Comments

I very much appreciate the precious few comments I get to my blog posts. It lets me know that someone has read what I've written. In case you didn't know, I moderate my comments. That means that your comment only appears if I say it's okay. If you write to me just to plug yourself by including your web site or contact info in your comment then you should know that your comment will not appear on MY blog. I have a list of blogs that I follow/recommend. I'm always adding to those. If you are not on that list but would like to be added, I'm happy to take a look at your blog. But I'm not going to promote anyone else in the body of my blog unless I want to. So, please keep your comments coming but do not include your web site in your comment. If you do, then you won't see it on my blog. Thank you.

On Being Fat....

Wish I'd written this.......

http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/01/hells-kitchen-journal-on-being-fat.html

Born thin

Every once in a while I go back over some of my earlier posts. Since this is sort of like my not so private diary, reading what I've written weeks or months ago helps me reevaluate what's been going on. A little like therapy! Remember the time I was interviewed for the article on the Surgeon General's weight? I noticed, on rereading, that I was quoted (and I'm sure I said it) as saying that I wouldn't want to be counseled by some "naturally thin" person. So, there you go. I was guilty of not realizing that no one is actually ever naturally thin. That everyone, in her way, works at it even if it is second nature to eat mindfully and healthfully. Yes, we've probably all got a set point, as someone who sent in a comment reminded me, but even if your set point is low, you could get fat. And if your set point is high, you can stay lean. True that some of us have to work harder at it than others (and those are the ones we love to hate when we see them eating burger loaded with stuff)but really everyone's gotta watch what they eat. I'm enlightened now.

Weird blog post

Yesterday I wrote a post praising Susan Burke for her writing on "naturally thin". She contacted me today to ask me if I know about this:
http://cde1461.walrusclub.com/2010/01/10/dieting-dietitian/

What? WTF....I hope I haven't offended anyone but that's how I felt when I saw that my words had been lifted and transformed into something negative and also unintelligible.
If anyone knows what this is, please let me know.

If you're the type to read "diet books", then you might take a look at Making Weight Control Second Nature by Susan Burke March, MS, RD, LD/N, CDE. (Disclaimer, Susan is a colleague and a friend.)
Susan makes an interesting point in the introduction to the book: She is very lean and people presume that she has been that way her whole life. She mentions that she was once 40 pounds heavier (wouldn't I love to only be 40 pounds overweight!)yet people presume that she is "naturally thin". Susan doesn't think anyone is "naturally thin" but that everyone who is thin works at it. Maybe some people don't have to work at it as hard as other but even people who've never been fat, don't gorge themselves on hot fudge sundaes and fried chicken every day.
I do agree with her. We've all seen a slender person eat a huge meal and that's what makes us think, "She's naturally thin. She can eat whatever she wants." Well, she can't eat whatever she wants and she doesn't eat whatever she wants all the time. That's the point. "Naturally thin" people, those who are lean and maintain their leanness throughout life, are probably much more mindful eaters than those of us whose weight fluctuates between fat and very fat.
Think about it. We base our belief that someone is naturally thin and can eat whatever she wants on occasional observations of the person stuffing her face. But what about how that person eats every day? Every month? I have no scientific evidence to back this up but I'm confident in my presumption that "naturally thin" people don't eat the way I do.
Take a look at Susan's book.

Biggest Biggest Loser Contestants

I think I should rename this blog Biggest Loser Groupie. After tonight, I know I'm going to be glued to the TV every week. Did you watch? OMG. I was crying throughout the show. These people. I'm so sorry. I'm so happy. It's amazing that they can exercise the way they do. Amazing. I can't complain tomorrow at the gym. They've motivated me! Is that possible. Me? I work out every day but after watching these huge people push themselves, I know I've been slacking! Can't wait to get to the gym.
And does Jillian look like she's lost a little weight? Why, I think she does. And has she sweetened up a little? Why, I think she has. I bet she got a lot of grief for her attitude last season.
And tonight for the first time, the dietitian was on camera! Yea for Cheryl Forberg, RD. Thank you Biggest Loser for finally acknowledging that there is a dietitian associated with the progress the contestants make.
Can't wait until the finale to see how everyone looks. I might even be able to tolerate the product placement and flagrant commercial messages for chewing gum and water filters and protein powder and whatever else just to know that this group is getting the help they so desperately need.

It's 2010: Welcome to working out

I expected the gym to be packed with people who had resolved to get fit in 2010. At 7:30 this morning, it was just the regulars. My trainer said that those new year resolution people start showing up the second week in January and they're usually out of steam by the end of January.
I think I know why. Oh, sure. Some of them are just plain lazy. Sometimes life gets in the way and they don't have time to come back. And lots of them really didn't mean it anyway. They just joined because they thought that  fitness would magically be transferred to them by virtue of having a gym membership.
But what about the others--the ones who were earnest when they joined? Why do they fall by the wayside after a few short weeks?
The gym is a friendly place to me. I know how to use the equipment. I talk to strangers. I like to sweat. And I know gym etiquette: how to wait for a machine when someone else is using it, for instance.
But newcomers don't know how to behave or how to use the equipment. Some gyms offer an orientation but if you're completely ignorant about how to work out then a quick orientation is going to go in one ear and out the other. Believe me. I've been there.
I think it would be better if the gym offered three free training sessions with a trainer instead of a cursory orientation. Enough time to get a handle on how to use the equipment. Enough time to learn a little, if only by observation, about how to behave. And enough time to decide if you want to continue with the trainer (believe me, a very good idea!).
Of course, if everyone who joined the gym showed up, the place would be overflowing with sweaty bodies. The owners expect that most of the new members will guiltily pay their dues but not go regularly, crowding the bikes, bumping into each other in the showers.
So if you're new to working out and your gym doesn't offer free training sessions, I suggest you make the investment. Especially if you're serious about getting fit.