Doctor Reacts To “Is Obesity A Choice” Debate

[@omgitzpaige2013]

idk who called dr mike fat phobic but he is literally the most inclusive and non-judgemental person in health i’ve seen at least on the internet! in fact he explained what it is and what it isn’t very well

[@howsarahsees]

He had a very controversial episode on bariatric surgery, which can be risky and is often a dangerous fix to a nuanced problem, and people were critical of his stance on it. Bariatric surgery is also often suggested to people who aren't great candidates because it's an easier, insurance-covered route and can be a medical money maker, and even recently was found to be pushed by a major hospital system mostly on underserved and vulnerable populations who were not properly educated or given access to other options, and then struggled with the access to the upkeep and proper nutrition needed to make that successful, some that died from complications or had complications from malnuritionment afterward. After seeing that video, I'm pleasantly surprised how nuanced he is in this video

[@sweetrocks610]

Idiot redditors who think they know more than a literal doctor called him that.

[@ravenwaves6785]

Doctor Mike, like all of us, is someone that has learned and grown to be the amazing person he is. I remember episodes in the past where I cringed at some of his comments re: obesity. He's never been awful, to be clear. He's obviously keeping very up to speed with research and has developed a greater understanding since. That is the Hallmark of a great doctor: that they do not stop listening and learning ❤

[@SomeoneCalledCrystal]

Yeah I have to agree. Also Fatphobia is an incorrect term, the correct term for it is sizeism.

[@HypocritesExposd]

We’ve come to a point where if you say something that a certain group of people don’t like, you’re automatically labeled as being against that group’s existence and/or beliefs.

[@lumiko5183]

I feel like the whole debate could've just ended on "being fat or skinny isn't A choice, it's a result of MULTIPLE choices and some of them aren't up to you"

[@gie3973]

Which is essentially not true , the nuisance of genetics , medication or disability isn't as wide as you'd think. How many overweight people do you know eat healthy and work out? It's this egg shell approach to weight that makes overweight people think it's not their responsibility.

[@gracecairns9747]

Its Your choice to fight against the factors, Moving out Building good habbits. Yes genetics have a role but its largley up to the environment you grow up in and if your parents cant teach you dieting. I Blame Processed foods marketed to children and school lunches. The school system literally feeds children fast food every day and classify pizza as a vegatbale.

[@southcoastinventors6583]

It all start with the diet coupled with sedentary behavior. Soda, highly refined carbs, excess sugar in products and government subsidized to encourage these products. Seem like we will just put people on meds like Ozempic rather than alter the overall diet.

[@raikaresha5906]

@@gie3973 but they said that "it's a result of MULTIPLE choices." So they didn't exactly deny that it's not a choice, right?

[@gie3973]

@@raikaresha5906 to sugar coat the facts, everything is still your choice m even those genetics won't make you fat if your eating the appropriate food, you have to fight the factors. Calories are calories no one is fat off drinking water and eating carrots

[@tauanemenezes3608]

Please, please, PLEASE, provide Portuguese subtitles for this video. I'm a clinical psychologist in Brazil, working with eating disorders and disordered eating, and I love how informative and respectful this video is. I have to share this. Love it! Congrats on the great work, as always

[@FretHead420]

Go to settings CC go to auto translate and go down to Portuguese

[@murlocknight1427]

@@FretHead420 The autotranslated captioning is just as bad as the English automatic captioning, that’s not really a solution.

[@freniisammii]

​@@murlocknight1427 translated captions would require administration and going through the process of recruiting a well-trained translator and is not exactly easy to find. Some youtubers can afford to do this but not all youtubers can with resources at hand and they have to weigh up whether they should prioritise, say, a spanish translation or a portuguese translation or even a french translation for the CC. That would depend on the demographic of his audience tho.

[@kaspervestergaard2383]

You can provide them yourselve. Go and translate or is that too much effort for you?

[@Anzh777]

@@kaspervestergaard2383 what's all that animosity for? it was never that serious lolol

[@kelelizabeth]

Eating disorder therapist here: THANK YOU for your commentary on weight stigma, neutrality, and appropriate ways to support those struggling with weight, size, shape, and food.

[@AllenK9]

You know how you cure eating disorders? Set specific goals, meet those goals through hard exercise and a proper calorie count. Once they see their body comp improve through legit means instead of puking or starving, they will be hooked.

[@Maudian]

@@AllenK9Eating disorders are a psychological problem. They are not going to be fixed with assigning a diet and exercise routine.

[@spacedrake8364]

​@@AllenK9 Not you telling a medical professional how to cure a mental illness 😂

[@vmajere]

@shawdnaasty This reveals a lot about why you think losing weight is so simple. You simply refuse to acknowledge the possible effects that mental health or psychological issues can have on someone's ability to lose weight.

[@guille8756]

​@@vmajereit's super easy lol, exercise and eat less. That mental health excuse it's just lack of discipline

[@HFXmermaid]

I think it's a dangerous line when we start blaming people for all of their health problems when we know how nuanced everything is. Are cavities a choice? Is stress a choice? Is cancer a choice? Is pre-eclampsia a choice? I think it's weird how obesity seems to be the only medical condition where we shame people so much. I am not healthy when I am skinny. Not even close. If fat shaming actually helped at all we wouldn't have any obese people.

[@piotrdworowy183]

In most Basic ,it is their fault -wrong diet,too less physical activity and so on.

[@Girlin_aWaistcoat]

@@piotrdworowy183 but I think it could also be genetic obesity (I think I once her Dr Mike say that not too sure tho)

[@getamber2671]

I think cavities was probably the worst thing to put up here as an example of health choices, but the sentiment is still there.

[@piotrdworowy183]

Well stress and some cancers are kinda choices.

[@ania7930]

@@getamber2671 Why? Cavities are caused mainly by simple sugars in our diet and imperfect brushing and/or flossing with some genetic tendencies. Sounds just like obesity: diet + habits + a bit of genes. It's a great comparison in my opinion. My favourite so far was laryngeal cancer, for whis a main risk is smoking, which is technically a choise, but is very hard to let go of, just like sugary and fatty foods, that seem sooo delicious to our brains.

[@manuscripts_wav]

Wow, amazed by Mike's bravery to speak about such a heated topic on his channel. It's nice to have his voice added to the debate

[@bm7502]

He played his answer very safe..

[@Wynn.E]

​@bm7502 that devalues the knowledge that Mike has to offer from a professional and medical standpoint. And he's trying to remain unbiased and informed in everything he presents with the video. He is definitely talking about the complexity of this hot-button topic and admitting that he cannot make a change individually that would lead to a domino effect. He does offer generalized solutions and mentions real issues. Being an advocate for the patient is his goal and I feel he did very well here.

[@nope66755]

he was too polite and will still be called fatphobic

[@ChristopherCLindner]

@@nope66755 I'm curious what you mean by "too polite" ?

[@blueblossom3384]

@@bm7502 what do you want him to say? "I hate fat people and they should automatically be skinny."

[@4RILDIGITAL]

It's refreshing to see a chat about this thorny topic handled with a ton of respect and understanding. Definitely threw me for a loop in the best way.

[@rauhillah3884]

And it's saddening for me to see few people in comment section still trying to simplify the matter. Following a kind and smart person doesn't mean they are kind and smart.

[@thethirdtime9168]

Nearly didn't watch the video because I was convinced the 'debate' would devolve into pure misinformation and opinion. So glad to see it wasn't the case.

[@annjames1837]

I grew up in the 70's. It was RARE to see anyone overweight. I wonder why 🤔

[@thethirdtime9168]

@@annjames1837 Hundreds of reasons, and in actuality the trend towards obesity started already from the 1920's and onwards - it was already on the rise by '70. Our lifestyles are more sedentary, our food is more often processed, in America especially people more often eat out rather than home cook. Many of these are societal, not individual, issues.

[@edwarddelagarza958]

so i started watching your channel when i began my weight loss journey. I changed my diet and exercise, six months later i have lost 60 pounds and when i went in for my check up my Doctor was blown away and asked what did you do to lose this weight? i told him very simply i merely followed what you told me changed my diet to low carb and walked an hour a day, i swear he looked like he was going to cry. FYI i am still on the low carb diet and it has been a year because of it my pallet has changed and it is easier to stay on it, i am not losing 10lbs every couple of weeks anymore now it is a pound or two but i am more active i look younger and have more energy.

[@h0neym00nl0ve0]

im so happy for you♥️♥️♥️

[@michaelacox7746]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!🎉

[@kierabriar]

good for you, man! I love hearing stories like this.

[@shrecrack9628]

👍

[@flyingzombiemice]

👏👏👏

[@jenjen4676]

I am a medical provider that works at an eating disorder clinic. This was a very appropriate approach to discussing weight, size, health, and dieting. GREAT WORK MIKE. VERY IMPRESSED.

[@crunchy_weasel]

I remember a quite one professor said: "Hold them accountable but don't shame them. Shaming only produces anger."

[@socire72]

anger produced motivation for me personally

[@DistortionSociety]

@@socire72 Exactly, people think shaming is bad, shaming is what gets people to change their ways

[@generalyoda8325]

Which is why your gonna burn out faster than a candle trust me I have been there@@socire72

[@generalyoda8325]

Nah just make you resent them more, shaming is not gonna change how you think or your personal view on life unless the person is massively insecure or completely apathetic.@@DistortionSociety

[@LadyArtemis2012]

@@DistortionSociety If that's true, then why are there still fat people? Is your argument that society simply hasn't been mean enough to fat people yet? That all the people out there who are fat simply haven't been shamed enough?

