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I've been 400 pounds most of my life. I empathize with every single sentence in this article and cannot imagine making myself write something like this. The vul

I've been 400 pounds most of my life. I empathize with every single sentence in this article and cannot imagine making myself write something like this. The vulnerability is incredible. I'm really glad that exercise is being called out as useless to treat obesity more and more. I hope that trend continues and things like Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaigns never happen again. Carbohydrate addiction is no joke, even though most don't believe it exists.

neaden 8y ago
While I agree exercise isn't very effective to treat obesity, it is still healthy for you to exercise, even if it's not going to help you lose weight. There are a lot of people who are overweight who have healthier hearts and lungs then normal weight people due to exercise.
- cflewis 8y ago
  I can not give you more +1s. If your goal is to be healthy, and not necessarily be pretty, exercise is integral. You can be skinny and be unhealthy. You can be overweight and be heart-healthy, if you exercise. I am obese according to the BMI, but I run 3 times a week and my resting heart rate grazes into the "athlete" territory. My doctor is very happy. But I don't look it, that's for sure. I do not like running. I see it like brushing my teeth. I don't like it, but I do it because I have to if I want to maintain my body.
  - adrianN 8y ago
    Are you concerned about your joints? Running is pretty hard on the knees even for skinny people.
    - ashtonbaker 8y ago
      I have always felt that this is a myth or misconception. Humans probably evolved as distance-running specialists [1] so it would be pretty strange if our knees were some sort of exhaustible resource as seems to be the popular idea. If people have trouble with their knees, I think there are lots of potential explanations, for example running too far or too fast before building fitness, which includes conditioning of stabilizer muscles in the knees, or poor running form caused by lack of fitness or encouraged by modern running shoes. I'm a bit biased, but I don't like to see the sport of running blamed for these things. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance_running_hypothesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance_running_hypothesis
      - adrianN 8y ago
        Humans also evolved to be pretty much useless after their children (or maybe grandchildren) are self-sufficient, so being mostly immobile in your fifties is probably of little concern to evolution.
  - SketchySeaBeast 8y ago
    While being obese and having a healthy heart is totally viable, it get's harder in the long run as age compounds with weight. Can you be healthier than the lazy? Oh yes, but the extra weight can catch up to you, regardless of lifestyle.
  - metabagel 8y ago
    I recommend swimming laps, if you have a place where you can do that. It's a fantastic workout, and easier on the body.
- tracker1 8y ago
  It's worth noting at that level, it doesn't need to be huge activity... 5-10 minutes a day lifting all you can for a few reps (deadlift, sandbag lift-press, pushups, trx row) and a 15-30 minute walk will yeild huge benefits... you don't increase calories much, but your body response is pretty good. Eating towards keto macros if you are diabetic and at least intermittent fasting are really helpful too. Not snacking is the hardest part to start with. edit: as to the exercises, form over function... slow for both up and down movements. deadlift (hexbar if straight is too difficult) at near max weight for 4-5 reps. sandbag lift and press, go as heavy as you can handle, for as many slow reps as you can handle. (if you're over 25, increase the bag weight, go s-l-o-w, requires more effort) trx or regular pushups, 4 sets of 25 reps (100 total) trx row, or pullups, 4 sets of 25 (100 total) standing squat / deep knee bends (no extra weight), 4 sets of 25 (100 total) walk to the nearest convenience store, buy a bottle of water, walk back. Can generally get it all in well under an hour total. --- aside: yes, there is more that you can do, and you may want to increase from a walk to swimming, cycling or an eliptical a few times a week as you are able. there's also more weight training techniques you can do... that said, if you are over 2x the typical weight for your gender and height (mostly from fat), you are so far off, you can get away with just this. Also, if you are looking for just general health, it's a good place to start from.
Jtsummers 8y ago
I'm curious what the problem with the "Let's Move" effort was. I was only aware of it (I wasn't part of it, and never set out to read about it, just caught reports on news or random articles), but it seemed to emphasize two things: eating healthy (which got a lot of flak from conservative commentators for some reason) and exercise (the "move" in the name). If it only focused on the latter, I'd agree with you. But nearly everything I heard about it had to do with the former (healthier food options for schools and such).
- johnkpaul 8y ago
  As a child obese person (obese at 2 years old, morbidly by 8), hearing that you're supposed to play more and move more to lose weight and then for years attempting to do that and failing over and over again is not only useless but actively detrimental to young children. Also, I only ate "healthier food options" during that time. I ate too much of it, sure, but "portion control" doesn't mean much when there's healthy carbohydrates everywhere to eat.
  - Jtsummers 8y ago
    Actually, I didn't think about the portion control part. That makes sense. And there would be differences in how kids (especially) would perceive the emphasis of the program versus how adults might. Then there's which aspects and parts the facilitators emphasize.
- addicted 8y ago
  I am not sure if the person heard a caricature of the program, but it focused on exercise, healthy diets, reduction of empty calories like soda, and public policy efforts such as introducing healthy meals to school. As an example, here is a PDF with 5 ideas for kids: https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/pdfs/TAKE_ACTION_KIDS.pdf https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/letsmove... 1) Exercise 2) Try new fruits and veggies 3) Deink plenty of water 4) Break up TV time with jumping jacks 5) Help make dinner. Those are headlines, but when you look st the details for exercise, for example, these are the benefits it points to, in order: Feel less stressed. • Feel better about yourself. • Feel more ready to learn in school. • Keep a healthy weight. 1 • Build and keep healthy bones, muscles and joints. • sleep better at night. Only the 4th out of 6 benefits of exercise mentions weight.
guitarbill 8y ago
> Carbohydrate addiction is no joke Completely believe it, although I think it depends on an individual's metabolism, which is why it's so tricky. I stop having an insatiatable hunger after dropping carbs; my hunger feeling is more muted and in turn more managable. I have often wondered if "normal" people simply always feel that way, and so portion control is easier for them. I'd do keto more, but it isn't great for one's social life. The other thing that helps me was Firas Zahabi's advice on Joe Rogan, that consistency and flow are key (to excercise), not intensity. I think his advice generalises to almost everything, how I became good at programming, playing an instrument, and also how I became fat. None of these happened overnight.
- johnkpaul 8y ago
  Yes I have the same thought with respect to "normal" people. I've had what feels like years worth of sadness around people not being able to understand what the feeling of insatiable hunger after eating a pizza is like. :)
metabagel 8y ago
Regular exercise can help with metabolism, appetite suppression, overall energy level, and overall feeling of well-being. Eating habits are more important, but exercise is generally beneficial. I agree with you about carbohydrate addiction.
WhompingWindows 8y ago
Hey, thanks for posting. I have a few people close to me who struggle with the same issue, I really feel for them and I truly don't understand their daily battle. I want to help but I don't know what (if anything) I could say or do to help.
jriot 8y ago
Exercise, also known as moving your body beyond walking, is the most basic instinct every animal has, yet humans have deprived themselves of this basic principle.
- ashtonbaker 8y ago
  Absolutely! You can put a hamster wheel in a field, and wild animals will use it for fun. The 24-hour record for a wild mouse is 19 miles! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamster_wheel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamster_wheel

