Living Life Overweight: 10 Reasons Why You’re Not To Blame

Erica Says:

July 7th, 2008, 21:08 pm

I actually think of housework as a chore for this very reason - and purposely do the work myself, the tedious, labor-intensive way. I get a workout and I get to enjoy a clean house afterward!

Eric Says:

July 7th, 2008, 21:20 pm

Thanks for the great suggestions!

Adam Sicinski @ Study Matrix Art Says:

July 7th, 2008, 21:27 pm

Alex, your article really puts things into perspective. We are lead to believe that we are to blame for our weight issues, and as a result we sink even deeper into depression.

Our entire culture and society is built upon laziness and convenience. Things are more readily accessible, easier to do, and simply do not support a healthy, active and stress-free lifestyle. Unless we suddenly make a shift for the better in all the areas that you mentioned, than I’m afraid that our kids may suffer significantly from the consequences of the choices and decisions we made today.

If readers are interested I have put together a Mind Map presenting 25 keys to weight-loss that will help anyone seeking to lose weight with an overview of some key effective strategies and tips.

J.D. Says:

July 7th, 2008, 21:30 pm

What a terrible title - the last thing people need to be thinking is “it is not my fault I am overweight” or “it is not my fault xxx”.

Personal responsibility is the most critical aspect of improving your life. At the end of the day, you are the one choosing to eat badly and not exercise regardless of the external factors/influences.

Again, a terrible thing to be planting in your reader’s heads.

Zendad Says:

July 7th, 2008, 21:51 pm

There are some very valid points there. It has become a chore that you have to consciously keep up to avoid the processed and fast foods and insert exercise into your routine. The old saying “anything worth having (a fit body) doesnt come without some sort of fight (exercise).
Good Post
Zendad
http://www.zendad.net

Anthony Says:

July 7th, 2008, 21:57 pm

I would have to disagree with you on this one. I normally agree with you, but in this case… no. If a person is a fat slob, it is entirely the individual’s fault. Get your ass off the couch, eat sensibly–meaning eat as close to the vine as possible, park a mile or so from work and hoof it, buy a set of adjustable dumbbells, subscribe to Men’s/Women’s Health magazine, go to bed earlier, get up earlier, don’t eat any main course larger than your fist, eat four or five small meals a day, start reading stronglifts.com daily, and drink water. Oh, and one last thing, if you are “handicapped” or whatever, don’t fall into a victim mentality. Get your butt to the pool, walk, whatever. I have fairly severe rheumatoid arthritis and still manage to lift 3X a week, jog 2X a week, and go to yoga 1X a week. All of this and I get off the subway 1 mile from work and walk every work day. I am not “fighting fit” as I was when in the Marines 20 years ago, but I am relatively healthy and enjoy a good sweat.

Scott McIntyre Says:

July 7th, 2008, 22:01 pm

A very useful post, Alex.

I wholeheartedly agree with your last point that a total change in lifestyle - and mindset - is crucial.

It was only when I stopped looking on losing weight as being a “one off” event and more a prolonged approach to improving my health, did my own extra kilos disappear.

With this revelation, I was able to lose 98 pounds / 44.5 kilos pretty much without any effort.

Better still, 7 years later, the excess baggage has never come back!

Look on losing weight as being about “changing the way you eat permanently” rather than “going on a diet”, and it’ll make all the difference to your success.

Kristie Says:

July 7th, 2008, 22:06 pm

I agree with JD and Anthony, and I am really shocked to see the title and the post. Bottom line is if you blame others - be it people, circumstances, or influences - you are not going to change yourself. Step up and accept personal responsibility. No one holds a gun to your head and makes you eat and not exercise.

This is the worst possible message you could be giving people. And those who support or agree with it are going to be the same people who are still fat in 1, 3, 5 years.

You are responsible for you. No one and no thing else is…

Kevin Says:

July 7th, 2008, 22:06 pm

For those who are serious about losing weight, you can simplify these steps even further - take a holiday from food for three months. I went through a chemo/radiation treatment for throat cancer and was unable to eat regular food for three months. My diet was an Ensure-like liquid supplement during this period (nothing else, no exceptions). Obviously there was no incentive to overeat, and I lost 50 lbs. Far more importantly, all my bad eating habits developed over 40 years were broken during this period - it’s like my mind did a complete reboot. When I could eat normally again, I had no interest in processed foods, I was happy with normal portions, I preferred fruits and vegetables to meat - you get the idea. I’ve lost another 60 lbs during the last year and have stabilized at my college weight. Three months of your remaining life is not very much to give up to achieve this kind of breakthrough. You obviously want to check with a doctor before you do it, but it worked for me.

Joel Falconer Says:

July 7th, 2008, 22:07 pm

The thing is, the individual is always to blame. Yeah, we’ve set up a society that doesn’t make it easy to live the right way, but there is always, always a choice involved. That choice makes it the individual’s fault.

Telling people it’s not their fault, when it is, isn’t going to help them at all—it leads to apathy and a sense of resignment because it seems impossible to beat “the forces” being blamed for personal choices.

Brandon Leedy Says:

July 7th, 2008, 22:33 pm

Look, I subscribe to this blog via RSS, I enjoy the information that appears on most posts… but what is the deal with the lists Leo? I understand numerical structure is very precise and easy to use… but reading lists, especially long ones, tend to lose their oomph when its the 20th list you’ve read this week… I’m no zen master, and this website is using zen a looser sense, but it seems like lists are rather un-zen. Not complaining about the content, just the way its presented.

Jenn H Says:

July 7th, 2008, 22:39 pm

This is what has worked for me: http://www.oa.org. Overeaters Anonymous has helped me release 70lbs, and I’m forever grateful!

