Thoughts...

Today's Weigh-In: 221.8 lbs.
5-Day Average: 219.96 lbs.

Well crap. I seem to have gained 3 and a half pounds since yesterday morning. I ate really well yesterday up until dinner, when me and my girlfriend Eryn went to dinner. I had a Reuben sandwich with onion rings. I only ate half the sandwich, but polished off the rings. Oh well, it's been a while since I've had a real cheat meal, so I'm not going to fret. I was probably only (at most) 300-400 calories above my normal calorie limit, so I'm pretty sure the 3 pounds won't stick. I didn't get a workout today because I am *sore*. My calves are so tight if you took a violin bow to them you could play Vivaldi.

I've been noticing something on the internet called the "Fat Acceptance" movement. It seems their goal is to have overweight people accept themselves as fat people (that is, having a "fat identity"), and that diets don't work, and they can't be thinner without having an eating disorder. This sounds like the biggest cop-out and pity-party I've ever seen or heard of. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think that fat people should be treated any differently because of their weight (barring physical constraints), and everyone has the right to do what they wish with their bodies. But promoting the idea that they should just accept the "fact" that they can't lose weight permanently seems very dangerous and foolhardy.

I was reading some of the FA blogs, and it seems that they use the fact that 95-98% of people who lose weight dieting tend to gain it back. This, they say, proves that most fat people are just inherently fat, and they don't believe that they eat any differently or are any less healthy than thin people. While I agree that there are many thin people who eat poorly (and are unhealthy), and that genetics do play a part in how easy or difficult it is to lose/gain weight, I think the 95-98% figure says something else. To me, it says that these people are unwilling to make a permanent change in their lives. They are unwilling to put in the hard work day in and day out so that they can achieve the body and the level of fitness they desire. I even saw one blogger complaining "I don't want to have to worry about every little thing I put in my mouth; that's equivalent to having an eating disorder" (paraphrasing). I think that's just called being conscious of the fuel you are putting in your body, and optimizing your health. Obviously there are extremes, and I think that some people do legitimately have eating disorders, but not every person who watches what they eat does.

It's obviously hard to lose weight, and harder to keep it off. But (and I think Billy would agree here) if you're not willing to put in the effort then shut the F up and quit making excuses. Admit that you're not strong enough, or that you have other priorities that are more important to you. If you are healthy and happy being overweight, good for you. But don't go crying that just because you can't lose weight that means it's impossible for everyone. It's not, you're a liar and a fraud if you say so.

Thoughts?