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63 Comments

January 5th, 2008

277 is the New Thin

Last night, I read something that is so shocking, I was speachless.

Yesterday a story came out about how a pair of men were overcharged at a local
all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant because they are botg quite large and ate a lot.

The press is jumping all over this story, talking about weight discrimination and the absurdity of the story — but there is one paragraph, that is so disturbing on so many levels - and NO
ONE has talked about it.

One of the large men, Michael Borelli, after being told he was fat by the restaurant owner, said the following:

“I was stunned, that somebody would say something like that. I ain’t that fat, I only weigh 277″

Huh?

Sorry Michael, unless you are 7′7″, 277 is morbidly obese. And yes, 277 IS that fat.

You are probably 3 buffet visits shy of a heart attack. You likely either have diabetes or you’re pretty darn close.

I’m also guessing your blood pressure resembles a perfect score in bowling.

How can the press overlook that part of the story too?

How can we, as society, not be outraged that it’s gotten so bad we no longer think 277 is FAT.

How big are we all getting that 277 is beginning to appear average size.

And don’t give me that big bones nonsense, this guy would have to have bones the size of a T-Rex to weight 277.

Am I the only person left with guts to call this guy out?

We just might be in worse shape than I thought.

Am I wrong?

Share your thoughts below

Stay strong,
Ryan

P.S. If you want a solid exercise program that will keep the weight off and only takes 4 minutes, see my DVDs

P.P.S. In about 6 weeks, we’re launching a 6 week teleclass that will show you, step by step, how to keep the weight off forever. It will take place through Prograde

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Mark said on January 5th, 2008 at 7:00 am

Ryan,

I think this could stem from shows like The Biggest Loser where the men typically weigh from 350-400 pounds. In comparison, this individual feels like he probably isn’t “that fat.”

Mark

Mike said on January 5th, 2008 at 7:10 am

Adalius Thomas of the New England Patriots is 6′2″ 270 lbs. he plays linebacker and runs a 4.5 40.

Is he morbidly obese?

The charts are unrealistic. This isn’t to say this guy Michael isn’t obese. But as a trainer how can one classify anyone anything sight unseen??

Just a thought.

Phil said on January 5th, 2008 at 7:22 am

Ryan,
My thoughts exactly. They will speak about discrimination, and how cruel that is. Well what about how cruel it is for the health care system and the burden he will surely become. What about the cruel suffering his loved ones and dependants will go through watching him suffer and die before his time. People need to take some accountability for themselves, and wake up to the obesity epidemic we are facing.

Jon said on January 5th, 2008 at 7:24 am

I agree with you 100% Ryan.

Seriously, what does it take for people like that to stand in front of a mirror and not realise they are a total fat b*****d?

Unless this guy was some kind of 6′6 pro wrestler or something there’s just no way he’s not all out fat.

Craig said on January 5th, 2008 at 7:31 am

I work as a paramedic. It is amazing the number of people that I work with who are very overweight. However, when they need to lift someone else that is obese they can get very upset and are not shy about calling them names afterwards. The sad thing is that these very same people cannot see that they are just as heavy or heavier then their patients. It’s just another example of how society has programed us to not accept any personnel responsibility.

Matt said on January 5th, 2008 at 7:51 am

Well, based on the context of this article I would bet it’s pretty safe to assume that he isn’t a “fit” looking 277.

And I found an article link with a picture of his friend who’s 6′3″ and 265 which most likely proves such.

Article is here.

I doubt anything like this would have happened if they looked like actual “in-shape” football players/athletes.

Rich said on January 5th, 2008 at 8:07 am

if he was 277 and in shape, the owner would have been too scared to call him fat.
the owner was wrong to make him pay more; he advertises ‘all you can eat’, so its his loss.
if the 277# guy wants to be fat, it is his right to do so; its the law suit happy society we live in that creats the idea that is is no longer an individuals responsability for their own actions.
i want to know is this; there was someone that made a movie about what happens if you eat McDonalds every day. where was the follow up movie to show the affects of what happens to you if you get off your ass and work out every day and follow a sensable diet?

Kevin Valluzzi said on January 5th, 2008 at 8:15 am

Ryan,

I couldn’t agree with you more. I think society has gotten to the point where if you don’t weigh 300 pounds then you don’t consider yourself overweight. To just comment on Mike’s comments, his point is valid, but’s let’s be realistic–there’s a good chance this guy is not an NFL linebacker nor does he even closely resemble one.