neaden 8y ago

While I agree exercise isn't very effective to treat obesity, it is still healthy for you to exercise, even if it's not going to help you lose weight. There are a lot of people who are overweight who have healthier hearts and lungs then normal weight people due to exercise.

cflewis 8y ago
I can not give you more +1s. If your goal is to be healthy, and not necessarily be pretty, exercise is integral. You can be skinny and be unhealthy. You can be overweight and be heart-healthy, if you exercise. I am obese according to the BMI, but I run 3 times a week and my resting heart rate grazes into the "athlete" territory. My doctor is very happy. But I don't look it, that's for sure. I do not like running. I see it like brushing my teeth. I don't like it, but I do it because I have to if I want to maintain my body.
- adrianN 8y ago
  Are you concerned about your joints? Running is pretty hard on the knees even for skinny people.
  - ashtonbaker 8y ago
    I have always felt that this is a myth or misconception. Humans probably evolved as distance-running specialists [1] so it would be pretty strange if our knees were some sort of exhaustible resource as seems to be the popular idea. If people have trouble with their knees, I think there are lots of potential explanations, for example running too far or too fast before building fitness, which includes conditioning of stabilizer muscles in the knees, or poor running form caused by lack of fitness or encouraged by modern running shoes. I'm a bit biased, but I don't like to see the sport of running blamed for these things. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance_running_hypothesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance_running_hypothesis
    - adrianN 8y ago
      Humans also evolved to be pretty much useless after their children (or maybe grandchildren) are self-sufficient, so being mostly immobile in your fifties is probably of little concern to evolution.
- SketchySeaBeast 8y ago
  While being obese and having a healthy heart is totally viable, it get's harder in the long run as age compounds with weight. Can you be healthier than the lazy? Oh yes, but the extra weight can catch up to you, regardless of lifestyle.
- metabagel 8y ago
  I recommend swimming laps, if you have a place where you can do that. It's a fantastic workout, and easier on the body.
tracker1 8y ago
It's worth noting at that level, it doesn't need to be huge activity... 5-10 minutes a day lifting all you can for a few reps (deadlift, sandbag lift-press, pushups, trx row) and a 15-30 minute walk will yeild huge benefits... you don't increase calories much, but your body response is pretty good. Eating towards keto macros if you are diabetic and at least intermittent fasting are really helpful too. Not snacking is the hardest part to start with. edit: as to the exercises, form over function... slow for both up and down movements. deadlift (hexbar if straight is too difficult) at near max weight for 4-5 reps. sandbag lift and press, go as heavy as you can handle, for as many slow reps as you can handle. (if you're over 25, increase the bag weight, go s-l-o-w, requires more effort) trx or regular pushups, 4 sets of 25 reps (100 total) trx row, or pullups, 4 sets of 25 (100 total) standing squat / deep knee bends (no extra weight), 4 sets of 25 (100 total) walk to the nearest convenience store, buy a bottle of water, walk back. Can generally get it all in well under an hour total. --- aside: yes, there is more that you can do, and you may want to increase from a walk to swimming, cycling or an eliptical a few times a week as you are able. there's also more weight training techniques you can do... that said, if you are over 2x the typical weight for your gender and height (mostly from fat), you are so far off, you can get away with just this. Also, if you are looking for just general health, it's a good place to start from.

