Overweight...and Happy?

[Anonymous]

On my morning drive, this topic on talk radio was brought up by a caller who basically angrily called in to say that he did not believe that any person who was overweight could be happy. Period. He felt that overweight and obese people are just lying to themselves if they think or say that they are happy while they are overweight.

My definition of someone who is overweight/obese is not based on vanity or how you think you look or someone thinks you look. I'm referring to someone who is overweight/obese who by doctors tests is revealed to be unhealthy. Not your BMI, not some scale number. I'm referring to heart health, liver health, insulin levels, joint health, etc. Actual measures of your physical health.

So my thoughts on the program are thus. I do believe his statement to be true, to an extent. I do believe overweight people can be happy. I mean a lot of things make people happy. For some it's their kids, for some it's their job, for others it's a spouse and on and on, but where I do 100% agree with him is that an individual cannot be physiologically/medically overweight and be happy with their weight because that would indicate by the numbers that they are happy being sick and hurting and gasping for air trying to get up even the smallest set of steps. Those feelings should not make anyone feel happy. Taking heart meds, and insulin shots, and sweating profusely over the slightest bit of exertion, should not make one feel happy.

Now I'm not saying that weight loss or being at an ideal weight solves all life's problems. There are plenty of healthy people running around who are depressed and unhappy, but in terms of their overall health, I'd have to say, individuals are much happier when they are healthy. When I say healthy, I mean their blood sugar is in check, their resting pulse is normal, their blood pressure is normal, there are no weight stressors on their joints, they can easily best a flight of stairs, and so fourth. Just because you're skinny does not mean you're healthy because some people are just naturally skinny, but when they eat like crap and don't workout, they suffer the same ill effects as those who are overweight and share the same plight.

I understand everybody is different, but I think especially if you've been overweight your whole life and never tried to get healthy, you have no clue what it's like to not struggle up some steps or to easily fit into a chair on the plane or to have the boundless energy to do whatever you want without being embarrassed or worrying if you're going to feel like crap 5 minutes into doing some physical form of activity. What I think happens more so is that when one is overweight, over time, that person simply accepts that this is how it's going to be so it is what it is, rather than actually feeling happy about it.

Some people who called in suggested that those overweight people are happy at their size and they have supportive friends who like them for them, but many of those same friends are enablers. What I want for myself and my friends is to be healthy, again, not just skinny, but physiologically healthy, and as a friend I think I should be promoting that lifestyle with them rather then just telling them how beautiful they are as they struggle to zip up their pants, or become Type II diabetics, or cry because they are depressed about their weight. That's not happiness and someone telling me to react to a friend going through that by just validating and encouraging them to feel worse...that doesn't really strike me as someone who is that great of a friend to begin with. I mean, what do you do...encourage them all the way into their early grave?

Every person should strive to be as healthy as possible. No one feels great when they are sick which is what having high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and joint problems does to you from being overweight and obese. To be sure, no one who has ever lost any kind of weight heathfully has ever said, I wish I could go back to being fat. Eat those salads! Hit the gym! Work your way to being happy and healthy!

[Anonymous]

Early this year, I was diagnosed with PCOS. I had been overweight all my life, and I also never had a regular period all my life. So, I went to the doctor (finally!), took a couple of lab tests, and got diagnosed with PCOS. She said that normally she'd prescribe birth control for women with PCOS, but because I was "sexually inactive", I would receive "just medicine". I never kept in touch with her again. I didn't want drugs, as I was used to a drug-free lifestyle. But alas, my bad eating habits made my health suffer. So, I figured I had to reverse my signs and symptoms by adjusting my habits. Then, I won't have to rely on the pharmaceutical industry, which cares more about profits anyway. I went from 180 pounds to currently 164 pounds. But I still have more to lose. I want to be 150 pounds. Maybe 120-140 pounds are okay too.