Andrew is getting fit Says:

July 7th, 2008, 22:41 pm

I would agree that society doesn’t make it easy to be thin but I would also suggest it is still an individual’s choice in the end.

Alecia D Says:

July 7th, 2008, 22:46 pm

As a person who is overweight, I would have to agree with alot of what was said here. While on the one hand- it is my own fault that I’ve gained 50 lbs over the past few years, there’s still something to be said about the type of society I live in. When I spent 3 months in Jamaica and had no choice but to walk most places, eat fresh fruit and vegetables, and limited fast food- I was in much better shape. I do take responsibilty for my weight and have been actively taking measures to improve myself over the past several weeks, but I think we should also acknowledge the role that outside influences like Mickey D’s and a sedentary desk job plays in the “fat” equation. Yes, I have a choice- but damn if there’s a McDonalds on every street corner, let’s not pretend that people aren’t going to stop in and eat!

Niles Gibbs Says:

July 7th, 2008, 22:47 pm

I lost over 100 pounds in about a year with the ever present: eat less, exercise more shtick.

I ate eggs for breakfast and “beef n’ chips” for lunch every day. Actually, I didn’t really exercise all that much either.

For me it wasn’t willpower, just making it into a habit. Real weight loss (or gain) takes a long time, you just have to make a habit out of it. I made it a nerdy habit by using a spreadsheet.

I recommend everyone read The Hacker’s Diet and at least the willpower chapter of Scott Adams’ God’s Debris:

“We like to believe that other people have the same level of urges as we do, despite all evidence to the contrary. We convince ourselves that people differ only in their degree of morality or willpower, or a combination of the two. But urges are real, and they differ wildly for every individual. Morality and willpower are illusions. For any human being, the highest urge always wins and willpower never enters into it. Willpower is a delusion.”

(Just enough quote to get all y’alls’ hackles up, but not enough that you can justify responding without reading the whole chapter.)

(And don’t bother with the eggs are bad for you routine: <a href=”http://www.aeb.org/Nutrition/images/PDF/Cracking_Egg-Cholesterol_Myth.pdf”?pdf link. And even if they were proven bad, I’d eat them. Mmmmmm.)

Alex Says:

July 7th, 2008, 22:49 pm

I will concede that there are several parts of american culture that make it difficult to make the right choice, instead of the easy choices in regards to what we eat, how often we exercise, etc.

But that does not excuse the choices we make, nor our responsibilities for our own well being.

Given that every single person has a different metabolism, and it varies at different rates and times in our lives, certainly it is not equal or “fair” on how easy it is to shed pounds or maintain weight. It may be exponentially more difficult for one individual to have a healthy weight than another. How important that is, is entirely up to the individual.

You imply that there is someone to blame for a person’s weight. The only person to “blame,” is oneself. Blame implies a fault, so this is only valid if someone is dissatisfied with their weight. If one is dissatisfied with their weight, it is their responsibility, and theirs alone to adjust their lifestyle to reach their goals.

You’ve outlined some of these difficulties as excuses. It does take more than motivation, it takes responsibility for oneself. That includes educating yourself in pursuit of your goals.

Niles Gibbs Says:

July 7th, 2008, 22:50 pm

Oops, sorry about the messed up link in my last comment: eggs aren’t bad for you.

Richard Says:

July 7th, 2008, 22:52 pm

I agree that society doesn’t make it “easy on us”, but it is still our choice to eat sensibly even if, for example, portion sizes are huge in a restaurant; we need to take responsibility for our actions and not lay the blame elsewhere. I am speaking here from experience, as I have lost over 20 kilos and changed my life around through some very simple measures. The first step towards any self-improvement is correct thinking…

What is most unfortunate is those who are what I refer to as cultural/sociological apologists. They are the kinds of people who believe that they are doing the right thing by making people feel better about themselves, but, in actual fact, they are misguiding those at risk. For example, you shouldn’t be at all “proud of being big” as it poses several distinct and life-threatening health risks. This positive reinforcement of negative conditions/thinking is dangerous.

Therefore, I’m not sure that I agree wholeheartedly with the ‘..your not to blame’ aspect of this post, as we are all have control over our actions.

I hope that this doesn’t sound like a negative post, as I actually enjoyed reading this very well composed, succinct and interesting article. :-)

http://www.cheewit.net

Robert Says:

July 7th, 2008, 22:53 pm

Alecia, with all due respect, I think your comment is kind of ridiculous as is the premise of this post. You can do the same thing here as you can in Jamaica - eat fruits and vegetables, walk. The MacDonalds on every corner is just a crutch, and if you blame it then you will never reach your goals.

Why don’t the drug users just blame the people who sell it to them?
Why don’t the cheating spouses just blame the “tempting” people they meet on a business trip?

This all reminds me of the person that sued the fast food place because the coffee was too hot.

Holding yourself accountable for your success and failure is the only way you will accomplish anything.

Laurie Says:

July 7th, 2008, 23:14 pm

I didn’t see “having babies” as a reason that we’re over weight. While you think that is only true of the females in the group, my hub suffered from “sympathy weight gain” with all of his other sympathy illnesses while I was pregnant! he he he.

If my baby is now 16 can I still call it baby weight???

jill Says:

July 7th, 2008, 23:48 pm

It’s ironic that what’s missing here is the correlate between learning about simplicity in life (i.e. often a focus of zen habits) and simplicity in feeding yourself (i.e. the key to weight loss) is missing.

The same way you can teach yourself to meditate amidst chaos you can teach yourself to love the taste of fresh vegetables amidst fast food. Actually focus on how food and exercise — moderate amounts of both — make you feel. Notice how good you feel when you don’t eat horrible food, and when you get out and move around a little. Notice how healthy food and lifestyle exercise can be the most pleasurable thing in the world.

