4 ms·

I feel like that's like saying "making more money categorically works to solve poverty." I don't disagree with that statement, no one can, but is it useful, ac

I feel like that's like saying "making more money categorically works to solve poverty." I don't disagree with that statement, no one can, but is it useful, actionable and helpful? As a lifelong obese person, I disagree immensely that any of those things work. I have been asking doctors for years if they have any success stories of any of those things "working" for longer than 1 year and I have found none.

Thriptic 8y ago
You're speaking with someone who has had success. I've had success using both keto / Atkins and if it fits your macros (basically calorie counting with more tracking). I would be happy to share my experience with you / provide advice if you would like. Alternatively, please feel free to refer to my post here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15604761 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15604761
- johnkpaul 8y ago
  That's great! Thank you. I definitely want to know how long you've been able to do it for. I've had similar successes but then much longer failures about a dozen times since 8 years old. How should I contact you? There's no info in your profile. Thanks.
  - Thriptic 8y ago
    I can be reached at useport25@protonmail.com I have been successfully managing my weight for the last 8 years.
bena 8y ago
I feel you. All I can say is that weight loss is simple. But it's not easy. To be successful, you have to change a lot and some of it will suck.
byproxy 8y ago
I've been consistently dropping weight since highschool (c. 2005, ~250lbs - now, ~160lbs) by simply cutting my caloric intake little-by-little. Started by switching out regular soda to diet soda. I think we generally underestimate our caloric consumption.
nradov 8y ago
Your disagreement is not relevant. We know categorically that anyone who consumes fewer calories than they expend will lose weight. Many people lack the discipline to stick with caloric restriction over a long period, but it's not a universal problem. If you're asking doctors for success stories then you're wasting their time.
- johnkpaul 8y ago
  Interesting, I've never actually heard this point of view. Do you mean I'm wasting their time because it's not their responsibility to know if they have had successes? Or because it's my fault for eating too much when I could decide not to? I'm honestly asking this, please don't take this as an attack. I am very curious as to your thoughts about doctors. I'm generally asking because I am hopeful that they provide me with a motivation to believe that someone else has done what they're asking me to do.
  - nradov 8y ago
    Why do you want others to provide you with motivation? You know what you have to do. Just do it. Right now it seems like you're expecting to fail, and looking for excuses to not even try.
    - johnkpaul 8y ago
      Because I have questioned for decades if it is possible. Similar to an alcoholic finding comfort in Alcoholics Anonymous, I would love to find someone who has been lifelong obese who has shed the pounds for more than a year. Do you mean that it is wasting a doctors time because they don't owe me motivation? I am talking about my obesity specialists. They are giving me diets and exercise plans that I am doing. I don't feel like I am not trying. Do you mean that I am not trying because I am not successful?
      - nradov 8y ago
        Do or do not. There is no "try". If you consume fewer calories then you expend then you are guaranteed to lose weight.

Thriptic 8y ago

You're speaking with someone who has had success. I've had success using both keto / Atkins and if it fits your macros (basically calorie counting with more tracking). I would be happy to share my experience with you / provide advice if you would like. Alternatively, please feel free to refer to my post here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15604761 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15604761

johnkpaul 8y ago
That's great! Thank you. I definitely want to know how long you've been able to do it for. I've had similar successes but then much longer failures about a dozen times since 8 years old. How should I contact you? There's no info in your profile. Thanks.
- Thriptic 8y ago
  I can be reached at useport25@protonmail.com I have been successfully managing my weight for the last 8 years.

bena 8y ago

I feel you. All I can say is that weight loss is simple. But it's not easy. To be successful, you have to change a lot and some of it will suck.

byproxy 8y ago

I've been consistently dropping weight since highschool (c. 2005, ~250lbs - now, ~160lbs) by simply cutting my caloric intake little-by-little. Started by switching out regular soda to diet soda. I think we generally underestimate our caloric consumption.

nradov 8y ago

Your disagreement is not relevant. We know categorically that anyone who consumes fewer calories than they expend will lose weight. Many people lack the discipline to stick with caloric restriction over a long period, but it's not a universal problem. If you're asking doctors for success stories then you're wasting their time.

johnkpaul 8y ago
Interesting, I've never actually heard this point of view. Do you mean I'm wasting their time because it's not their responsibility to know if they have had successes? Or because it's my fault for eating too much when I could decide not to? I'm honestly asking this, please don't take this as an attack. I am very curious as to your thoughts about doctors. I'm generally asking because I am hopeful that they provide me with a motivation to believe that someone else has done what they're asking me to do.
- nradov 8y ago
  Why do you want others to provide you with motivation? You know what you have to do. Just do it. Right now it seems like you're expecting to fail, and looking for excuses to not even try.
  - johnkpaul 8y ago
    Because I have questioned for decades if it is possible. Similar to an alcoholic finding comfort in Alcoholics Anonymous, I would love to find someone who has been lifelong obese who has shed the pounds for more than a year. Do you mean that it is wasting a doctors time because they don't owe me motivation? I am talking about my obesity specialists. They are giving me diets and exercise plans that I am doing. I don't feel like I am not trying. Do you mean that I am not trying because I am not successful?
    - nradov 8y ago
      Do or do not. There is no "try". If you consume fewer calories then you expend then you are guaranteed to lose weight.