[myTake Owner]

Good for you. PCOS can be difficult to deal with for sure, but there is still a bit of hope for those who don't let it defeat them. I completely am with you on big Pharm. That's a huge part of it... knowing you'll have to spend these thousands of dollars a year on medications and hospital visits if you keep on the unhealthy path, how can that lead to good things for you or your wallet. So proud of you for your weight loss. I know from personal experience it is not easy, but keep up the good work and I hope you get to your goals!

[Fathoms77]

Logically, there's a direct connection between health and happiness. There's also plenty of documented evidence that shows those with weight issues are far more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, etc.

When you're younger, you can probably get away with being overweight and still maintaining a cheery outlook. Even though you're not really healthy, youth is everything and the body can put up with a lot. As you get older, though, your health plays a bigger and bigger role in your daily life, and there's simply no chance that those who have difficulty doing even the simplest tasks are all that happy.

Health affects every aspect of our lives, sometimes in ways we don't even expect. It's biological and psychological and the effects are extraordinarily powerful.

[Lalaxoxo_soso]

I'm "over-weight" according to the obscured and inaccurate BMI scale we use to classify that. However I am super fit. I'm in the military and am performing at the top of my class. I was skinnier before puberty hit and throughout my middle school years. I was NEVER happy with how I looked physically being thin. When I got into high school and started gaining weight in addition to muscle mass I became confident and have never felt better or been healthier. Your take has no concrete medical proof because you are assuming that being obese and being over weight are the same thing. Being obese doesn't mean you are on insulin or heart medications. It also doesn't mean you make poor health choices. There are many conditions that make weight very hard to control and/or maintain. Most "enablers" really do love the person for who they are and would be there as support if they wanted to make a change in their life. Perhaps it would be better to research things before making a statement based on a conversation by radio talk show hosts who run their mouth for a living instead of having medical experience to say something.

[myTake Owner]

Let's tackle your comments. BMI is BS for the very reason you have listed. If you have more muscle than fat, it can't differentiate.

Second, this isn't about vanity and your happiness, which is why I'm strictly talking about not how you look, not how someone might think you're overweight or fat, we're talking looking at insulin, blood pressure, etc. markers that DO measure health. If those markers by a doctors measurement are healthy, than that is where we find ourselves talking about someone saying, hey my numbers are extremely poor, but I'm happy with being that way. Not someone who is in shape, though someone may say they look overweight, and saying they are happy.

Third, enablers are dangerous to someone whom we've now established is unhealthy because they are not encouraging that person to get in good health. You can wax and wane all you want about how good of a friend they are, but you wouldn't encourage an alcoholic to pick up another bottle. Hello!

[myTake Owner]

As far as the idea that someone is obese and doesn't suffer from any medical ailments... how many obese persons have you done research on I wonder? There are very few disorders that cause a person to have an impossible chance at losing at least 10% of their body weight, recommended by those crazy people we call doctors, and I'm not speaking about them anyway because those are recognized medical conditions. You cannot add 100, 200, 300+ pounds to your frame and be perfectly healthy. Your joints aren't made to handle that stress. Your liver isn't able to handle that stress. Your heart isn't able to handle that stress. This isn't fiction, my friend, we're talking about people's lives and when you've been to the funeral of someone you love due to preventable diseases caused by obesity, it's not just something you can push aside or you don't go validating people doing unhealthy things that lead them down this path when they are already in danger.

[Lalaxoxo_soso]

Even speaking strictly about numbers and results of medical exams. My numbers come back perfectly and they come out just fine for many people with my same fat to muscle ratio compared to weight and height and whatnot. Plenty of people who have poorer results dont let that define their happiness or quality of life. People are more likely to become depressed when they are considered thin.
To be honest I don't know anyone who would willingly give a recovering alcoholic more alcohol. That would just be completely ridiculous and not someone is a supporting friend to begin with.

[Lalaxoxo_soso]

I have studied it for two years now and the psychology behind the side effects as well. I have lost family members to heart failure and only one of the five were considered extremely overweight but that one person also drank persistently and smoked for over thirty years. By being at a "healthy weight in no way can guarantee that you are safe from these ailments and most of the time they are unavoidable due to genetics.