Soon, creamy salad dressing seems like clutter and saturated fat or salt are revealed to be masking sub standard ingredients.

Alex Fayle Says:

July 8th, 2008, 0:31 am

I actually see this post as all about personal choice and responsibility. By providing the reasons why many people are overweight and then providing ways to negate those influences Alex has provided a way people can stop living in an unaware or victim role and start actively changing their lives.

As someone who used to be overweight (but not obese), I lost weight when for other health reasons I had to change my diet. I then lost more when I moved away from North America where it’s just too easy to eat poorly.

So yes, it’s all choice and everyone is personally responsible but North American culture doesn’t make it easy.

Great post, Alex!

Adam Snider Says:

July 8th, 2008, 1:19 am

I’m very shocked to see this on Zen Habits. What happened to taking responsibility for your own life? McDonald’s policies do not excuse your decision to eat there.

Adam Says:

July 8th, 2008, 1:22 am

I’m not too into this post as well . First, it is said that daily workouts aren’t enough. But then “exercise daily” is listed under things to do. This really doesn’t make any sense unless you clarify exactly how much exercise isn’t enough in the first list. I try and run 4-8 miles on the treadmill. Is that enough?

Also, the point about fat cells multiplying is quite questionable. A quick search shows that in most people the number of fat cells you have after puberty is pretty much the number you are going to have the rest of your life. However, in cases of extreme obesity, I’ve seen numbers saying 200% of optimal weight, fat cells can multiply but only after the original ones are filled to capacity.

Noah Says:

July 8th, 2008, 1:24 am

A lot of unforgiving people on today. That “old lady and McDonald’s” case is so deeply misused as a mechanism for the personal responsibility crowd. Where is the personal responsibility in getting your facts straight?

My stance on the title and the tips? Whatever does the job. If you want drill sergeant antagonism, there are plenty of people out there who run that role. I like a different tack once in a while. The author’s hand-holding may do the trick for a few more. Why shoot the messenger? Obesity is a crisis that affects everyone.

magpie Says:

July 8th, 2008, 1:51 am

I completely disagree. There is no excuse for being overweight besides laziness. This article will only fuel the self-pity that most overweight and obese people have.

Lauren Says:

July 8th, 2008, 2:25 am

Sorry, but I have an issue with the logic that each of us is not responsible for our weight. Except for extreme cases such as metabolic disorders or people who have to use drugs that cause weight gain, etc. It’s not fair (or helpful) to say that just because there’s a McDonalds within 4 minutes means it’s their fault you eat there!! I don’t think those are the hard problems to solve…
There are McDonalds’ in Europe too… I think the problem with North American culture that is leading to this obesity epidemic stems from exactly this type of thinking - that I am not responsible for making sure I don’t gain a whole lot of weight - it’s out of my control!

Richard Says:

July 8th, 2008, 2:57 am

I have written a short post in response to this (’Living Life Overweight: 10 erasons why you ARE to blame’) on http://www.cheewit.net, as I know that Leo states that he is no longer accepting guest posts.

Therefore, sorry Leo for being so blatant about linking to my blog, but I thought that it would be of interest to your readers… I sincerely hope that this is okay!

Food Choices Says:

July 8th, 2008, 3:12 am

It used to be thought that it was all very simple - that a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. Yet people are known to have “beer bellies” from drinking too much beer - yet not from coke cola. The calorie intake explanation is a myth

Even Says:

July 8th, 2008, 4:18 am

Just wanted to add that slow chewing etc helps because it takes 20 minutes from you eat something till you actually feel full.

Emma Says:

July 8th, 2008, 4:20 am

Great post. When I read the title I was prepared to hate it as I dislike people blaming anything but themselves but all your points are valid. Good advice.

Shadowduck Says:

July 8th, 2008, 4:22 am

I used to be unfit and overweight… Then I made a huge effort to change my lifestyle and eating habits. Now I’m a good weight and fitter than I’ve been since my teens.

It was my fault then, and it’s my achievement now. Denying one would devalue the other.

Everyone’s entitled to a dud post once in a while. ;)

Mags | Woo-Woo Wisdom Says:

July 8th, 2008, 4:34 am

We often talk about “society” as if it’s something separate to us, yet “society” is merely our collective agreement as to how things are.

What if we all just simply change our minds?

mia Says:

July 8th, 2008, 4:57 am

Why has no one picked up on the fact that junk food is cheaper than healthy food? It is certainly true where I come from (South Africa) - and this has an awful effect on the lower income groups.

As far as personal responsibility goes: yes, it IS up to you. Why not focus a post on how GOOD it feels to take responsibility?

And for the people who said things like ‘its your own fault if youre a fat slob’ - GET SOME MANNERS. Geez.

david h Says:

July 8th, 2008, 5:15 am

As many commenters before have pointed out: yes, of course we are personally responsible for what we eat (and do).

But. Don’t we also have a responsibility to create the kind of society we want, and to criticize the things we find not so good? To point out different factors that influence our eating habits? And of course McDonalds will influence us - they want us to eat their food and they will make their best to makes us believe we want to eat it, too.

In general, being aware of the things that influence our behavior, seeing the patterns in what we do and why we do it, is a helpful ground for exercising our personal responsibility. That goes for what we eat, too. If you know why you eat like you do, you will have more power to change.

Not accepting blame, doesn’t mean not accepting responsibility.

