# How Fat is Too Fat? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 30, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622 "2012-11-30T22:47:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/161 "2012-12-04T00:21:11Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Someone upthread hit the nail on the head when they said body acceptance can actually be a great starting point for losing weight. Getting into shape doesn’t equate to ‘‘not happy with your body’’ and “fat acceptance” doesn’t equate to ‘‘give up on getting healthy.’’ They aren’t mutually exclusive concepts. This is very true. Or at least it was for me. My ex boyfriend, who is slim and good-looking, fell completely and utterly in love with overweight me - just as I was. And because of that I loved myself - and that included taking better care of myself. It’s hard to explain, but I think I hated my body and thought that I didn’t deserve any better. When I was loved, I managed to lose a lot of weight and stop smoking. Relationship is long gone, but I’ve grateful to him for this. ---
**Author:** ![Modern\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@Modern\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Modern_Master)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/162 "2012-12-04T00:23:32Z")
> [@PookahMacPhellimey](#): > > This is very true. Or at least it was for me. My ex boyfriend, who is slim and good-looking, fell completely and utterly in love with overweight me - just as I was. And because of that I loved myself - and that included taking better care of myself. It’s hard to explain, but I think I hated my body and thought that I didn’t deserve any better. When I was loved, I managed to lose a lot of weight and stop smoking. > > Relationship is long gone, but I’ve grateful to him for this. If you loved yourself the way you were than why did you change? I sense deception. I doubt the real motivation was love. That’s usually never it, but I’m a cynic. However, I can understand that you just wanted to improve yourself. That I can understand. You also contradict yourself, so it’s a little confusing. You loved yourself but hated yourself simultaneously? Does not compute. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/163 "2012-12-04T00:24:09Z")
Okay, you’re annoying. Go away please. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/164 "2012-12-04T00:49:19Z")
> [@Weedy](#): > > That really doesnt look like much food to me. If that is all a skinny person gets to eat every day for the rest of their life, then I guess I will stay fat. I would be hungry and miserable from lunch-time onwards. You might be surprised how you get used to eating a normal amount of food - and really, the amount described was what a human really should be eating. We’ve become accustomed to people eating ridiculous amounts of food, far more than a person needs to eat. It was once the case that a standard combo at a McDonald’s was a hamburger with what is now considered a small fries and a Coke - a meal that is now aimed at children, with the assumption that adults will eat twice as much, as least. Once you get off the overeating train, then indulging in the humongous portions… well, afterwards you remember why you don’t do that anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Modern\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@Modern\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Modern_Master)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/165 "2012-12-04T00:55:19Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > Okay, you’re annoying. Go away please. As far as I know, I’m not breaking any rules. So, no, I will voice my opinions as I am protected by the First Amendment. I am free to disagree with you as much as I’d like. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/166 "2012-12-04T00:57:32Z")
This isn’t the government. Nobody is censoring you, your First Amendment rights don’t protect you from being called annoying and asked to go away. ---
**Author:** ![Modern\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@Modern\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Modern_Master)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/167 "2012-12-04T00:59:23Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > This isn’t the government. Nobody is censoring you, your First Amendment rights don’t protect you from being called annoying and asked to go away. Right, but I don’t have obligation to listen to your request. My First Amendment rights allow me to disagree with you. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/168 "2012-12-04T00:59:54Z")
:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Michael63129](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@Michael63129](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael63129)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/169 "2012-12-04T01:11:20Z")
> [@Modern\_Master](#): > > Getting out of bed or walking to the store is not exercise. > > Walking is not exercise. I’m not being politically correct, but it just isn’t. That’s like moving around in a pool and saying you went swimming. To you, it might mean I was physically in the pool moving around. To me, it means the act of doing laps in the pool. I think a LOT of people would strongly disagree with this. Maybe you mean strolling along at 1 mph but not power walking (fast walking) like I do - and I know without a doubt that it has benefits. In fact, walking at such a speed is [equivalent to running](http://www.livestrong.com/article/336955-is-power-walking-better-than-running-to-lose-weight/), unless you can run very fast for an hour (and in any case is easier on your joints): > [@](#): > > The calories burned in power walking are comparable to those burned by running or jogging. According to the CSG Network’s calorie burn calculator, a 150 lb. person walking at a pace of 4.5 mph for one hour would burn approximately 307 calories. A walking speed of 4.5 mph is very fast and is considered a power-walking pace. By comparison, the same 150 lb. person jogging at 4 mph on a level surface would also burn approximately 307 calories. Also, even ordinary walking, like to the store, is considered to be [non-exercise activity thermogenesis](http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2009-01-21-fidget-activity_N.htm), which in itself can burn up to 1,000 calories a day and a lack of it has been implicated by some as a major factor in the obesity epidemic (even 500 calories a day is over 50 pounds a year): > [@](#): > > Many overweight people in the USA have “sitting disease” and would lose weight if they did more walking, standing and moving around during the day, says endocrinologist James Levine of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn… > > …If you incorporate some of these ideas into your day, you burn an extra 500 to 1,000 calories. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/170 "2012-12-04T01:28:40Z")
> [@Modern\_Master](#): > > Right, but I don’t have obligation to listen to your request. My First Amendment rights allow me to disagree with you. no they don’t. you’re on a privately-owned website, the admins can tell you to piss off if they want to. the First Amendment only dictates what the U.S. Government can do. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/171 "2012-12-04T01:35:50Z")