Once again, to agree with what Ryan has been saying all along–let’s stop sugarcoating (no pun intended) the weight problems with our society. It has gotten out of control and it has to stop. We’re always so quick to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and we try to be politically correct all the time. I have no problem calling this guy out and letting him know how I feel.

Let’s just look at this for what it is—a 277 pound, overweight guy trying to use the “weight discrimination” card to his advantage.

Kevin

Benton said on January 5th, 2008 at 8:17 am

You are absolutly right. If the majority of people around him are also over weight then he assumes he is normal. I believe it’s a herd mentality where if you fit in with the majority that makes it OK.

David Whitley said on January 5th, 2008 at 8:21 am

Thank God I am only 265!

Having said that, I have never been overcharged at a buffet either…….

DK Fynn said on January 5th, 2008 at 8:21 am

Well, I’m 5′ 10″ and weigh about 205, but I’m not fat at all (well, maybe I have 8 pounds to lose). But if you look at my site (where there’s a picture of me in the header), I think you’ll see that I’m fairly muscular. Since muscle weighs more than fat (like 3 or 4 times), it’s not always easy to conclude that someone’s fat just by knowing their weight and height.

That’s in fact why I don’t like Body Mass Index: it doesn’t take into account that some people may have a higher degree of muscle that makes up their body weight.

But as for 277, he’d have to be either quite tall or very dense not to be overweight…unless we’ve raised (lowered?) the bar on how we define what overweight is.

prozetti said on January 5th, 2008 at 8:46 am

277!! yikes….he probably has his own zip code.

Doreen said on January 5th, 2008 at 8:55 am

I work as an LPN in an endocrinologist office, and yes, unless this man is a weight lifter, and super muscular, he’s most likely obese. I think it is funny that people tell me that I don’t look like I have alot of weight to lose….when I weigh 100lbs more than I should! I have a “relatively” small butt, and small muscular legs and arms, holding all the weight in the middle! I think the term “obese” is offensive to many, and if people like you they don’t want to attach that term to their friend! LET’S BE REAL! Nothing will change until we face the truth and decide to do something about it!

Jeremy Reeves said on January 5th, 2008 at 9:05 am

Mike,

That might be true, but people like Adalius are 1 in a million.

VERY few people have enough muscle to have that kind of weight and still be in great shape. It’s usually only athletes or bodybuilders.

Plus the fact that he got kicked overcharged for an all you can eat buffet says something too.

Granted, I agree that we can’t classify him sight unseen, but the odds are probably 1/1,000,000 that he has that much muscle.

It’s pathetic that people think that much weight isn’t fat.

And we wonder why fast foods restaurants and all you can eat buffets flourish like they do?

Jeremy
http://www.fitness-made-fun.com

Sara said on January 5th, 2008 at 9:09 am

Hi Ryan. I’m a Personal Trainer and to be honest, I thought the same thing when I read that article a couple days ago. I was not so appalled at the fact that this man has an obvious denial problem as I was with the media publishing the comment without using it as an opportunity to educate others like him! But I shouldn’t be surprised, I mean look at most of the CRAP that gets put on the “news” pages of popular sites like yahoo!…usually the latest on celebrity gossip instead of anything worthwhile that will help stem the growing obesity epidemic! Thanks for posting the story!

DavId Osborne said on January 5th, 2008 at 9:13 am

I can see where Mark and Mike are coming from, but I think society is too easy on people who are over weight and feel sorry for them instead of being upset that they aren’t taking responsibility for their actions. The problem in society and with individuals is that we view things differently. To this man who is eating all this food at the buffet may think it’s not a lot of food, but for myself I would think it’s insane.

So I believe it is how we are raised and who we surround ourselves with that determine how we look and how we act.

To mike’s statement… That is true, but I am a sports trainer myself I’m sure that linebacker you’re reffering to probably has a lot of muscle and doesn’t eat meals like this man ate. Or else he would be a lot heavier than what you’re saying he is. He probably eats a lot of good calories which he needs to be a good athlete.

Chuck said on January 5th, 2008 at 9:22 am

I AM over 300 and I AM FAT! But, I’m working on it, going down slowly. My comment is this: I have noticed that clothes are not the same size from each manufacturer. I mean a 2XL might be tight in one shirt and very loose in the next. I believe the clothes makers in China and other places are making them larger than 20 years ago to satisfy us FAT Americans. I also believe that we all should take responsibility for our actions, or lack of action. The restaurants are at fault, too, making larger and larger serving plates. The fried seafood platter at Red Lobster comes out on the size of a small turkey platter.

nina said on January 5th, 2008 at 10:10 am

go ryan! good for you for speaking out. FAT is not BEAUTIFUL. Airlines and restaurants are right to “punish” those who don’t meet standards. Beign PC has nothing to do with it. It’s just not healthy!