Char Reed Says:

July 8th, 2008, 5:38 am

I moved to Norway a year ago. I’m a lean (not fit- oh no! fit and lean are two different things!) and felt quite out of place in the US. Like bigger people would frown at me or leer at me because I am a “normal” healthy weight for my frame and age. I hated it. Then I moved to Norway, where the bigger people here must feel like I did in the US. Women with newborn babies walk around as trim as myself (usually even smaller than me!). They do not gain masses amounts of weight just because they are pregnant and don’t lazily keep the weight for 18 more years. It’s astounding! There are McD’s and BK here, but I don’t see very many “big” people eat there. They use it for it’s there for- convenience, not a daily nutritional source. People tend to walk more in Oslo. There is public transport, but the bus or tram hardly drops you off at the front door of your destination, forcing you to use some muscles. I walk home from work every day, 45 minutes. It’s not enough to get me “in shape” but it’s enough to get me up and moving from my desk job. Meat is expensive here, my first motivation for not eating a ton of it. If I eat too many big meals in a row, I feel horrible. It’s just a mindset. You have to WANT to be healthy. And YOU have to want it. No one can talk sense into you.

Avi Marcus Says:

July 8th, 2008, 8:34 am

While it may be easier to just do everything the way society does without paying attention, that is hardly taking an responsible manner. You will end up overworked, unhappy, overweight, and in major consumer debt.

Related to slowing metabolism, I tell people to make sure - ironically - that they eat so that they don’t go into starvation mode.
Another tip - lots of people don’t really care for walking, even though its very beneficial. If you talk on the phone, you can walk around without even noticing the time and exertion in the walking.

Scott Kustes - Modern Forager Says:

July 8th, 2008, 8:39 am

No, no, no. I can’t get with this post. To move along with the logic that it’s not a person’s fault if they are overweight (note: I’m not saying lazy, just a case of priorities), then it’s not my fault or my responsibility that I am in shape and run a sub-12 second 100m or sub-60 second 400m. It’s the local high school’s fault for putting a track close enough to my home that I just can’t find the willpower to not visit it.

Bullocks! It’s all about priorities. I place a high priority on my health and athleticism. As such, I nix the TV and spend time nightly preparing my food (though typically only about 30 minutes). Some people just can’t miss their favorite shows, yet somehow “lack the time” to fix a meal made of real foods. When you really examine how people are spending their time, you see where their priorities lie.

Genetics are not a roadmap. Genes can be activated and deactivated by lifestyle. They are more like signposts. The lifestyle you choose determines which genes are expressed…genotype is the genes you possess (i.e., the set of qualities you COULD express), phenotype is the genes you actually do express. Why do people with a family history of diabetes not have diabetes? Why do people with a family history of cancer not get cancer? How do identical twins end up with markedly different body compositions? GENETIC EXPRESSION! Genes are just another way for people to blame someone other than themselves and not take responsibility for their actions.

Sure, there is plenty of misinformation out there, but logic always prevails in the end. Eat real food. It really is that simple. If it’s packaged, don’t eat it. If you could kill it or dig it up with a stick, dig in. Meat, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fruits, squashes, tubers….those are real foods. Eat from those food groups and it’s highly unlikely you’re going to be overweight.

It’s not McDonald’s fault you eat there. Is McDonald’s providing anything the people with priorities of fast, non-nutritious food aren’t asking for? If people wanted salads and steamed vegetables, they’d clamor for them and McD’s would provide it. Instead, they want burgers and fries, so McD’s provides it.

It’s only when people take full responsibility for their actions and their life and really examine how they’re living it that they will find a way to sift through all of the garbage and make meaningful changes.

Cheers
Scott Kustes
Modern Forager

David R. Says:

July 8th, 2008, 8:41 am

Bad post.

Chris Says:

July 8th, 2008, 8:53 am

While everything in this post have been said before, it still a good reminder for everyone to practice these helpful strategies to keeping lean and healthy.

The key to all of these is SELF-DISCIPLINE. If you don’t discipline yourself then you might as well grab a seat in the corner and keep stuffing your self because you will never live a lean and healthy life.

So before you can work on your body, you need to work on your mind!

AD Says:

July 8th, 2008, 9:18 am

Have to agree with the others. Life tempts us in many ways, and the responsibility to make the right choice lies with the individual.

You can blame being overweight on McDonalds or your job or having a baby (yes, I know we women gain weight in pregnancy, but I know many women who eventually lost the weight through healthy diet and exercise). But do any of these excuses help you? Blaming a quarter-pounder with cheese isn’t going to get you very far.

I’m really tired of living in such a whiny society where everything is everybody else’s fault.

BoxingKid Says:

July 8th, 2008, 9:26 am

Listen, i agree w/ almost every post you say, i was once well overweight but it wasn’t because of any of the things mentioned, i fell into American laziness… My parents eat healthy and are skinny my brothers are as well i eat healthy but i ate in excess and was idle much of the time. I had no one to blame but myself, got off my ass and did something about it, Diff between u and me is i do take some supplements but nothing ur body wouldn’t naturally produce

3 days ago i was in my local mall, and i saw an obese woman w/ two children the woman placed an obscene amount of food in front of these already horribly overweight children… Children w/ a small frame and a large “gut” a 7 or 8 year old child should not weigh as much as me… I am fully blaming today’s parents for not only there own laziness and over eating but for forcing it on there children, this should be considered child abuse, it disgusted me so much i tossed my turkey sandwich and left. Should i had said something prob but later when i spoke to my father he said it was not my place…

kb Says:

July 8th, 2008, 9:29 am

I agree with many others - it is the fault of the individual if one has a choice.

I’m surprised to read this kind of crap on zenhabits…

EscapeVelocity Says:

July 8th, 2008, 9:39 am

The poster doesn’t address emotional issues, which is where weight gain always comes from for me–and you can’t just exercise your willpower and shape up without dealing with those.

