There is new research that indicates an adenovirus, Ad36, may be a factor, especially when weight gain is sudden. In chickens it has been demonstrated clearly that it causes rapid and dramatic increase in the number of fat cells. In a study of human obesity, half of the subjects tested were found to have antibodies to Ad36, indicating exposure at some point in time. It is also possible that this viral link may be part of why people do not like to be around fat people-- it may actually be catching, and the aversion may be an instinctive response.

Another factor in metabolism is that most "diets" are not calculated with enough calories in them for big people. The diets put the body into starvation mode, and the metabolism acts to "save" the person by lowering itself. So then the person will not lose at the rate they expected, and may even gain. The body may also react by taking protein from the body's stores if not enough is eaten-- and this would be from muscle and even cardiac muscle.

Decreased muscle mass leaves the person exercising with insufficient power to exercise safely. This can easily result in chrononc tendonitis as the tendons try to do what the msucles can't do.

Increased muscle mass, on the other hand, burns more fat, runs the body's metabolism hotter and faster.

Underhydrated muscles are also vulnerable. The Tour de France people said that at a 20% decrease in hydration, the muscles can only work at 80% of capacity.

Water appears to play an important role in weight loss as well. People dieting and exercising without drinking eough water are not metabolising fat effectively.

Most docotrs are trained to asusume that big people are lying about what they eat. Thus they are unable from the get-go to spot what eating patterns may be at work, or to help-- except by hauling out the average desired weight charts and the standard 1200 or 1500 calorie food plans. Many obese people really only eat two meals a day, and can hardly stand the thought of breakfast. At one discussion forum where there is a program designed around all these realities, thread after thread asks, "How can I possibly eat this much FOOD?????"

I have a full set of bookmarks and I am ewilling to share them via PM. I may post them at the Annexe but right now I don't have time. You can learn all this with clever searching at Google. Of particular interest are the sites where you can calculate what amount of calories you are burning for your present weight, and also how to determine yor metabolic rate.

Exercising with extra weight is equivalent to a skinny person haluing that same amount of excess weight around while they play tennis. Consider sports medicine the more effective model for an attempt at a rigorous exercise plan. Dare your skinny friends to strap on the same percentage of excess weight you are carrying-- bags of kitty litter or horse feed are perfect-- and see if they can keep up with you, even to walk around the block.

I had my child at a weight over 200 pounds. I met and married my husband at about 215. I am bigger now (temporarily) and we still enjoy romance. He just brought me home a Valentine's Day card that talks about all the things that had to happen in the universe for us to find each other, tailor-made to be the perfect one for each other.

Pain is inevitable. Misery is optional.

~Susan