Have I turned into a fitnes snob?

[Inthegrass]

We are staying at Great Wolf Lodge waterpark for a few days this week for a small family vacation of lying around the pool and taking in the waterslides.
I am absolutely amazed at the amount of unfit, over weight people here. If I were to guess, I'd say roughly 90% of the people I have seen are fat and at least half of those are grossly over weight. It amazes me how people can be content having trouble even walking. They labour with every footstep, yet they are so adept at getting to the feed trough at every turn.
Have I turned into a fitness snob?? Is it wrong for me to see these people and feel an almost disgust in the way they look after themselves and treat themselves and their bodies? How can they not know what they are doing to themselves and the quality of their lives?

[Do_Somethin]

I'm in the same boat as you. I think a lot of us feel this way.
In a way seeing people like you describe helps me (and people I work with) with my own fitness goals. I don't want to become like they've let themselves go.

[x-trainer ben]

Originally Posted by Inthegrass

We are staying at Great Wolf Lodge waterpark for a few days this week for a small family vacation of lying around the pool and taking in the waterslides.
I am absolutely amazed at the amount of unfit, over weight people here. If I were to guess, I'd say roughly 90% of the people I have seen are fat and at least half of those are grossly over weight. It amazes me how people can be content having trouble even walking. They labour with every footstep, yet they are so adept at getting to the feed trough at every turn.
Have I turned into a fitness snob?? Is it wrong for me to see these people and feel an almost disgust in the way they look after themselves and treat themselves and their bodies? How can they not know what they are doing to themselves and the quality of their lives?

Disgust is a little harsh but at least you are very aware of your surroundings. I make a mental note but never judge them, perhaps they have serious things going on that you will never know about.(worst economy since the 1930's). Stressed out people tend to eat.

[jdtemple]

I'm in the same boat, and I even used to be one of those fat people. Except I was ashamed enough of it that I spent as little time as possible with my shirt off.

[StoneCold2431]

naw man, the truth is people get so overweight that they cant exercise forcing them self to be content with their over weight bodies. Im like that too but i just dont say it out loud haha.

[beachguy498]

I'm not the most svelte creature, but I agree with all of the above. I mean they must get to a point and just say screw it and keep buying bigger clothes. But how many morbidly obese people make it to 60 or 70? They have to be in denial if they thing they're going to live that long.

I see it all over. I go to the china buffet for the crab legs and sushi. But people are chowing down on multiple plates of the worst things. Not that I haven't done it myself. I stay out of fast food places, who knows what's going on in there.

I use these people as motivation to do what I do. I'm not getting any younger and realize that strength and mobility are key to getting around when I'm REAL old.

BG

[oldsuperman]

Originally Posted by x-trainer ben

.(worst economy since the 1930's). Stressed out people tend to eat.

You obviously missed the Carter years if you think this economy is bad! "worst economy since the 1930's" give me a break!

Their fat and outa shape because this is a spoiled selfish generation that over indulges in everything and takes no responsibility for their lives! I agree with the OP! Disgust! Lazy, self deserving, blamb someone else for my problems generation!

Got that off my chest!

[widebody195]

I used to think like that, but then I met two people at the club that I train at, morbidly obese, but working really hard and pushing themselves harder than just about anyone I know. Plus they are the nicest people you could possibly meet, and very honest about their physical condition with a great sense of self-deprecating humor. I have nothing but the highest respect for them, but if you saw them at the pool or beach as a total stranger you could easily give them a look of disgust. So now I try to keep a more open mind. Remember, fat people are human too.

[2nd_chance]

Originally Posted by oldsuperman

You obviously missed the Carter years if you think this economy is bad! "worst economy since the 1930's" give me a break!

Their fat and outa shape because this is a spoiled selfish generation that over indulges in everything and takes no responsibility for their lives! I agree with the OP! Disgust! Lazy, self deserving, blamb someone else for my problems generation!