[LoveNotWar1989]

You're cute as fuck ;) You also bring up a very good point

[Lalaxoxo_soso]

@LoveNotWar1989 thank you sweetheart

[myTake Owner]

Let me ask you this: Would you like to be obese? Would you like to gamble with your life and your health because you may or may not get some future diseases? Why do you wear a seat belt? Why do you not run with scissors? You do or don't do these things because you're trying to protect your life and your health. This is what a healthy diet and exercise do. Are you actually in a sense advocating that we support obesity? 1 in 3 children are obese today and since you've done the research, you know that heart disease starts developing in these young children which by the time they hit their 30's, they are almost certain to be on some form of medication if not heading towards an early grave. But you want to stand up for obesity, and by that I mean, for people consciously living unhealthy lives... for what purpose? Your argument is some people already have genetic disorders or will? We're not talking genetics, we're talking about preventable diseases caused by obesity here.

[Lalaxoxo_soso]

I wear a seatbelt because I won't trust someone else's driving ability with my life. I am in no way advocating for people to willingly put themselves in harms way. What you seem to not understand is that with my knowledge I choose to advocate instead for people to openly accept others flaws and for everyone to work in a positive way to encourage one another to make right choices in regards to their future and mortality

[myTake Owner]

Being unhealthy is not a flaw. It's not like someone who laughs really loud or someone who always forgets their keys. There are SERIOUS life ending consequences for obesity. This isn't a joke. Our next generation is going to die far before their time if we collectively don't help not only ourselves, but the younger generations to get to a healthy place. If you truly believe in your last comment, then we are on the same page. This isn't about bullying people to health. I workout WITH my friends. I cook healthy meals for my friends and family. I encourage others to do the same, but like the alcoholic, I'm not going to sit there and tell him or her, great job, have another one, you're doing great. It's far time we stop advocating for people to be unhealthy in that respect, or any other b/c it's polite or we think that's being a good friend by ignoring the problem.

[popsickle]

A person in happiness is probably more likely to make change than someone depressed, so we need obese and overweight people to feel happy. It will always be their decision to make change in their lives and their decision alone. If they have a lot of co-morbidities, they should definitely consider how it impacts their loved ones as well, but none of us should try to make them feel bad about their bodies because it's counterproductive for their health. It's okay to be fat. We can promote good health without being bullies about it.

Some people act like obesity is the only risk factor for every disease and death out there. It's not. And risk factor doesn't mean it will happen. And it takes many years to manifest serious problems. People speed and recklessly drive. How many of you speed and think it's okay? People binge drink in college and think it's fun. Is that ok? People take anabolic steroids and unprescribed amphetamines for better performance. Is that okay or fair? People have sex without condoms outside of monogamy. Is that okay? People go out in the sun without sunscreen. Is that okay? You know skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer out there right? We all pick our poisons. It should keep us humble in how we approach others.

I think it's great to target a big issue facing the country, but sensitive issues are sensitive.

[popsickle]

I actually believe the fat acceptance movement is meant to counter bullying... not the health concern. I feel like this movement will actually help them help their health.

[Anonymous]

I was never really very overweight, but rather a bit chunky at one point in my life, and I can tell you that I feel a lot better about myself now that I am back to my ideal weight. Part of it may have been because I was on a medication that promoted the weight gain in the first place. Once I dropped that medication, which also made me feel like I was in a cloud and had no control over my life, the weight dropped pretty much instantaneously, and my outlook on life improved since I lost that "cloud" feeling.

[-Bokie-]

I think it's possible to be overweight and happy. I'm not sure about obese, especially after watching 600 pound life. I'm glad that you mentioned skinny people who eat like crap and don't exercise feel the same effects as those overweight people. I have a friend who is just like that she can't get up a flight of stairs without panting or when we go skating she needs to take a lot of breaks. I tried to get her on the health bandwagon, but she's not with it. I'll try again after reading this take and this made me think why do some people shame these overweight or obese people, but not the skinny people who literally do the same thing, but it hasn't effected them on the outside yet.