[@qwertylerqw3]

I think the problem with “I’d rather be skinny than fat” rhetoric is that it often is presented as a pressure by society in an unhealthy way. People often find fat people “gross” or “undesirable” and essentially bully fat people into wanting to be skinny. Fat people should want to be skinny because it’s better for THEM, not because it’s better for everyone else. Most people who talk like this about fat people don’t actually care about their health. They’re simply identifying something they personally don’t like about how the other person looks and use health as a justification for this thought

[@fedbia2003]

No, it's because fat people are more likely to get diseases and die at younger ages from complications. It's ok to say being fat is disgusting. Because it is. There's also too skinny, no question. Also disgusting. But overwhelmingly people in the first world who are skinny are significantly less likely to have the same issues as fatties.

[@The_Tortoise_and_the_Hare]

I'm a couple pounds overweight, but I'd like to be close to underweight so I'm very unhappy with my body, I think being skinny looks better, some people can pull off a bit of weight, but most people don't look better with too much weight, including myself. I would have been so much prettier if I was skinnier. My mom struggled with an eating disorder while I was growing up, and psychologists told me I have an eating disorder mindset, but I don't have an eating disorder, and I wish I did have an eating disorder so that I'd lose weight, but I like food too much. In my opinion people can be as fat as they want, but for me, when I was skinnier it was so much easier to just be relaxed and I had more energy, now being a couple pounds overweight I feel tired and lethargic all the time, and I feel like I look uglier too.

[@lucasgawor7471]

It's bad to be skinny.

[@lucasgawor7471]

@@The_Tortoise_and_the_Hare a couple of pounds is nothing.

[@grumpysheep3710]

Lol do you think skinny people have it any better? Being skinny is not gonna skyrocket you advantage at getting laid or anything else in that type of shallow pool. The US feed off of insecurities and people who believe that they would never get anywhere in life if their fat and ugly. Most successful people ARE fat and ugly, being beautiful and skinny doesn't mean anything if your STILL not healthy on the way to get their. I'm not saying that people should stay stuck in where their at, but don't do it for the most shallowest or reasons, cause it won't make you feel any better.

[@camila_alvarez22]

Shaming someone into getting help is not the way!! You explained everything beautifully!! I have a binge Ed so never in my life I would shame someone bc I’ve been in the chubby position before and now I lost 55 pounds when I am working on healing my binge ed. It’s always good to just help each other instead of shaming.

[@RachelMitchell-bg3pu]

i used to struggle with weight issues, tried pills, gained more. felt desperate. then i found aspect health. they focus on personal plans, sensors, app, coaches. like in video, it's complex. not just choice. society, genes matter

[@hawkward957]

“Is obesity a choice” YES. It is the result of bad habits. Bad habits are the result of consistent choices. I feel like when people hear “it’s a choice” it’s like it’s being suggested that it’s easy to NOT be overweight. It’s as simple as making “a choice” after all. That not the case at. It’s a matter of many MANY choices, and when you’re addicted to food, it’s difficult to consistently make choices that go against that addiction. Long story short, obesity is NOT a problem that’s easy to fix, but it IS a choice (assuming we’re talking about adults and not young children)

[@codyritner3826]

The fact people lose weight ever means it is a choice. That doesn't mean it's an easy choice, that doesn't mean you have the will power to do it on your won, but if you eat less, you will lose weight... that is a fact and I'm not going to pretend it's complicated when it's not. I was a drug addict and drug dealer for years, it was a choice to continue to use drugs... it was terribly difficult to stop using drugs but I did it when I was tired of destroying my own life. A disease can not be stopped, no body and choose to stop having cancer, you can choose to stop eating as much or to stop taking drugs.

[@frostfamily5321]

​@@codyritner3826Well, my dad likey learned in Laurel Recovery that *alcoholism* is a disease, do you disagree with that too?

[@frostfamily5321]

​@@hawkward957 I think fat is nature's nuclear power also because maybe losing weight at least can be a complex process as is explained in the top comment of this thread? And I wonder if Mike wears his glasses during any of his operations!

[@stormigopser5351]

This comment is probably a paid promotion for some app

[@PsiDanieleFreitas]

I'm a clinical psychologist in Brazil, working with obesity treatment, and I couldn't agree more with Dr. Mike. The issue of choice is extremely delicate, considering that we already know the environment plays a strong role in the development of a multifactorial disease. Focusing solely on individual choice doesn't embrace nuances; it makes the person feel extremely guilty and defeated. It's essential to understand one's responsibility for their health, but it's also crucial to recognize the role of the environment in all of this, even to work towards a healthier environment.

[@emperorpicard4901]

But it is your choice to work towards a healthier Environment. It is your choice to change, to fight it etc It is still all based on choice. And you know wat, if it makes them feel defeated, that's on them, then they have an attitude problem and probably need therapy, go proscribe that to them, because reality will not change because it makes you "feel bad", at the end of the day, its always withing your power to fight. Also, here is a little secret, if its your choice, then it also means, its withing your power to change. But if its not your choice, then you should feel defeated, because you can't do anything about it. So by telling them that is was not their choice, you have doomed them to failure, because the only logical conclusion to "its not my choice" is that "therefore I can't do anything about it". And this is the real reason everyone want's to say "its not my choice", so they don't feel guilty for not acting. If you can blame something else then you don't have to blame yourself.

[@alialyafee4847]

So you're saying it's all my choice that I am still obese?​@@emperorpicard4901

[@LilFeralGangrel]

​@@emperorpicard4901 your arguments come from a place of ignorance.

[@night1wind]

these nuances and environmental effects will be very helpful in the speech by the close ones that will have to burry them young due to a heart attack, I understand you are a psychologist and it is your job to help people with their feelings but enough with the sugar coating, life's tough. there are plenty of people recovering from diseases and accidents or born disabled who manage to achieve great things and be healthy. I'm not saying "if they can everyone can" There are nuances but obesity is so bad world wide that we need to stop giving a pass to SO many people.

[@3teebee]

​@@LilFeralGangrelI grew up in such an environment. If you don't have a medical problem that prevents you from losing weight then it's easy to do. You can fill up a plate with healthy food which isn't even expensive and stop drinking soda. Also do some exercise and boom, you're losing weight. All you need to do is discipline yourself and resist the urges.

[@aubreyjohnson3466]

Doctor Mike is so professional and compassionate when it comes to touchy subjects like this one. We need more doctors like him in all Healthcare specialties, in all systems.

[@chaozzah]

Like his persona on video*. Don't forget his corona-boat-party and non-apology video on his otherwise unused and undermarketed second channel. I like the guy, people make mistakes, but man was that ever a poor choice which cost a lot of respect from me at least, an otherwise nobody in his comments.

[@vanDKnaNL]

⁠@@chaozzah because life goes on, he can’t change the past, but he can learn and make better choices now and in the future

[@blackmetalwizard]

He's just afraid to speak the tuth about obesity because the fat acceptance crowd would eat him

[@blackmetalwizard]

*truth

[@lorenamenendez6709]

I never doubted what my mom fed me. Years into adulthood I understood it wasnt healthy to always eat carbohydrates. In my family it was always potatoes, rice, noodles, meat. And if you ate vegetables, it was because you were on a diet, and being on a diet meant you were fat, and it was shameful. Going to the nutritionist was shameful. We didnt talk about it back then. So the relationship I have with food is not my choice, it was something that I learnt through years since I was born. And then, it is sooo difficult to change after you grew up like this.

[@saralopezCR]

As an obese woman, I would love to find a GP with the same beliefs as Dr. Mike. I feel understood when he talks about this.

[@yopanda2]

I found one who was wonderful, she listened and was really supportive and understanding, but as a result of being such a good GP she was always fully booked.

[@widowprepper4292]

Totally agree 💯👍

[@olivervonhof4251]

Shame

[@im.braylen]

Because hes trying to be nice hes not giving you a flat out short answer hes extending his answer to make you feel better

[@MeowMeow-sy2mi]

Yessss this! Me too.

[@jujutrini8412]

I had a friend who was skinny his whole life - to the point he was teased about it. He was diagnosed with bipolar. Eventually, years later, he was prescribed a specific medication for bipolar. Within six months of being on that drug he was overweight. Within a year he was obese. Some drugs make people put on weight. The doctors confirmed that it was definitely the drug that did it. People try to put blame on individuals as to why they are obese when it is a complex issue with many reasons as to why people reach that point. Mental health plays a huge part, so does physical disability - if a person can’t stand to cook their own food, walk to exercise etc it will affect their weight.

[@mabinogidrws]

Amazingly said! I also think getting the mental help needed just isn't there. I'm not even obese, but having mental illness and other things, trying to help yourself by seeing doctors, social workers and psychiatrists, and they still don't get it, you really lose hope.

[@Celestriona]

@karlwithak. how are feelings irrelevant? They literally control our decision making process? Like why would you even care about staying alive if your feelings didn't tell you that it was better? If feelings were irrelevant we would be robots. Like at what point does quality of life come into things. If you could make a high salary by taking medication that made you miserable every day would it be worth it? If you could be physically completely healthy but it made every day you were alive feel like torture mentally would you? For a lot of people they are working out the trade off every day. It may work 100% of the time, but if it impacts quality of life significantly then what is that 100% worth?

[@darkprince56]

Is it the drug itself or the drug makes people eat more? I’ve always wondered about that…

[@Atomkriegg]

The drug doesn't have calories, your friend was just unwilling to change his lifestyle according to the way hos body changed, if you see you are gaining weight as a side effect of some drug , and you don't change your eating habits , its your fault

[@ulhi7564]

​@@Atomkriegg it happened to me before that my whole metabolism changed because of a medication, nothing else changed, not diet or exercise. Knowing what foods sit well with your body, what fulfills your nutritional needs and what doesn't can sometimes vary and can be significantly affected by medication.

[@kimberlymarie3775]

Another big component of not just obesity, but anorexia too, is how they relate heavily on mental health and personal body image. Weight is so dynamic that it’s impossible to fit into a one size fits all category.