Bruce said on January 5th, 2008 at 10:11 am

I’m 66 years old, 5ft 9in. and I have a resting heart rate of 58. How much do I weigh?

Keith said on January 5th, 2008 at 10:29 am

I’d be willing to wager a week’s worth of buffet meals that this clown from the article in question is no Adalius Thomas! He’s fat and needs to be told so for his own good.

Keep up the political incorrectness, Ryan!

amyj + energy = bliss said on January 5th, 2008 at 10:46 am

Ryan,

I agree, we have a HUGE problem with obesity and the now accepted levels of what is obese and not obese. Did you know they keep making the clothing sizes larger each year so that if you wore a size 8 six years ago, you might still fit into an 8 today, but the 8 = a 10! This is done to camouflage the fact that people are getting larger. I have verified this, because as someone who has maintained the same size and density for 20 years +, I will put on a size that used to fit and it falls off!

As far as what Mike above says, it is unlikely that this guy is a Pro football player and a linebacker. It’s much more likely he has boutght into the “new concept” that 220 is an average and ideal weight, therefore 277 is not that much “more”.

Everyone wants to keep their heads in the sand and not see the truth about themselves whilst “Big Pharma” claps their hands and gleefully continues to think up new medications they can invent to cause premature death!

America needs a massive wake up call here.

In Joy and Fitness!

Amy

Tiny said on January 5th, 2008 at 10:59 am

Ryan,

With all due respect, I have to agree with Mike, to an extent. Though, our buffet buster probably isn’t the elite athlete as Adalius Thomas is, there is a chance that he’s height/weight porportionate, and has a solid muscular foundation.

Not sure of the odds, but there is a chance.

Either way, point taken

Jason said on January 5th, 2008 at 11:22 am

This is in fact quite common. I am a personal trainer in central Wisconsin -home of beer, cheese and sausage - and it seems everybody knows someone who is worse off, and therefore rationalize their destructive habits.

I have a client who regularly refers to herself as “before I lost the weight”, which she did by having her stomach stapled, and she is still quite obese and weak. (about 5′9”, 248 lbs).

It disgusts me (the attitude). I do what I can.

Cory said on January 5th, 2008 at 11:34 am

I agree with you Mike, BMI does not accurately reflect body composition and should rarely, if ever, be applied.

I’m sure this gentleman was not a fit individual, but he still shouldn’t have been treated poorly because of his weight. If we truly care about the obesity epidemic we will start underserving people at these buffets. Maybe an “All We’ll Let You Eat” buffet could have some success.

A non-athlete who is 277 pounds obviously has some barriers to achieving optimal health. It’s our job to educate, not humiliate them. In other words, the onus is partly on our own shoulders.

richard said on January 5th, 2008 at 11:56 am

we live in such an age of entitlement. people act irresponsibly, and then blame the fallout on anything and anyone except themselves — the real culprits.

these buffet buffoons have a real problem. i know. i was there, at 340 lbs. now, i exercise regularly and wiegh in at 185. i miss the buffet bigtime, but i feel better, i am healthier, and have a better chance of seeing a longer life than i did just 5 years ago.

so tell the buffet guys: when the diabetes and hypertension kick in for real, who will they kick, except themselves and their funeral director.

they should thank the buffet manager, make good on their promise never to enter the establishment again, and begin to address their obesity.

unless they want to die young, of course.

sharon said on January 5th, 2008 at 12:54 pm

my husband and i went to florida last week
and to our surprise the only size on
the racks in the men’s department was
XL !!!!

Steve said on January 5th, 2008 at 1:15 pm

Ryan
I agree somewhat. However your comments about BP and a couple of buffets away from a heart attack are disturbing to me. I am 6′2” 265 lbs, and 14% body fat. Am I also a couple of buffets away from a heart attack?? My BP is routinely 110/65; I work in health care and last memo I got from the American Heart Association I was right in line with the normal. Now granted I don’t go to buffets very often if ever, so I guess you can make the assumption based on the fact they are at an “all you can eat”. However, I don’t agree with slamming these guys based on a news report. We all know that words never get twisted in the media. Although you are probably correct on these 2 guys we all know BMI is not the end all be all, there are a lot of other factors that go into this.

Bruce said on January 5th, 2008 at 1:58 pm

#19 Answer: 285 pounds I am fat, no doubt about it, but I was even more so at 340 lbs two years ago. I am a work in progress and apparently my body is okay with being a fat ass while I slowly work towards less poundage, however those seeing me for the first time reserve your prejudices until you know the whole story.

