I'd just like to chime in as someone who has lost and kept off about half his bodyweight, that yeah, losing significant amounts of weight is a very demanding undertaking. It requires a significant lifestyle change, large investments of time, is emotionally and cognitively draining, and to top it all off does not positively impact your quality of life nearly as much as is touted. To be successful at it requires a level of obsession that qualifies as an eating disorder in its own. I track every calorie I eat, and weigh myself everyday. I have to hate seeing those numbers go up. I have to feel shame at overeating and not allow myself to make excuses for it, lest I become complacent. I can't keep food in my house. I avoid social gatherings because there's almost always food involved. You might think you can just
not partake but it doesn't work like that, your brain thinks you're starving and has all sorts of ways to wear down your will and convince you it is ok to eat. It's kind of a living hell.
Based on personal experience, I am quite confident that physicians have absolutely no idea how to give actionable advice in this area, and nutritional specialists are only slightly better. None of them care about your suffering, because that isn't something they measure.
I guess what I'm saying is that yeah, it is possible for anyone to lose and keep off significant amounts of weight, but basically none of you have any idea what it really takes.
Based on personal experience, I am quite confident that physicians have absolutely no idea how to give actionable advice in this area, and nutritional specialists are only slightly better. None of them care about your suffering, because that isn't something they measure.
I guess what I'm saying is that yeah, it is possible for anyone to lose and keep off significant amounts of weight, but basically none of you have any idea what it really takes.