Got that off my chest!

But tell us how you really feel old supe.

[clearwaterush]

Here I am at 118 this morning and 60 yrs young. Am I too old to start? I have no idea on the training...I do have a diet though...1,145 cals a day. And oh yes....I'm only 4'8" tall but I need to get the body in great physical condition...DO YOU THINK IT'S TOO LATE? I am very weak in the muscles-but willing to do what it would take.

[paolo59]

I don't feel disgust, just complete amazement that there are so many people who are very, very overweight. To be truthful, it's shocking. I don't know quite how the nation in general has gotten to this point.

[jaguar007]

Funny you mention that. I stayed at a Great Wolf Lodge a few months ago and I noticed that I was probably one of the top 5 fittest guys there (and I am NOT very big). I think alot of it has to do with the demographics that Great Wolf Lodge attracts, parents. I think the majority of people who have full time jobs with families and kids, don't find fitness important enough to make time for. Of course there are the exceptions (like us), but the majority unfortunately don't.

[Ford_Power]

I simply shake my head and get back to worrying about myself. I can't do anything about them...*shrug*

[oldsuperman]

Originally Posted by widebody195

I Remember, fat people are human too.

You've obviously never been to my profile have you?

You want to feel compassion? Then feel for these children then. They most likely will never need a gastric bypass. Most likely will not live past 30 if they make it to adulthood.

We are soooo blessed and take soooo much we have no need to feel compassionate for most people that are fat. I grew up in a house with one toilet, one bath tub and we always had about 10 people or more living with us and we did just fine. Now peeps have to have at least two baths, triple car garage big vacations and only 1.5 children and still cry how bad they have it. I just don't get it?

Go out and take a walk, eat a little less, give a little more, take a little less, smile a little more, and pray twice a day. I'm feeling my ZEN this morning... LOL!

[blu2xtreme]

Huge fitness snob - friends are ok with it -
been on both sides - figure I earned the right
It's one of those I've seen the light - so I want to change the world...
then after a while you realize your wasting your time - but keep trying

[oldsuperman]

Originally Posted by clearwaterush

Here I am at 118 this morning and 60 yrs young. Am I too old to start? I have no idea on the training...I do have a diet though...1,145 cals a day. And oh yes....I'm only 4'8" tall but I need to get the body in great physical condition...DO YOU THINK IT'S TOO LATE? I am very weak in the muscles-but willing to do what it would take.

Abosolutly not too late! Stick around and mostly use the "search" feature above and you will learn how.

[chodan9]

Originally Posted by oldsuperman

You obviously missed the Carter years if you think this economy is bad! "worst economy since the 1930's" give me a break!

Their fat and outa shape because this is a spoiled selfish generation that over indulges in everything and takes no responsibility for their lives! I agree with the OP! Disgust! Lazy, self deserving, blamb someone else for my problems generation!

were you that way when you were overweight?





I know I was.

I'm lucky to have survived it

[oldsuperman]

Originally Posted by blu2xtreme

Huge fitness snob - friends are ok with it -
been on both sides - figure I earned the right
It's one of those I've seen the light - so I want to change the world...
then after a while you realize your wasting your time - but keep trying

Yep. Me too. I get over 30,000 hits a month on my profile and hundreds of requests for help. I tell them to read my blogs first and then come back and ask questions. Most don't, yet a few do and always get back to me and say "THANK YOU!!!!" "All my questions were answered."

Some tho are lazy and come back and I know they haven't read the blogs because of the questions they ask me! They don't have the patience to spend just a little time reading. THEY WANT IT NOW! THEY WANT IT WITHOUT ANY EFFORT. I just tell them again "READ MY BLOGS"!

[VoxExMachina]

I don't have much sympathy for anyone drastically out of shape. If they don't have enough respect for their fitness & looks, then I'm certainly not going to either.