Debbie said on January 5th, 2008 at 1:58 pm

I totally agree with you! I am 5′3, 110 pounds. I am so sick of people telling me to eat more. Or I need to gain some weight. I just want to say, no I don’t. I don’t want to look like you do. I eat healthy and exercise because I want to look like this and just feel good. Why wouldn’t you? That’s what I don’t understand..why don’t people have any self control? And then they have the nerve to complain about their weight when it’s their own fault they choose to be ignorant on nutrition and exercise. I can’t tell you how sick I am of hearing “I ate that cake, but it’s ok because I’m still under my 1500 calories for the day” Give me a break, how can they really think that’s ok? Please wake up people!

Keith Molloy said on January 5th, 2008 at 3:56 pm

Ryan,

You’re right. 277 is too much. We have gotten to the point where we can’t say anything critical and honest because it might seem prejudicial. When really, it’s just common sense.

Don’t stop speaking your mind or doing what you believe is right. You know how you have helped a lot of others by trying to find their niche in business, well I think if you just keep saying what you believe- you’ll find a very large niche of people that agree with you.

When you speak the truth, most people won’t want to hear it. That doesn’t mean that you stop saying it.

Sincerely, Keith Molloy

Kevin said on January 5th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

Ryan, I couldn’t agree with you more. Unless he is one in ten thousand who in the range of 6′6″ - 7′, he is probably morbidly obese. All-you-can-eat buffets are helping to fuel an epidemic in North America. All you have to do is visit one and count the number of everweight or obese people to get an idea of what’s happening. Heart disease is the number one killer in North America, and it’s only getting worse.

I think it’s hypocritical for the restaurant owner to be the one to call him fat, but at least somebody did. People need to wake up and smell the heart attack around the corner.

Karoly said on January 5th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

This story concerns me because recent news says that the UK now likes fast food even more than the Americans. On the other hand, we have a trades descriptions act which comes down hard on false claims in advertising and to be fair to the guys, if it says “all you can eat” it should be “all you can eat”! In my home town a lot of buffets have a sign saying they will charge extra for any food wasted, as a lot of people take too much and then simply leave it - which is simply bad in a world where so many have little or nothing to eat and a relative minority have far too much.

To follow on from Bruce (19) I am 52 and 5′2″ I weigh about 164 lb and I am overweight, but I have a resting HR in the low to mid 40s. On the other hand, I have Cerebral Palsy and my legs are shorter than they should be. I really am undertall for my weight!

To be serious, I am carrying more fat than I would like but even when I was at my fittest and leanest my BMI was way off as I have the upper body of someone much taller (and heavier) - all my brothers are between 5′10″ and 6′4″ tall. I exercise as much as I can and eat sensibly but still struggle with my body comp.

Wayne said on January 5th, 2008 at 4:18 pm

Unfortunately Ryan, we as “health” professionals are only preaching to the converted. US has high levels of obesity, Australia has 60% obesity, Europe isn’t far behind, and it’s still on the rise, despite 4 decades of health “awareness”. As an industry, we are only selling our services to “the believers”, those people who show an interest in reading / listening to our “sales pitch” (message), how many of us can say we are really reaching out to those who actually need it? Have you walked up to a person on the street, stopped someone in the supermarket or actually done something to get someone, who didn’t first come to you, exercising and living healthier.
I went on a “healthy lifestyle as a young kid when my dad had a heart attack, now 2 1/2 decades later, “healthy” is just a part of my life, like I get up in the morning to go to work. What’s the incentive for other people, I was reading an article a few days ago about the price of groceries; buying fresh fruit and veggies at the supermarket is now proven to be more expensive than taking the family to Macca’s. Every morning I get up at dawn and go for a swim at the local outdoor pool; my wife & I are the only young people there, all the rest are at least old enough to be our (grand)parents. Somewhere along those 40 yrs of preaching, we’ve lost the battle, and obesity, and other lifestyle diseases have won, marching on to conquer even greater numbers. And we keep preaching to increasingly less people.

Kathleen Hope said on January 5th, 2008 at 5:23 pm

i, too, said THE exact same thing about the buffet guy.
i was thinking..what??? “i aint that fat..im only 277???”
hello! wake up!
this is a case of DENIAL at its finest!
Didnt
Even
Noe
I was
Always
Lying

Kathleen Hope, Mgr, NFPT, MASM
TEST Sports Club
Tinton Falls NJ
http://www.testsportsclubs.com/

snype myers said on January 5th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

In Minnesota, the All You Can Eat Buffets have signs up that say, with either an asterisk or in parentheses, “Management has the Right to Limit Quantities”, so we don’t have those kind of problems here.

