Why do you think people complicate being in shape?

[curiouschica]

Everywhere you look you see ads promoting the "secret" to weight loss...quick fixes or dangerous products...The secret (exercise, nutrition) is not a secret! Just harder for people to take in...no? Thoughts?

[Darkfairie17]

It's because the fitness industry is a billion dollar industry. Fad diets don't work, but they make companies money. That is why they push a new 'secret' every year. If everyone succeeded in their weight loss or fitness goals those companies would lose money. Because every year their customer base would shrink.

But I agree, the real issue I think is that people are not educated on how to be healthy. My room-mates think those lean cuisine things are healthy. No, they have a lot of salt and they are lucky if that's real chicken :P

People don't know how to eat, or exercise properly. And I am by no means an expert in this department. But its common sense that eating badly and not exercising doesn't help in the health department. I may not be lean and fit, but I at least have a lot of experience gaining and losing weight :P

Eating crappy food and doing fad diets do not work. Eating well is the only way to go. But growing up, I have noticed how many people just don't know what is healthy and what isn't. I've met people who think Kraft dinner and instant potatoes is healthy.

I agree with you, I think that governments need to do more to educate everyone, starting in kindergarten, about healthy eating. I think that would help a lot. There is so much misinformation out there. Just look at some of the weight loss questions in the health section. "How can I lose 40lbs in 2 weeks?" Fact is they can't, and shouldn't. We need to learn what is healthy and what is not.

[curiouschica]

All good points! Yep I'm skeptical of some of those "healthy foods" too! And it's sad how many people are fooled by that stuff! You're absolutely right about starting early...if young kids are exposed to different vegetables and what not, they'll be less picky and more receptive to wholesome foods throughout their lifespan...it's a shame how a poor diet by their parents ends up becoming their diet as well! Thanks for your answer! =)

[Darkfairie17]

Thanks for BA! :)

[curiouschica]

No prob!

[Anonymous]

Lack of proper education, companies trying to sell products and make money,etc.

But also, sometimes weightloss isn't as simple as people make it seem. Eat healthy, exercise.

Personally, I'm overweight and I decided I wanted to get in better shape. I'm 5'6" and weigh around 180 lbs. So, I started to change my diet and exercise. I started eating smaller portions, counting calories, choosing healthier food, and going to the gym. I didn't lose weight. So I kept improving my diet, increasing my exercise, etc. For over a year, I've eaten completely clean, monitored my intake, and worked out at the gym for 1-2 hours a day, 5-7 days a week (including 1-hr 3x a week with a personal trainer). I lost and gained the same 5-10 lbs over and over. So.. I'm fit, but still fat.

I realize that there's no quick fix, secret, pill, fad diet, whatever, that will make you lose weight and keep it off forever. But I can definitely see why these products and plans promising to help you lose the weight quick would be appealing (and even more so for people who aren't really willing to put in the effort to lose weight through healthy diet and exercise).

[curiouschica]

Kudos to you for working hard! Are you sure you don't have a thryoid problem or something like that? Have you spoken to a doctor? Because with that amount of effort, it should come easier to u...u know?

[Opinion Owner]

I've had bloodwork done and my doctor said everything was fine.

I know it should come easier, not sure why it doesn't. It's been very frustrating, especially because I joined some weight loss support groups where I'd hear people say things like, "I went for a 10 minute walk every day this week and lost 5 lbs!" And then I hear people elsewhere (liek here on GAG) talk about how all fat people are lazy and have no self-control.

[curiouschica]

Hmmm interesting...well don't stress about it! You're taking care of yourself and all that matters! Skinny doesn't equate with healthy! It's what you put in your body and how you move it! =)

[TheDigitalSaint]

I used to manage a health club and gym, so I know first hand how much people buy into nonsense.

- Diet pills are not good for you or often just plain don't work, don't take them. People want them to work because it means they can get results without effort. It doesn't work that way.

- Advertising a complex solution to a simple problem and your product will sound "revolutionary"

- Regular exercise, good sleep habits and a balanced diet free of processed foods will help you loose weight.