[@gracecairns9747]

I believe that weight can be dynamic in a normal extent but there is a big difference between being fat and obese or skinny and anorexia.

[@kimberlymarie3775]

@@gracecairns9747 how so? Anorexia is just as detrimental to the body as obesity is. They are just opposite ends of the weight spectrum.

[@Hexer404]

​@@gracecairns9747​ while someone can survive being 500 lbs, no one can survive being 50 lbs for very long. At that point half your weight is literally just your skeleton. Let me put it this way: a BMI of under 16 is associated with severe health risks. For me, a 5'3 woman, being 80 lbs is a BMI of 14 (which doesn't take fat or muscle into account but you wouldn't have much of either at that point) It's a difference between a 5-20 year life reduction and struggling to just live everyday. Another difference is between 600 lb sisters ("oh wow being that obese must suck") and Eugenia Cooney ("omg how is she still alive")

[@loveybear5042]

I don't think it's a weight thing. It's a body image thing. If we start with a healthy relationship with food and accepting ourselves as we are, that can heal us psychologically, and then we can work on lifestyle changes.

[@gracecairns9747]

@@loveybear5042If your clinically obese you dont have a healthy relationship with food. You shouldnt not be accepting of obesity.

[@brookingpeterson1970]

this is my favorite Dr. Mike video i have seen. As someone in medical school and in eating disorder recovery, being exposed to the more nuanced side of weight in recovery vs what a lot of the medical community pushes surrounding weight loss has been so difficult for me to juggle. To know i will be a provider in a couple of years impacting people’s lives with my words and approach to the topic of weight, this video makes me feel so much more confident in knowing there are ways to have productive conversations about this centered around your patient’s individuals goals. NOT pushing toxic diet culture that will only result in yo-yo dieting…and probably more health problems!! Thank you Dr. Mike!!! keep being the best!!

[@Unknown-us1fc]

Always appreciate mike for his nuanced and kind takes

[@mommitude8926]

I appreciate how he approaches even the most controversial topics in a positive educational conversation type of way

[@zohahanif9108]

Shut up

[@Fluteperson01]

this is a well rounded commentary on this very controversial topic. Dr.Mike continues to look at this problem holistically.

[@dereakcolumbus3603]

Dr. Mike used to be so fit until I was jealous of his boxing training clips... And now, this video and the video last week proves how genetics, and brain pre disposition, can cause one to abandon discipline (even in the face of a diminished public image). Perhaps Dr. Mike feels isolated and is compensating , I dunno. I can only get througha very small portion of these videos from week to week. For whatever reason, (no, I don't know him personally) but I get the feeling that maybe he's not as inclusive and considerate as he appears on camera. But to be fair, most aspiring celebrities aren't who they seem to be on camera. All that to say, "Good Luck , Dr. Mike " with everything. Keep your fans entertained with these amazing uploads and whatever content is within them.

[@courtneyrae3056]

I had cancer and lost 60lbs in two months. I had so many people telling me I looked great and asking what I was doing… skinny is NOT always healthier.

[@d3b3z05]

Just like smoking won't always kill you. But smoking and being morbidly obese do increase your risk of dying a premature death

[@allisnelson]

She didn’t say being fat was healthy, just that losing weight is NOT ALWAYS a healthy change.

[@tmm4195]

@@d3b3z05What’s your point? They never said being fat was healthy

[@jasonfields2793]

That's a loaded statement. Skinnier is not always healthier but being more overweight is always less healthy.

[@ShibbyRL]

Yeah of course losing weight because of an underlying issue isn’t good. Being not overweight is healthier than being overweight… objectively that is it. That is all lol.

[@gillianhenneberry9322]

I’m so glad you covered this video! It was very frustrating to watch, and it feels like you corrected the exact problems I had with what was being said

[@venturout]

I was a fit and healthy individual when 10 years ago I was left traumatised by an incident. Psychological paralysed I rapidly gained weight from an increase of cortisol by the permanent stress I was left with. When I look at someone who is overweight or obese, I now see them as not lazy but in a state of trauma whether they are aware of it or not.

[@SkzchickenNuggies]

As a bigger teen who gets bullied at school for their weight.When I heard you speakin out against fat shaming it literally brought me to tears.Bc i have been told be kids at my school that I don’t deserve to do anything bc of my weight.and as a big fan of your channel this episode really touched me.

[@deadinside8781]

As someone who was broken up with and a secret insecurity was used to do that, if it hurt it’s a sign to look within yourself and fix that perspective.

[@SkzchickenNuggies]

So bc of my weight I don’t deserve to live bc that’s what some ppl have told me@@SentinelAntioch

[@toby2826]

​@@SentinelAntiochThey don't deserve anything because they are overweight?

[@xxhowisuxx]

Why are they right? It's not their body, and they have no real right to comment on it unless specifically asked. So please, keep your opinions, positive or negative, to yourself. No one, outside of your friends group cares to hear them.@detective2221

[@hsfan876]

ignore the rude commenters. you don’t deserve to be treated that way

[@sophieirwin3497]

Fair play to the man in the red shirt saying that just because he’s skinny doesn’t mean he’s happy. Being underweight is just as bad as being overweight and being skinny shouldn’t be something to aim for when it could really affect your health.

[@glitteraza]

This is not because you have à privilege that you don’t have any problems in your life. But as a skinny person the whole world is made for you, you are celebrate because you are skinny. That’s the difference. Even if your inside health is terrible, People would assume that you are in good health

[@sophieirwin3497]

@@glitteraza that’s what I meant. Being skinny is considered the ideal, and it shouldn’t be

[@ChunkyLover420]

Being skinny is different than being underweight… Being skinny and maintaining a healthy body fat percentage is way healthier than being overweight and the problems that come with all the stress your body is putting on your cardiovascular system

[@fostie8205]

​@@glitterazaThat is completely BS as a skinny guy I was bullied to the point of almost committing suicide for 10+ years just for being skinny. Fat people act like skinny people are treated like gods when it's the opposite.

[@ShelliSands]

@@glitteraza I hear you. My experience at 98-100 pounds was often “she looks sick, is she ill?” And then 10-20 pounds heavier I got the “pretty and preferred reaction” I’ve been up and down over decades and there is definitely nuance there, again i can only speak from my experience.

[@fil4648]

Mike, I'm a colleague of yours working in Germany (anesthesiologist/intensivist) and I just wanted to thank you for your work on KZbin. You have quickly become the goat doctor/KZbinr and the things you choose to highlight on your platform are always on point.

[@JadeDragoness6]

Thank you for the opening comments. I feel that on middle ground, there is often no middle ground to start, especially when answers like this can run on a spectrum, or have multiple answers. They deliberately make it polarizing.

[@DeannaNewton-d7x]

My main issue is that they're not exactly asking the right questions when it comes to this topic. They could've asked "do you want to be nothing but skin and bones or be morbidly obese" instead of "would you rather be skinny or fat" because the first question has very specific things that are asking but the second one (the one that's asked on there) seems to be more subjective because there is no definition between what skinny or fat is and it varies between different countries.

[@gwnfan]

As a cross country and track coach, I try to help kids realize that weight does not equal health. Kids hear a lot of bad messaging. I like to tell them that having a 6 pack has nothing to do with being fast or strong. Having a 6 pack means you have low body-fat. I encourage kids to fuel their bodies and to know what they are consuming. Skinny versus fat is just simply not a good way to compare and contrast. Being healthy has so many facets, and one's body weight is such a small part. What was not discussed in this video was ability to sleep, heart rate, joint flexibility, or lung capacity. Also, more needs to be stated about looking towards foods to satisfy our emotional needs rather than socialization. I know that trends going back to 2012 show an increase in mental health concerns in teenagers, and I wonder if the same can be said for adolescent obesity.

[@victore8342]

You must be an awful coach

[@nope66755]

hope you’re also teaching them that running while fat will lead to crippling pain eventually so they should be eating a healthy balanced diet

[@gwnfan]

@@nope66755 That is part of what is implied with "I encourage kids to fuel their bodies and to know that they are consuming." I tell my kids "garbage in: garbage out." But using running alone to lose weight is inefficient. That being said, many larger folks run without crippling pain. If there is a sharp pain, that is usually due to injury and not activity. Weight does cause more pressure on joints, but that is a conversation of mass and not just amount of body fat.

[@nope66755]

@@gwnfan sorry I can’t read apparently

[@gwnfan]

@@nope66755 No worries. When we read on screens, our eyes often play tricks on us.

[@taylorgervais7370]

Thank you for this awesome video!! I got put on blood pressure medication at 28 because I had become obese. I have two young girls and I started realizing that if I continued down that path I wouldn’t be able to be here with them for as long as I wanted. So I talked with my doctor about my plans and with his help and exercise I was able implement healthy life changes which I am enjoying so much! I’ve lost 62 pounds and I’m grateful for caring medical professionals who helped me become healthier for my family and myself!

[@dokidokibear_]

When I was having knee pains because of hypermobility (Eds) I had a gp tell me “you could lose some weight huh?” And laughed at me 🙃 I understand that less weight would help my knees but im 6ft and not even that big weight wise and the way it was said was so detrimental to my esteem. Had to ask my podiatrist later if they thought losing weight would realistically help and they answered in the most respectful and considerate way i could ask for. Good relationships and Good doctors make a huge difference ❤

[@melneth3119]

Thank you so much Dr. Mike for mentioning lack of transportation as a reason for poor health care! I'm legally blind and cannot drive so I work from home and have insurance but a $200 uber ride to and from a doctor is impossible for me at times. I feel like this is very over looked often!

[@josiahday210]

its called glasses

[@melneth3119]

@@josiahday210 Glasses don't improve many conditions and that was needlessly rude.

[@wafflemation6887]

@@josiahday210 lmao what

[@DivyaSharma-xoxo]

​@@josiahday210 its called education.