As far as people not believing they are fat, it’s because they are being lulled into a false sense of body image by the industries that profit from it. The Garment industry is in bed with the Food industry which is in bed with the Medical/Pharmaceutical industry.

Pull out your favorite old tank top/or t-shirt that you’ve had for YEARS what ever size the label says it is, go to the store and try on the same type of shirt labeled in that size and you will see how much the clothing has been UPSIZED in recent years to keep people believing that they are getting fat. This is because it’s more profitable NOT to offend the customers with clothes they can’t get into.

The portions of food, especially fast food, have been UPSIZED because it’s more profitable to get people fat and addicted, so they consume more without feeling like they’re being pigs.

The medical/phamaceutical industry makes money off the diseases associated with obesity, much like mechanics make money off of people who neglect the maintenance and drive their cars into the ground.

When you combine commericalized manipulation, with self indulgent behavior, in a lawsuit happy society, Fat Discrimination could easily become the NEW Civil Rights Issue of this millenium.

Jocelyn said on January 5th, 2008 at 8:08 pm

Although I certainly don’t agree with the comments the buffet owner/manager? said about the guy and he should not have to pay more BUT I agree with Ryan in saying that he’s only kidding himself if he thinks that at 277 he’s not “fat”. I do not know of his height or bodyfat so I cannot 100% say how overweight he is, but I think the chances are pretty strong. It always amazes me how often you see people that are not only visibly overweight, but with bmi’s well above healthy ranges to prove it, yet still are in denial about being overweight. It just doesn’t make sense. And yep Ryan! Stop babying these folks! Eat Less, Move More! That’s the bottom line.

John Arnold said on January 5th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

Ryan,
One thing that I do not understand is how someone can say they are discriminated against when they can change the reason. If you are of an ethnic group and are not allowed to eat there that this one thing since you can’t change your race. But a fat idiot who probably has done this numerous times most likely and the owner just was fed up and was probably losing money on him and his buddy. The media has a tendency to not share the whole story most of time. It is about time that someone has done this. The problem is that as a whole we are paying the price for these fools that just do not care. Our insurance costs have sky rocketed. Recently the company I work for is introducing a program that rewards you for have good health. BMI, Blood pressure and Cholesterol within guidelines. I’d say this should be a form of discrimination wouldn’t you. The insurance company is saying you are unhealthy so they discriminate based upon what they feel is healthy. So I guess we will see unhealthy as a discrimination problem now too? I guess I should say I am being discriminated against when being 5ft 7 and Dillards quit selling suits in short sizes? That is a better case for it as I cannot do anything about my height. That Bozo can shed some pounds and quit eating all this guys profits.

Alexander Morentin said on January 5th, 2008 at 11:25 pm

It is pretty horrific to see how desensitized or society has become to the epidemic of overweight and obesity.
I saw an article on MSN a couple of weeks ago titled “Is Fat the New Normal?”
It’s sad to say that the answer to this question is a resounding yes.
According to the National Institute of Health, 8 out of 10 people over the age of 25 are overweight in America. This should be very alarming to anybody that reads this statistic.
We as fitness professionals definitely have our work cut out for us.
Alexander Morentin
http://www.fitness-for-women.net

Jeffrey A icks said on January 6th, 2008 at 1:55 am

I am embarassed because my current stats include 7 lbs., and 1-1/2 inches around my middle that I didn’t have in my Junior year of H.S. (Those are now 158 # and 31-1/2 ” waist). [note: 67 yr's old]. To exceed this type of variance indicates that the persons in question don’t care about their appearance or health and well being. YES! ; The persons in question are by definition: Obese ! To couch it in “political retoric” is to deny the truth of a very dangerous medical condition. My “Senior” co-pay insurance is Weak enough as well as Costly enough that I am uncomfortable with my insurance costs going to correct a series of conditions that those persons could have kept in control. You are CORRECT Sir !

J.A. Hicks, Milw., WI.

Jeffrey A icks said on January 6th, 2008 at 2:01 am

Websters New world Dictionary:

SPEECHLESS :

TEMPORARILY UNABLE TO SPEAK; SILENT, AS FROM SHOCK.

All too true, Sir.

J.H.
Milw., WI.