Jtsummers 8y ago

I'm curious what the problem with the "Let's Move" effort was. I was only aware of it (I wasn't part of it, and never set out to read about it, just caught reports on news or random articles), but it seemed to emphasize two things: eating healthy (which got a lot of flak from conservative commentators for some reason) and exercise (the "move" in the name). If it only focused on the latter, I'd agree with you. But nearly everything I heard about it had to do with the former (healthier food options for schools and such).

johnkpaul 8y ago
As a child obese person (obese at 2 years old, morbidly by 8), hearing that you're supposed to play more and move more to lose weight and then for years attempting to do that and failing over and over again is not only useless but actively detrimental to young children. Also, I only ate "healthier food options" during that time. I ate too much of it, sure, but "portion control" doesn't mean much when there's healthy carbohydrates everywhere to eat.
- Jtsummers 8y ago
  Actually, I didn't think about the portion control part. That makes sense. And there would be differences in how kids (especially) would perceive the emphasis of the program versus how adults might. Then there's which aspects and parts the facilitators emphasize.
addicted 8y ago
I am not sure if the person heard a caricature of the program, but it focused on exercise, healthy diets, reduction of empty calories like soda, and public policy efforts such as introducing healthy meals to school. As an example, here is a PDF with 5 ideas for kids: https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/pdfs/TAKE_ACTION_KIDS.pdf https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/letsmove... 1) Exercise 2) Try new fruits and veggies 3) Deink plenty of water 4) Break up TV time with jumping jacks 5) Help make dinner. Those are headlines, but when you look st the details for exercise, for example, these are the benefits it points to, in order: Feel less stressed. • Feel better about yourself. • Feel more ready to learn in school. • Keep a healthy weight. 1 • Build and keep healthy bones, muscles and joints. • sleep better at night. Only the 4th out of 6 benefits of exercise mentions weight.

guitarbill 8y ago

> Carbohydrate addiction is no joke Completely believe it, although I think it depends on an individual's metabolism, which is why it's so tricky. I stop having an insatiatable hunger after dropping carbs; my hunger feeling is more muted and in turn more managable. I have often wondered if "normal" people simply always feel that way, and so portion control is easier for them. I'd do keto more, but it isn't great for one's social life. The other thing that helps me was Firas Zahabi's advice on Joe Rogan, that consistency and flow are key (to excercise), not intensity. I think his advice generalises to almost everything, how I became good at programming, playing an instrument, and also how I became fat. None of these happened overnight.

johnkpaul 8y ago
Yes I have the same thought with respect to "normal" people. I've had what feels like years worth of sadness around people not being able to understand what the feeling of insatiable hunger after eating a pizza is like. :)

metabagel 8y ago

Regular exercise can help with metabolism, appetite suppression, overall energy level, and overall feeling of well-being. Eating habits are more important, but exercise is generally beneficial. I agree with you about carbohydrate addiction.

WhompingWindows 8y ago

Hey, thanks for posting. I have a few people close to me who struggle with the same issue, I really feel for them and I truly don't understand their daily battle. I want to help but I don't know what (if anything) I could say or do to help.

jriot 8y ago

Exercise, also known as moving your body beyond walking, is the most basic instinct every animal has, yet humans have deprived themselves of this basic principle.

ashtonbaker 8y ago
Absolutely! You can put a hamster wheel in a field, and wild animals will use it for fun. The 24-hour record for a wild mouse is 19 miles! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamster_wheel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamster_wheel