What is making you happy right now

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Originally Posted by Aimless

Wow, talk about drawing far-reaching conclusions

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It describes the real life experience of every fat person I know to a tie. Including myself. Anecdotal I know, but I also know I'm not alone.

If you have any doubts about my weight loss experiences; I can tell you that after age 21 I have had every weight on the scale between 72kg and 140 kg. Losing 30% of my body weight over the run of a year? Done that. Increasing my body weight by 50% in the same time span? Been there. Learning about internal and external motivation? Yep. I can probably devise effective and delicious diets making you lose 10kg over 10 weeks.

I understand that feeling of satisfaction over your recent successes, I advise you you however not to slam the real life experience of other people just because you are pulling your belt a notch tighter for as long as it lasts.

It makes you sound like a smoker friend of mine who says that quitting smoking is easy; he's done it lots of times.

I was referring to this:

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That kind of roller-coaster weight gain/loss isn't any 'healthier' than carrying around extra pounds, in fact it may be worse in the long run because it totally confuses the body's metabolism.

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The claims about a purported negative health impact, and the explanation offered, are both questionable.

As for anecdotal experience, I have certainly gained weight after losing it a couple of times in my life, but less than half of what I've lost, and only over a long time. Two steps forward and one step back equals one step forward.

Haters gonna hate, but I encourage my patients' repeated attempts to quit smoking, because I know that many of them will eventually succeed, just as many of my family, friends, colleagues and patients have. Some people have a pessimistic and defeatist outlook on life that makes them regard repeated failures as an indication of utter cosmic soul-crushing futility; they cultivate a cynical persona to protect themselves from the booboos of their own and their loved ones' failures. For my part, I've seen enough successes after repeated failures to be convinced that repeated failures are often better regarded as proxies for repeated promising attempts, which is indicative both of a determination that can be cultivated, and of the feasibility of tasks that may initially seem futile.

Every single successful entrepreneur in my life has failed repeatedly before succeeding. My own life has been a string of setbacks and failures followed by success. Of course, I have also seen the other alternative, and there has been no shortage of people who have utterly destroyed their lives, seemingly with no hope of recovery.

All of this is anecdotal evidence, and it can be interpreted in different ways. How we choose to interpret it, and how we act on that interpretation, is more indicative of personality and of philosophical idiosyncrasies than of any incontrovertible truth about reality. So be a hater for now if you wish, but I love you and I have faith that you can change one day if you just keep trying :heart: :up:

You really think you know me, don't you?

Another thing I was thinking; wow, defensive much this morning?

Bye Felicia

I'm down 5 kg this summer, was almost up at 80 kg 1½ year ago and that was my max weight while on cancer treatment.
I have also been down to 72 kg in that 18 month period. Currently at 73 kg with more muscles.
I want to get down to 65-68 kg but not sure that is realistic or even wanted.

My happyness is mostly that I give/take myself the time to run and workout right now.
I need to try to mentain this even if family life becomes harder, and that is my true challenge.

I rode my bike to work and back. Took me an hour both ways and it felt like a heavy work out, but I really feel good about having done this.

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Originally Posted by Aimless

I was referring to this:

"That kind of roller-coaster weight gain/loss isn't any 'healthier' than carrying around extra pounds, in fact it may be worse in the long run because it totally confuses the body's metabolism".

The claims about a purported negative health impact, and the explanation offered, are both questionable.

As for anecdotal experience..... <snip>.

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I was just looking at your dessert pics in another thread, so don't criticize my (sister's) anecdotal experience as "far-reaching" while portraying yours as "normal".

I was gonna let this go b/c it's the "Happy Thread", but then you went on about your patients, and how you want them to succeed. Well, you can't help your patients if you don't understand where they're coming from. What might seem "far-reaching" to you is probably an every-day struggle to others, so don't belittle their reality!


My sister has struggled with weight her whole life. She's been given all sorts of reasons for it, and tried all sorts of "methods" to change it, but the most destructive thing has been the up/down yo-yo effect. Maybe you focused on "metabolism", but it's much more than that. She keeps what she calls her "fat wardrobe" in storage, anticipating a future failure. (The first time she lost weight, she gave her "fat clothes" to charity. But when she gained it all back, she had to buy new clothes. Rinse, repeat. She's also a shopaholic, which makes matters worse.)

Admitting this was a pattern of behavior destroyed her self-esteem and sense of self-control. It's a constant battle for her. She's constantly made to feel that it's a character flaw. Smoking isn't a good analogy because no one needs to smoke to stay alive. Giving up desserts (like the ones you post) isn't enough, either. FFS, she can't even taste!

Be careful in your comparisons; words matter. ;) The mere suggestion that people can *change* can be interpreted as they're just not good enough as they are, if they're overweight. That 'standard' is even higher for women.

Nice try, but I wasn't criticizing your sister, nor am I dismissive towards the struggle you describe. My objection was wrt the implied health & physiological claims and nothing more.