Marshall said on January 6th, 2008 at 3:11 am

Whether that guy is living in denial or not is not the issue. The real issue is that he bears all the responsibility for his own health and weight for that matter and for you to insinuate that he is a few buffets away from a heart attack lacks any kind of responsibility on your part. It’s his choice… and it’s your choice to be the trainer and mentor for many. So perhaps instead of being so critical of this guy WHOM YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT, you could make a bigger impact if you as a trainer offered to work with someone like him. Do something about it and stop all the whining. Make it a great New Year by giving your services to someone who needs and wants your help and leave that guy alone.

robert w said on January 6th, 2008 at 7:09 am

I would like to have the mans body fat and BMI measurements before i cast judgement because in my gym i have some big men that weigh around 250 to 270 that are in good shape and have more endurance then some people that are smaller so we cant past judgement just on weight when we dont know the people or their body comp.

jonas deffes said on January 6th, 2008 at 10:13 am

For some reasons this topic reminds me of those burger king commercials where they take away th whooper. who would eve thought people would be so mad for taking away something that’s so bad.

-Jonas Deffes
http://www.nolatrainer.com/

Karen Rathje said on January 6th, 2008 at 10:31 am

Unless this guy is a pro football player (which I doubt) the he is without a doubt FAT. I think people who are “fit” tend not to associate with out of shape people therefore we just don’t come into contact with them. However, I don have to make a comment here. We can’t be too quick to judge, because sometimes the people have lost a ton of weight and are still fairly large, just not as large. This happened to me yesterday in my spin class. This overweight woman was complaining about the flab on her arms. The spin instructor who is also my personal trainer, pointed out that I had some pretty good definition since I began lifting and that “Donna” could achieve those results too. Donna then confided that she had has gastric bypass in 2000 had lot a ton of weight and HAD KEPT IT OFF! An hour later she asked me to open her Gatorade, which I did handing it back to her saying that those tops were hard to grab and turn becuase there were so narrow, at that point she told me she had had a stroke and did not have full use of her hands yet. This gal was in a 1/12 hours pin class, recovering from a stroke… we must not be too quick to judge! She is my hero!

Joyce said on January 6th, 2008 at 10:37 am

While the focus of our health and fitness business is helping people lose weight and/or be fit and healthy…I think we need to start to focus on the kids and teens and educating them to keep them from gaining the weight in the first place. That’s what I tell my own four children and as well as the kids and teenagers that I train. Ask any overweight person, whether 20 lbs. overweight or 200 lbs. (or more) overweight if they would like to be thin tomorrow and no one would turn you down (right #19?). Exercise hurts and if it’s to be effective it’s uncomfortable. You can think of the nation’s overweight epidemic like one big overweight person….we know what we want to do, but there are so many challenges, where do we start? Though I will still continue to train my adult clients who are committed to exercising and losing weight, my goal beginning in 2008 is educating kids and teens to make better eating choices and to exercise and, hopefully, never get out of control in the first place! Let’s make a change by starting at the root of the problem and educate kids about being healthy before they grow into “big” trees!

Patty said on January 6th, 2008 at 11:31 am

Let’s just start and end with “all you can eat buffet”!!!!!! Does anyone see anything wrong with this concept, besides fitness professionals?? Whoever thought it up, should be slapped! It’s no wonder why we have such health issues!

Pete Koeniges said on January 6th, 2008 at 12:55 pm

Maybe what we’re all thinking about this person is correct, but I still don’t think we should be calling out this individual sight unseen. It’s not fair to the individual.

Ellen Britt, PA, Ed.D. said on January 6th, 2008 at 1:37 pm

Hi Ryan,

I think this person’s denial is all too indicative of a national, and probably global problem. It reminds me of a study I read about that said those suffering from anorexia nervosa and who were much too thin, did not have an accurate perception of their body image. It seems that these people’s brains were physically incapable of *seeing* the true state of their body. I am wondering if the same thing could be true of folks who become obese and morbidly obese.

Keep up the good work Ryan!

Be well,
Ellen
EveryDayQi.com

Gail said on January 6th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

The key thing missing is responsibility - on both sides. It’s interesting that these larger (yes, fat) people tend to congregate at these places. Firstly, they don’t recognise that they are obese and secondly, refuse to take responsibility themselves for over-fuelling. The restaurant is a business and therefore targeting the market for the over-eaters (sometimes inadvertently). The obvious fix is for the restaurant to (a) offer high protein foods - he’d be full in no time and (b) have the buffet a long way away from the tables - seems like it’s the only exercise he’d get! Let’s hope he’s not a role model for kids anywhere.