[@StormDragonDen]

@@josiahday210 You won't believe this but there's different kinds of conditions that cause a person to be blind. There's also different levels of blindness. Educate yourself before you open your mouth and don't talk about something you don't even understand. He kind.

[@andriannawalsh931]

This is a point I really like to make to people I meet. I’m a thin woman. People can have this outside perspective that I must be really healthy or really fit or I work hard and eat right and that couldn’t be further from the truth. I am a pharmacy student who sits in class for hours on hours and site at my desk studying for hours and hours and I eat a lot of crappy food. At one point I was even thinner when I was playing college soccer and I was working out every single day and pushing my body to its limits and people would tell me “you have my dream body” but what they didn’t see is how horrible I felt physically, how much pain my body was put through, how I would workout until I was so sick I couldn’t even stomach the thought of eating a single thing. Wearing clothes hurt and I would get migraines all the time. I was depressed and stressed and really unhappy. So I promise you - skinny does not mean healthy or happy

[@murlocknight1427]

Same, same. Seriously, being skinny isn’t a metric of healthiness.

[@andriannawalsh931]

@@d3b3z05 I also didn’t say being morbidly obese is healthy but a lot of people believe if you’re not the skinniest then you’re overweight and fat and unhealthy. I’m 5’7 I weigh 135 lbs and in middle school I constantly heard from other girls “you’re fat” because I weighed more than 90 lbs. people are aware being obese isn’t ideal or healthy you don’t need to come on here and say that its really not the point I’m trying to make. My point is weight and numbers on a scale don’t define your health, you and a trusted physician/physicians are the only ones who should be making that call.

[@solarissv777]

Unfortunately, for women a number on the scale is still really important. Although it doesn't account for so many things like muscles (that are much heavier than fat), bone density, water etc. Men started abandoning this idea quite long time ago, but for women it's still prevalent, for some reason, and it's terribly unhealthy. I believe Dr. Mike Israetel has a good video on this topic.

[@jelyfisher]

My daughter is a big girl, both in natural size and extra weight. She's also mentally ill. People hyperfixate on her weight, blaming it for her mental illness. No. It's a symptom, but not the cause. I wish people would shut up about it. She has value in and of herself. I love her and would be devastated if anything happened to her. She struggles to love herself enough as it is.

[@lizel058]

I am so sick of hearing people say obese people are depressed because their fat. People fail to take into account that a person's mental health can be more of threat to their life than being obese ever will be. I hope your daughter will be able to see her beauty and know that she is more than just her weight ❤️

[@thisiscait]

That's the most important thing tbh - to be reduced to just your weight is awful. That people can't find value in your daughter before commenting on her weight is awful. And it stays with you, too, that judgement and unwarranted commentary. People just need to learn to not comment on situations they aren't involved with. And develop a little empathy, it's been proven time and time again that fat shaming simply does not work (it actually damages further, and in some cases kills).

[@Catcareac]

@buffminer5827 Bruh get over it people get confused and mix things up, most of the time its a mistake and as you can see they used the right "their" the second time. Grow up and stop blaming random people for the mere fact that their mistakes are affecting little ol' you

[@jessicam3233]

*"because of their fat." Makes the "their" correct. Not a big deal @buffminer5827

[@lizel058]

@buffminer5827 I have dyslexia but I'm so sorry my spelling and grammar weren't up to your standards.

[@_balancingact]

Occasionally, I see certain media, like this one, and wish KZbin had a LOVE feature and not just a thumbs up. Doctor Mike has done an AMAZING job of speaking about such a nuanced, systemic issue. LOVE LOVE

[@meaperly]

I usually avoid commenting on videos but i wanna say one thing. im 17 and around beginning of 2023 i had lost 12kgs. i wasn't obese but i was overweight. everytime i tried to make a change and lose weight to be skinnier, i failed. this one time i made a lifestyle change because i started having breathing issues and had weird oily bumps on my skin which doctor said was due to my weight and excess fat. i didn't wanna risk my health so i made the change and stuck to it without feeling insecure throughout the process like i did in the past. now my weight fluctuates 1-2kg up or down but I've maintained it. i still wasnt exactly in my normal weight bmi (i was just 1kg over it) but i felt lighter, healthier and body felt more functional. I've tried losing 10 more kgs after that but now my mentality has been a lot about getting skinny fast so i fall off track easily and haven't been able to lose any more weight. in my opinion, the way you approach obesity and health makes a huge difference on how you navigate that change

[@Theslowghost]

Focus on muscle growth not being skinnny. Skinny is not helpful but muscular is. And it takes time don’t rush it just eat the proper amount of calories and protein and train till failure no matter what.

[@meaperly]

@@Theslowghost i do wanna have strength and ik it'll come from working out and training and building muscles but i dont wanna be "muscular" (im a female and thats just not my preference for myself haha) but right now because of my academics stuff its hard to prioritize all that or even take out time for it

[@rayray80234]

​@meaperly it takes a lot of conscious effort for most females to bulk up & be really muscular. Weight training is extra beneficial for us, tho. It helps w/bone density & decreases the risk of osteoporosis later on. Nor does it mean lifting heavy. If you're worried about gaining too much mass (which is unlikely w/o a very specific regimen geared towards that), then do lighter weights, higher reps. Leaner, sculpted muscles are still muscle. There are so many benefits to weight training!

[@Casssholevania]

I haven't weighed myself in years and I'm so much happier because of it. Go off how you feel, and toss your scales in the rubbish bin.

[@Theslowghost]

@@Casssholevania or use them to achieve something better. That’s the most female mindset I’ve ever seen which is why women have no chance at doing what men do you guys are happy with bare minimum as long as you’re the ones doing it

[@spacexbrawler]

Great perspective Dr.Mike, it's so important to remove shame from this issue and also support personal action against the problem.

[@petrri323]

For a show called “middle ground” its very intriguing that they always ask nothing but polarizing, black-and-white, yes-or-no, questions.

[@drno62]

Well isn't that the point?

[@msk-qp6fn]

It exposes the end of the spectrum to each other to talk about their opinions, that place is a middle ground and can help people find a middle ground

[@WittyUsernamehere]

That's what they're going for. They want that polarization because they know it will lead to clicks, ratings and added revenue. They are not out to fix a problem or address an issue, they are only in it for money. Calling their show "Middle Ground" is just a sleazy way of wanting to add "respectability" (the fake kind) to their show to attract viewers and clicks.

[@VictorHumphrey-p4l]

It's designed to create disagreements and yet there is some productive dialogue in there.

[@isas2cool.4u]

Yeah i think they do that so that you discuss what you’re black and white point of the topic is AND so you can discuss your gray/colored area of that topic as well

[@Eddiecation]

This is one of the best discussions about weight that I've seen. Great job!

[@jessummlee8866]

I had so many doctors make every visit about weightloss and it was so uncomfy and just make me depressed and hate going to the doctors. Then I got a new doctor who never brought it up and whenever I went to the doctors for an issue he'd take me seriously. Like when I went in saying I was tired, he did a full blood work-up, not just telling me to lose weight and found I had low iron. When I had plantar fascitis, he sent me to a physio who found it was from an injury from when I was a teenager that I never got physio for so my gait changed and I needed to correct that. These are both things that previous doctors 100% would have blamed on weight and not done a referral or pathology on. Then, last year, I lost 70pounds and honestly, I do credit his non-judgemental approach to some of it. I can't even fully explain why, but it did help. It's also helped me keep it off because technically I'm still in the 'overweight' BMI category and I know other GPs I've seen before would be saying to keep going etc, where as he is proud of me for keeping it off for a year and hasn't mentioned losing more weight. If he had, the pressure would have gotten to me and I think I would have gained weight back. But because my goal is just to keep it stable, at least for a while, I feel more confident in doing that.

[@sparrowrosesoap]

I so appreciate your taking the time to discuss obesity in a non judgmental way. I battle lipedema, which doesn’t respond much to diet or exercise. Most of my doctors have little to no knowledge about lipedema. I’d love it if you’d do a video on Lipedema. The fat-shaming I’ve faced in public and within the medical community has been brutal. I also have an autoimmune disease. I have had to resort to high dose prednisone over a long period of time to stay alive. The disease and the treatment has been terribly destructive to my body. Spontaneous tendon and ligament ruptures related to the autoimmune disease have made matters worse. These injuries required surgery. After surgery I was non weight bearing for months waiting for bone to grow to hardware. This has happened four times. People can be cruel and hurtful. They have no idea what I’ve been through. I do take care of myself. I’m active and eat a healthy diet as part of my lifestyle, yet I’m still a lady with a very large bottom and legs.

[@aleebee5911]

I’ve never been obese but I have been borderline underweight (I’m 5’2 so bmi tells me I can be pretty light before it’s a problem but it was still a problem despite what bmi calculators said) and struggled with disordered eating and body dysmorphia. And tbh I just wish people would not talk about other peoples bodies, and make assumptions on their health based on it. I got so much praise from strangers for being “so small after having two kids” got asked constantly where the kids even came from. Other moms talking down on themselves because their post partum Body wasn’t like mine.. and it just made me feel awful and fed into my ED. I was not healthy. Yes I was skinny. But I was starving myself. My body was starting to eat through the muscles I had. My brain fog was brutal. I was doing the most to care for my kids, but was barely keeping myself alive.

[@rosesweetcharlotte]

I was so resentful towards skinnier people because of this. I hated feeling punished just because I was fat. As I have gotten older, I realized how dangerous this could be towards skinny people. And I have seen people die due to getting too skinny. It really changed my perspective and now I try and be less judgmental myself.

