Yes, it is a tough one! That is the point, but it also doesn't have to be accepted as the only condition. This doesn't mean that a person has to kill themselves to be thinner, but an attempt to improve the condition (even in failure) is valuable, isn't it? Sure, failure might feel bad, but we have to learn about that too. And also, most likely, thinner or not, you did get benefits from exercise and a better diet, even if it wasn't in hitting the marks you were looking for.
Genetics plays a big role. I am genetically prone to being "soft" (not really fat, but not fit), no matter what I do or eat. Though, I also struggle heavily with a sweet tooth and can't stay strict for long enough. However, I feel better physically and about myself when I am doing something to improve - even if I am not getting many outward-facing changes.
Yeah, I can totally agree with that last part. I am a bit of the same way. I have a sweet tooth too and I do feel healthier even if I am not skinnier.
I think media has skewed the way we view our body size over the many many years whereby if you are not losing weight or getting skinner, you are failing. We need to decouple healthiness & body size.
Good on you and your wife for making the active decision to be healthier and persisting. I have had that good intention for the last 10 years I think. I still think about every time I am having chocolates :D
Well, to be fair, we don't find getting out of bed at four any easier than it was when we first started. In fact we skip more days now than we used to every now and then. It's hard to stay motivated when you don't see the results.
Definitely the physical results are a big motivator, but as you mentioned, you feel healthier. The psychological effects also play a big part. You might also feel you can exercise longer without feeling out of breath and have more energy. The results come in different forms. :D
For sure!
And while I used obesity as an example, it is by far not the only thing. Look at the emerging "Minor Attracted Persons" - yes... paedophiles. The idea of making everything acceptable by softening the meaning is insane.