Unfortunately, it has become increasingly common to hear of individuals who are dangerously obese and carrying so much extra weight that they are unable to leave their bed. You have to wonder how on earth they let their weight become such a problem. Yet, the fact that this is no longer an unusual occurrence indicates that there is more at work than just individuals eating too much. Obviously, eating too much and doing too little is what causes weight gain, but the question is why are people gaining so much weight that it actually impedes upon their ability to lead a normal life?
Perhaps, it is the fact that people's idea of normality has shifted somewhat. Although you're exposed to images of slim, beautiful people whenever you open a magazine, this isn't the reality of what most people experience. If you go for a walk into town, you will probably notice that there are quite a few people carrying excess weight, which means their size becomes normal to you. Thus, when you put on a little bit of weight, you're not unusual, since you look just like everyone else. This is especially true if your parents, siblings and other relatives are also overweight.
If being overweight is perceived as normal, then you may see no reason to change your eating and exercise habits or to lose a few pounds. However, if you keep on eating too much and not bothering to exercise you may well continue to gain more weight. You may decide not to weigh yourself, since what is the point when you don't really know what a healthy weight for you is anyway? Eventually, though, you might get on the scales and discover you weigh a lot more than you thought you did or be so heavy that the scales cannot even register your exact weight.
The trouble is that the longer you avoid stepping on the scales and addressing your weight, the harder it becomes to tackle the problem. Instead of having 20 or 30 pounds to lose, you may need to lose 50 or 60 pounds – maybe even more. This means that you have to spend even longer on a calorie-controlled diet and it is incredibly difficult to stay focused with so much weight to lose. That is why many people ignore their weight for so long; because they know how much hard work is involved and how long it is going to take them to reach a healthy weight, so they try to avoid dealing with it for as long as possible.
Plus, when you're surrounded by other overweight people who are continually telling you that you look good, it is bound to be a struggle to find the motivation to change. There may be those who don't want you to lose the weight, because they feel that if you succeed there will be pressure on them to do something about their own weight problem. This sort of attitude can become dangerous, though, especially when you see instances of individuals who are so obese that they are bed-bound and their relatives keep giving them the very food that is killing them.
You might think that it is easier to ignore your weight than to deal with it, but if you keep piling on the pounds you won't have a choice, as your health will begin to suffer as a result of your size. Thus, it is advisable to face up to the fact you're overweight or obese and to try to lose weight sooner, rather than later, so that you don't have as much weight to lose. That way you can focus on losing weight gradually through making lifestyle changes, rather than by going on a crash diet that helps you to lose weight quickly, only for it to return relatively quickly. Ignoring your weight certainly won't make the problem go away.
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