# I lost 90 pounds! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 1, 2008, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023 "2008-10-01T17:16:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Zjestika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/8edcca/32.png) [@Zjestika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zjestika)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023/41 "2008-10-02T18:36:45Z")
I’ve lost 45 pounds since April by exercising and cutting my calorie intake to about 1500 calories a day. I was walking for an hour 3-5 times a week, now I’m training to run about as frequently. I want to lose about 55 more pounds, though for the first time in over 10 years I’m pleased with my body. It has been both fun and not easy, as **Cisco** says. Mostly it’s just been incredibly rewarding. I’ve been thinking that the possibility of being overweight is like a medical issue for me. I feel like for the rest of my life I will have to track my food intake and work out regularly to maintain a healthy weight. Some people it come naturally to, for me it simply does not- I need some sort of intervention. I don’t know if it’s because I lack willpower; I would say clearly not because I’ve been able to change my life dramatically in the past six months through force of will. But if I stopped using the tools that I’ve successfully used I am certain I would start gaining again. I feel like bariatric surgery is another tool. I wouldn’t use it because I’m scared, honestly. I’ve read too many bad stories. And I wouldn’t use it because it seems like I don’t need to. It’s really a last resort, like any invasive surgery. But if it works for others, congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![catflea12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f6c823/32.png) [@catflea12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catflea12)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023/42 "2008-10-02T22:32:31Z")
Thanks for all the input, I regard having the surgery as a big motivator to just “put the fork down”. Since I have lost the weight, I exercise evey day (swimming laps) and am determined to lose the last 15 pounds. I went from 240 pounds and a size 22 to (currently) 150 pounds and a size 10. Next stop: 135 pounds! ---
**Author:** ![phil417](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6bbea6/32.png) [@phil417](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phil417)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023/43 "2008-10-02T22:54:30Z")
> [@catflea12](#): > > I had weight loss surgery last Feb, and lost 90 pounds! (so far) 😃 Woohoo! Good for you. You know we all want pics of the new, sleek you! Love, Phil ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2008, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023/44 "2008-10-03T01:04:53Z")
> [@Dripping](#): > > See, this, I think, is the crux of the mater. I don’t know anyone who has an “easy time” staying slim or losing weight. It’s hard freakin work and it takes self-discipline and willpower. I read and hear this attitude so often from obese people…“oh it must be nice to have such a “fast metabolism””, or “I wish I could lose weight as easily as you do” etc etc. Um, no. I don’t have a “fast metabolism” and no, staying fit is no “easier” for me than them. I just control my eating, deal with hunger pangs and put down the freaking fork. They don’t. I have an easy time staying slim. I’m 6’ and 157 pounds. I eat junk food constantly, and in large quantities. I get very little exercise. I work in a sedentary job, and my hobbies are almost entirely sedentary. Now, pretend I have an extremely slow metabolic rate, but get plenty of exercise and eat well. Guess what? I’d be a fat guy. Yes, there are people who are fat because they have no willpower or have psychological food issues or whatever. But that doesn’t mean all overweight or obese people are gluttons. Try not to be so damn judgmental. ETA: Congratulations, **catflea** (and other weight-droppers)! ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2008, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023/45 "2008-10-03T02:56:50Z")
Exercise is an important component. I have a membership in a health club. I play racquetball 4 times a week. That works for me because I want to go. It is fun and it is competition. I have been playing for years and almost never miss a day. It helps when exercise is fun . If I had to go use the stairmaster 4 times a week ,I doubt that I would have stuck with it so long. I also have 2 beagles. I walk them in the park everyday. When I don’t feel the mood .I have to look at 2 horribly disappointed beagles looking at me with big brown eyes. I go. The point is to find exercise that is fun. Then you may make it part of your life . ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2008, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023/46 "2008-10-03T03:54:38Z")
