OT Anorexia vs. Obesity

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 12:38:03 -0500, Bob Mauri wrote:

Overeating was partially psychological in my case. I'd get depressed and
eat (or drink) to get over the depression. However, at least some of the
depression was caused by high amounts of carbs and the concomitant crash
that come with high blood sugar level. I've noticed a tremendous decrease
in depression (I'm basically never depressed now) since being on low carb.

Symptoms of depression include apathy, anorexia, lack of emotional
expression (flat affect), social withdrawal and fatigue. Prevalent types of
depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. Some
types of depression run in families. The first step to getting appropriate
treatment is a complete physical and psychological evaluation to determine
whether one, in fact, has a depressive illness. Self-examination is like a
man that pleads his own legal case.

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 12:38:03 -0500, Bob Mauri wrote:

Overeating was partially psychological in my case. I'd get depressed and
eat (or drink) to get over the depression. However, at least some of the
depression was caused by high amounts of carbs and the concomitant crash
that come with high blood sugar level. I've noticed a tremendous decrease
in depression (I'm basically never depressed now) since being on low carb.

Symptoms of depression include apathy, anorexia, lack of emotional
expression (flat affect), social withdrawal and fatigue. Prevalent types of
depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. Some
types of depression run in families. The first step to getting appropriate
treatment is a complete physical and psychological evaluation to determine
whether one, in fact, has a depressive illness. Self-examination is like a
man that pleads his own legal case.

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 11:35:43 -0600, Pat From Texas wrote:

I think the view of overweight people is a by-product of the Puritan ethic
that still can be seen in this society. Other views of that ethic: if you
sleep past a certain hour, you are lazy; if you drink beer, you lack
character; if you sleep in the nude, you're a pervert. Look around and
you'll see lots of examples of this Puritanical belief system still holding
sway in the U.S.

Maybe they teach a different version of what the term "Puritan ethic" is in
Texas but I was taught and understand that it means or focuses on a belief
in religious duty, work (hence the term "work ethic"), conscience, and
self-restraint, etc. It also has a secondary meaning that has to do with
being financially capable as an individual. What that has to do with beer
and pajamas, I have no idea.

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 11:35:43 -0600, Pat From Texas wrote:

I think the view of overweight people is a by-product of the Puritan ethic
that still can be seen in this society. Other views of that ethic: if you
sleep past a certain hour, you are lazy; if you drink beer, you lack
character; if you sleep in the nude, you're a pervert. Look around and
you'll see lots of examples of this Puritanical belief system still holding
sway in the U.S.

Maybe they teach a different version of what the term "Puritan ethic" is in
Texas but I was taught and understand that it means or focuses on a belief
in religious duty, work (hence the term "work ethic"), conscience, and
self-restraint, etc. It also has a secondary meaning that has to do with
being financially capable as an individual. What that has to do with beer
and pajamas, I have no idea.

In article ,
MU wrote:

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 17:22:24 GMT, Luna wrote:

Thanks to many tv movies and popular magazine articles about anorexia, the
general public knows the problem is a serious psychological disorder. Only
the ignorant would say to an anorectic "Just eat more." Psychological
treatment to deal with the underlying mental causes is the first step to
getting healthy. Very few anorectics just "get over it" on their own.

Yet the opposite problem, overeating, is seen as a moral failing, not a
mental disorder. It is common for society to judge the overweight and say
"just eat less." Could it be that overeating is also a psychological
problem in many cases?

Not according to that top posting twit Cubit. lol

Of course it may be a symptom of an underlying problem that may have it's
base in a head incorrectly screwed on. I also concur regarding the
hypocrisy as to how these two extremes are viewed.

However, the answer to losing weight is, ultimately eating less. If one has
to jump over the hurdle of a disturbed "love of food " psychosis (are you
listening My Puppy Pastorio?), then so be it. How do you know?

Enter the 2 pound Diet.


Of course eating less is the way to lose weight. Whether the "magic
number" is 2 pounds, 2.5 pounds, 1200 calories, 20g of carbs, whatever it
is, it can't be done unless you actually _do_ it. With all the knowledge
available, all the plans available, seems like there are enough methods for
eating less to fit just about anyone's lifestyle and personal preference.
So why are people still fat? Why do anorectics stop eating when there is
plenty of food available, and why do the overweight keep eating when there
are plenty of diet plans available? Is it really love of food, or is it
hatred of the self?

