The UK is a nation of -porkers- discuss

Its bread that makes people fat. And yeasty things are almost addictive.
But that is the kind of ballooning fat which you see walking about. Being older and slightly overweight is something that can't be avoided if you are going to live beyond your biblical 75 years.
I have a friend who has had an internal operation and now cannot put on one ounce of weight. She is tall, scrawney and haggard but still alive and healthy. every time I see her gaunt face I feel so happy that I have my extra weight which I put on after I was 50.
Barbara Cartland said - quote ' its either your bum or your face'

But do they really fattten up the cattle, or do they kill off anything that would make them less healthy and so less fat than they would otherwise be?

Whatever the biology behind it Elegran it makes them substantially fatter, the article says.

" For the female mice, the antibiotic exposure was the switch that converted more of those extra calories in the diet to fat, while the males grew more in terms of both muscle and fat,” Dr. Blaser writes. “The observations are consistent with the idea that the modern high-calorie diet alone is insufficient to explain the obesity epidemic and that antibiotics could be contributing.”

But "extra calories" are mentioned. would it have the same effect on a diet with a "normal" number of calories? Plus - I have not had antibiotics for many years, but have still added more pounds than I want. It would be very easy to blame the antibiotics and ignore the extra food.

Maybe the antibiotics increased the appetites of the cattle (and the humans)?

I am of normal weight - but greatly heavier than I was when younger, which feels odd to me. But every time I happen to lose a bit of weight by chance, my face looks like a skull - I look better with a bit of fat in my bones.

But there are people who are just huge and I cannot imagine what their life must be like - they must be so very uncomfortable in the summer. I cannot imagine that it is by choice; and many people do find it very hard to lose weight, especially after having babies.

I agree with Mamie about bread. I used to be able to eat it without any problems when I was younger but now just walking down the bread aisle of a supermarket makes me feel bloated.

Horses cannot tolerate wheat. They get serious colic. Oats are better for us as well.

Just thinking about that while I was having a bowl of porridge (my occasional weakness where carbs are concerned)

Exercise is the key to our health and well being.

I defy anyone to watch that first episode and not be shocked. And it's just going to get worse because as I saw, each attempt to stem the tide of obesity resulted in a new opportunity for the food industry. The introduction of the 'low fat' label years ago is a prime example given in the programme of the food industry reacting to the government introducing new guidance on healthy eating. These days we all know that label means very little, but originally it was seen as the diet or healthy option, when in fact the products contained more sugar than the regular version.

At the moment we're looking at 'clean' eating, which is the fancy name for eating food is made using ingredients that are organic and chemical free. I can see the produce and products are more expensive than the supermarket regular options, but I think it will be cheaper in the end because we'll buy less food overall. Although we want to lose weight, another big reason for trying this is we want to retrain our palates and learn more about basic flavours. It's so easy to choose something in the supermarket you like the taste of, but I don't know how to recreate the taste at home. Small steps.

I don't think the series is available on the BBC at the moment. I downloaded it from the internet.

Just to add, I am not saying we have no personal responsibility.

Normally I'm just a lurker, but feel complled to admit now that I'm very overweight, and it's affecting my health/mobility and happiness.

But what most people can't understand, I can't seem to stop eating. I am bored and lonely in my life, and am pretty sure the food is a substitute. There isn't any easy solution to my situation, I've tried.

It must sound ridiculous to you "normal" people, and it's easy to pass judgement on obese people. I just wanted to explain that not all fat people can easily stop. They hate themselves, beat themselves up mentally about it, but still can't stop eating. I know it should be about having the will power to control yourself, but for some, it's really not that easy.

I grew up in a normal heathy way, but for some reason I started to substitute food for love. The emotional reasons why a person overeats are not addressed much, it seems to be too hard a problem to solve. I wish there were some expert help available.

It was MargaretX not me talking about bread, Merlot, but I have more or less stopped eating it as part of our low-carb way of eating. We make bread from spelt flour and have one small slice a day, grow masses of vegetables and fruit and buy organic wherever possible. I realise that this is quite time-consuming and not for everyone but it works for us. We waste very little food, so I don't accept that is particularly more expensive, especially at this time of year (if you like squash and courgettes).
I accept the data about being slightly overweight and longevity but have to say that I feel extremely fit and healthy for being within the normal weight range. I put on weight with the menopause and was never more than moderately overweight but my goodness I feel better for having lost it.
I absolutely agree Wilma, about the disgraceful behaviour of the food industry in relation to "low-fat", especially where children are concerned. Those documentaries are very powerful.

Sorry seacliff, just seen your post - that must be very hard to deal with. No advice really. Would it be possible to cook the food from a limited range of healthier ingredients? Would shopping online help?

It is brave of you to be so honest seacliff

No there isn't an easy solution if you're 'bored and lonely' - are you still physically able to get out and about?

seacliff has hit the nail on the head and the government is well aware that millions of overweight people are that way for reasons underpinning eating too much. Why people knowingly overeat is the big nut to crack. Anyone saying why don't they just eat less doesn't get this.

seacliff thank you for being so honest. flowers My circumstances are similar.