[Swedgirl]

I think it's up to each person to define their happiness themselves, no measurements (no matter how true they are) can show us the exact happiness of a person. I know overweight people who are perfectly happy with their life and lifestyle. They are both extremely talented musicians, and they have many friends because they're really extroverted. No one cares about their bmi or "health measurements". Sure, we can all become more healthy, but what so many people tend to forget are the millions of skinny people who have a fast metabolism but are having an even unhealthier lifestyle than overweight people. Do we think of them as less happy? No, quite the opposite actually.

[Anonymous]

The health facts you give are correct, however keep in mind that someone could be technically "overweight" but not have those extreme problems. There are many overweight people who DON'T take insulin shots or heart meds, and don't have trouble walking up stairs. So while yes being extremely overweight leads to health problems and being slightly overweight puts you at a risk, you can't assume that all overweight people are unhealthy. Just like you can't assume all skinny people are healthy. Because there actually are some skinny people that need insulin shots or heart meds because even though their weight is low, if they still eat greasy crap they will still have those problems, even if they don't look it. So just don't assume about people!

[myTake Owner]

How about you try and just not assume. I quite literally said exactly what you said about 'thin' people in my take. Also there are lots of markers which measure health. If you're doctor says you are healthy, but yet someone says, but you're overweight... that's not what I'm talking about. We're not talking vanity. I'm talking about physically unhealthy people, whether they be thin or overweight who are essentially physically ill claiming they are happy with being sick.

[Opinion Owner]

Yes, I know, and I agree with you. I do understand what you are saying. I know that you are talking about unhealthy people, people who are classified as unhealthy by a doctor. But when you say "overweight," there are many people who have a different definition. Some people think that a size 8 is overweight, and therefore unhealthy. Just this morning I saw a post on facebook about a "plus-sized model" (who really wasn't even that big, but she wore clothing over size 8 and therefore in fashion is "plus sized"). She was very toned, and yet there were still people commenting that "we need to stop glorifying unhealthy lifestyles! She is overweight and that's unhealthy!" Even though they knew nothing about her actual eating habits. They are not doctors, but were judging her health. So although YOU wouldn't judge this model, and when you say "overweight" you are referring to people who take insulin, unfortunately there are many people who don't define overweight the same way as you...

[Opinion Owner]

... and therefore you can't say things like "Overweight people are unhealthy/unhappy." Again, I understand in this take you fully explained yourself, so that's fine. But in general, when you say "overweight people are unhealthy," you sound like the same people who said the plus sized model was unhealthy. And even though you explained your personal definition of overweight in this take, in casual conversations you might not be able to give a full explanation like you did here, so if you just say "overweight is unhealthy" then you are validating the people who said the plus-sized model is glorifying an unhealthy lifestyle.
I'm not trying to argue with you. I completely agree with you. I'm just saying be careful how you phrase things, because without a full explanation it can sound like you're judging/assuming.

[myTake Owner]

I tried my best to be as clear with my definition as possible, even going back to include a bold entry since so many people were snapping about how there are "overweight" people who are happy. I in fact, said the same exact thing and even said so much as anyone can be happy with aspects of their lives and thin or healthy does not equal automatic happiness... BUT... people don't read. They assume and then ask me not to do it which is hypocritical.

I have been there done that. I have been physically overweight with the bad numbers, I've watched family die from complications from obesity, I've been bullied myself. This was never about that or shaming someone, what it is about is health. If we as a nation can't get over literally sugar coating everything when it comes to health, and just talk about these issues and how we can approach them, how can we help anyone including ourselves?

[myTake Owner]

We need to talk about them and then turn those words into action. No one bats an eye when we talk about someone being an alcoholic and unhealthy. Everyone is ready to try to get that person help, but when we bring it to someone overweight an unhealthy, suddenly we can't talk about it, we can't say anything, we all need to sit by and let them slowly kill themselves. That's insane and part of the HUGE reason we've all allowed the problem to escalate to 1 in 3 kids being obese and developing type II diabetes. If you dont' learn as a parent, how can you help your kids and so forth.