They could have stayed in shape or gotten into shape as easy as anyone else (and no whining about thyroid issues). I figure that in a single year I might spend about 300 hours in the gym. Multiply that by 20 years and you're at 6,000 hours. They could get back into shape in far less than that (just watch the Biggest Loser). I've paid my dues...they can pay just a portion of theirs.

If they don't want to...fine by me. But it's a shame. The bigger shame is that often their kids are worse.

[oldsuperman]

Originally Posted by chodan9

were you that way when you were overweight?





I know I was.

I'm lucky to have survived it

I blamed mostly others like my parents for not raising me right. I blamed the horrific abuse I suffered as a child, I blamed God for the abuse he let happen to a defenseless child. I blamed myself for being weak and lazy. The I finally realized, "It's all about accepting you are the one that is responsible for your life."

You are the one that needs to change. You're a big boy now and it was time to stop blaming the things of the world for my suffering. I "CAN" CHANGE AND IT IS MY CHOISE! So I did. I took accountability for my life and stopped blaming others, stopped blaming God, yet mostly, stopped blaming myself!.

[chodan9]

Originally Posted by oldsuperman

I blamed mostly others like my parents for not raising me right. I blamed the horrific abuse I suffered as a child, I blamed God for the abuse he let happen to a defenseless child. I blamed myself for being weak and lazy. The I finally realized, "It's all about accepting you are the one that is responsible for your life."

You are the one that needs to change. You're a big boy now and it was time to stop blaming the things of the world for my suffering. I "CAN" CHANGE AND IT IS MY CHOISE! So I did. I took accountability for my life and stopped blaming others, stopped blaming God, yet mostly, stopped blaming myself!.

awesome post.

Everyone has hardships to overcome.
Its when we realize that blaming others or ourselves does nothing to "fix" us, all blaming does is postpone our actually taking the actions needed to improve our situation.

[BuckSpin]

Originally Posted by clearwaterush

Here I am at 118 this morning and 60 yrs young. Am I too old to start? I have no idea on the training...I do have a diet though...1,145 cals a day. And oh yes....I'm only 4'8" tall but I need to get the body in great physical condition...DO YOU THINK IT'S TOO LATE? I am very weak in the muscles-but willing to do what it would take.

It is never too late to start....

[thebigguy1]

Originally Posted by oldsuperman

I blamed mostly others like my parents for not raising me right. I blamed the horrific abuse I suffered as a child, I blamed God for the abuse he let happen to a defenseless child. I blamed myself for being weak and lazy. The I finally realized, "It's all about accepting you are the one that is responsible for your life."

You are the one that needs to change. You're a big boy now and it was time to stop blaming the things of the world for my suffering. I "CAN" CHANGE AND IT IS MY CHOISE! So I did. I took accountability for my life and stopped blaming others, stopped blaming God, yet mostly, stopped blaming myself!.

OldSuperman, I ALWAYS enjoy reading your post! You got my respect, friend!

And this thread is enlightening as I thought I was the only one that felt this way. Disgust may be a harsh word, but there is no denying the feeling.....if you feel disgust, then you just do. And I know I do as well! I see more and more obese people everyday. And the alarming thing is that it is becoming common and people are beginning to accept it as a norm, i.e. he or she is just fat, so what? I'll tell you so what....obesity is a breeding ground for many health problems, and with that a drain on healthcare and skyrocketing health care costs. Quality of life as one gets older will suffer. The poor eating and health habits of the parents can also reflect in the children, and often do.

Obesity is a major health problem in this country. And the sad part about it all is that in many many cases it does not have to be!! And as oldsuperman pointed out, it is all about responsibility, personal responsibility!

All it takes is one step, one day at a time. Choose not to be fat anymore. Do the research, get up from in front of the TV or computer. Start walking, or better yet, get in the gym and adopt a fitness lifestyle! Pay closer attention to your shopping carts and remove all of the cakes, pies, Ding Dongs and Ho Hos and replace them with healthy snaking alternatives...whatever happened to eating an apple, orange or a vegetable?