The other omission I see is the role of advertising. Fast food isn’t really very good, they just make it look appealing in the commercials. If you want to lose weight, don’t watch commercial television, or use Tivo or some such so you can skip the commercials (just hitting the mute button doesn’t do it).

bp Says:

July 8th, 2008, 10:07 am

Your article is a reverse Fundamental Attribution Error. Though we attribute others behaviors as internal(personality) and ours as external(situational), it is purely an internal attribution when it comes to being overweight.

Bill Joe Pruett Says:

July 8th, 2008, 10:12 am

Enough of these hyper-critical knee-jerk over-reactions to this post … y’all just stop it and give Alex a break!

You’re going on about his suggestions that we’re not entirely to blame, without acknowledging that he encouraged everyone to stand and fight in taking responsibility!

Get over yourselves.

Good post, Alex. Ya can’t please everyone.

Salar Madadi Says:

July 8th, 2008, 10:19 am

I have to say I disagree with the excuses in this article as well. Until the last year, I had been overweight and out of shape for 28 years - I had been so since I was a child and could never be considered in shape at any point of my life.

A year ago I made the decision to do something about it and I did. I ate less and exercised more and have lost 80 pounds over that year. I’m now in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life and it’s because I stopped making excuses, educated myself and took consistent action.

The thing that helped me the most was making my intentions public - when I started I created a site: http://www.amanreborn.com and then forwarded the link to all my friends and family. They’ve all been incredibly supportive and I couldn’t have done it without them.

Stop making excuses and do something about it!

nickmilo Says:

July 8th, 2008, 10:27 am

Eat healthy and exercise. That’s all you have to do. If you don’t know what healthy is, spend 5 hours on the internet. You’ll be set. You’ll know that too many carbs are bad, that fats are necessary, which ones to have, and how much of each. You’ll know that exercise has about a million benefits. etc…

You are to blame if you are overweight. The less ignorant you become of what is healthy and what isn’t, the more responsibility you have. If you know eating at McDonald’s is unhealthy, then don’t do it. Stop looking for an excuse and look in the mirror. If you can look yourself in the eyes and say, “I’m not to blame, someone else is” then I feel sorry for you and your sad life.

I agree society has not helped, but that is no excuse. You are to blame if you are overweight.

99ppp Says:

July 8th, 2008, 10:31 am

I agree with the Modern Forager and others above, that there must be a point where a person must take responsibility for their situation. Anything else leads to powerlessness. It’s an unfortunate title, since it can suggest that a person had no hand in their poor physical condition. I concur that getting into a cycle of self-pity due to wallowing in self-blame is counterproductive, yet taking responsibility allows a person to recognize their unhealthy habits and seek change.

A “Fat Acceptance” movement has emerged to facilitate the parade of rationalizations offered very similar to the first list. I had my share of controversy related to this topic at : http://99ppp.wordpress.com/2008/06/24/fat-acceptance-and-attraction/

Stephanie Says:

July 8th, 2008, 10:34 am

I think it’s just the title of the article that’s confusing for people. Perhaps it would have been better to say something like “10 things our culture does to make you fat and how to fight back.”

Of course everyone has a choice. But there are millions of advertising dollars spent every day pushing people to eat more, to consume more, and to always be dissatisfied with what they have and who they are. That’s a huge force to be reckoned with. While it’s not impossible to fight it, it does take effort, and perhaps some people aren’t even aware that they have to do the work to ignore the McD’s and to take responsibility for their own health habits.

nickmilo Says:

July 8th, 2008, 10:36 am

Leo, I was very close to unsubscribing to your blog until I read the posts of your readers. Please use better judgement next time. The article has valid information, but the title is So So wrong!

Stephanie Says:

July 8th, 2008, 10:38 am

Also I’d like to see some more information on this “fat cells multiply permanently” claim. Does the author have a source for this information? It doesn’t ring true to me, and doesn’t seem like a very thorough explanation. I.e. what does it mean to have “gone overweight?”

Dan Boyle Says:

July 8th, 2008, 10:58 am

I like the suggestions, but I think there is no excuse if you are not where you want to be with your body.

It really comes down to laziness.

It takes a month of building different habits… granted there is a little more to it but people need to take responsibility for themselves and stop placing responsibility on others.

db Says:

July 8th, 2008, 10:59 am

Hate the article. Too angry to talk much about why.

However — not every overweight person goes and pigs out on crappy fast food. Some of them never, ever eat at McDonalds or other such places.

Some of them don’t indulge in processed foods, emphasize fresh fruits & vegetables etc., and still never manage to lose weight at all.

Khurt Says:

July 8th, 2008, 11:19 am

As a person with Type 1 (autoimmune) diabetes, I can say that following diet, exercise, nutrition, and restraint are what help me manage my disease.

Living any other way would leave me dead or with severe medical complications.

Aaron Stewart Says:

July 8th, 2008, 11:25 am

You can’t possibly be serious with the title of this article. Let’s not take personal responsibility for our poor habits, that will fix it for sure!

Xtine Says:

July 8th, 2008, 11:33 am

I agree with JD, Anthony, Kristie. Being overweight or obese is not something you can blame on other people. You cannot pass on the blame to someone else. Do not blame the society; they do make it harder to lose weight, but they are not to blame. Take ownership of your actions.I used to blame a lot of things for my weight, but it didn’t bring me any good.

This year I really gave it a good thought and realized it was all me. I allowed the weight to pile up, I led a sedentary lifestyle, I ate even when I wasn’t hungry. But now, I am exercising 6x a week, eating healthier and enjoying a happier disposition in life. It’s about making a choice to be healthier, not blaming people so you can feel better about your problem.