[@darkprince56]

I’m also 5’2” but 219 lb, obese my whole life. What was your borderline weight & do u remember your clothing size? Sorry I ask but I’m trying to imagine what size I’d wear if I lost 100 lb lol

[@aleebee5911]

@@darkprince56 I was like 105 at my lowest as an adult. And I was in xxs/xs brand/type of clothing dependant. I looked sickly& childish tho tbh. I’m 120 now. A size s. And I feel much more stronger and slay

[@darkprince56]

@@aleebee5911 wow...I can't imagine ever going from a 2x (in men's size) to S ..thanks for your reply and I'm glad you're doing better today!

[@aleebee5911]

@@darkprince56 thank you so much c: I forgot to specify womens sizing for myself I just realized lol

[@Bombsuitsandkilts]

I broke my back in the military and I lost a lot of the tools I had to focus on the calories out side of the CICO equation, but I still have control over the calories in side. I got up to nearly 300lbs and all my family is over 300lbs and they have horrible quality of life, and I need to be able to help my wife and kids. Yes it is harder for some people but the only person who is going to help you is you, its not a game where you win by beating others, its a game you win by playing.

[@Kore_Memories]

I'm overweight but I didn't use to be. I used to be the "ideal" skinny, I had people complimenting me on my weight and body all the time. But I was sooo unhealthy. I would go days without eating and took in my calories from energy drinks and alcohol. I was depressed and developed a GI problem that ended up having to be medicated. Now that I'm happy, I'm overweight. I do have an endocronolical disorder (GHD) and losing weight is incredibly difficult. And I don't have money or access to an endocrinologist anymore. Weight is such a nuanced and complicated subject that has been reduced to "fat bad" and I appreciate you discussing the different faucets of this issue. I want to lose weight, but I don't want to end back where I was. People's bodies are different and we need to be treated as individuals and not just a general "problem"

[@OrianaAbrahamse]

I can totally identify...I used to be a professional actor and ideally skinny but not healthy b/c I had multiple eating disorders). However, this all changed when I developed a hormone secreting tumor that caused me Cushing's disease. I was too embarrassed to go see my doctor bc I had put on over 100lbs in less than year without changing my diet significantly. I finally felt so awful,I had to see my doctor and then had my adrenal gland removed. I now have to be on steriods for life, or I'll die. On top of that, I have developed RA and have difficulty moving and going out bc of the immunosuppressive drugs needed to just get out of bed.These health issues caused my obesity, not the other way around, and make just living life difficult. I used to judge people who were overweight harshly, but my experiences have allowed me to change my opinion and support people in all body shapes and sizes.

[@KitsuneXIIIKitsu]

I was so miserable when I was at my "ideal" weight. I'd (unintentionally, mental health stuff that made me forget to do things) go 2-3 days without food, or with nothing more than a grilled cheese or an english muffin with peanut butter and a pudding cup. I had no stamina, felt shaky most of the time, and was so so tired all the time. Got into college, started eating more, put on a lot of weight and have genuinely never felt better. It's a complicated issue.

[@OlderThanTime09]

Thank you for calling out fat shaming when you see/hear it without using it in inappropriate places. Also, idk if anyone had different experiences, but I don't see anyone talking about how difficult it is to make lifestyle changes as your body changes with age too. I used to eat 3000 calories a day as a kid/teen. If I didn't have anyone to teach me about listening to what the body needs to what "full" feels like without overeating, I would absolutely be overweight. My metabolism CRASHED right around 26. I tend to eat 1800 calories a day now. I can't imagine how out of control I would feel if I had not learned how to understand what I was craving vs what my body needed.

[@abcdefghilihgfedcba]

Mine crashed at 31… definitely made me realize that I just got lucky with the genetic lottery and I wasn’t skinny necessarily because I was better than fat people. Made me less judgemental (to a point).

[@princessbabibear4794]

If we can stop calling obese people a crisis then I think we'll finally get somewhere. Until then, The bullying, shaming and coercion will continue from the diet industry while the diet culture cheers them all on.

[@paolodybalastoe]

@@princessbabibear4794 obesity is a crisis and it’s only becoming worse.

[@panamamelissa]

My metabolism crashed straight after having kids at age 25 also but I quit sugars and carbs and that have kept my weight in check and also I have been loosing some

[@blackmetalwizard]

"fat shaming"? Do you mean "pointing out that obesity is a disease and peoole chan choose what they eat?"

[@IMug3tsu]

It's rare for people to point out that being skinny is not that good of a thing. I've been suffering from multiple digestion related issues, dropping down all the way to 120lbs while being 6'1. Weak immunity and lack of energy are just the tip of the iceberg. I'm always juggling with multiple health issues at the same time and it's really exhausting. Being skinny should never be glorified. It's torture.

[@Varocka]

what you are describing is not just skinny, just like being chubby is not the same as being morbidly obese. frankly 120lbs at 6'1 sounds like a different medical problem like an eating disorder. Being "skinny" generally means no abnormal health problems due to lack or nutrition and malnutrition isnt a symptom of being skinny, its the reverse. Being skinny isnt torture, being in a state of malnutrition though i definitely can see could be.

[@TheBusyJane]

@@Varocka They said in their post they lost so much weight because of digestive issues.

[@adarkmessenger8443]

“You can be either fat and jolly or a skinny b1tch… pick one”. That’s my opinion BUT I cannot believe being fat is a choice. There are too many genetic/mental/and socioeconomic factors. Sorry but that facts. Diabetics process foods differently. Anyone who says it’s a choice, needs to educate themselves.

[@gie3973]

Also using skinny instead of slender as the opposite comparison. Skinny people essential aren't healthy,their below the recommended health level. Now slender ? *In shape* is a different story

[@andwhataboutit8660]

Last I heard, anorexia had the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Imo this is why we have to be careful with diet culture or we risk pushing people towards the most fatal mental illness

[@forestwalker2607]

Dr. Mike... You have so much compassion for ppl. Thank you for that. I don't struggle w my weight... But I have other health issues that I wish I had a doctor who could help me w that kind of compassion... Just realizing that it's never "that simple." I don't know how many times a doctor has tried to put me on antidepressants bc I have inflammation, fatigue, and pain just everywhere. I haven't been going to a doc for a couple of years bc I feel like the doctors I had were not really listening to me. Thank you for speaking about subjects like this in this way. Good for you!

[@Scrydragon]

I've suffered from PCOS, a bad knee, and obesity since puberty. I would LOVE to be skinny, but it isn't simple. I've had so many doctors just tell me, "lose weight." They would just tell me to lose weight and not tell me HOW to lose weight. The first time I lost any significant weight was when for the first time I had a doctor that didn't immediately lecture me and he told me, "You already know what I'm going to say. Come back to me with a plan to lose ONE POUND. Just a plan." I was so encouraged that I managed to lose 40lbs. And then I gained it all back again after my sleep cycle went out of whack and my doctor was reluctant to help treat me for it. Oops. Fat-shaming will NEVER get someone to lose weight. Only encouragement will help people to lose weight. I've tried replicating the circumstances of losing the weight the first time, and haven't managed to get the same results. It isn't a simple problem for some of us, and sometimes, losing the weight is like a black box.

[@matth8924]

Success isn’t a straight line, but you’ve proven that you CAN do it. The reality is it takes HUGE effort to completely change your lifestyle while dealing with health issues (even WITHOUT health issues its HARD). Don’t let a setback stop you. I believe in you, sending good vibes.

[@volup2026]

🍔🍔🍔🍔🐷🐷🐷🐷🐷

[@nope66755]

You’re making excuses

[@desireetman]

@@volup2026🍑🍑🍑🕳️🕳️🕳️

[@FishOfTheSea]

​@clemfandango6675 do you think saying this will help or are you just here to be a shitty person?

[@jaredwalpole3148]

This is why I love you Doctor Mike. You take an educated, thought felt approach to all of your topics. You think about the debate and cover all angles. Kudos to you and all of your deserved success. Keep being real.

[@abbiebest1237]

As someone currently entering the healthcare field, I really appreciate the new perspectives Dr. Mike just presented. Thanks for talking about this!

[@jamesgizmo1999]

Its crazy how anytime I realize someone understands nuance really well I can suddenly listen to them all day regardless of the topic. Best doctor on youtube no doubt!

[@BMWbuttercup]

I was a chubby kid, my parents had less than ideal eating habits that I eventually learned. After being bullied for my weight, I took drastic measures and developed an eating disorder in my teens and early 20s. I didn't eat, I over exercised, but it kept me small so I did it until it caused me worse health problems. I was skinny, yeah but I was frequently sick, my bones stuck out and I hated my body. During both of these scenarios, I never actually learned how to eat correctly or exercise without bringing myself to exhaustion. Now in my late 20s I'm overweight, but I am actually more active than I've ever been, I'm stronger, and I dont hyper fixate on how I look. I hike, swim, run 5ks, and cycle. Now I'm not saying that I can't lose a few pounds because I definitely can. My goals now are about my endurance, my strength, making sure everything looks good when going to the doctor, no health issues. Being skinny isn't a priority but being healthy and able to move my body to do the things I love is.

[@pinstripesuitandheels]

I have severe mental health issues, which lead to binge eating. I take medication that increases the appetite. I have been underweight, overweight, and everything in between. I do not choose to be fat. I hardly drink, I eat fruit and veg, and not a lot of meat, or sugar. I have tossed dieting, because it turns into an obsession and I have been dieting since I was a (normal, healthy weight) child. I am now working towards eating intuitively, and working through the trauma and emotions that lead me to binge eating. For me, from my own experience, and from listening to the experience of others, people who are overweight usually have childhood trauma at the root, or other adverse childhood experiences.

[@wmdkitty]

Binge eating is a choice, stop making excuses.

[@santiv4]

@@wmdkittyfactually wrong.

[@pinstripesuitandheels]

@@santiv4 Just a troll. You can't expect anything less from a video about obesity.