I don't have all of the answers as I have learned what has worked for me. But it is all do-able!

And ENOUGH of the "It's too hard", "I simply do not have the time", "I'm just built this way" and all of the other lame excuses. I was once told many years ago that I should not bodybuild because I did not have the bodytype to put on muscle and at "you're 35, too old to be considering lifting heavy weights". Today I'm 50, and that is me in that Avatar pic...REALLY me!

So, no excuses. Anything can be done if we put our minds to it!

Ron III---III

[runswithscissor]

Originally Posted by Inthegrass

We are staying at Great Wolf Lodge waterpark for a few days this week for a small family vacation of lying around the pool and taking in the waterslides.
I am absolutely amazed at the amount of unfit, over weight people here. If I were to guess, I'd say roughly 90% of the people I have seen are fat and at least half of those are grossly over weight. It amazes me how people can be content having trouble even walking. They labour with every footstep, yet they are so adept at getting to the feed trough at every turn.
Have I turned into a fitness snob?? Is it wrong for me to see these people and feel an almost disgust in the way they look after themselves and treat themselves and their bodies? How can they not know what they are doing to themselves and the quality of their lives?

It can be very easy to make positive changes but most people don't "think" about what they put into their bodies. Plenty of ways to get way too much high fructose corn syrup, and I am not talking about just soda. I've told people when they asked me how I lost weight. Really simple plan to start with. No soda of any kind. Next, cut out all fast foods (I still cheat with a McD's Angus Deluxe every now and then but that is it, no fries etc.).

After cutting out fast food, get rid of white flour, regular pastas and other simple carbs and replace them with good ones instead. Drink plenty of water. Eat six small meals a day. Don't shop when you are hungry.

The list goes on and on. An all you can eat buffet is a suggestion, not a commandment but some people do just that. Saw a thing about the types that frequent buffets. Those that use the smaller salad plates, browse the buffet before getting food, and sit facing away from the buffet eat less.

I don't eat out much period anymore, I can't tolerate the sodium levels most restaurants use. I don't eat out but maybe once every couple of months at "chain" restaurants and always go for the healthiest things I can find.

The "feeding troughs" are catering to the masses, that is where they make the majority of their profit.

[bryantone]

Old Sup, you are on a perfect score roll today. Agree 100%. (Maybe we can blame obesity on Bush.....carter is back)

[OZBB]

Sorry to say I'm a fitness snob too, and have many overweight friends.

I've been a victim of the reverse snobbery of overweight people...... like I'm the one with the problem..... I used to try to explain the virtues of being fit and working out, but it fell on deaf ears..... so I save my breath now..... I guess there is an element of jealousy.

in my office, I sit next to a massively overweight guy who suffers in so many ways, yet when I see him eat, his food choices are just appalling...... like cans of coke and cakes for lunch.... meat pies, pastries, fried chicken, fried rice and asian laksa (coconut milk and chili soup).... makes me feel sick just thinking about it..... .but what can you do... its his body and his life... he can hardly breath and sweats all the time...... falls asleep in meetings because he has sleep apnea..... and it goes on...

The biggest thing that really bothers me with the huge number of over weight people is the impact on the nations economy and the healthcare system (in Australia anyway)....weight related conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems etc all have the hospitals over flowing and unable to cope..... directly impacting on public spending..... if the government started giving tax breaks to fit healthy people, you'd see everyone trying to cash in, that would benefit us all in so many ways..... ok getting of my soap box now.....

OZBB

[Inthegrass]

Originally Posted by paolo59

I don't feel disgust, just complete amazement that there are so many people who are very, very overweight. To be truthful, it's shocking. I don't know quite how the nation in general has gotten to this point.