Rach Says:

July 8th, 2008, 11:47 am

Usually I love Zenhabits, but I wasn’t fond of this one. I will however acknowledge that this was a guest post, not Leo, so I guess I can accept a slip-up :) It just seems to contradict everything that Zenhabits is about in my mind. While some of the suggestions in the second half of the article are valid advice, the title ruins the whole thing. Refusing to take responsibility for yourself is the worst thing you can do in the battle to lose weight. As someone else pointed out, there is fast food all over the world, there is advertising all over the world, but it’s only the US that indulges so extremely. The US and Canada are similar in a lot of ways, but the US has double Canada’s obesity rate. Speaking as someone who spent most of their life overweight, until I made a choice to do something about it and lost 70 pounds, I know first hand that it is far more internal than external.

Grace Cha Says:

July 8th, 2008, 11:50 am

Speaking from my personal success of losing it during the past year without much effort — 15 lbs, love handles, belly fat, etc., I can confidently make a suggestion for a change in lifestyle. This should especially come as a no-brainer for almost everyone at a time like now, when gas price keeps going up.

*Get rid of the car, give it a long break in the garage.*

I steadily gained my weight and fat since moving into this single family detached house in Canada 10 years ago. I did feel odd about easing into the habit of car-in, car-out directly from my garage, just a few steps away. It is unlike in Hong Kong, where I would have to walk at least dozens of steps more to reach my car in the carpark, get a taxi or take the subway.

I’ve been forced to give up my driver’s license because the doctor considers me no longer fit to drive, due to a visual impairment. This has come as a blessing to me. Now I walk a lot more — to school with the kid, to the bus stop, to the grocery stores, all within 1 kilometre. I am not even doing it everyday ;0

Baxt Says:

July 8th, 2008, 11:51 am

I’d include 2 more things:

- cook your food: it feels good to be able to prepare your own food, or to feed your family. It may sound silly, but it is empowering.

- buy plain ingredients: by that I mean steaks, chicken, fish, brocolli, potatoes, fruit, leaves, etc. And not processed stuff

Coop Says:

July 8th, 2008, 11:57 am

If this post was designed to create traffic, or increase posts(like this one) then it has done it’s job.

Being a personal trainer for over 13 years, and being involved in the fitness industry for 25 plus years I have trained hundreds of clients. Only a handful could attribute their being fat to medical reasons. Of those, most had reactions to medications which made it very difficult to shed the weight.

On the other hand, the other 890 clients or so were fat because of choices. Choices! They chose to skip breakfast, they chose to overeat at the wedding, they chose to sleep in and skip their workouts…on an on. (I’ve often thought of doing a post on the list of excuses I’ve heard…maybe for another day.)

Here’s your legit “zen fit tip” for the day. All you need to do to be lean and fit.

1. Eat clean (fruit,veg,lean proteins,fish, healthy fats) End of story you didn’t see soda, candy, donuts here.
2. Train frequently. (Challenge yourself on each workout.)
3. Rest and recover (Get enough sleep. Skip the TV and night. Make sleep and recovery a priority.

Do these 3 things 90% of the time, and then come tell me how fat you are.

Piankeshaw Says:

July 8th, 2008, 12:02 pm

Good post!! Thanks. This all fits with Daniel Kirschbaum’s Healthy Obsession Program. Great resource for people who are looking to lose weight.

The other point I would make is the addictive quality of sugar. For those with sugar issues, it needs to be treated like alcohol or other drugs: total abstinence and a support network to deal with urges.

deepali Says:

July 8th, 2008, 12:10 pm

The ignorance in the comments is appalling. Or perhaps it’s insecurity?
Here is the thing - you can think you have all the control in the world, but at the end of the day, you will still make poor choices. There are two reasons for that (and they are related to each other):
1. Your brain is not objective. It tricks you and it often steers you to the wrong choice. That’s biochemistry and evolution and you aren’t going to change that.
2. Your personal choices are shaped by your environment. Change your environment and you change your choices. We have so much research that backs that up.

And as an additional note - sure, we can rely completely on personal responsibility, but why can’t we also make it easier to make good choices?

One of the biggest public health successes was a result of changing the environment. During a cholera outbreak in London, John Snow realized that the disease was linked to water, particularly water coming from specific locations. So he found the pumps, and took the handles off, thereby preventing anyone from getting water from there. In other words, he made it easier to make the right choice (and harder to make the wrong choice). I don’t see why that is such a bad thing.

Ann at One Bag Nation Says:

July 8th, 2008, 12:41 pm

Wow - lots of strong emotion here!

Don’t you think the “Tips to Control your Weight” acknowledge that yes, we make the choices that keep us heavy or help us get slim and fit?

He doesn’t say “throw up your hands and drive to the nearest McD’s to drown your sorrows’!!

Jared Says:

July 8th, 2008, 12:46 pm

http://www.precisionnutrition.com ……life changing that’s all I have to say.

99ppp Says:

July 8th, 2008, 12:59 pm

@deepali: I doubt that many will deny that environment does have influence in choices made, but it isn’t solely that. Your comment suggests environment has almost total influence: “…Change your environment and you change your choices. We have so much research that backs that up.” The nature/nurture debate rages on, and I doubt there is any conclusive research that tilts it decisively one way or the other.

I don’t like the idea that we are reactive automatons merely a slave to the whim of what surrounds us. Nor that we each are a paragon of free will, completely oblivious to what surrounds us. Individuals process what surrounds them differently, although there may be similarities.