Rudy Rich said on January 6th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

Well, this topic sure got a lot of comments. If everyone’s fat how will we know it were fat or not? As humans we tend to look at others for what’s “normal.” Maybe another way to look at it is, what is optimal weight for humans? The problem with large statistical studies is there is always exceptions and a lot of human variation. Yet I think most would agree that the human body functions best within certain body fat limits.
The situation reminds me much of what has happened with food over the years. If you look at portions of food from the 1950’s there’s been a tremendous inflation. Yet we’ve come to think of the portions today as normal.
It’s pretty much common knowledge (or short google search) that the American “food industry” makes about 3000 calories per day for every man, woman, & child in the country. That’s probably somewhere around twice as much as needed. The selling of food has a multi-billion dollar marketing budget, the selling of the idea to eat enough to make you happy, fit, and healthy has practically no budget. It is a wonderful thing that we can live in a time, in a country, where even poor people can be fat. For most of the long course of human history there was never enough food for everyone, and it was easy to tell the poor by their gauntness. What a human achievement it is to have enough, in fact more than enough food for everyone. Yet with that achievement comes other problems.

Rudy

Noel G. said on January 6th, 2008 at 6:40 pm

277 pounds is overweight,morbidly obese or just plain fat - however you want to couch the use of english.
The obesity crisis which seems so prevalent around the world (and yes folks, there are fat asians!!) has received another shot in the arm in Australia.
I quote the Melbourne Sunday Age Jan 6th “Free surgery plan to fight obesity and save lives” The article goes on to say that people as young as 14 would get free weight reduction surgery in the form of lap-band surgery, known as bariatric surgery, in which a band is placed around the stomach to constrict it and reduce hunger.
Obeisity is now classified as a national health priority in Australia.

Noel
Melbourne
Australia

Dr. K said on January 7th, 2008 at 6:31 am

Hey Ryan,

This thread has really sparked some emotions out of me as well. It’s incredible how our medical standards keep changing to require lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, etc. while our society continues to accept higher and higher BMI’s as ‘normal.’

In the last week, I’ve had two of my friends approach me and ask if I knew anything about sizes of clothes changing. I hadn’t (and still haven’t) heard anything about this, but they swear they’ve gained weight and their sizes are either the same or smaller than before. (both were females…can’t speak to male clothing yet???)

That’s freakin’ crazy! What’s the point of sizing clothes if we’re off anyway?! Guys, have you ever actually measured your waist, then looked at the size of your jeans? Chances are, you’re not going to get the same number…

I believe that belief system dictates almost all decision-making. By believing that we “must be OK” because our pants are the same size as 5 years ago, or because we still are full after “one serving” at a restaurant is completely misleading. We need to become educated consumers, but even more so, we need to use common sense. If plates get bigger and food takes up just as much room…. well then… duh! It’s more food.

On any note, each person who reads this can know this information, start a conversation with one other person, and help avoid the plague of obesity that is hitting our country. I challenge you to do so.

Thanks, Ryan, for hitting a sore point that has stimulated so much interest.

Wishing you all the best,

Dr. K
http://PostureForChristmas.com

Dave said on January 7th, 2008 at 10:17 am

If its “all you can eat” than its “all you can eat”

I’m considered obese but I move faster lift more than many average people my own age 40. My blood sugar is fine although my doctor insisted I was diabedic 10 years ago before a blood test and my pressure is fine as well.

Yes I need to lose weight but there is a hate on for fat people out there that doesn’t help and its largely based on looks not on any concern for health.

I also know and have known a good number of people regarded as thin who eat massive quantities with very few consequeces- At least on the outside

Jim Labadie said on January 7th, 2008 at 10:53 am

Imagine what the world would look like if everyone took responsibility for their actions.

And imagine what it would look like if we loved one another instead of blaming each other.

Jim Labadie
http://www.HowToProfitWithBootCamps.com

Mario said on January 7th, 2008 at 10:53 am

The definitions are bunk. BMI is a useless tool that may have had it’s place when it was conceived and created in 1840!! Natural human growth and development assures we will as a people score on the high side of this scale. I myself score Class II Obese at 6′2″ 272 lbs BUT I’m at 9.3% body fat. I realise I’m an execption as mentioned by other posters, however it does highlight the point for a new, more effective yet simple diagnostic tool for we health and fitness professionals to use. Perhaps hip to waist measurement, wrist circumference, something ANYTHING other than the much maligned and sorely outdated BMI.

