I think people like to play the 'genetics' card however genetics plays a minimal role in someones propensity to put on weight, I think it makes up something like 22% and the rest is lack of exercise and food choices. There are however certain medical conditions that can play a huge role in weight gain.

Ahoy there.

Our new episode is now available for download. We have an interview with last years contestant David Hilyander.

You can get it at http://www.chewthefat.libsyn.com and subscribe to i-tunes or download mp3.

Its a great interview, hope you like it, Shane, Jo and more will follow.

If you interview Fiona I will watch

Just go to the website and subscribe with i-tunes, you dont need an i-pod and it updates each and you can either download or not, its free anyway.

Yes it looks like we will be chatting to Fiona soon, not sure when we will be uploading it, she just got back from overseas. Keep an eye out, it coming.....

Quoted from dara

How fat are you talking though? Above or below 100kg? I know someone thats fattish but would only weigh like 70 or 80. that is genetic. but i'd say very very few people get morbidly obese due to genetics.  
but maybe thats ignorance speaking  

Dara, there are many complex psychological reasons why people
a) put on weight and
b) can't lose it.

Not just depression, as Cassiepeia suggests, that may set in later, but any number of events in a persons life which affects their self-confidence, or self belief.  You are lucky if you have not experienced any of these events or had people in your life who have devalued you in any way.

Yeah but still you have to fight that and do whats best for u .

There is also a condition called matabolic syndrome, where the body does not process insulin (the fat storing hormone) properly, so you just get fatter and fatter.  While this is caused IN PART by eating too many sugars (and all carbohydrate foods such as breads, rices and cereals are turned to simple sugars in the body) by the time you realise it is happening you have a big problem.

Beleive me, I've been there so I know.  I have lost 30 kgs from a 131 start and have 35 to go.  Doing it much slower than the TBL folk but don't depsise them for their size.  It belittles you to be so intolerant, not them.  AT least they are trying to do something positive.

Quoted from dara

Yeah but still you have to fight that and do whats best for u .

very true Dara, but as someone passing me on the street, can you tell whether I am trying or not, can you tell that I've lost or gained weight in the past six months.... ?  

You can either judge me according to a set of assumptions that may or may not apply to me or you can choose to empathise and hope that I can improve my situation and send me some positive vibes!

Quoted from Analog6

... Beleive me, I've been there so I know.  I have lost 30 kgs from a 131 start and have 35 to go.  Doing it much slower than the TBL folk but don't depsise them for their size.  It belittles you to be so intolerant, not them.  AT least they are trying to do something positive.

Hear Hear!  You'd no more despise an annorexic than fly in the air....

who's depising anyone :S
I'm not.

I can't wait for the premiere this week... 3 of the 14 contestants are from SA

Quoted from dara

who's depising anyone :S
I'm not.

No?  You come across as though you are Dara, as do many others here.

Quoted from dara

who's depising anyone :S
I'm not.

Hi Dara,

I don't want you to feel I'm picking on you, and I never said you were "despising anyone". Some of your comments were however, very judgemental.  
I'm directing my comments to you rather then certain others here, because you at least seem willing to listen and learn and take on board concepts and information which you may not previously had.

To Analog6

WELL DONE!  Keep up the good work!

Ok aingel, sorry if I sound like  I hate fat people or something. I didn't mean to sound like that. Like I understand everyone has different circumstances and stuff. I do not despise fat people but I guess I am not 100% accepting either, I would never let myself get that fat. I guess i'm saying, some people must have control, not everyone can put it down to genetics and depression etc.


And paula.. I don't.

Quoted from Analog6

There is also a condition called matabolic syndrome, where the body does not process insulin (the fat storing hormone) properly, so you just get fatter and fatter.  While this is caused IN PART by eating too many sugars (and all carbohydrate foods such as breads, rices and cereals are turned to simple sugars in the body) by the time you realise it is happening you have a big problem.

Beleive me, I've been there so I know.  I have lost 30 kgs from a 131 start and have 35 to go.  Doing it much slower than the TBL folk but don't depsise them for their size. It belittles you to be so intolerant, not them.  AT least they are trying to do something positive.

Good for you! That is a hell of an accomplishment. My son lost 70 plus kilo over 18 months between the ages of 18 and 20! He is now 22 and has kept it off. He was over 24st/153kg! Losing it slowly is better in the long run because it gives you skin time to shrink with you and it gives your body time to adjust. My son had no excess skin left over when he was done but look at Adro... he needed skin surgically removed to look 'normal' again and that is for two reasons. One: he lost the weight too rapidly' and Two: he didn't work out like Big Wal did and continues to do so.
I am overweight because of medical probs as well as lack of decent exercise. I eat very healthily and follow the good food guidelines. I also eat yoghurt once or twice a day with fruit added and Flaxseed oil and grapeseed oils added by me, to it, because they are a huge source of Omega3's for my good health. Not every one who is fat/obese stuffs their face with unhealthy foods all the day long. The clip that makes me sad in the promo for the Biggest Loser 2 is the woman who says 'I know my husband would not of had an affair if I had not gotten so fat' or something along those lines. Excuse me.... you poor woman. Your husband doesn't deserve you at all if he strayed looking for sex/contact elsewhere. Great lot of support she has had. Get slimmer honey and give your cheating husband the boot!