As much of a critic I am of mass media, it is up to each of us to disseminate the messages, instead of blindly following along. And culture is often what one thinks others think. Related: http://99ppp.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/terrence-mckenna-culture-is-not-your-friend/

jeffliveshere Says:

July 8th, 2008, 13:05 pm

The knee-jerk uber-individualists who are whining about how EVERYTHING comes down to personal responsibility need to set down their copies of Atlas Shrugged for a few minutes and take a look at reality. Reality involves complex interactions among concepts, and one set of those interactions are the connections between individual choice and environmental influences. Yes, we can to some degree choose our environment, but no, we don’t have some sort of ultimate control over what we do simply because we are individuals. Yes, we’re individuals who make choices, but no, we don’t make those choices in a vacuum, and to the extent that we are connected to other people, our societies and the world, those things influence our choices–and recognizing those influences helps to understand what the best paths to take are.

99ppp Says:

July 8th, 2008, 13:26 pm

@jeffliveshere: Reality, like Truth, is volatile. ;)

That recognition of influences is where one can take personal responsibility. No need to be absolutist one way or the other, we are swayed by others, we can sway others, AND we can choose. How each of us contextualizes those influences can differ although there may be similarities. Too many behavioural researchers are very quick to draw conclusions, imo.

DR Says:

July 8th, 2008, 13:27 pm

The type and location of fat receptors will determine whether you store excess fat like an “apple” or a “pear”.

http://healthhabits.wordpress.com/2008/06/13/the-science-behind-spare-tires-and-thunder-thighs/

Having A2 fat receptors in your bum and thigh fat cells means that:

The receptors (in that area) responsible for fat oxidation (losing body-fat) will be inhibited - Sorry

Fat will be drawn to this area like a magnet - Sorry again

If you restrict calories (i.e. diet) you will increase the number of the bad fat receptors - A2 and lower the number of good fat receptors - B1 - Really, really sorry

For those of us with problem areas, there is hope, it just isn’t that easy.

Stuart Says:

July 8th, 2008, 13:30 pm

I’ve been using chopsticks for every meal this summer. I am filled up, I eat less, and I enjoy the taste of my food!

Drew Says:

July 8th, 2008, 13:41 pm

My respect for this blog just fell several notches. I understand that this was a guest post, but the title alone was far below the level of thoughtful observation that has brought me back here daily for the past few months.

Stricter quality control on guest posts please. This post was only marginally more applicable to what I consider your target audience than “It’s Not Your Fault: Managing Your Addiction To America’s Next Top Model”.

eliska Says:

July 8th, 2008, 14:12 pm

The author’s message clearly didn’t get through to most commenters here; perhaps because the title got everyone up in arms from the outset?

However, I think this article does a great service to those who DO get the message. You can talk all you want about personal responsibility, but sometimes you need to know what is influencing your choices before you can make the right ones.

There are millions of people out there who have grown up eating fast food, driving everywhere, not exercising, not cooking. It is not going to be easy for them to understand (REALLY, DEEPLY understand) how to live a better lifestyle if they have never known it!

I’m not saying they should have a victim mentality. On the contrary, once they know what is wrong they can (and should) take the responsibility to combat the factors that have influenced their bad habits.

Which is exactly what the author was saying…

Miguel de Luis Says:

July 8th, 2008, 14:13 pm

I think that this post has hit a dogma. We tend to think that we are the absolute master of ourselves, that our rational mind can take perfect control of us at all times. Sorry, but life just does not work that way.
The truth is propaganda (advertising) is masterfully tailored to move us. I’m sure that many a poster knows one or two marketing trick.
However I feel we should tell blame from responsability. Responsability rests on us alone, we can work towards a goal of a healthy life. But, man it is not going to be easy or nice. It takes toil, sweat and courage, precisely because we share the guilt with people whose mission in life is to get us fat while they become wealthier.

nah Says:

July 8th, 2008, 14:44 pm

in any situation, if you consider yourself a victim, you are to blame. you MUST take responsibility for your problems because if you cannot take responsibility for them they are out of your control and cannot be changed. the title of this post should be “10 Reasons why its very hard to loose weight”

Tiffany X Says:

July 8th, 2008, 15:17 pm

I have to suggest that if you are interested in losing weight to check out Weight Watchers. You get to eat the foods that you want just in smaller portions. I eliminated my many cups of sugary tea and sugary coffee with just one cup in the morning and I think that alone helped me to lose 3 pounds! I’ve found that reaching for apples, carrots, and other low point foods have helped me to weigh my ‘natural weight’. It works!

Niles Gibbs Says:

July 8th, 2008, 15:26 pm

Quick poll, how many “it’s all about willpower” people here have actually had a weight problem? Have you ever actually been obese? Have you dropped 5 or more points on your BMI, into healthier categories?

So far, the only person to actually back up a willpower claim with results (Salar Madidi losing 80 lbs.) readily admitted that the major thing that got him to lose the weight was making his intentions public and having a website that he forwarded his progress onto everyone.

So it sounds like that even in his case, his willpower was less important than being held accountable to others. Hmmm, sounds like he gave expectations for society (his family and friends), and because they expected him to follow through, he did.

I did a similar thing when I lost my 105lbs. I told everyone, made a bunch of bravado about it, and then I had to stick to it. Not because I had excellent willpower, but because I’d be ashamed to fall short of my bragging, to prove to them that I could do it. It’s wasn’t willpower, but fear of failure.

My guess is that the big proponents of willpower here have never had a real weight problem (no, 15 vanity pounds don’t count, I’m talking about your legs chaff when you sweat FAT), or did “knuckle-down” and lose weight like I did (less food, more exercise), and feel better crediting their willpower than the numerous other factors that helped them lose the weight and keep it off.

And if you did lose substantial weight solely through willpower (had no contact with “society”, just you in the woods, never told a soul, never bragged about it, no external influences), I’d love to hear about it.