BZ said on January 7th, 2008 at 11:02 am

I am also outraged that our society is turning their heads to this issue. I do not believe in discrimating against anyone, but enough is enough. We have created a culture where eating enormous amounts of food is not only accepted but expected. We are not doing enough to help people beat the obesity crisis we are facing. The worst part is the effect it is having on our children. It makes me sad and sick to hear that by 2050, obesity will be the number one killer for that generation. When I was growing up, there were very few (maybe one or two) heavy kids in school, now, at least one third of the kids are overweight. I applaud shows like the biggest loser for bringing awareness but we need to do more. We are no longer afraid to call out people who smoke and have taken away their freedom to do so in several public places, we have stopped commercials promoting the sale of cigarettes and we have started the process of charging them more money for insurance if they do smoke. I think all of that is good, so why can’t we start doing the same sort of thing to address the obesity issue. Supersizing should be banned, commercials promoting overeating and bad eating should be banned, and you can’t tell me that obesity is not putting a strain on our healthcare system. If you are obese than you should have to pay more for healthcare insurance too. I’m sure it all comes down to dollars as keeping us fat is a huge money maker for our economy. I could go on and on and on but I will spare you. SO, yes I agree with you Ryan that the media missed the point and we need to do more to help these people.

Bob Lueben said on January 7th, 2008 at 12:54 pm

Let the guy eat what he wants. We can’t woryy about everyone and their eating habits. The buffet owner is wrong in asking the man to pay more. You expect your big guys to come in when the “All You Can Eat” sign is out. This isn’t the first time nor the last time this will happen.

Shelly Borden said on January 7th, 2008 at 1:55 pm

I totally agree with you!!!!! People have to stop rationalizing everything that they do so they can give themselves excuses for their shortcomings. Time to stand up and be accountable for ourselves!!!!!

Greg White said on January 7th, 2008 at 2:37 pm

Just because a person is “in shape” doesn’t mean that their heart doesn’t have to work harder to pump fluids through all that MASS. We are reading articles on a regular basis about all the health problems ex-pro athletes are having. Part of this is substance abuse, some of it is the pounding their bodies take and some of it is weight related conditions (heart attacks, diabetes, stroke). So as long as the athlete stays in shape they are able to metabolize oxygen better than average, but don’t kid yourself and think they are immune from trouble when they get out of “playing” shape. Don’t kid yourself that a low bodyfat means it is OK to be heavy.

Kelly said on January 7th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

Ryan, i totally agree with you.

If the guy was at an all you can eat buffet and he was moaning about getting overcharged for eating too much, lets face it he wasnt eating salad! So even without seeing a picture of him, i think that we are safe to say that he is not a body builder but infact MORBIDLY OBESE.

I watched a program on the Discovery Channel sometime over Christmas, and it showed people in Texas, one man in particular was a similar weight and he also was proudly stating that he had been refused entry to a few all you can eat buffet diners. (since when has eating 3 prime ribs been something to bragg about)

It also showed an obese mother drive her son 50 ft (yes i said 50ft) so he didnt have to walkto the school but, what chance has this kid got! What the heck is going on there! Until then i had never heard something so ridiculous.

We need to starting waking up for the sake of our children.

Keep doing what you are doing Ryan, i do not want sugar coating.

Kelly

Fenella Pal said on January 7th, 2008 at 6:50 pm

Hi all who read this,

I only believe that without pain you cannot gain.

I take it as, if someone insult me or if I felt as an insult, I work double hard to be what I want to be. I swear that’s how I lost 13kg in 10months.My brothers and their wife were making fun of me during our 2006 ending New Year party. I told myself, I will make it with pain I went through to loose all that. So sometimes it’s good to feel insult. I take it my way. It’s difficult to take insult but don’t we take it as a challenge?

Lynnell said on January 7th, 2008 at 8:03 pm

I recently was running a fitness centre in a highschool. Now you have the kids that will come in regardless of whether or not you are there. then there are a few who were kind of interested and I would get them hooked, then you have the kids that never step foot in the fitness centre. So I did a trial, and brought in guitar hero for a week. the next week I brought in Dance Dance Revolution. over 100 kids I had never seen before came in during those 2 weeks. I got the go ahead from my supervisor to purchase a used play station and DDR with a couple of additional no violent games. the non active games have to be played while spinning, and the DDR is very active ( good for agility too). It gets kids interested and eventually they try other stuff. this is where you want to hook them.
Also when I tach first aid to the grade 10 students I spend a lot of time on the cardiovascular unit.

Shane said on January 8th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

Ryan,

You’re right on! He’s fat until proven otherwise! I doubt the restaurant owner would have called him fat if he was a monster size football player with 8% body fat. Further, if you are a linebacker that doesn’t mean you’re not fat…many are big, strong AND FAT! Fat is fat, regardless of you’re profession. Just because you’re a football player, does not mean the fat is healthy!