[@blackmetalwizard]

You can choose different coping mechanisms

[@antrazitaj5209]

I had a very restrictive diet as a child because I had a number of food intolerances. And when there were alternatives they were expensive. So once I could I eat more when I grew older and most of these food issues simmered down, I didn't have any kind of normal relationship to food. I still struggle with that and have to find ways around that as a middle-aged adult

[@nickeyebearam4925]

Discovered your channel yesterday this video made me subscribe. Glad I watched this video

[@TheSmpsnsG85]

This video is incredible. Thank you for this, Dr. Mike. I've experienced much medical bias based on my weight, and it is incredible to hear a doctor speak like this.

[@piperjaycie]

Everyone experiences medical biases. Fat people seem to think it’s just them but it’s everyone. There are so many reasons and judgements that doctors make in regards to everyone. Medical malpractice is a leading cause of death. Hoof beats=horses not zebras is one of those things.

[@jaredmtatro]

Plus sized guy here. Really appreciate your take on this. Seems like people speak about it as black and white when it's not. I've lost about 80 lbs and have to consciously remind myself all day, every day not to eat to much or to stay away from certain foods because I know I can't eat them in moderation, it gets mentally exhausting to constantly have to combat the impulse to eat even though you're not hungry.

[@jessicaharris1608]

My family on both sides is fat. I had been saying it for years that we need to think differently about food. My mom discovered that I was right when she joined Overeaters Anonymous. OA acknowledges the mental/spiritual aspects of weight management and helps with that. I also suspect that my mother is where I got ADHD, which is often genetic. I was diagnosed ADHD a few years ago in my early 30s. I have since learned so much about ADHD and its incredibly far-reaching effects. ADHDers often have weight issues because eating often unhealthy foods provide those brain chemicals that we are deficit in. Unhealthy foods are especially good at giving us the dopamine and serotonin that our brains are low in when we have ADHD. One of the stimulant medications approved for ADHD is also approved for binge eating disorder, Vyvanse. I am not sufficiently medicated for ADHD currently due to insurance and cost issues, but when my doctor was trialing stimulants with me, I did notice that I had better self-control when it came to resisting sweets. On the philosophy end of things, I feel like, "Why should I deny myself at least some tasty foods when I can't afford most other forms of enjoyment?" Can my husband and I afford to vacation or go to the theater or even have a quiet house outside of the ghetto? NO! We have been denied most forms of enjoyment due to money, so when it comes to food, by golly, at least I want to enjoy good, high-quality food! (We do most of our own cooking to a foodie restaurant level. I know how to bake from scratch, so very few desserts are purchased in stores.) I'd like there to be balance so that I can enjoy the fantastic food we cook and bake but also not pig out on it either. I am hoping that being properly medicated will help with that balance.

[@steggopotamus]

You might consider that you might have adhd. You can try to find other ways to get more dopamine (which food gives). A pet, sitting in the sun, stretching. Meds can certainly help, just think about it. Also, the non stimulant meds are pretty great.

[@lindseybenham8099]

A nutritionist explained to me awhile back that when you lose weight the fat cells do not actually go away (I've had other doctors tell me this too). They are always in your body, waiting to be refilled. Unfortunately when you've lost a significant amount of weight you will always have to battle against your body trying to refill those cells. It sucks, but stay strong. It's even worse to lose all of the hard work you've put into losing that weight.

[@alexisk5438]

These were all my thoughts when I originally watched the video a couple days ago. I was really excited to hear you discuss this topic! You have such a way of responding back calmly, but yet passionately, in an educational manner that is encouraging. It really is admirable. The way you discussed how normalizing obesity is helpful takes a level of maturity and critical thinking that some people unfortunately don’t consider. Great video!!! 😊

[@zursmith]

obesity has to be the biggest health factor .. telling people that being over weight is normal is telling them the biggest negative factor in their life is normal

[@stephaniemccain]

I've been "chubby" my whole live, but my weight really became noticeable after a negligent doctor (psychiatrist) misdiagnosed me, and provided a medication with a known side effect of weight gain with no oversight. Between that, a knee injury that took away dancing (which I've done my entire life up until I was injured), and an autoimmune arthritis diagnosis, it's been a difficult journey. However, that doesn't stop people from judging me before understanding the whole situation. Combine that with trauma, and there is this messy mish-mash of competing ideations. I've had my fair share of doctors completely write off my pain because of my weight, but I'm grateful to have a core team of doctors who understand the whole picture, not just want to solve the weight issue.

[@kimfey9979]

This is the most refreshing view I've heard on the entire subject of obesity and weight loss. Thank you. There's SO MUCH nuance that people just want to throw out the window in favor of a simple answer that makes them feel safe or superior. I've lost 50lbs in the past year and I still have some people telling me it's not fast enough, not good enough, not the "right way". But I'm doing this through a brain disease, medications, thyroid problems, mobility issues. The fact that I'm losing weight is amazing. I'm making progress, and focusing on more aspects of my health journey than simply a number on a scale. It never mattered when all it was was a number on a scale.

[@watsonwrote]

That sounds like a sustainable rate! Rapid weight loss almost always leads to regaining and negative health effects, but a gradual change gives your body time to adjust and indicates that your lifestyle is changing to a new normal. I'm sorry some of the people in your life aren't being supportive or celebrating your hard work. I hope you have others who are acknowledging your accomplishments.

[@sanguiVSdobbi]

Glad I found this channel. Dr. Mike is a real one

[@neldasneed]

Thank you so much for your brilliant teaching! Doctors and all medical personnel treating patients should be PROACTIVE!

[@suyetarose]

I swear sometimes I feel like we need pop up ads on every web page to remind people that nuance exists and that human beings are all unique and should be treated as such. Thank you Dr. Mike for helping to keep that message going. I can't exercise without being bedbound for weeks afterwards. So all I can do is watch my diet. It is definitely a lifestyle change and not a temporary "Diet"

[@jodiecarlson6955]

Thank you for addressing the issue of ultra-processed food. The food in our country that is most affordable is practically poison and feeds the cycle of always wanting more. I'm trying so hard to make positive diet changes but it's certainly not easy. I really appreciate how you discussed so many different aspects of obesity and are so empathetic!

[@MrKogline]

I don't want assume you mean the USA but if you are, food that is ultra-processed is by far not the most affordable. I don't eat it because of that cost and I am super frugal. It only saves times in cooking and can taste good. I eat a lot of beans, rice, and greens and they are cheaper by far than super salty microwaved stuff.

[@crazydee2704]

Thank you for tackling this topic. It is an on going conversation that needs to continue.

[@emmam7532]

Hello, Im 57 year old female 5'7" and a year ago I weighed 197 lbs. I had congestive heart failure because I never took care of myself. In 4 months I lost 35 lbs and my cardiologist told me I added 10-12 years to my life. I bet if you wanted to interview my cardiologist and me he would say the same thing on your show. Even 35 lbs loss is important to save your life. I hope people realize that being fat is deadly

[@Mathijsvand]

I'm autistic and a lot of people like me (including myself) have aversions. They're not easy to overcome. There's often something about the texture, an aftertaste of something or something similar that makes it hard for me to eat certain things. It's hard to find things that I can enjoy, sometimes.

[@annipsy2185]

i enjoy almost everything and eat basically as much as i can. my body happens to burn it off or idk doesnt absorb all of it...nonetheless, im very thin.always been. what im saying is that its not exactly my choice.

[@piperbird7193]

100%. And it's not 'being picky'. There are not a lot of things I can eat. Mostly soft things like bread and pasta, baked chicken breast. Nothing that touches, nothing that has sauces that might be hiding what the food is. I would LOVE to be able to just eat normally, go to a sushi place with my friends, go to a barbeque, feel comfortable at thanksgiving. It isn't a choice, I literally vomit when I crunch down on some things. What's worse is when my body decides something that's always been fine is now on the 'no' list. Like bananas. I love them. One day my body just decided bananas are on the throw up list. Wow, thanks body. I don't go to restaurants because even if they have something I like on the menu, something else might have gotten into the dish by mistake. If I order a cheese pizza, and an onion accidentally got on it and i bite that, cheese pizza is off the menu for my body for a long time. Because every time I take a bite, I remember that crunch, that sound, that feeling of the onion and throw up.

[@sempersolus5511]

I also have a comorbid developmental coordination disorder. I need to be heavily supervised when I work out or I might hurt myself (and I have rather crackly joints from all the times I have already done so). Losing weight is kind of a rigged game over here.

[@terminator_x.24]

Excuses

[@zephyrthorne266]

​@@terminator_x.24you're literally wrong

[@sherrieschmidt6869]

I always skirt between overweight and ideal weight. It’s exhausting feeling hungry all the time but not getting to enjoy food everyone around me enjoys. All this to stay healthy. Sometimes it feels not worth the struggle.

[@lynnebucher6537]

The only thing that's ever worked for me is avoiding excess carbs and filling up on watery fibrous foods. Lots of water too. And don't go too long without eating something. I'm only 5'2" and older so it's gotten really hard to keep my weight down.

[@sherrieschmidt6869]

@@lynnebucher6537 ditto. I’m 5’3” and in my 40’s. It gets harder and harder as the yrs go on.

[@cristinareiser5447]

Short women have a harder time...some people don't realize how little we actually can eat before the weight starts packing on...never mind adding older age to the mix. I'm almost 50 and it just gets harder, it sucks, but I keep trying.

[@HiNickCares]

Have you heard of pushups?

[@sherrieschmidt6869]

@@HiNickCares my fitness level is not of question. I can still pass my military PRT with almost 100 pts. That means I max out all the required activities.

[@Chandler.C_1993]

I definitely am on the side of it not being a choice. I have PCOS, and no matter what I do (diets, intense exercise, intermittent fasting) I'm still gaining weight. So it's really discouraging that so many people think it's just from being "lazy", or overeating. Sometimes you can do everything right, and your body just doesn't respond.

