This thread is for people who are currently or formerly obese, but of course anyone is welcomed to post here with their thoughts even if they haven't gone through it themselves!
I am 5'0" and currently weigh 258 pounds, but my highest weight recorded was 331 pounds. I've been obese for as long as I can remember. I don't think people realize how hard it is to do basic movements when you are extremely out of shape and extremely obese. My backpack at college weighs about 13 pounds, and I find it so much more difficult to climb stairs with it on. It slows me down when walking. Yet, without my backpack on, I'm still carrying an extra 100+ pounds around with me compared to most of my peers. Imagine you carrying 100+ pounds with you throughout the entire day, trying to walk as fast as other people, trying to go up several flights of stairs at once.
I'm so glad I'm more active now and have lost as much weight as I have. There was a point in time where it felt exhausting to shower, and even tying my shoes felt like a hassle. Spending 30 minutes shopping was dreadful due to how worn out it made me. Obesity paired with being out of shape brings so many consequences to day to day life that the average person never has to think twice about.
It can be especially hard for obese people to get help if they live with someone who encourages and feeds into their bad habits. Yesterday I watched My 600 Pound Life, and it devastated me seeing how this one man's mother looked at him all sadly but still kept bringing him pounds of food. It's like pitying a heroine addict right before giving them heroine. It's so dumb. I felt awful for this man because he seemed trapped in this never-ending cycle.
One problem with trying to get fit is how most exercises are impossible when you are so overweight and so out of shape. Things you wouldn't even expect to limit someone are off-limits. But if there happens to be anyone reading this who's in that situation, know that any form of physical activity will help. Do what you can. A short walk. Or standing up. Just walking around the house. Even cleaning as exercise.
Here is one of my favorite videos on an obese person losing weight. This man started his fitness by literally just "flopping around". Sitting down, raising his arms all over the air, doing a little seated dance. That's what he could do in that moment. That's how he started.
.
Have any of you been through obesity? What was your experience like?
I am 5'0" and currently weigh 258 pounds, but my highest weight recorded was 331 pounds. I've been obese for as long as I can remember. I don't think people realize how hard it is to do basic movements when you are extremely out of shape and extremely obese. My backpack at college weighs about 13 pounds, and I find it so much more difficult to climb stairs with it on. It slows me down when walking. Yet, without my backpack on, I'm still carrying an extra 100+ pounds around with me compared to most of my peers. Imagine you carrying 100+ pounds with you throughout the entire day, trying to walk as fast as other people, trying to go up several flights of stairs at once.
I'm so glad I'm more active now and have lost as much weight as I have. There was a point in time where it felt exhausting to shower, and even tying my shoes felt like a hassle. Spending 30 minutes shopping was dreadful due to how worn out it made me. Obesity paired with being out of shape brings so many consequences to day to day life that the average person never has to think twice about.
It can be especially hard for obese people to get help if they live with someone who encourages and feeds into their bad habits. Yesterday I watched My 600 Pound Life, and it devastated me seeing how this one man's mother looked at him all sadly but still kept bringing him pounds of food. It's like pitying a heroine addict right before giving them heroine. It's so dumb. I felt awful for this man because he seemed trapped in this never-ending cycle.
One problem with trying to get fit is how most exercises are impossible when you are so overweight and so out of shape. Things you wouldn't even expect to limit someone are off-limits. But if there happens to be anyone reading this who's in that situation, know that any form of physical activity will help. Do what you can. A short walk. Or standing up. Just walking around the house. Even cleaning as exercise.
Here is one of my favorite videos on an obese person losing weight. This man started his fitness by literally just "flopping around". Sitting down, raising his arms all over the air, doing a little seated dance. That's what he could do in that moment. That's how he started.
Have any of you been through obesity? What was your experience like?