I guess this is more of the way I meant to express it.
It was watching this one lady, who is likely even ten years younger than me, trying to navigate down a set of stairs and watching with every step, the huge amount of effort and pain it took to complete. Then she turned in the direction of the food court for ice cream. Good grief!!!!!!
How can they do this to themselves?????

[Inthegrass]

Originally Posted by runswithscissor

It can be very easy to make positive changes but most people don't "think" about what they put into their bodies. Plenty of ways to get way too much high fructose corn syrup, and I am not talking about just soda. I've told people when they asked me how I lost weight. Really simple plan to start with. No soda of any kind. Next, cut out all fast foods (I still cheat with a McD's Angus Deluxe every now and then but that is it, no fries etc.).

After cutting out fast food, get rid of white flour, regular pastas and other simple carbs and replace them with good ones instead. Drink plenty of water. Eat six small meals a day. Don't shop when you are hungry.

The list goes on and on. An all you can eat buffet is a suggestion, not a commandment but some people do just that. Saw a thing about the types that frequent buffets. Those that use the smaller salad plates, browse the buffet before getting food, and sit facing away from the buffet eat less.

I don't eat out much period anymore, I can't tolerate the sodium levels most restaurants use. I don't eat out but maybe once every couple of months at "chain" restaurants and always go for the healthiest things I can find.

The "feeding troughs" are catering to the masses, that is where they make the majority of their profit.

This is such sound simple advice!!!

[oldsuperman]

It's not so much that I'm disgusted with fat, outa shape, obese people by the way they look. It's more that I'm disgusted with the life they have chosen. WHAT A WASTE! WHAT A SHAME! WHAT A LOSS OF TIME AND HAPPINESS! If anything I'm saddened by it. Life is so short and so precious. I'm re posting a thread I posted a while back that goes with this thought. For those that read it before... oh well, ignore it.



Live! Live! Live!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mark asked me this this in my last Thread. This was my response and I thought I would use it as a new thread starter.

"Originally Posted by Mark1T
Ed, there may not be much money by being a pro from the IFBB. But, I do hope that some company or companies might want you to promote their products, i.e. endorsements."


My response.

It would be nice just to have the notoriety of endorsements, yet I'm not in it for the $$$$. I have spent tens of $1000's already in this sport. I just can't imagine getting enough to ever offset the financial cost, and I'm OK with that.

I would hope in some way tho, all this would inspire others to do something with their lives and realize there's more to life then "beer and Ho Ho's". I love this sport. I REALLY love it. It has given me so much in return just from the relationships that have been forged by it. It has helped me in my business and opened doors by the respect I get just from looking the way I do.

You really don't have to be all that special to be a bber. You don't have to compete to be a bber. You do need a PASSION TO LIVE tho. To live life as much as you can.

One of my favorite lines from a play called, "Auntie Mame", is in which she, Mame, expressed her feelings to her nephew, who is reserved in his life, when she exclaimed to him passionately, " LIFE IS A BANQUATE!! AND MOST OF THE WORLD IS STARVING TO DEATH!!! LIVE! LIVE! LIVE!!!"

I have lived the life, in my past, of self doubt and fear, making excuses for my life and the pitiful way it was for many years. I was abused as a child that most could never imagine or rise from with any dignity. I have battled cancer as a young man with 4 small children and lost my home, business/job twice before age 40.

What made the difference? I CHOSE a different path. I stopped feeling sorry for myself. I realized that no matter what was thrown at me in this short mortal life, THAT LIFE WAS FOR LIVING! It is my choice to either wahler in self pity, OR rise above it and move into the future and live life to its fullest.

You have such a short time in this small sphere we call earth, and it can be taken from us in a moment. So LIVE each moment, and make it the BEST moment you have. It doesn't have to be in bodybuilding to be your focus, yet in order to have happiness in your life, you do need balance.

All things in your life need its portion of attention, the spirit and foundation of your life, mental the learning and studying of life, emotional the positive feelings that validate your true self, and physical the doing of life, be it bbing, biking, power lifting etc. BALENCE IS THE KEY.

