how is weight control such a complex issue? if you want to lose weight eat less. if you want to gain weight...

Question

eat more.

right? I mean doesnt it basicly all come down to willpower?

Answer 1

That is true but some people don't have the will power to do that. There are also mental issues that can affect people's eating habits.

Answer 2

It depends on the person. There are many factors in play including emotions, genetics and hormones.

In addition, unlike any other addiction on the planet, you can't just stop eating food altogether, so you have to struggle to learn to control your eating, not just not eat.

Food releases endorphins into the brain which does cause a mild sense of euphoria, hence why it can be so tough to control.

Willpower is not all it takes. I've seen some with thyroid or hormonal difficulties (or both) who can be good and still not have the weight come off easily (if at all).

Plus you have food, the wrong kind, stuffed in your face everywhere, TV, at every social function. Ever attend a birthday party without a cake?

In other words, there are lots of factors, some physical, some mental, some emotional, some cultural and oh yeah..some based on a lack of knowledge as to what constitutes a good diet.

Oh..and then there's the tastebuds, most Americans have a preference for crap food, not tasty things.

Answer 3

Nope. Many doctors say that everyone is not going to be skinny no matter what they do. Many people eat less and still don't become thin. Many people eat a lot and never gain weight. I find it interesting that personal trainers say that anyone can look like the people on the bowflex commercials yet the doctors in the lab who actually study this stuff from a biological position, say otherwise. I hope this isn't your way of trying to advocate anorexcia.

Also, when you eat too little, your metabolism slows and you may not lose much weight. some people have genetic wieight. people who have had an easy time staying thin, wouldn't understand. It's not all about greed, any more.

Answer 4

It is more complex for some people. I have a child who has significant anxiety and blood sugar issues (she is thin). She has intense food cravings all the time, specifically for carbs. Other relatives of mine who have diabetes or are pre-diabetic also have similar intense food cravings. Serotonin=feelgood neurotransmitter. Lack of serotonin=anxiety.

Carbs help raise serotonin levels by helping it's precursor, tryptophan cross the blood brain barrier. Carbs raise the insulin levels which clear the path for tryptophan to cross the BBB against competing amino acids. Certain B vitamins are needed to help convert tryptophan to serotonin. One of insulin's many functions is to carry nutrients (like B vitamins) into cells. Unfortunately, many people have dulled insulin receptors so the insulin is being pumped out, but the cells aren't getting the message, so to speak because the receptors are "closed". Insulin is a fat storage hormone. The problem just compounds.

My daughter has a decreased ability to use fat for energy causing her to have altered brain chemistry which results in anxiety, epilepsy, and other problems beyond her willpower. A decreased ability to use fat makes a person use carbs for a quick source of energy, which increases glucose, then insulin. This only worsens the blood sugar issue in time unfortunately.

She is a more extreme example of impaired fat metabolism, but it's not disimilar from what is happening to many others. This is why a ketogenic or Atkins diet works so well for many people with epilepsy because it forces fat metabolism. Which is not to say these are diets for everyone or are healthful, but it just shows that the fat metabolism is impaired. Starvation also forces fat metabolism and people with epilepsy who fast have less seizures also, which doesn't make it a recommendation...just an observation.

Eating less foods helps, but eating different foods is better than eating less food. Exercise helps, but some people exercise religiously and still can't lose the fat in certain places. Those people certainly have willpower.

I've always been very thin but I can't chalk it up to superior willpower and believe my child is just a weak-willed person. I've always been capable of eating whatever I want with impunity although this is not as lucky as it sounds either.

I wish it were all so simple and happy as willpower.

Answer 5

that's a gross oversimplification.
people have different metabolisms.
different foods have different ratings on the glycolic scale which makes them metabolize differently, too.
Some foods are so calorically dense that very little is too much, while others one could eat quite a bit of and consume very few calories.
There's a point at which eating too little is counter-productive for weight loss, where metabolism slows down or what is burned off is muscle rather than fat, which lowers resting metabolism even further.
In short, some one could have tremendous will power but if they're ill informed as to what to eat, they would only be sabotaging their weight loss efforts.

Answer 6

In some cases yes, however that's not always the case. What we eat has a bigger effect then how much. If a salad has 150 calories in it and a candy bar has 150 calories as well, why do you get fat on the candy bar. See! There is a lot involved in most case then just calories. If you are interested you should truly look it up and how the body breaks down food, burns fat, and keeps from muscle loss. Good question though

Answer 7

If you don't want to get speeding tickets, don't drive fast.
Does any of us always do what we know we should? How is drug abuse or alcoholism so complicated? Just stop taking the drugs. Just stop drinking. Just stop smoking. When a certain pleasure has become a habit one relies on for years to soothe, fulfil, or otherwise medicate oneself, it is difficult to just stop, cold turkey--if you'll excuse the food reference. What can one replace it with that performs the same function? People who smoke try gum chewing with limited success, etc. I love it when magazines suggest taking a bubble bath or a long walk instead of eating. If substitutes like these had the same effect on the overweight that food does we'd be a clean, fit country. Add to this the dilema that you can't just QUIT food like you can quit biting your nails, but must constantly regulate it, and continue to be involved with it and make numerous decisions about it daily. Alcoholics are told not even to drink one drink. Foodaholics, must eat correctly several times a day. That's like asking the alcoholic to only pick the ice cubes out of his/her drink and leave the tempting liquor behind at every meal. Asking someone to give up his or her addiction is like asking them to let go of the trapeze bar not knowing for sure if there is anything to catch on the other side.

Answer 8

there is more to weight loss than simply eating less, for women in particular it is a question of getting bodies that are made to hold fat to give it up. that is not something that is easy to do. an addiction to food, which many obese people suffer from, is like no other in that you HAVE to eat. if your an alcoholic you stop drinking but that is not possible with food. if you eat less you should lose weight, yes, but only if you do it in a steady and healthy manner. Starving yourself will damage your body and metabolism and you will never be able to maintain a healthy weight without a lot of work. it is not just a question of willpower, it is easier to stop something and never do it again than to have to do it everyday. if you don't believe me ask an alcoholic how easy it is to stop drinking. there is more to losing weight than willpower and anyone that thinks otherwise might want to consider giving up something for next Lent, 40 days, and see how they do. food can fulfill an emotional need in people that their lives are not and judging them does not make it any easier to lose weight to conform to your ideas of perfection.

Answer 9

This is really ignorant to say. it's not that simple. For people who are overweight, and other people as well, when they cut back on calories the body goes into a "fasting state", hanging on to every bit of fat it can. It's how our ancestors survived times of famine. people who want to gain weight but have very high metabolism can't just eat more and that's that. Obviously you don't have an issue with your weight, and that's great. But some people do, and it's not as easy as it looks.

Answer 10

you are right it does come down to willpower and you have to have discipline and a plan if you want to lose the weight. You are right but there is one other thing.......diets don't work. I know. Iv'e been thru it and so ive found to just stop drinking caffeine, pop drinks (cokes, dr. pepper's, etc.), drink a tall cup of water before every meal so you get filled up more on water. & incorporate more veggies and fruits into your diet as meals &/or snacks.