[@morganraymond2295]

Girl this is the story of my life. I started Mounjaro haven’t changed a thing I’ve eaten and am finally loosing weight. It is nearly impossible without any drugs like this and I am paying a premium to get this drug. It is not accessible and I wish it was

[@nope66755]

A lot of privileged western women use PCOS as an excuse

[@darthtinkerbell3736]

@@nope66755 I don't know what your trauma is to be chastising women with PCOS. And if you bothered to research anything, Hispanic women have the most severe phenotype for it. You also have no idea the race of any person you're trying to internet bully.

[@natalieroylance8096]

Same though

[@SheWhoWalksSilently]

Thyroid issues are much more common in people with PCOS. It sucks to lose weight when your metabolism is wack.

[@schmauften]

I was nervous to watch this video but i love it. You are so respectful and clearly want to understand and help people!

[@elizabetheastman]

Wow, stumbled on this and gave it a listen - well articulated Mike.

[@sondranewall4462]

Dr. Mike As a retired psychotherapist, I have seen that many women who had a history of childhood sexual abuse, often become obese to insure that men are not sexually attracted to them, because they see sex in a much different manner than those of us who grew up in a normal environment. When I treated a patient who had an obesity issue, I would question their childhood, and were they exposed to abuse as a child.

[@queerskiesahead847]

Yes! This is a very important point many doctors don't even seem to know about at all.

[@Shannon-pb7ut]

This is an extremely generalizing and misogynistic comment…. And not based on facts at all…. I’m a fat woman and I’ve NEVER had a problem with a man being attracted to me. Also, sexual abuse isn’t about sexual attraction. It’s about power. I highly doubt you have any experience in psychotherapy.

[@Shannon-pb7ut]

@@4th_bonekathat’s your opinion, and I hope you truly don’t believe this idiot is spewing any facts…. Because he’s not…

[@Shannon-pb7ut]

@@queerskiesahead847because it’s not true ..: wtf… lmao

[@Shannon-pb7ut]

@@4th_boneka where’s the statistical evidence for this? You can present opinions all you’d like. But you’re not backing them with facts. So you’re just spewing misinformation at this point

[@vickyr924]

I have fluctuated with my weight my entire life. I have been obese and I have been skinny at different ages and I have seen both sides of the spectrum and I can say I am happiest in the middle when I am healthy and feeling good physically everyday. When I was very thin I felt uncomfortable at the way I was looked at and treated by men and at my heaviest I was uncomfortable with how I was looked at and treated by women. For me I just want to be physically healthy and feel good and not tip the scale in either direction! Being obese and being skinny I can say I would rather be healthy!

[@santiv4]

fr this is what actually matters.

[@whycantichangemyusername9656]

i’m not sure if you can answer this for me but if you can based off of your experience that would be wonderful😞 what would you say helped and motivated you? my boyfriend is overweight (though obviously i’d never shame him especially not to motivate him), he wants to eat healthier and start working out again. he is very self destructive emotionally and is the type of person who wants to see immediate results and if he doesn’t loses motivation. i’ve given him advice but i don’t have the same issue so i’m not sure what else to say other than encouraging him giving him tips on how to slowly work towards getting his motivation and trying to get him to meet small goals step by step (like looking up gyms in his area, getting a membership, looking for a personal trainer, looking at healthy foods he may like), which i have done, but it’s not working for him.

[@suzys9098]

I agree. Being healthy should be the goal of every person, not the size of your pants. It's just sad that we all our judged by our appearance and so often base our self worth on the perception of others. That is what truly needs to change in our society overall.

[@blackmetalwizard]

You can't be obese and healthy.

[@InnikaWharton]

This is awesome, I think it’s so important to hear doctors perspective who aren’t bias and are just taking each comment and rebutting it or providing another perspective. You only ever hear people who are not professionals on the topic talking about this (which isn’t necessarily always bad) but I think it’s important we have more input from professionals too. 😊

[@kyt-nh1ef]

This is exactly how we use to talk about depression. "Depression is a choice! You just have to try harder and make happier choices! They caused their own unhappiness!" No one says this anymore, for good reason. I don't see how weight is any different.

[@MyLittleGreenHairdedMermaid]

And to go off that.... depression is a huge reason for obesity

[@sallys2423]

YES!

[@drhsn5271]

Now everybody is depressed, half the country is on meds. Great progress.

[@nope66755]

because over eating is a choice lol

[@sallys2423]

@@drhsn5271 Because depression is common and people are finally being treated for it.

[@greengeekgirl]

I’ve been reading The Dorito Effect, which touches on food addiction (actual studies on it, not just anecdotal) and how food processing has changed and how it relates to rises in obesity. I think it’s a must-read.

[@jaymzOG]

It's definitely gotta be a nuanced discussion. A little bit of nature, a little bit of nurture, a little bit of personal responsibility. In the end, morbid obesity isn't a terminal cancer. Something can always be done, just a matter of what it is and how much of it an individual can do at a given time. It's one of the most difficult games of inches you can play.

[@JoannaEve]

Agreee 1000% it really is a choice imo

[@syedhisham2594]

you will work on a problem only when you accept it is a problem.

[@AvaNightingale]

​@@syedhisham2594 What's a problem for one person is less so for another and some others have no such choice so that's bs

[@todiann27]

It’s called MORBID obesity, which means it leads to death. No it’s not terminal cancer, and it’s not a game of inches. I was always very thin, after a second stillborn my body went out of wack. I was also very depressed. I was given medication and gained 50 lbs in a year. It took me many years to find away that worked for me, and my body is finally letting the weight go. I did it all, all the diets, all the food fads,etc. I was even bulimic for a bit out of desperation. Please don’t fat shame, many of us are doing our best.

[@Noah-jb9om]

@@AvaNightingale there is always a choice and you can always work to get better and healthier. It will be much harder for some but getting emotional and giving up will definitely not help.

[@CelesteChavez-t1p]

Very interesting , I loved the way you tackled this subject

[@Jedieli29]

I really agree with everything you said here. We need more people and especially Doctors like you in this country and world. Everytime I see a new doctor the first thing they do is tell me to lose weight they don't take the time to find out why I'm this big, what's happened in my past, just automatically lose weight. It's very depressing for me

[@Bum_Hip]

As an obese person myself, weighing in at 6’4’’ 270lbs, I can tell you that for me, obesity is a choice. No one makes me overeat. No one makes me choose fries over veggies. It’s on me. I’m not proud to be in this lifelong battle, but I am. It’s on me.

[@necrommne]

Wow! It's like it's your life which is not the same as others!

[@Bum_Hip]

@@necrommne did I imply anything else wise ass?

[@crissyc9831]

​@@user-vp4cq8mt4f very true, and most fast food places have taken salads completely off the menu after covid....

[@Z.U47]

@@necrommne the principle is still the same

[@bigz5262]

Try carnivore. Even for just a couple months

[@SachaRommane]

Its always so jarring when people critisize expecially Lizzo for being a big girl. She dances like CRAZY for hours and hours on end on her tours and in her rehearsing. She is most likely cardiovascularly fitter than A LOT of the average population.

[@yopanda2]

That one girl just had a huge bias towards bigger people and it was glaringly obvious

[@drhsn5271]

Cardiovascular endurance isn't the same as health dipshit. Her heart works twice as hard as a normal sized person would so the dancing will actually lead to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

[@Homesick47]

Nah she definitely is still unhealthy There's 1000s of construction workers that work for almost 72hrs a week and still highly suffer from cardiovascular disease.

[@VinnieMF]

Fit ≠ Healthy Her weight alone can assure problems even if she's a fit, active woman. Besides, she's still in her early middle-age, the weight issues will catch up to her eventually.

[@at0micsheep]

Lizzo may also eat thousands of calories per day for all we know.

[@paulorobertomelo9113]

I think when they say it is a problem to normalize something is about acting like it is ok to be obese and do nothing about it because it is normal. Not about judging others like abnormals.

[@Nicholas-r6p]

Dr Mike is a real one he when to medical school for so long just for us and his patients

[@nope66755]

… all doctors went to medical school for a long time

[@hqund7816]

bro what that's a legal requirement

[@jelmero3090]

Bruh

[@RenCarl1sle]

I think one of the big problems i find with the Obese vs Skinny question/debate is education and cultural perceptions of weight or the idea that you are either fat or you are skinny. There is no middle ground for a lot of people which can lead to shaming, blame, and disordered thanking.

[@anatishmusic]

5:18 did I pause the video here? Why yes, yes I did

[@hldo00]

Dr Mike brings out the most nuanced content on here and I am all for it!❤❤

[@shanmarie4122]

Speaking as someone who has lost a significant amount of weight, losing it wasn't calories in calories out and all done It was getting diagnosed with PCOS and speaking with a nutritionist on how to better fuel my body with insulin resistance Getting on medication for the insulin resistance For me, there was some psych help, bc I realized I actually liked the "invisibility" that comes with being overweight. I'd noticed I received less attention overall as a plus size person, whether that was my physical body or my confidence I don't know but that part was tough to get over It was finding a gym that actually accepted me and cheered for me instead of judging me And these are just some of the outside factors I needed help with. So yes, working out and learning to eat a healthier diet did end up bringing weight loss, but without all the other I never would've.

[@syedhisham2594]

your story is actually a very great example. as it is a result of many things which are not right mentally, physically and socially. but scientifically it is still calories in vs calories out..

[@cecilelpt5808]

i so relate with the invisibility !

[@brandonhoover2120]

It’s still calories in vs calories out. Some people may have a condition in which their body isn’t burning calories at the rate is should, but that’s a small percentage. People simply won’t take full responsibility for what they eat and drink, or the effort they exert.

[@misspriss2482]

@@brandonhoover2120 Sigh. For someone who struggles with their mental health and spends days/weeks too exhausted to exercise, what would you suggest? Just snap out of it? It's not that simple. It's a lot more nuanced than that. I've lost a crapton of weight by exercising and eating right, but then the holidays came up. Now I'm too depressed to exercise and I've fallen off of my healthy eating plan. It would be nice if I could just take responsibility, but try telling that to my brain. It's all I can do to go to work full-time right now. SMDH.