I addressed smoking because Hazir brought it up, but, frankly, the most effective strategies for helping people to quit smoking have a great deal of overlap with helping them make other lifestyle changes, even though smoking may be different wrt health aspects and mechanisms in many ways, including the difference you mention.

If a patient—or anyone else—expresses a desire to change something about their health, I believe it's important to offer encouragement and support, even though I am—like they are—aware of the pitfalls and risk of failure; there's no shortage of discouraging "realism", but there is typically a clear lack of positive and constructive support. Motivation should be nurtured; ambivalence should be recognized, and, if possible, developed. You may have a different view, but I'm not going to begin discouraging my patients or neglect to pick up on their hopes when I am in a position to do something more constructive.

I've had many patients tell me that, when they told their doctor or nurse they'd made (or expressed a desire to make) positive lifestyle-changes—eg. quit smoking, exercised more, started eating healthier, lost weight—they were met with indifference or skepticism and pessimism. That is a crushing experience that can make a person feel small, worthless and discouraged; it doesn't cost anything to instead give some sort of positive feedback.

You're free to have whatever opinions you like on this issue, and I have no doubt your opinions are based on your long experience with both patients and the things you've learned from yourself and your loved ones, but, when it comes to things that that are essentially matters of philosophy, personality, outlook etc... on those matters I fully intend to exercise my discretion and act in accordance with my own judgement until something substantial changes.

All of us are exceptionally good at telling ourselves and others why something can't be done, and we frequently justify this automatic pessimism as "realism". But the reality is that many things can nevertheless be done, sometimes, by some people—and a realist must be aware of that as well. Now go have a realistic day or whatever flavor of day you prefer.

For my part, my mother and some good friends are visiting, and I'm enjoying this feeling of being with a bunch of people that I love. It's a good start to our leave. My friends have a 4-mo-old cutie that is just totes adorbs, and they brought a bunch of fresh vegetables—including a bag of the most beautiful chilies—from their parents' farm, so I'll be busy pickling and fermenting today. We visited the farmer's market yesterday and my mother charmed a ton of people there with her decidedly un-Swedish behavior, loved her first encounters with Northern Swedish (esp. Sami) food and made plans to visit a family that makes traditional Swedish flatbread to learn how they make it. As a child, this behavior used to embarrass me deeply, but, as an adult, I can see that she's enjoyed herself much more than I have, so I reckon she's on to something.

Today I finally made the 6,3 mile run again without destroying myself.
I have cancelled out on the last four attempts. ;-) i.e. it feelt pretty good this time but I was quite slow, but that is ok!

On Friday, if the weather allows it, I want to see if I can double it.

A half Marathon? Count me impressed if you manage. And still a tip of the hat for trying if you don't.

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Originally Posted by rille

Today I finally made the 6,3 mile run again without destroying myself.
I have cancelled out on the last four attempts. ;-) i.e. it feelt pretty good this time but I was quite slow, but that is ok!

On Friday, if the weather allows it, I want to see if I can double it.

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Well done!

I myself am still working up to running continuously - turns out that I have a problem with both my "musculus extensor digitorum longus". If I try to run more than one kilometer they simply become exhausted and burn like hell (took some time to figure it out - there are no other problems with my muscles, the bones, nerves or the way I run (certified by various doctors and a video analysis of me running)). So I'm currently doing interval running which means that I'm doing a 300 meter run, then 300 meter walking, then 300 meter running again and so on.

I thus have arrived at a point where it doesn't feel like my legs will fall off after 4 kilometers and may try to reduce the walking "pauses" soon.

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Originally Posted by Khendraja'aro

Well done!

I myself am still working up to running continuously - turns out that I have a problem with both my "musculus extensor digitorum longus". If I try to run more than one kilometer they simply become exhausted and burn like hell (took some time to figure it out - there are no other problems with my muscles, the bones, nerves or the way I run (certified by various doctors and a video analysis of me running)). So I'm currently doing interval running which means that I'm doing a 300 meter run, then 300 meter walking, then 300 meter running again and so on.

I thus have arrived at a point where it doesn't feel like my legs will fall off after 4 kilometers and may try to reduce the walking "pauses" soon.

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That's an odd place for an injury (if I can call it that).

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Originally Posted by Hazir

That's an odd place for an injury (if I can call it that).

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It's not an injury per se - I don't know what to call it. I've had this condition since I was 12 (at least that's my first memory of it - probably because that's when school sport started to make us run longer distances). During school it didn't pop up too often (so I simply put it down to lacking exercise) and I also did sports where I didn't have to run very much (like Karate, Judo or Capoeira).

It's also not as if the muscles are atrophied or something - I can walk seemingly forever. It's just running which starts the problem. The training regimen (and proper running shoes and customized inlays) seems to be improving things - not very fast, mind, but improve it does.

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Originally Posted by Aimless

Nice try, but I wasn't criticizing your sister, nor am I dismissive towards the struggle you describe. My objection was wrt the implied health & physiological claims and nothing more.

