight has not come off. He's still in the healthy range, I am not concerned.

My husband has said as long as I am healthy, he's ok with whatever weight I am at. (I am at a healthy weight.)

He's my buddy and I'll love him no matter what weight he is at.

Please put medical conditions as a poll choice. Many people have disabilities, diabetes, etc., that they are not able to easily lose weight. Some people just have a lower metabolism.

It's hard for women to lose their baby weight, especially when having multiple children. The mothers are tirelessly taking care of their kids and not having time to exercise or shower. Kudos to them.

It seems like the poll is blaming people for not losing weight, I think. Good topic idea though.

Ok, off my podium. Hehe

God bless,
LovedSparrow

P.S, please forgive me if I sound harsh, I'm not real good at communicating.

 

[JaneFW]

Please put medical conditions as a poll choice. Many people have disabilities, diabetes, etc., that they are not able to easily lose weight. Some people just have a lower metabolism.

The poll was initiated in 2009 and I don't think that person even posts here any more.

 

[Nienna_Lady_of_Tears]

Way to bring up an ancient thread that the OP doesn't even come to anymore.

 

[SharonL]

Typical day with 4 kids, in-laws and parents to deal with -
Get up - get hubby off to work - get 4 kids off to school - get ready for work.
Come home - help with kids homework, clean house, wash clothes, cook dinner, hubby not home - either working or out with the guys. Get up at midnight, fix hubby's dinner. Lonely - spending the evening alone again - make cookies or fudge for comfort food - 15 years of this and yes I am fat. Not blaming anyone - it is a personal responsibility I did not live up to. After 15 years of this we moved and hubby had more time at home, but then in-laws and parents took up the rest of the time. Mine is more on lonelyness and then I was out of control. After all that and no help and still problems with in-laws and parents - I didn't care anymore - I was tired. I raised my husbands 2 children that their mother deserted and felt alone. No help, someone on my case every minute of the day - I'm paying for it now at 76 with health problems - so young people - work on it when you can.

 

[JaneFW]

Sharon, I just want to tell you that it's never too late to start working on your health. Even just walking a little more, denying any unhealthy foods - pick them out of your diet one by one - and set yourself some 21 day challenges. It takes 21 days to form a habit, so that's what - a possibility of 17 positive changes every year?

 

[JRSut1000]

I think I've said this about another topic, Jane, but great 'baby steps'! I love the 21 day idea because it sounds more practical and 'do-able' than just a long term huge goal.

 

[JaneFW]

I think I've said this about another topic, Jane, but great 'baby steps'! I love the 21 day idea because it sounds more practical and 'do-able' than just a long term huge goal.

It is a great idea - not my idea of course!! I am working on a 21 day goal right now, and it is a big help to keep in my mind that within x days I won't have to focus quite so hard because the new behavior will have become a habit!

 

[SharonL]

Sharon, I just want to tell you that it's never too late to start working on your health. Even just walking a little more, denying any unhealthy foods - pick them out of your diet one by one - and set yourself some 21 day challenges. It takes 21 days to form a habit, so that's what - a possibility of 17 positive changes every year?

Yes - I've been doing that - the doctor threatened me with insulin and I didn't want it so I got down to business - lost 15 lbs, eating healthy - have broken the sweet craving totally - have diabetes under control - can't walk due to severe back problems, but I do my walker exerciser 4 or 5 times a day - can't last too long, but I'm doing it. Thanks so much.

 

[dallasapple]

Yes - I've been doing that - the doctor threatened me with insulin and I didn't want it so I got down to business - lost 15 lbs, eating healthy - have broken the sweet craving totally - have diabetes under control - can't walk due to severe back problems, but I do my walker exerciser 4 or 5 times a day - can't last too long, but I'm doing it. Thanks so much.

You can too LAST long ..(not TOOO long ) just as long as possible!Great Job Sharon!

My husband has type 2 struggles withteh "sweet tooth" ..Anyway ..way to go...

Dallas