Kenna Morton's Journal, 25 Mar 19

“We have biological mechanisms that work to preserve or increase an individual’s HIGHEST LIFETIME BODY WEIGHT. The pressure to restore the person’s highest ever weight increases as weight loss increases. This is referred to as the set point.” I know only I picked two lines out of 3 journals but this struck a chord with me. A nutritionist explained this to me a couple of years ago - at a time when NO ONE would believe me that while still eating at a deficit after losing over 100+ in 2014 I was REGAINING weight. It was very frustrating and unfortunately I threw up my hands and stopped working toward the goal of being healthy because I made the emphasis about the scale. But even with this new knowledge and even though it’s discouraging and while I’m not confident I’ll ever fully reverse it I will continue to try every day.  

Don’t stop. I have mentored quite a few people over the last 35+ years to loose weight and keep it off . One woman started at 450 ish and another (5’3”) was 300 lb. the heaviest lady has maintained her weight at 185 [5’10} for 20 years. The other lady now weighs 135 and has maintained it for about 4 years so far. This can be done. I always say, anyone can loose weight but what you have to develope the mindset for is knowing this is a lifelong process. As it is for everyone. Even if a person is not obese now doesn’t mean that they can’t be if they don’t constantly stay alert. From my perspective it is so important to have an eating plan that makes sense for you, That you don’t view as constant deprivation that makes you depressed and unable to live and associate with others because your way of eating is foreign and not understood. Both of these ladies as well as everyone else I have tried to help always remind me that they lost the weight by not dieting. Far from the truth but comforting that they feel that way about it. The other thing is you have to develope a plan for physical activity that you can enjoy and do long term or to be open for trying new things that gets you outdoors and moving. Another part of this conference was about the pharmacological, psychological and psychosocial component to this issue of obesity—- and what is in the works in the area of medications to literally change the brain chemistry of long standing obesity.. You cannot expect to loose the weight and resume your old life as usual. Again a mind set. But you know, your life depends on it. Plus those of you who are parents and grandparents. Look at the ones around you. Is generational obesity in their future or can you help put the skids to it now. This is a big deal what you all are trying to do. But remember that every time that yo-yo goes up and down the situation gets worse and harder to overcome. 

Is generational obesity in their future: for better or worse, I did not have (birth) children. My (step) daughter is a little overweight but she has her mom's willowy genes and married a lanky thin guy so their kids tend to stay on the healthy weight side. Oddly though my Grandson recently married and his bride weighs in excess of 400lbs. I sometimes 'wonder' (so narcissist of me) if my being obese most of his life (I've been thin twice but not permanently, obviously) had any influence on his choice. I have wondered if she will influence him to overeat or if he will influence her to eat less - it will be interesting to watch. On that same weird topic one of the "My 600 pound life" cases studies was a woman married to a very thin man. The poor lady was so obese he had to help her do everything and he often commented that he worried if she lost the weight and achieved a physical independence would she 'need' him. I wasn't sure who I felt worse for ... because it was obvious he was not only enabling her but likely attempting sabotage. I'm lost in thoughts here and should probably put this on my own journal. I guess the point is I do read what you right and am paying attention. I appreciate you sharing the information. 

FullBella— generational obesity is both from environmental factors and genetics. Children who grow up eating the poor food choices that are served to them tend to be obese as they progress in life. For one thing, the amount that is TYPICALLY served to children in that 2+ age category is often what would be considered a serving for a smaller female adult. One thing that I heard at the lecture and am currently researching is that long term obesity can can alter the genes of an obese female posing a heritable genetic issue for future children. I’m still working on trying to find site sources for this piece of information to make sure that my notes were accurate. 

There are many men who marry obese women for their own security— and, if they attempt to loose they continual sabotage their progress and bully and berate them u tintil they cease their efforts. There are also just plain wonderful guys who love the person regardless. But no one wants to loose someone they love from preventable causes.