Silence is a killer. Ignorance is a killer. We have got to tackle these problems head on b/c what we're doing now is asking kids not to grow up with parents, and children to not outlive their own parents, and for that 1 in 3 number to become 1 in 2 and then what's left? As I've said repeatedly, this isn't about vanity. I don't care if you are 200lbs and healthy or 100lbs and healthy, you're healthy.

[Opinion Owner]

yes, as I said you were clear in this post, but when you talk about it to people in person or through other media, your definition may not be as clear. Especially since your definition of overweight is not the standard definition. I did read everything you wrote, but I'm not sure you read my comments. I will say again, I 100% agree with your sentiment. The only small issue I have is that while your definition of overweight has nothing to do with vanity, unfortunately the standard definition that is mostly used today IS all about vanity. Hence my example with the plus sized model. And I think THAT'S why as a society we don't talk about unhealthy habits so much. Because people see a plus sized model and call her unhealthy, but don't worry about the health of size 0 models. You're right, we absolutely do need to talk about health more, and need to be clear that you can be healthy at 200 pounds or 100 pounds, just as you can be unhealthy at 200 pounds or 100 pounds.

[Opinion Owner]

BUT before we can have conversations like that and move toward healthy habits, we need to establish a common definition of overweight. I AGREE with your definition, but not everyone sees it that way, which is why it's difficult to have a conversation. When you say "overweight is unhealthy," the reason people are attacking you and saying that you can be overweight and healthy is because they've been called overweight by society's definition even though they are healthy and happy. And yes, they should have read your definition before attacking you, but the point is that although you clearly believe overweight has nothing to do with vanity, there are a million people out there who will say a girl who weighs 140 pounds is overweight and unhealthy without actually knowing anything about her health. There are a million people who say a girl who has a chubby stomach is overweight, even though she's not. So you're not going to have productive conversations until EVERYONE follows your definition

[RainbowFanGirl]

If someone is happy and overweight, who are we to stop them. They have every right to be happy as much as anyone else.

However, when I was 241 pounds, I was really depressed. I didn't even have the will to get out of bed in the morning. I hated how I look, so I took action to change it. I am down 70-80 pounds and I am happier than I've ever been in my life.

[Prof_Don]

Good for you! :)

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

That's impressive 👍

[RainbowFanGirl]

@Prof_Don thank you :)

[RainbowFanGirl]

@Other_Tommy_Wiseau Thanks :)

[Anonymous]

In Italy people are skinny and over 50 percent of the people are on antidepressants infact Europe is having a problem with its mental illness epidemic. Happiness has nothing to do with weight. 1 in every four women in the US are on antipressants and im not sure about men. If a fat person is unhappy about their weight its because the discrimination they get form the world. Hard to be happy all the time when people hate you for being fat. Fact is if you live in a first world country you just aren't happy to begin with. If you were you alll wouldn't be on some kind of meds.

[myTake Owner]

Let me stop you there before you get deep into speeches about loving oneself. In my take I very specifically said losing weight or being at a normal weight does not solve all life's problems, but we're not talking about all of life's problems, just one. We're talking specifically about being happy vs. unhappy in regards to ones health as it relates to weight... not the vanity aspect, we're talking health by the numbers. Do you have a healthy heart, blood pressure, joints, insulin levels, etc. One should NEVER be happy being unhealthy, because that is to say you care not the fact that you are slowly killing yourself, that you are in pain, that you are sick and in turn are willing to do nothing about it as you get sicker and sicker. You may be happy with other aspects of your life, which is what I said as well, but we're talking about the claim that one is happy being sick and unhealthy.

[Opinion Owner]

And I clearly pointed out that people are on meds for mental issues like depression, anxiety. Which means they aren't healthy. Being healthy doesn't just mean physical but mental as well. Your missing the point not me

[Anonymous]

Even with fitness... I don't know. When I was a kid I was quite chubby but extremely active. I was in a couple of sports teams football/soccer training twice a week with a match every other week, softball with one day a week training and matches whenever, and rode my bike everywhere I went on top of going for bike rides with my friends all the time and playing out on my bike or skates almost every day. I was a fast runner. I didn't play hockey like that but was also good at hockey and always one of the first to get picked... yet I was bigger than all my team mates and most of my school friends, like I was always shorter but more chubby.

