A question for overweight/obese people.?

Question

What I want to ask (and please, I am not judging, or criticising) when people go on diets (i.e. Atkins, South Beach, etc) why do people go on them when they know they will not work (not in the long run anyway)?

Most people must know that in order to lose weight the best option is to eat healthy and balanced meals, and take at least some moderate exercise. Although this is a slower method of losing weight research shows that this method is likely to keep the weight off in the long term.

So why do people always try these quick fix diets knowing they won't work. And will most likely result in putting on more weight when they resume to their old eating habits?

Answer 1

I believe many overweight people feel (and I have felt this myself at different times) that if they could just "jump start" things by losing a good deal of weight at first, then they would not be so embarrassed to exercise in front of people, not be so exhausted when they did try to exercise, feel more motivated to stick to a new eating and exercise plan, etc., etc., etc. We realize none of those diets is going to be the longterm answer. But we tell ourselves, "If I could just lose this weight this time, I would then be good and just eat normally and healthy and I'd exercise regularly and life would be good again." Yeah, right.

Answer 2

Because most of us who have tried to lose weight using the current definition of "healthy, balanced meal" and moderate exercise have not been successful at losing weight and many have even gained weight. So we look for other solutions.

And having done Atkins for a year and a half so far, and having talked to people who have been doing it for MANY years (Atkins is intended to be a lifestyle, not a quick weight loss diet), I believe that I will continue to be successful eating this way, because I do not have to starve myself, I can eat healthy, delicious food, I feel better, my health has improved and I am still losing weight. I am even exercising now, something I just did not have the energy to do before. And I will never be "finished" Atkins because even when I get down to my goal weight I will continue to follow the principles of low-carb living.

Frankly, when I first picked up the book it was because I was desperate. I could not stand living like that any more, and I did not care if it was healthy or not. But once I read the book and did further research I learned that it was in fact the healthiest thing I could do for myself.....added bonus!

Now, there are a lot of people who say they are doing Atkins, but what they are doing is not really Atkins but the popular conception of what Atkins is (all meat, bacon and butter). That is NOT Atkins. These people are still looking for the quick fix. Atkins is not a quick fix, like any "diet" once you go back to your old ways you regain the weight. You must be committed for life. If they actually read the book, they would learn how to eat in a healthy manner.

Answer 3

Having had a history of some pretty crazy diets, and having now moved on to a more reasonable lifestyle that will take my weight off, I can say mostly that it is desperation.

A lot of people with obesity use food for comfort of a feeling of safety. However, eventually, shame at the weight gain comes in. I would then go on a diet and lose some of the weight, then something would happen in my life and I would start to eat again to not face the feelings. Then more shame and guilt at the obesity, another diet....The more ashamed I felt by the weight, the more desperate the diet. I would convince myself that it wasn't a 'quick fix' that it would solve the problem for good and that my life would be better when I was thinner.

It was horribly desperate and it is a terrible place to be in life. I'm not thin yet, but hope to be one day in a normal, healthy way.

Answer 4

You don't know that a diet won't work until you try it, in many cases. Yes, some you can look at and say, "I know I can't stick to that," but most of them claim to be programming the healthy and balanced meals, and moderate exercise, plan that you recommend. That is, after all, a diet. But the quick fix diets gain adherents when people find too much failure in a general, gradual improvement in their habits.

What eventually worked for me, at least for quite a while and over 140 lbs., was Overeaters Anonymous, the same 12-step program used by alcoholics. It has to be modified, of course, because we cannot give up eating entirely, but we give up Over-eating one day at a time.

It's the one day at a time aspect that makes it work. If you do the "ten pounds to fit into the dress for that party" routine once, you will do it again with a larger dress next time. The quick fixes only work temporarily, but sometimes short-sightedness is built in. Major party, even a wedding, can be inspiration, but it has a shelf-life and must eventually come to the after-the-party routine, especially if you've eaten too much at said party.

Ladies, how often have you said "oh, that's last year's dress; everyone has already seen me in it," when what you mean is it doesn't fit anymore?

Answer 5

As an obese person, I have tried the Atkins Diet last year to see if it actually worked (it did, but I am not a hugh fan of red meat) and I gained the weight. Diet is like a get rich quick scam.

Since May I have been eating more healthier foods (especially my greens since I have an iron deficiency), and exercising more (stationary bike, mini-stepper and power walking). I have lost 25 lbs. I quit eating the fast food crap, stop drinking soda and stop using sugar (all together). If I could do anybody can.

Answer 6

Because it's really hard to stick to will power and eat healthily over a long period of time. We all know that they aren't healthy and probably won't work but hope anyway for something to change, when you know that you're eating healthily the cravings hit you and insane diets forbid so many foods that you feel really deprived and feel less ashamed when you fail. It's also really difficult starting to exercise because all the smaller people in gyms can be so judgemental. It's all really an excuse to not force yourself to follow a healthy plan.

Answer 7

Your last sentence had the phrase "old eating habits". Have you ever tried to change your eating habits? Any habit is difficult, but the way a person has always eaten is hard to change. Sometimes you do what comes naturally, even if one is in the process of attempting to eat better. When that happens, we feel like we failed, then go back to our old ways.
To say what the best option is to lose weight is simple and easy. To actually go through it is incredibly hard.
My problem is that as a child, my father used to force feed me. Give me adult size portions and make me sit there until my plate was clean. As an adult, subconsciously I feel I have to eat everything I am served. You cant assume every overweight person is lazy or doesnt know better. And as an adult, its even more difficult to lose weight when you do feel like you could stand to lose a few.

Answer 8

Usually out of desperation, I am an ex-fattie so I know, I actually used the body for life diet and it is amazing, i highly recommend it.

You have to eat 6 small meals a day

drink loads of water

and do specific exercises to target different areas of your body

Best bit about it is it all works in 12 weeks and by the time the 12 weeks are up your habits have changed and you stick to eating healthy food :)

Answer 9

you say they dont work as if you had proof. Some of them do work. and the point of these diets is to lose the weight initially and then start the change of lifestyle (eating habits,exercise). If they binge eat like they did b4 the program they are on then it will fail and the weight does come back quick. But mainly this is just to gain enough confidence and motivation to make that lifestyle change.

Answer 10

as a former fatiie i know...


diets dont do it baby!!!!!!!!!! whats wrong with you people!!!!!
if people would exercise more they would not have to worry so darn much about food...Are you really serious about doing this? We are talking about hard work. Putting down your little debbies, getting off your butt and not only going on a diet but EXERCISING!!! Even if you lose the weight it will come right back if you do not have the desire and motivation to not only look cute but to be healthy. it is going to take alot of inner strength I can assure you of that.

1.) eat 4-5 small meals a day

2.) drink lots of water

3.)exercise every day

4.) do not eat 4-6 hours before you sleep.