--
Michelle Levin
http://www.mindspring.com/~lunachick

I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws.

In article ,
MU wrote:

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 17:22:24 GMT, Luna wrote:

Thanks to many tv movies and popular magazine articles about anorexia, the
general public knows the problem is a serious psychological disorder. Only
the ignorant would say to an anorectic "Just eat more." Psychological
treatment to deal with the underlying mental causes is the first step to
getting healthy. Very few anorectics just "get over it" on their own.

Yet the opposite problem, overeating, is seen as a moral failing, not a
mental disorder. It is common for society to judge the overweight and say
"just eat less." Could it be that overeating is also a psychological
problem in many cases?

Not according to that top posting twit Cubit. lol

Of course it may be a symptom of an underlying problem that may have it's
base in a head incorrectly screwed on. I also concur regarding the
hypocrisy as to how these two extremes are viewed.

However, the answer to losing weight is, ultimately eating less. If one has
to jump over the hurdle of a disturbed "love of food " psychosis (are you
listening My Puppy Pastorio?), then so be it. How do you know?

Enter the 2 pound Diet.


Of course eating less is the way to lose weight. Whether the "magic
number" is 2 pounds, 2.5 pounds, 1200 calories, 20g of carbs, whatever it
is, it can't be done unless you actually _do_ it. With all the knowledge
available, all the plans available, seems like there are enough methods for
eating less to fit just about anyone's lifestyle and personal preference.
So why are people still fat? Why do anorectics stop eating when there is
plenty of food available, and why do the overweight keep eating when there
are plenty of diet plans available? Is it really love of food, or is it
hatred of the self?

--
Michelle Levin
http://www.mindspring.com/~lunachick

I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws.

On 13 Dec 2004 17:55:59 GMT, Ignoramus7019
wrote:

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 12:38:03 -0500, Bob Mauri
wrote:
On 13 Dec 2004 17:33:19 GMT, Ignoramus7019
wrote:

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 17:22:24 GMT, Luna
wrote:
I was musing last night about how anorectics are viewed by society,
vs.
how
the overweight and obese are viewed.

Thanks to many tv movies and popular magazine articles about anorexia,
the
general public knows the problem is a serious psychological disorder.
Only
the ignorant would say to an anorectic "Just eat more." Psychological
treatment to deal with the underlying mental causes is the first step
to
getting healthy. Very few anorectics just "get over it" on their own.

Yet the opposite problem, overeating, is seen as a moral failing, not
a
mental disorder. It is common for society to judge the overweight and
say
"just eat less." Could it be that overeating is also a psychological
problem in many cases?


It was not a psychological problem in my case. I have clear proof. I
was hungry most of the time when I was eating about 2500 calories per
day on a moderate carb diet. I was maintaining 172-173 lbs. I switched
to low carb and now eat to my heart's content, not going hungry except
shortly before meals. (example, I just ate almost a whole chicken 10
minutes ago, except for one breast). I am eating approximately the
same number of calories as before LC.

Psychologically, I am the same as I was 5 months ago. I am at exactly
the same weight even. Even eating as much in terms of calories.

Diet-wise, a change in diet made me not want to overeat to the point
of regaining weight. (note, I have no weight loss plans and all I want
is to not regain the weight I lost)

My "attitude", childhood experiences, environment etc are all the
same, and yet, simply dropping starches and sugar made me change from
hunger to living normally. A very clean 1 person experiment.

i have no doubt that eating may be influenced by psychology, but the
impact of psychological reasons is very likely overstated. With
psychology, also, it is difficult to test hypotheses.


Overeating was partially psychological in my case. I'd get depressed
and
eat (or drink) to get over the depression. However, at least some of
the
depression was caused by high amounts of carbs and the concomitant crash
that come with high blood sugar level. I've noticed a tremendous
decrease
in depression (I'm basically never depressed now) since being on low
carb.


I must argue that what you are describing is not in the realm of
psychology. Your reactions were caused by your diet, not psychological
issues.


That's true, except there were some times when my overeating was
definitely caused by psychological issues. I just haven't outlined those
in the snippet given above. Also, I know other people who do eat for
psychological reasons.

--
Bob in CT

On 13 Dec 2004 17:55:59 GMT, Ignoramus7019
wrote:

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 12:38:03 -0500, Bob Mauri
wrote:
On 13 Dec 2004 17:33:19 GMT, Ignoramus7019
wrote:

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 17:22:24 GMT, Luna
wrote:
I was musing last night about how anorectics are viewed by society,
vs.
how
the overweight and obese are viewed.