[Prof_Don]

I'm an EXCELLENT example of an overweight and happy guy. I do have a big bine structure and an endo-meso bodytype. My diet is good 75-80% of the time, stay physically active, and I make sure to manage my stress and to get enough sleep.

I care more about my health and how my clothes fit, than my weight on the scale. My body gains muscle EXTREMELY easily no matter what exercise regimen I do so my weight drops very slowly. :-P

[myTake Owner]

You do not qualify as the people I'm referring to, especially since by your own admission you are doing things needed for your health. Overweight as defined by me, or obese, is someone who by the doctors numbers on heart health, insulin, joint health, etc. is not healthy. BMI is a joke because a body builder is going to have a crazy high BMI, but yet they workout 7 days a week and have a ton of muscle. I'm talking about unhealthy people claiming they are happy being unhealthy and sick (these people can be "thin" as well as I mentioned). Also we're not talking happiness with everything, just health, because also as I mentioned you can be happy with your job, relationships, etc. but be unhappy about your health or your living situation. This isn't about vanity and how you look. We're talking on a medical internal level, one's health and body.

[Xfitchick]

There is a difference between healthy and happy. People use different ways to ventilate the stress of life. Some use sport, some use extreme diets to look thin like a model, some like to enjoy eating. Is it bad? It all depends of your preferences in life.

[myTake Owner]

We're specifically talking about being unhealthy (as in you have diabetes, high blood pressure, you can't even get up a set of steps without being winded), and then turning around and claiming that you are overweight/obese and happy. That is to suggest that you are fine with these symptoms and the pain and the meds needed to now sustain your life. How is it possible that anyone can be happy when they are clearly sick? I can't remember the last time I had like a cold and I was shouting to the world how happy I was, and that's generally not life threatening... these health issues are.

[Xfitchick]

That is true, but those people use eating as a way to hide deeper emotional problems. And yes, then you create two problems, the psycho one and the physical one. So you will have to tackle two instead of one.

[kimmy87]

Even though I have a lot of healthy problems, I do have a slight insulin resistance problem that occurred over so many years but problem is to long to explain but overall I did blood tests and it have no allergies that blood can detect, my cholesterol is in normal range my lungs are clear i have had x-ray on lungs done to my doctors insulin checks are always good.

[kimmy87]

But I am not always happy though. Its like sinusitis or rhinovirus thing so getting surgery to fix a narrow sinus next year, glad when it its over so I claim back my whole life and live it properly.

[LittleMissCuriousity]

I have textbook numbers, across the board. I can run up three flights of stairs. I'm also overweight, and yeah, I'm still happy. I'm not gasping for breath or wallowing in illness. In spite of my weight, I'm actually perfectly healthy.

[myTake Owner]

This is precisely why I said, I do not define being overweight as someone "looking fat." I said I've defined being overweight and unhealthy as not having textbook numbers. Numbers that do say you are unhealthy. There are people with high BMI's for example not because they are fat as numbers would indicate, but because they have a lot of muscle mass. You're happy because you're not sick and struggling and I'm guessing you do some kind of working out which are helping you to lead a healthy life.

[LittleMissCuriousity]

Well, part of the issue with BMI is that it can't add a person's natural shape into it's calculation. It's simplistic and essentially useless as a tool. In my family, women tend to have large, muscular "thunder" thighs, carry some weight in the belly area, and have large breasts. At my lowest weight (and unhealthiest, to be completely honest) I was 165 pounds, and my doctor wanted me to lose another forty. She didn't bother looking at me and realizing that I had bones sticking out in places where they really shouldn't be. She looked at my chart and called me obese.