> [@KnitWit](#): > > I am curious about this issue myself. I’ll try to be concise, I know I tend to ramble. > > The fact is, as you know, it’s not just ME. Or three other posters and me. If I knew of three people who were morbidly obese or becoming that way or whatever who don’t/won’t/can’t control themselves, that would be one thing. But it seems like there’s a VERY large portion of the population (more in some areas as I’m coming to learn) with this problem. Since no one in their right mind CHOOSES to be overweight, it starts to look like something more difficult or potentially complicated than YOUR experience dictates. Thousands of people consciously deciding to engage in self-destructive behavior rather than make the small effort of changing their diet and exercising. Why? Who wouldn’t choose to simply put their forks down rather than risk the health problems associated with obesity, nevermind other issues such as being physically uncomfortable, being socially ostracized, and so forth? I choose to. I hate being talked to, being fat means I don’t have to deal with being hit on, or people being friendly to me (it’s much harder to ignore someone being nice to you so when it does happen I have to engage in longer conversations). It means I don’t have to plan for get-togethers or worry about where I’m going to take an SO. If I start losing weight and people start noticing I get FURIOUS and eat to get myself to a comfortable 185-187. If I do a lot of exercise (which I love to do, I love walks and sports) that week I eat more to make sure I stay at a physically uncomfortable, but mentally blissful weight. And let me tell you something, I hate eating, I can’t eat much at all, it can make me feel ill sometimes when I try to maintain my weight, but I really, really like my weight, so I try to stay there. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2008, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023/47 "2008-10-03T04:10:44Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > I choose to. I hate being talked to, being fat means I don’t have to deal with being hit on, or people being friendly to me (it’s much harder to ignore someone being nice to you so when it does happen I have to engage in longer conversations). It means I don’t have to plan for get-togethers or worry about where I’m going to take an SO. If I start losing weight and people start noticing I get FURIOUS and eat to get myself to a comfortable 185-187. If I do a lot of exercise (which I love to do, I love walks and sports) that week I eat more to make sure I stay at a physically uncomfortable, but mentally blissful weight. And let me tell you something, I hate eating, I can’t eat much at all, it can make me feel ill sometimes when I try to maintain my weight, but I really, really like my weight, so I try to stay there. These are very unhealthy behaviors. Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist? (Ignore if this is some kind of joke/woosh, which I hope it is) ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2008, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023/48 "2008-10-03T04:23:23Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > These are very unhealthy behaviors. Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist? > > (Ignore if this is some kind of joke/woosh, which I hope it is) I have Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Disorder (well, thosea re the most relvent to this particular issue), no one has ever been able to crack those or my other myriad issues, to the point that I’ve **literally** had Psychologists and Psychiatrists give up on me as a lost cause. I won’t deny that my issues probably contribute to my willful weight gain (which I recognize is unhealthy), but I figured that if half a dozen psych workers can’t even figure out my root ISSUES it’s gonna be damn near impossible for me to overcome them completely blindly, so I might as well be a happy unhealthy nutcase rather than a miserable person struggling to become normal. ---
**Author:** ![Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bites_when_provoked/32/18073_2.png) [@Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bites_When_Provoked)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2008, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023/49 "2008-10-03T04:31:14Z")
I’m overweight, and as far as I’m concerned it’s because of my own lack of willpower/enthusiasm. I’ve lost 35kg following a healthy eating regime with low exercise (a walk to the coffee shop every Saturday) and I’m currently sitting around 100kg, which I figure is about fair for someone with a decent metabolism who is simply failing the energy in vs energy out test. **On the other hand, my best friend watches her calories, exercises daily as well as running a household with three young children. She is conscientious, committed and doesn’t have a ‘put down the fork’ problem. She is also very overweight, and shares the same size clothing as I do. (Size 18) She is 5’4" and I’m nearly 6’.** Where’s the justice in that? If I put in even 1/4 the effort and commitment my friend puts in, I’d be slim. However, I’ve never wanted to work that hard. _That’s my decision/fault, and I’m not blaming anyone for it._ But I do get very annoyed at the people like **Dripping** , who insist on tarring all overweight people with the same brush. My friend works very hard just to maintain an obese figure - she puts in more exercise than any slim person I know, and always ensures her diet is balanced and of sensible portions. It’s not all ‘put down the fork’, so please stop being a jerk. You can apply that theory to me, and to some of the posters on here, but it’s a long way from being a one-size-fits-all answer. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2008, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023/50 "2008-10-03T15:32:06Z")