[@santiv4]

@@brandonhoover2120yall love to miss the point and go back to lecturing and shaming when u couldve just stayed supportive

[@jennycoffman9631]

I have been both. I was always a chubby kid but poor people cannot eat healthy and eat everyday. I was always called fat so it never bothered me much. Well a few years ago I had a job that caused me to drop all my weight. I was skinny for the 1st time in my life and it was AWEFUL! Men are beyond gross and women are super bitches when a fellow lady loses weight. My mom wouldn't talk to me and I found out through my little sister that our mom was telling everyone I was a drug addict. My experience is different because I do not like being looked at and I have heard some nasty things I can never unhear. Lol It is not a choice to most and everyone should feel comfy in their own skin. Hope everyone has a happy holiday season!

[@slimecore3920]

Out of curiosity, what kind of job makes you lose weight?

[@lynnebucher6537]

I went on Weight Watchers and lost about 35 pounds and bought a new wardrobe, so happy about my new look. However I couldn't believe some of the men at work and how inappropriate they were. And most were either married or living with their girlfriend. I called them out on their behavior.

[@Inevitably_Invisible]

@@slimecore3920probably just a more labor intensive job for example construction or if you carry heavy boxes stocking a warehouse (not saying this is her job but some examples)

[@widowprepper4292]

I am 62 and overweight. I have stenosis in my neck and shoulder area. I have degenerative disc in my lumbar area. I mentioned to my general practitioner that I was having tingling in my upper back and pain in my lumbar and hip area. I feel like some of it could be arthritis. Her response was "you should lose some weight. Period. My interpretation was she didn't care, didn't want to help. I never mentioned it again. Excellent video Dr. Mike! This is right on point and made me cry.😢

[@kaspervestergaard2383]

But you should lose weight. Is that incorrect? Have you lost any weight since?

[@jmamar5475]

The having a good relationship with your patients is so true. I have health issues that I never consult with my primary care doctor because she’s always dismissive and sends me home with over the counter medications. I just feel like I’m not being listened to and this is about my health. I gained an eating disorder where she sent me to a Therapist, I did go but now that I am trying to eat better it’s really hard because my stomach is so messed up that anything I eat it upsets me or I have symptoms like nausea, and that’s where I wish she would help with that by referring me to a dietitian or gastroenterologist.

[@godisverygay]

i have the exact same issue. nausea everytime i eat, throwing up at random times, stomach pain. went to the doctor, they took blood, nothing except some deficiencies came out (i take supplements now), so the doctor told me "nothings wrong, thats all we can do, keep an eye on it" its been months and the symptoms are the same. went again, told him nothing changed, he took blood again and thats it. doctors not taking patients serious is so stupid and srsly dangerous

[@thajocoth]

Even for someone who really wants to be in better shape, it gets harder to do at a larger size, making it harder to do that work regardless of willpower. The lethargy and pain that come with carrying all the extra weight can just get in the way. I've also known several people who've gained a lot of their weight while healing from an injury (usually to their ankle or leg) and couldn't return to doing things they've enjoyed before or work to decrease that weight because they no longer had enough energy to do so because of how lethargic carrying all that weight has made them. I'm sure there are ways to help with these problems, but there's also not enough helpful information out there for people who need it and it's difficult to sort through what information is helpful. There's also fairly high levels of anxiety in society as well, which only complicates things further.

[@socire72]

Its easier. More bodyweight =harder exercise=more calories burnt. Anyway, injury is a lame excuse. Ronaldo Nazario’s kneecap exploded, ended up in his thigh, but he didnt get fat. He did rehab and ended up producing the greatest world cup performance ever. Never make excuses

[@santiv4]

@@socire72 ur stupid as hell lmao

[@Varocka]

everyone has their own particular circumstances but cycling, swimming and intermittent fasting are a good combination of ways to be active without stressing the joints as well as help limit food intake. i think that theres plenty of information out there but perhaps theres so much that people become overwhelmed.

[@Varocka]

@@socire72 thats not a fair comparison, athletes are in a completely different category as they already were in a reasonably healthy relationship with food and have the dedication and drive already to achieve in their sport.

[@pennyinheaven]

@@socire72It’s not that simple. Bodies have different way of responding to different situations. Even more so an athlete’s.

[@sunfleck9798]

Wow. What a way to tackle a controversial health topic with such grace and principle. Dr. Mike well done.

[@emmamations]

Anyone that hasn't dealt with constant food noise will never truly understand what it's like to be overweight despite trying your hardest. It's exhausting trying to say no for every waking minute. And it's not even saying no to unhealthy food, it's saying no to actually feeling hungry or the need to eat. I exercised and ate all the right foods, but still gained weight. I ended up being put on Saxenda and it changed my life. I no longer think about food 24/7 and don't feel hungry constantly. I changed nothing else. I still workout and I still actually eat a really similar amount of food, and the same kind of food. To say what my body was doing to me is lack of willpower or my fault is ridiculous considering this medication helped. I don't feel sick or nauseous taking it, it just makes me feel how I imagine most normal people feel. And it sucks to have gone my whole life being told it's because of calories in calories out and I'm just not trying hard enough.

[@arturommolina5967]

I’m sorry, but if it wasn’t a medical condition impeding you from losing weight than you’re were not eating the rights food or exercising enough. I’ve been fat before reaching almost 300 lbs and I can assure you it was the extra calories and not enough exercise that made me fat. Saxenda helped you because it’s acts as a hormone and tricks your brain into believing your full which obviously comes to the root of the problem which is calories in calories out.

[@Celestriona]

@@arturommolina5967 yeah but you can still eat all the right foods and still be getting too many calories. I did CACO and I lost a bunch of weight but in order to do it I was down to 1000c per day plus exercise and I was constantly hungry. It's because I'm super short and have a slow metabolism I guess. I'm getting interested in the medication because I'd love to not feel constantly hungry and also maintain weightless. People tell you you can have it all. like if you eat the right amount of vegetables you can have tons of energy and no cravings and just like live your. best life. But that's not true. some people are going to be miserable on a maintenance diet (without medication). That doesn't mean it's not about calories in calories out, it just means it's not mentally and emotionally worth it at that point, even though they are eating their vegetables.

[@erynlasgalen1949]

There is a possibility that the 'right' foods weren't the right foods for your particular genetics. It depends on a food's glycemic index as to how soon it will be processed into blood glucose and how soon it will be deposited as body fat, not to mention how soon that food will produce the feeling of satiety. Low fat, high complex carbohydrates from grain will make some of us put on weight. In addition, modern life seems to conspire to keep us from proper exercise. For instance, I prefer to take the stairs to appointments on higher floors, but I often find the stairwells locked for 'security'. You may simply have been following the wrong advice.

[@saltydog7038]

You are deluding yourself into thinking that. If you honestly kept a diary of all the calories you ate before and all you are eating now I guaranty you were eating more before.

[@lynncrf]

You likely had untreated insulin resistance which causes terrible hunger due to fuel partitioning. Basically your muscle and organ cells are resistant to accepting glucose but fat cells never become insulin resistant. So the energy is sent to fat storage while you are starved of energy you can actually use. IR is basically functional starvation. Saxenda corrects this.

[@ezrayofsunshine]

6:15 Started eating healthier & my grocery bill went 📈

[@DeviantDespot]

It is a higher upfront cost for lower Healthcare costs later more than worth it.

[@brina4058]

I realized I got a good doctor, when we started talking about my weight. At one point I said something to the effect of "I don't think I'll ever have a bikini body." My doctor responded with "bikini body doesn't always mean healthy."

[@generalwillwelsh7926]

But it definitely makes it more likely.

[@GamerGirl1235-t4l]

@@generalwillwelsh7926 Not really , if your just a person that has fat even when you eat a little then if that type of person is skinny then theres a problem, it depends on the person

[@daniellerussomanno188]

I am a hair over a year into anorexia recovery and am currently overweight/obese which I was not previously in life, even before ED. I eat very healthy and exercise, but I can literally not lose weight. This has opened my eyes to the fact that sometimes our bodies just sort of do what they do. But I know I am infinitely more healthy fatter than I was when starving. We need to all just be a bit kinder to one another.

[@vaiapatta8313]

Look into metabolic syndrome.

[@daniellerussomanno188]

@@vaiapatta8313 I dont have metabolic syndrome.

[@Yiulias]

"I can literally not lose weight" you were given the superpowers to defy the first law of thermodynamics? What's your body feeding on if you're on a caloric deficit? Cosmic energy? You ain't counting your calories right most likely

[@daniellerussomanno188]

@@Yiulias do you understand the metabolic changes which occur after a prolonged period of starvation or are you just in the habit of providing unsolicited advice regardless of context?

[@Yiulias]

@@daniellerussomanno188 metabolic changes can go so far, you can't sustain your current weight if you dont feed it enough energy, this is not an opinion, is a fact

[@SunbleachedAngel]

The answer is: "It's complicated", like everything in life

[@fllf3078]

Is eating a choice? The answer is: yes.

[@SunbleachedAngel]

@@fllf3078 genius, what's your point?

[@HiNickCares]

Have you heard of pushups?

[@SunbleachedAngel]

@@HiNickCares have you heard of nuance?

[@HiNickCares]

@@SunbleachedAngel That's not how you lose weight.

[@LambentLark]

One morning I stepped on the scale and I weighed 249.4 lb. I made a choice to take control of my health. I went to my dr. and am now at 142 lb. I am responsible for what I put in my body. Now I eat, lean meat and fish, veg. and fruit, eggs, cheese, nuts. I don't eat premade food. I cook my own meals. It has made all the difference.