[Anonymous]

I'm a lot happier since I lost weight. If anything I'm proud of myself for all the hard work and diet changes. I didn't even realise how big I got until I lost weight. Looking at the photos from back then was a shock to me, seeing it for what it really was. So yes fat people are lying to themselves, its a survival subconscious thing, until and if ever ready for a change which requires hard work physically, mentally and emotionally.

[EllieLexis513]

I think it's possible to be overweight/obese and happy. I don't think it's possible to be unhealthy and happy, though. You can be overweight and healthy, but that's very rarely the case, especially for people around the 200lb and more mark.

[myTake Owner]

I'm not talking about people who "look fat," or someone's off handed opinion of whether someone is obese or not. I'm talking about medically speaking, you are overweight to the point where you clearly are suffering from health issues. Those people are lying if they say they enjoy gasping for air climbing small hills, and not fitting into airplane seats, and having to take insulin shots. It's not about someone's pride or vanity, we're talking seriously about their health.

[EllieLexis513]

Well... would you look fat if you were that weight?

[myTake Owner]

Throwing out a number unless its 800lbs, is relative. Someone who is 6'3 can easily way 200lbs and be healthy. I'm tall myself and trust me, when I was overweight, people barily noticed because of my height. It wasn't until I was like 70lbs at least overweight before someone was like, hey I think you need to start taking care of yourself. You can't depend on just visual stuff because there are people who most sane people looking at them would say are thin, and yet others will say, you need to lose weight. It's not about vanity---too many people are caught up in that, it is about health and having those medical numbers that tell you without a doubt, that you are in good shape.

[myTake Owner]

*weigh

[EllieLexis513]

You didn't read my initial comment then because I said what you said just in less words.

[lithosphere]

i don't agree... happiness is a function of many things... it's pretty fine that it's if somebody is happy and overweight, many people have health conditions and are happy. it depends, and some dopey doctors who dont get life, and live in ivory towers possibly dont' understand that.

[rgb008]

As someone who was ~190lbs at 5'6" I strongly disagree.
I was miserable when overweight. I kept trying to convince myself I was totally fine but i wasn't.

[myTake Owner]

So what you really mean is you read my take... and you agree.

[NourSy]

Are smokers happy with the cigarette in their mouth? nah, at least for most of them. It does ruin their lungs but the vast majority don't quit just like overweight people who have another addiction which is called FOOD.

[adrianalima0]

You can be overweight and happy.
Although personally, only if I'm slightly overweight. When I'm very overweight I'm not happy at all but some people surely are.

[KittieCat]

I'm overweight and happy as hell lol. I'm healthy and in shape so everythings all good ^^

[Josht13]

"I'm overweight" "I'm healthy and in shape" you can't be healthy and overweight.

[KittieCat]

@Josht13 Yes you can. I have a condition that affect my insulin resistance among other things as well as a slow metabolism. I can't lose weight safely sooo yeah. I'm healthy lol

[Josht13]

What's it called I want to verify that your still healthy I mean I don't doubt you have condition that means you can't lose the weight but the condition somehow makes the extra weight healthy seems strange to me.

[KittieCat]

@Josht13 PCOS. It increases my insulin resistance and I have diabetes on both sides of my family (rip). My testosterone levels are double what they should because of it which causes weight gain (fat and muscle), increased hunger, and other things (not relevant to weight). Anywho I have a large frame anyways and other... things that give me extra weight so even if I was normal I'd still have a higher bmi. Having PCOS makes me rather bulky soo more weight there as well. I could lose weight, but 1000 calories a day with 2 hours of working out isn't healthy. I 'd do it if it was

[RainbowFanGirl]

Oh, you have PCOS. I heard of many people having that. I've always wondered if it was possible to lose weight with PCOS. Is it?

[KittieCat]

@RainbowFanGirl It's possible but PCOS is different for everyone. For me, my weight is okay (I'm chubby is at all) so I wouldn't want to try and I'd gain the weight back anyways. Some women just keep gaining weight, some stop somewhere, some can lose. But it's always relatively difficult compared to a nonPCOS affected woman