Weight Loss Willpower Debate

This is about as useful as saying "How about you just eat less?" to someone who is struggling with their weight — that is, not useful at all. There's a reason only 15% of overweight people manage to make any progress towards weight loss, never mind any meaningful progress [0]: changing habits is hard, and as a society we haven't found a good way to systematically address the problem. Condescending quips do little to help in that regard.[0] <a href="https://www.nc

I’m formerly obese, controlling my weight at will with healthy food is relatively easy, with junk food it’s very hard. Sugar, salted and fried foods are basically hacks, your brain and body has no idea which quantity is enough so they can be eaten without limit. Whereas with a plate of vegetable, a protein and no added sugar or fat you naturally can’t eat more calorie than you need. In fact I must usually add olive oil to eat enough calories and not lose weight if I eat too healthy. So it’s not

Cheap, calorically dense food is widely available and people are less physically active than they used to be. Still, people have lost weight counting calories at McDonald's. It's no fun to be responsible, so don't expect people are eager to follow your advice to eat less, drink less, stop smoking, or wear a condom. Tell them to eat a Tide pod, though, and they'll do it.

You grew up eating healthy food. If left to your own devices you probably maintain a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stay at a healthy weight. Whether it's a condition of genetics, environment, or both you're privileged to have an easy time maintaining your weight; it's not that simple for many people. Especially in first world countries where unhealthy food is cheap, fast, widely available, and tastes better. Cooking veggies and rice requires a trip to the grocery store and c

I'm saying that if you rely on willpower, you will fail.Of course you should change how you eat if how you ate caused you health problems. But I'm advocating for making a conscious change that will then enable you to eat without having to use willpower.That's why "just eat less" is terrible advice and works for practically nobody.It's like finances. "Just save more" is terrible advice. Getting a degree or finding a high paying job or setting up au

you need only a bit of willpower to fix your own diet, nothing more. many people are unwilling to get into any form of unpleasant state (ie abstaining from sweet stuff, workouts etc), they are 'too soft' and avoid hardships. that's all.and none of what you mentioned could be magically achieved by one person popping a pill to gain some short term effect, and probably lose something in longer run. feel free to experiment on yourself, just please don't force anyhow this pitif

I don't like processed foods and sugar in anything more than minimal quantities makes me ill. But I still get too many calories, at least as evidenced by my waistline.Are you sure the insanity isn't the assumption that it's just insufficient willpower or poor habits?

You are both right. Yes it’s very easy to just eat less or spend less. But it’s also nearly impossible for the obese or the athlete respectively. Because we need to recognize people don’t really have free will to do what they know is best. If we recognized that and acted accordingly then the world would be so much more reasonable to live in.

>Why don’t you eat like a normal person, eat less then 2000 calories and exercise>Because I AM A FAT GUY. My relationship with food is garbage. Moderation has ALWAYS been a challenge. I need an extreme intervention, it’s either change my life style or get some kind of gastric sleeve. NO WAY. I do not want surgery for a LIFESTYLE change. If I eat like a NORMAL person, IE, STANDARD AMERICAN DIET, I’m going to get fatter. I have to change my relationship with food.Oh boy, can I relate t

You're right, it does seem unhelpful (just eat/smoke/ less!).What is the proposed alternative though? Most people need a general rule they can follow to help them (read: can't afford a nutritionist/doctor). If it's a willpower issue, then we need to solve that, but just saying "Oh eating less won't help me" is just as bad.