- Having proper expectations as to how much and how quickly you can lose the weight should be determined by a qualified personal trainer or medical doctor.

[curiouschica]

Good advice...and agree about good sleep habits! Lack of sleep definitely messes up your judgement!

[ihaveagirlsname]

It is easier to fool yourself into thinking it is not your fault than to admit eating 5000 calories a day and watching 7 hours of TV might be causing health issues. Everyone wants to be thin and attractive without doing the hard work. To be thin and attractive you have to watch what you eat and be active. Granted there are medical reasons why some people have weight issues. However, I would blame the cheese fries over a faulty thyroid issue.

[curiouschica]

Agreed! Easier to blame someone else and not make yourself accountable!

[rachiee]

A lot of people are looking for the easy way out. They want to be able to sit on the couch and watch TV without getting up and still lose weight//get into shape. A lot of people don't want to actually do the work involved and see these "secrets" as the best way to do that and fall into their traps.

[curiouschica]

Think it's crazy how they can get away with their incorrect claims!

[MyNameIsJonas]

I agree.

No secret, just put in some work people.

A workout or anything is "hard' if you perceive it as such. It is what it is. You can take it as positive or negative action. Enjoy yourself or make it a nuisance.

[curiouschica]

Good attitude! I think it gets easier with practice (will power becomes stronger)!

[MyNameIsJonas]

True. Generally we are creatures of habit.

[martyfellow]

They're hoping to find a way to get in shape without working hard and without giving up binging on their favorite junk foods.

[curiouschica]

Yep! Sounds about right to me!

[martyfellow]

Three up arrows! Must be the best answer!

[martyfellow]

Hey, chica, don't forget!

[TurbulentDan12]

Because people are lazy. They want some sort of easy trick to lose weight fast without much effort. This doesn't exist obviously, but the thought of this as a solution is so appealing that it sells.

[curiouschica]

It's certainly a shame!

[Caustic_Fox]

"everybody wanna be big but no one wants to lift heavy ass weights"

we live in a world of instant gratification, people don't want to hear that it will take YEARS to stop being a fat f***. or go from skinny to ripped.

[curiouschica]

Right on!

[Anonymous]

I think it is because they are able to put the weight on fast and expect it to come off fast. But they don't realize that it takes a lot of effort to lose the pounds that were so effortless to put on. This is were "short" cuts come into pay.

[curiouschica]

True...I feel like the "short" cuts only set you up for yo-yoing...u know? And messes with your sanity...

[Opinion Owner]

I think it is from cutting all of the calories that some diets encourage. After they lose the weight they don't continue to eat the same way and then they yoyo back

[peace-love-couture]

Because they don't want to put forth the effort of exercising, eating smaller portions and making healthier eating choices. "Too much work."

[curiouschica]

Yep sounds about right! But they'd get less frustrated if they did it the right way the first time around! =)

[Anonymous]

The problem is that most people want results and they want them fast. If they don't get them quickly, they get bored or defeated and they don't continue to do anything. They want the easiest possible solution.

[curiouschica]

But you'd think they'd get frustrated with the "easy solutions" when they aren't working and go the hard route...

[sfauo]

Agreed. That's usually my answers to health related questions looking for best ways to slim down.

[curiouschica]

Good! Plain and simple...even if you don't want to hear it! lol

[Anonymous]

The hardest part about going to the gym is actually going there.

[curiouschica]

I know...once you go you feel good and afterward you wonder why you questioned going in the first place...but putting on your shoes IS the hardest part! lol

[Opinion Owner]

100% agreed.

[glamphotog]

Money.

[curiouschica]

For the advertisers?

[glamphotog]

Hmm, they get a piece of the pie too.

But really it's all about business. People want to make money. So they need something to sell to create a business. Who can they sell to? People with problems. What can they sell? Things that promises to solve their problems. Doesn't really need to solve their problems, just need to fool them into thinking it does.

[curiouschica]

True...money speaks...