A friend at the health club did liposuction. It was about a year ago. The cut healed slowly and it was ugly for quite a while. He lost his belly but is slowly and steadily putting it back on. He talked of how his diabetes was under control and blood pressure dropped. His diabetes is starting to rear up again. Surgeries are jump starters, but you have to make life changes to maintain. ---
**Author:** ![Dripping](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d2c977/32.png) [@Dripping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dripping)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2008, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023/51 "2008-10-03T15:47:48Z")
> [@Bites\_When\_Provoked](#): > > my best friend watches her calories, exercises daily as well as running a household with three young children. She is conscientious, committed and doesn’t have a ‘put down the fork’ problem. She is also very overweight, If she’s fat, it’s because she is consuming more calories than she burns. Obviously, she’s not eating those calories in front of you.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2008, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023/52 "2008-10-04T14:29:14Z")
**catflea12** congrats! Keep it up. That’s a major accomplishment! disclaimer for the rest of this: I’m not a nutritionist, dietitian, doctor, biologist, or anyone with any health related conditionals at all so take this with a grain of salt > [@Dripping](#): > > If she’s fat, it’s because she is consuming more calories than she burns. Obviously, she’s not eating those calories in front of you.:rolleyes: Wow you’re being hateful and ignorant in this thread. Ever think about why her body might be doing that? People have different metabolisms. Higher metabolisms provide greater energy and burn calories at a faster rate. The body will pick the lowest metabolism that meets it’s energy needs. Because food is fuel and for most of our evolution food could be scarce. Why drive a Hummer when a Geo Metro will do? Now here’s the interesting catches this has on weight loss: 1. you have to be careful with your calorie intack. Cut it too sharply and your body thinks the crops failed the herds moved on and it’s famine time. That it better conserve every crumb of food it gets because it might not get any more for awhile. This has the effect of making weightless alot harder. 2 Since you’re running a very low metabolism to conserve energy this also makes day to day life harder as it really cuts your energy, and it’s alot harder to exercise and burn calories. So what’s the best way to lose weight? Up your metabolism! That said it can be hard to do. I’ve hit a higher metabolism then I had when I was a kid this week, Yesterday I had a tray of sushi and half a pizza and been eating like that all week. Yet losing weight! but it’s come at a high cost of time. My car died so I have to use a bike for all my travels. I’m biking anywhere from 14 to 30 miles (40 I think yesterday) per day. If I had kids or other major responsibilities there’s no way I’d have the time for this. Because my days consisted of wake up, run errands, shower, go to work, sleep, wake up, run errands, shower, go to work… Thursday I had a spare 20 minutes to lay down.It felt great. I didn’t want to get up. Today I have all day to myself. I’m thinking of biking 20 miles across the county to see my great grandfather before he heads down south for the winter. That doesn’t sound that bad to me. Look the point is weight loss is difficult, I wouldn’t have done this if my car hadn’t broke down. It was very hard on my body at first. Still is. There’s always something that’s sore. If I lived a more busy life I wouldn’t have time for this. It’s taken every free moment. Weight loss isn’t a simple thing for everyone. Throw things like the cheapest meals being high in calories and you have a bad situation for many many people. ---
**Author:** ![Stillwell\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@Stillwell\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stillwell_Angel)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2008, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023/53 "2008-10-06T01:11:50Z")
> [@Dripping](#): > > I don’t know anyone who has an “easy time” staying slim or losing weight. It’s hard freakin work and it takes self-discipline and willpower This? Had me cracking up. I’m a 39 year old female who could easily win the “Laziest Person in America” award. I’d also probably place really high in the “Not so Healthy Diet” competition, and I have never been anywhere near overweight. I work 40 hours a week, partially at a desk, partially on my feet, but other than that I don’t exercise or partake in any sports etc. Heck I have spent the past couple of weeks actively trying to gain weight. I’ve been under some extreme stress, which for me results in loss of appetite/nervous stomach. Consequently I have lost 20 pounds since July. I cannot afford to lose that much, I look like I’m terminally ill or something. I know people who are way more active than I _and_ carefully watch their diet yet they stay overweight. I’m no doctor but I truly believe there’s more to it than “Put down the fork”. To sum up my point, stop with the stereotypes. All overweight people do not have a fork permanently implanted in their fist and all thin people do not spend half their lives working out and dieting to be that way. :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-90-pounds/466023.md?page=2)