Lose weight the old fashioned way because that’s the only way you can lose weight and escape the harsh judgment of people who have no idea what it’s like to struggle with weight.
I am a fan of weight loss.
I am particularly in favor of losing weight and keeping it off. Having struggled with my weight and experienced life with a BMI of more than 30 (Body Mass Index – 25 is overweight, 30 is obese, 33 is morbidly obese) I know what it’s like to live too large.
I know what it’s like to want to lose weight and fight to actually succeed at it. When I read a story about anybody who loses a lot of weight, I’m very happy for the person who’s successfully reduced to a lower, maybe healthier weight.
When the story says the weight loss was achieved “the old fashioned way,” it irritates me.
It somehow diminishes the success that anybody whose weight loss was aided either by commercial weight loss services, or bariatrics, or even with a dietitian and personal trainer.
Of course, I’m supportive of anybody who loses weight on his or her own by reducing calories going in (eating less) and increasing calories burned through physical activity. I just won’t put him or her on a pedestal or place a halo over the head of people whose weight loss was achieved without help (e.g. the old fashioned way).
The truth is weight loss is difficult. It’s more difficult for some people than it is for others. The extenuating factors are numerous. We are still learning all the ways in which body weight is affected by genetics, environment, pathogens, stress, and lifestyle.
It’s wrong to assume an overweight individual is a lazy, undisciplined glutton who lacks willpower.
It’s equally wrong to assume that weight loss achieved “the old fashioned way” is superior to people who lose weight aided by commercial weight loss services or medically supervised solutions including surgery.
There are no shortage of ignorant people willing to judge those who are “living large.” Unfortunately even when we lose weight we are still judged by ignorant people who don’t understand the challenge of making behavior changes that allow for weight reduction that lasts.
If you are losing or lost weight – using whatever means worked for you – Congratulations! Your achievement is awesome regardless of how you managed to do it. The most important thing is what you did to lose weight has become a way of life for you so that you may remain at your weight goal!