> [@sandra\_nz](#): > > I consider myself pro-fat-acceptance (if such a term exists) and it’s really helped me lose weight (no, really). I particularly like the health-at-every-size (HAES) movement which says, “Stop focussing on what the scales say, and get up and move your body in a joyful way!” > > When I stopped hating myself for being fat, I finally had the head space to work on losing weight. I’m only a year into the journey, and 3 stone down with at least 3 more to go, but accepting my fat self has been a huge part of the mental side of weight loss. this is what I absolutely love to hear. Well done Sandra - 42 pound off!! I bet you’re loving it too 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Modern\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@Modern\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Modern_Master)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/172 "2012-12-04T01:36:03Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > no they don’t. you’re on a privately-owned website, the admins can tell you to piss off if they want to. the First Amendment only dictates what the U.S. Government can do. That’s why I said that as far as I know, I’m following the rules. And being banned for an opinion that doesn’t break any rules makes absolutely no sense because it’s counter-productive to the mission statement. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/173 "2012-12-04T01:39:57Z")
I never said you were violating any rules. I just said you are annoying, and in this forum I’m prohibited from voicing my other opinions about you. ---
**Author:** ![Modern\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@Modern\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Modern_Master)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/174 "2012-12-04T01:45:04Z")
> [@Michael63129](#): > > I think a LOT of people would strongly disagree with this. Maybe you mean strolling along at 1 mph but not power walking (fast walking) like I do - and I know without a doubt that it has benefits. In fact, walking at such a speed is [equivalent to running](http://www.livestrong.com/article/336955-is-power-walking-better-than-running-to-lose-weight/), unless you can run very fast for an hour (and in any case is easier on your joints): From that article: > [@](#): > > Power walking is typically performed at between 3 and 5 mph, which is a comparable speed to jogging. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/175 "2012-12-04T02:05:19Z")
> [@Modern\_Master](#): > > I am protected by the First Amendment. I am free to disagree with you as much as I’d like. Ok, so getcher ass off this messageboard and voice those opinions to your freedom-luvin’ heart’s delight. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/176 "2012-12-04T02:06:53Z")
Just a note in general due to the recent tone of this thread: Let’s take to the Pit any other sarcastic or snippy replies towards each other and cut them out of this topic beyond this post, please. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/177 "2012-12-04T02:12:37Z")
FWIW in studies of those who have successful lost weight and maintained the loss long term, regular exercise is nearly universal. The most common form used [is walking](http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/82/1/222S.full#ref-2). > [@](#): > > … high levels of physical activity. Women in the registry reported expending an average of 2545 kcal/wk in physical activity, and men report an average of 3293 kcal/wk (10). These levels of activity would represent ≈1 h/d of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking. The most common activity is walking, reported by 76% of the participants. Approximately 20% report weight lifting, 20% report cycling, and 18% report aerobics. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/178 "2012-12-04T02:13:15Z")
> [@Modern\_Master](#): > > From that article: > > > [@](#): > > > > Power walking is typically performed at between 3 and 5 mph, which is a comparable speed to jogging. And? It’s still not jogging. I can get my bike up to around 50kph on a good downhill run, doesn’t mean I suddenly turn into a car. My phone GPS tells me I can keep up a constant walking speed of about 5.5kph (a bit over 3mph) and can push to about 6kph which is about as fast as I can go without running/jogging. When I was in my early 20’s I dropped about 50kg over a period of around 18 months by controlling what I ate and the **only** exercise I did was 2 40-minute walks a day. ---
**Author:** ![Michael63129](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@Michael63129](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael63129)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/179 "2012-12-04T02:14:39Z")
> [@Modern\_Master](#): > > From that article: So? All I’m saying is that walking can be considered as effective as jogging in terms of exercise, just not what many people think of as walking, and even then you still burn calories (NEAT) that wouldn’t otherwise be burned and a few calories here and there throughout the day quickly add up. And even half an hour of light-moderate intensity exercise a day has [huge benefits](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo) (for one, low fitness is the single biggest predictor of death according to a study cited in this video). ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622/180 "2012-12-04T04:16:39Z")
> [@Modern\_Master](#): > > Walking is exercise? Since when? I would never classify walking as exercise… The American College of Sports medicine however [would](http://www.acsm.org/docs/brochures/selecting-and-effectively-using-a-walking-program.pdf). > [@](#): > > ACSM’s physical activity recommendations for healthy > adults, updated in 2011, recommend at least 30 > minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity > (working hard enough to break a sweat, but still able > to carry on a conversation) five days per week, or 20 > minutes of more vigorous activity three days per > week. Combinations of moderate- and vigorous intensity activity can be performed to meet this recommendation. > Examples of typical aerobic exercises are: > • Walking … > > … 2. How far or long should I walk? If you > are walking at a brisk pace > (approximately 3-4 mph for most > people), you will cover one or two miles > in 30 minutes. ACSM recommends > people participate in a walk or other > moderate intensity exercise for 150 > minutes or more a week for health > benefits. For weight loss, 250 minutes > or more of moderate-intensity activity is > recommended per week. … > > … Research shows that moderate > physical activity – such as 30 minutes a day of brisk > walking – significantly contributes to longevity … If anyone wants to seriously geek out, the detailed [ACSM Guidance for Prescribing Exercise statement](http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/2011/07000/Quantity_and_Quality_of_Exercise_for_Developing.26.aspx) has as much detail as you could possibly want. Couple it to [a chart that lists METs for various activities](http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/medicaldepartments/internalmedicine/champs/metchart.html)and you are golden. 3.0 to 5.9 METs is considered “moderate” and 6.0 and over as “vigorous.” Most walking speeds are in that 3.0 to 5.9 range with the transition from walking to jogging occurring at about 6.0. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fat-is-too-fat/642622.md?page=10)