It goes by fast and with all that life has to offer, WHY SIT AROUND FEELING HOPELESS, HELPLESS, AND LIFELESS! LIVE! LIVE! LIVE!

[paolo59]

Originally Posted by oldsuperman

It's not so much that I'm disgusted with fat, outa shape, obese people by the way they look. It's more that I'm disgusted with the life they have chosen. WHAT A WASTE! WHAT A SHAME! WHAT A LOSS OF TIME AND HAPPINESS! If anything I'm saddened by it. Life is so short and so precious. I'm re posting a thread I posted a while back that goes with this thought. For those that read it before... oh well, ignore it.



Live! Live! Live!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mark asked me this this in my last Thread. This was my response and I thought I would use it as a new thread starter.

"Originally Posted by Mark1T
Ed, there may not be much money by being a pro from the IFBB. But, I do hope that some company or companies might want you to promote their products, i.e. endorsements."


My response.

It would be nice just to have the notoriety of endorsements, yet I'm not in it for the $$$$. I have spent tens of $1000's already in this sport. I just can't imagine getting enough to ever offset the financial cost, and I'm OK with that.

I would hope in some way tho, all this would inspire others to do something with their lives and realize there's more to life then "beer and Ho Ho's". I love this sport. I REALLY love it. It has given me so much in return just from the relationships that have been forged by it. It has helped me in my business and opened doors by the respect I get just from looking the way I do.

You really don't have to be all that special to be a bber. You don't have to compete to be a bber. You do need a PASSION TO LIVE tho. To live life as much as you can.

One of my favorite lines from a play called, "Auntie Mame", is in which she, Mame, expressed her feelings to her nephew, who is reserved in his life, when she exclaimed to him passionately, " LIFE IS A BANQUATE!! AND MOST OF THE WORLD IS STARVING TO DEATH!!! LIVE! LIVE! LIVE!!!"

I have lived the life, in my past, of self doubt and fear, making excuses for my life and the pitiful way it was for many years. I was abused as a child that most could never imagine or rise from with any dignity. I have battled cancer as a young man with 4 small children and lost my home, business/job twice before age 40.

What made the difference? I CHOSE a different path. I stopped feeling sorry for myself. I realized that no matter what was thrown at me in this short mortal life, THAT LIFE WAS FOR LIVING! It is my choice to either wahler in self pity, OR rise above it and move into the future and live life to its fullest.

You have such a short time in this small sphere we call earth, and it can be taken from us in a moment. So LIVE each moment, and make it the BEST moment you have. It doesn't have to be in bodybuilding to be your focus, yet in order to have happiness in your life, you do need balance.

All things in your life need its portion of attention, the spirit and foundation of your life, mental the learning and studying of life, emotional the positive feelings that validate your true self, and physical the doing of life, be it bbing, biking, power lifting etc. BALENCE IS THE KEY.

It goes by fast and with all that life has to offer, WHY SIT AROUND FEELING HOPELESS, HELPLESS, AND LIFELESS! LIVE! LIVE! LIVE!

It is a shame, to be sure. There are people I honestly feel sorry for when I stop and consider the incredible amount of "negatives" that they have to deal with daily. It seems a vicious circle when an individual reaches a certain point of obesity. Physical conditions brought on by the fact of being morbidly overweight literally limit ones ability to workout. What is shocking and frightening is that folks seem to watch this "freight train" bearing down on them and do nothing to stop the crash! It would be a challenge for anyone to lose 50 to 100 pounds, not an easy thing to do, requiring an incredible amount of determination and drive for someone who was more than likely never very "sports" inclined to begin with. Anything more and you quickly realize the pitiful condition that many face. The statistics regarding children are simply alarming! Choices being made are going to literally limit their ability to live, embrace, and enjoy life. It is stretched out in front of them, and being chipped away at before they even get the chance to experience it!