Doh! flowers should be

mamie, I don't know where you bought your coffee. I haven't had that problem with a medium sized coffee from any of the obvious places like Starbucks and Costa, to name but two. It just seems like a mugful to me, which is fine.

seacliff, I hope you don't think I was passing judgment. I wasn't. Saying that obesity is caused by the intake of too many calories is a statement of fact, not a judgment. There but for fortune go I.

No. You can stop eating too much. Just don't have any junk food in the house. Eat smaller meals more frequently. Shopping online is a good idea as mentioned before. Do not buy sweets. Walk away.

Do not shun decent quality ready meals. They are an excellent way to watch your calorie intake.

Just do it. Start now. It's your health. Take responsibility for it.

Try weighing yourself every morning. It's surprising how a quarter of a pound can be lost from one day to another. Little steps. Little victories.

I agree jings about daily weighing.

If you leave it for a week it can be a bit of a shock to see you've put on 4lbs due to holiday, wedding, party, etc., you then feel despondent and likely to think oh sod it!

But with daily weighing you can see the damage, and any reduction if yesterday you had a 'diet' day.

Hello seacliff I'm another lurker though I've decided to become more prominent! Have you heard of Lighter Life? No idea of your circs but I know someone who trained with them and they offer a 'how to lose weight' club along with counselling/support groups. Just a thought www.lighterlife.com/#
I do sympathise, menopause plays havoc with weight and I have my moments of comfort eating though I also like exercise so I mostly keep it under control.

Two interesting books I've read of late - Gut and 10% Human - offer an interesting insight into the health of our digestive system, what happens as we age and how we can support our digestive bacteria (of which we have zillions) so that they remain balanced and healthy and also how science is now showing that our intestinal flora may actually affect our behaviour and moods to more of a degree than known before. The first is written by a medic, the second by a science journalist but they are perfectly accessible to the ordinary reader.

Thanks everyone x. I do still go out, in fact I work part time (sedentary job!) but my mobility has got quite a bit worse in last couple of years. It is all a bit of a vicious circle, I put on more weight and have noticed some people don't talk to me so much, probably in my mind, but hard to make friends. being with people makes me happy and I don't then turn to food.

I don't have many friends, and no family close, not a great marriage, so I eat!! I have recently gone to a WI once, and must make the effort to continue it. I will retire in next 2 or 3 years so want to make a bit more social life for myself.

Thanks for the suggestions Rosanna, I'll look at the books. Not sure about Lighter Life.

What I have found useful in past has been My Fitness Pal - as logging all food and weighing regularly is helpful.

I feel the only way to get under control is to be shut away and forced to eat properly and exercise, but then eventually I'd still have to face things when I came out, so that isn't an answer.

It is hard to justify how I act. Everything I say sounds like excuses, which is true. I just wanted people to realise it isn't as easy as you might think, for some of us.

Seacliff I admire your honesty, loosing weight can be hard and you are not alone in 'comfort eating'. You have people to talk to on here and you can tell GN's how you are getting on.
To any one trying to loose weight, I would say don't expect miracles but these small changes have worked for me :
1. Measuring portions e.g cereal and try to reduce it by a little. I have now found a cup which holds the perfect amount for me and the morning ritual of measuring my home made muesli makes me eat it more slowly and enjoy each mouthful .
2. Try to make the foods you are eating healthier e.g. swap a bag of crisps for cracker. Lots of magazines show food swaps.
3. If you feel the need to eat, try having a cup of tea or glass of water, thirst can often be mistaken for hunger.
4.Allow yourself a set number of treats a day and if need be put them in a little container.
5.Try to up your number of steps a day, a walk takes your mind off food and recording the steps you do can give you a new focus.
I hope some of these tips may help others.

Excellent advice from Granne72, Seacliff, most of those things have helped me too.

Have you thought of getting a personal trainer? A friend of mine has just lost 40 lbs (over a period of several months, and starting at 16 stone) but would be the first to admit that she couldn't have done it without the moral support and encouragement of her trainer.

Can't agree with point 4. 'Treats' should be very occasional - once a week perhaps and then only the one.

And although it's simply an example you don't need crackers or crisps.

I'd say get out more, make new friends by jointing the U3A or a choir or similar. I tried the local WI and at meetings we sat down all the time and ate cakes at the end. Perhaps they're not all like that.

I'd suggest you write yourself a menu plan for two weeks. Cutting out all cakes, biscuits, chocolate, etc.. and limiting your bread, potatoes, rice, pasta and alcohol. Then stick to it after all it's only 14 days. Include plenty of protein and vegetables but only one piece of fruit a day and no sweet drinks - and that includes fresh orange juice etc.. Include one treat (only) at the end of each week.

Get a decent pedometer and walk. Don't go mad at first, up your steps gradually.

If you don't lose weight in the two weeks I'd be very surprised. Then just try another two weeks. Good luck.

Treats can be ok, so long as you calculate the calories in them and add that to the cals already consumed that day. Stop when you reach your allowance.