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I said that fluctuating weight and yo-yo dieting can be just as harmful as obesity. Plenty of studies confirm that, especially when they highlight eating disorders. Your objection is overruled. :D



I had a fantastic visit with my adult sons in Pitt. We went to the Zoo, had a nice dinner on 'the strip', and saw the awesome city lights from Mt. Washington. We laughed a lot, that was the best part. :heart:

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Originally Posted by Hazir

A half Marathon? Count me impressed if you manage. And still a tip of the hat for trying if you don't.

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Yeah, well, of course I failed that today.
I did reach 15 km (~9 miles).

I'm not really happy about that since that wouldn't really be much rille to be satisfied with something he has done.
But I'll accept it for now and try again... maybe in 2 weeks, might have to run shorter distances next week in order to recover.

But I like running and have done that before.
Just that I was really weak after the transplant. ;)

Billionaire dies after 30-year battle with renewable energy.

The Ashes . . . after the incredible World Cup.

Taken from somewhere else:

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This summer is Stokes' good karma for missing an Ashes tour due to a pair of drunk, homophobic neanderthals abusing innocent, gay drinkers, headbutting Ben's fist and then complaining to the police.

There is a God.

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Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer

Billionaire dies after 30-year battle with renewable energy.

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Why would that make you happy? :-P

Spent most of the day with my kids, at the public paddling pool. Bumped into a few friends while we were out. Happy and tired children by the end of the day.

My son got the job he's been dreaming about for a long time -- cooking in a professional kitchen, at the flag ship restaurant of a James Beard awarded chef that he greatly admires. Happy and Proud, can't get much better than that! :D

Seeing this place is alive and well is making me happy. I got an email wishing my a happy birthday from this place and I came to check it out. It’s been a trip going through and seeing all the old names again. Hard to believe I was like a teenager when I was active in this community and today I turn 30. I was quite the little shit back in the day. Good to see you all again, I’ll try to come by my often. Is there still a chat room?

Yes, there's a Discord link up at the top of the forum

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Originally Posted by aoshi

I was quite the little shit back in the day.

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We all were.

Happy belated Birthday, aoshi! Not much has changed here, we're still spinning our wheels and tilting at windmills, but it's good to see you again! :D

Not exactly 'happy', but I laughed:

An (Israeli) friend of mine recently joined the security committee of his synagogue - most synagogues have been upgrading their security after the various deadly attacks against Jewish houses of worship around the world in the last year. Most of the upgrades are pretty straightforward - active shooter training for the congregants, armed security at the entrance, restricted access to the building, and radios scattered among the congregants to coordinate a response and contact law enforcement should an event occur.

Part of the committee's job, however, is to develop an emergency response/evacuation plan. My friend was astonished when a substantial portion of the committee's discussion revolved around 'what to do with Herbert' (name changed to protect the innocent). Herbert, it should be said, is a nonagenarian gentleman of limited mobility who would find it extremely difficult to rapidly evacuate in the event of a shooting. My friend's wife (also Israeli) was telling this story to me, and her response was, "Forget about Herbert! If there's an attack, you grab all of the kids and you run. Herbert will have to fend for himself. Only Americans would worry about Herbert."

Poor Herbert. ;)

Took a quick walk into town to run some errands and nothing went my way. Prescription expired and I didn't have my prescriber code on me; no diapers to be found in several places; lots of people and long queues everywhere; every single delicacy I'd planned on buying as a treat for the ginger was sold out, and then, at the end of it all, a small bottle of really nice wine that I'd bought fell and broke just as I was leaving the grocery store to go home, spilling red wine everywhere and provoking a very loud man sitting on a bench nearby to direct various passersby and store employees to help me in various unnecessary ways.

Extremely bummed out, I trudged home through the snow, wind in my face the whole way, and got ready to complain as soon as I came through the door. But, lo! and behold, a bottle of truly atrocious Irish Cream I'd made last winter—from a bottle of my in-laws' bespoke whisky—had been found while I was away! I had forgotten all about it; it had lain hidden in a corner of the pantry until today because I'd kept meaning to throw it out and then been unable to locate it in our messy kitchen. Curious, I tried it, a revolting taste-memory from last year bubbling up to the surface of my awareness... and... it was bloody amazing. It just needed much, much more time. Extremely chuffed right now

Maybe you were just so happy to get out of the house the mess-ups didn't matter, and all you really needed was a shot of booze? ;)

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Originally Posted by GGT

Maybe you were just so happy to get out of the house the mess-ups didn't matter, and all you really needed was a shot of booze? ;)

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Not even a little! Well, I definitely needed a shot of booze but I hate being away from home r n, even more than usual. If I were to become financially independent by some stroke of luck, I'd stay home so much more.

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Originally Posted by wiggin

Only Americans would worry about Herbert."

Poor Herbert. ;)

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We were just forced through active shooter training. We were straight up told that it's every man for himself. Don't worry about co-workers or customers, even if that means locking them on the wrong side of a door.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xKM3mGt2pE