Thanks to many tv movies and popular magazine articles about anorexia,
the
general public knows the problem is a serious psychological disorder.
Only
the ignorant would say to an anorectic "Just eat more." Psychological
treatment to deal with the underlying mental causes is the first step
to
getting healthy. Very few anorectics just "get over it" on their own.

Yet the opposite problem, overeating, is seen as a moral failing, not
a
mental disorder. It is common for society to judge the overweight and
say
"just eat less." Could it be that overeating is also a psychological
problem in many cases?


It was not a psychological problem in my case. I have clear proof. I
was hungry most of the time when I was eating about 2500 calories per
day on a moderate carb diet. I was maintaining 172-173 lbs. I switched
to low carb and now eat to my heart's content, not going hungry except
shortly before meals. (example, I just ate almost a whole chicken 10
minutes ago, except for one breast). I am eating approximately the
same number of calories as before LC.

Psychologically, I am the same as I was 5 months ago. I am at exactly
the same weight even. Even eating as much in terms of calories.

Diet-wise, a change in diet made me not want to overeat to the point
of regaining weight. (note, I have no weight loss plans and all I want
is to not regain the weight I lost)

My "attitude", childhood experiences, environment etc are all the
same, and yet, simply dropping starches and sugar made me change from
hunger to living normally. A very clean 1 person experiment.

i have no doubt that eating may be influenced by psychology, but the
impact of psychological reasons is very likely overstated. With
psychology, also, it is difficult to test hypotheses.


Overeating was partially psychological in my case. I'd get depressed
and
eat (or drink) to get over the depression. However, at least some of
the
depression was caused by high amounts of carbs and the concomitant crash
that come with high blood sugar level. I've noticed a tremendous
decrease
in depression (I'm basically never depressed now) since being on low
carb.


I must argue that what you are describing is not in the realm of
psychology. Your reactions were caused by your diet, not psychological
issues.


That's true, except there were some times when my overeating was
definitely caused by psychological issues. I just haven't outlined those
in the snippet given above. Also, I know other people who do eat for
psychological reasons.

--
Bob in CT

However, the answer to losing weight is, ultimately eating less. If one has
to jump over the hurdle of a disturbed "love of food " psychosis (are you
listening My Puppy Pastorio?), then so be it. How do you know?

Enter the 2 pound Diet.

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 18:03:04 GMT, Luna wrote:

Of course eating less is the way to lose weight. Whether the "magic
number" is 2 pounds, 2.5 pounds, 1200 calories, 20g of carbs, whatever it
is, it can't be done unless you actually _do_ it. With all the knowledge
available, all the plans available, seems like there are enough methods for
eating less to fit just about anyone's lifestyle and personal preference.

Only one has a zero failure rate. Guess which?

So why are people still fat? Why do anorectics stop eating when there is
plenty of food available, and why do the overweight keep eating when there
are plenty of diet plans available? Is it really love of food, or is it
hatred of the self?

If you love food obsessively , as with nearly any self destructive
obsession, there is usually an underlying psychological reason. Psychiatry
or psychotherapy is not a science' it is nothing more than a collaboration
of viewpoints more philosophy than science. Insanity is a legal definition,
for instance.

Point being that inside a person's head is jumble of things, individual and
complicated. Hatred of oneself? Self-esteem issues? Call it what you like.

The answers as to why are God's, for the Time Being. Treatment is, however,
possible but usually is initiated by dealing with the truth about yourself.
As in "Luna will never understand regressive statistics expertly."

wrote in message
...
:
: Pietism is the term defined by this use of "puritan in the original post
: and denotes a religious group where pietism was a clear core belief. . It
: derives from the ideas of john calvin and the puritans were a radical
: expression of it. It has been said the puritans came to america for
: freedom of religion, one freedom of which was to force others to do same.
:
:
: Maybe they teach a different version of what the term "Puritan ethic" is
in
: Texas but I was taught and understand that it means or focuses on a
belief
: in religious duty, work (hence the term "work ethic"), conscience, and
: self-restraint, etc. It also has a secondary meaning that has to do with
: being financially capable as an individual. What that has to do with beer
: and pajamas, I have no idea.

You just haven't gotten into that way of thinking enough. It also
encompasses the "morality" of drinking beer or the "morality" of sleeping
late. You were just taught the innocuous stuff.

Pat in TX