And what’s with genes being only sign posts? So I suppose it’s because of willpower that I’m not dark skinned, eh? I have mixed ancestry, so obviously if I only concentrated harder I could will my skin darker.

(Last argument added so people can attack it, and feel like they’ve cleverly shot me down, without having to address my previous points).

dani Says:

July 8th, 2008, 15:32 pm

This article doesn’t help the people suffering from obesity, I was overweight and me and my wife both lost 45 pounds. We never blamed the society , Mc Donalds , America or our jobs for it. It is easy to put the blame on someone else and be free of guilt. Everybody is accountable for what they eat or the exercise they do. Please don’t tell them we are victims of society, we are victims of ourselves.

Niles Gibbs Says:

July 8th, 2008, 15:43 pm

@eliska: Exactly. Perhaps the title was poorly worded, but the message is in there. Both ends of the spectrum are wrong: being a victim vs. being an independent willpower superhero. Thinking that it’s all out of your hands is wrong, but thinking that it all comes down to you is just as misguided. Both can make you feel better (I fat but it’s ok cause it’s not my fault, or I’m skinny all because of my awesome will), or worse (I can’t control my weight, woe is me, or my weight is all up to me, and I’m failing, so I suck).

@Tiffany X: So, sounds like in addition to the physical requirement of eating less, the metnal part wasn’t willpower, but involvement in a society that encouraged weight loss, set expectations, and held you accountable?

And for the people crying out for some Zen on ZH, walk the middle path: “Avoiding both these extremes, the Tathagata (the Perfect One) has realized the Middle Path; it gives vision, gives knowledge, and leads to calm, to insight, to enlightenment and to Nibbana”

Society is not entirely to blame, but neither are you, like everything else in this messy world, it’s a mix in the middle. Follow Leo’s overriding message: it’s Zen HABITS. To make any change in your life, you have to make it a HABIT. Weight loss doesn’t come from one night of hard concentrating and willpower, but from being habitually, unconsciously healthy in your habits. Just as gaining the weight didn’t come from a one day binging of 50+ pounds of food, but from being habitually, unconsciously, unhealthy in your habits.

So look in your browser’s top bar, you’ll see that the end of every post title, no matter how poorly worded, ends with ZEN HABITS. Follow the middle path and make your changes into habits.

riverbender Says:

July 8th, 2008, 15:49 pm

Reason No. 11:

Inability to accept personal responsibility.

Serious. This is interesting stuff about McDs but it shouldn’t surprise anyone. McDs are in the junk/fast food industry. This is a free market. A free country. errr uhm sorta kinda lol.

Reason No 12:

Believing all the crap we read and hear in the media paid for by drug companies and diet product/services sellers about health, diet, weight loss, and fitness.

Or, said another way, forfeiting our personal power and control …aka… Inability to take personal responsibility.

Unless you have a medical condition which causes your metabolism to function differently, if you are overweight there is only one reason and that reason is that you eat more calories than burn. Period.

Love,
A former fat chick

OH, Reason No. 12:

Real/healthy food is more expensive than the garbage that makes us fat. I can barely afford to feed myself these days much less my two teenagers!

Sam Fields Says:

July 8th, 2008, 16:05 pm

Well, you can say what you want, but I wasn’t fat. I was slender and in pretty good shape, until my hours at my job got cut due to outsourcing. Not long after, A Mickey-D’s went up across the street. Because of my limited income, it was cheaper to walk to McDonald’s and eat off the dollar menu than it was to drive to the grocey store, so I did. And I got fatter and fatter eating those cheeseburgers and fries. I ballooned from 160 lbs. to 283 lbs. in a year all from eating at Mickey-D’s. Not my fault; just trying to get by on a limited income. Now that gas costs so much, I can’t see eating anywhere but McDonalds, and now my feet hurt so bad that I can hardly get across the street to eat there, so the last two weeks I’ve been giving this boy who lives in the apartment above mine fifty cents to go get it for me. Usually I eat two double cheeseburgers, two fries and an apple pie with a coke or a root beer three times a day. It’s making me fat, though. The jeans I bought at Big and Tall when I got up to 280 don’t close anymore. I use a big safety pin to hold them closed.

Mojowrkn Says:

July 8th, 2008, 16:10 pm

We are all responsible for our own weight. My life changed when I completely re-programmed myself to see food as fuel and medicine. This was not ez I come form a family of high end foodies and wine collectors.

Tracking my intake works for me http://www.thedailyplate.com

My one specific suggestion is to cut out all wheat products and refined sugar for 2 weeks and see how great you feel. Its not easy but very worth it!!

Be Alive, John

Niles Gibbs Says:

July 8th, 2008, 16:13 pm

@riverbender What’s with all this hoopla that only excepts people a different metabolism due to a medical condition? You’re not the first to voice it (I’m not picking on you), but it’s a simple fact that people have different metabolisms and different urges.

You don’t need a “medical condition” to qualify for a metabolism that justifies your weight. You can’t group people into two separate and all encompassing groups: one with a “standard” metabolism whose weight is a function of will, and the other with a “special” metabolism due to disease that overrides a will for weight-management.

No naturally skinny person with a high metabolism wants to admit that that’s the reason for their shape, it’s far more warm and fuzzy to say that their “will” is responsible. In a society that idealizes skinny, it’s far more impressive to say that your will keeps your body at the ideal, look how much willpower I have, aren’t I attractive, eh?

It’s like bragging that you’re tall because of your strong willpower.

If our society favored fat, then the naturally fat people would be saying the same thing, that it’s because of their impressive will that they were fat. And the naturally skinny people would be mocked at for having less fat, and then obviously less will. I’ve lived in countries where fat was in, and being skinny was shameful.

But ask yourself, naturally skinny people, if it’s all about will power, could you pack on