They're happy and healthy--not thin

With the average weight of Americans steadily rising, and with study after study showing just how hard it is for most people to shed pounds and keep them off--perhaps it's no surprise that attitudes are shifting, too.

This week's Health section has a package of stories about people who fall squarely into the government's definition of "overweight." After years of yo-yo dieting, they have shifted their approach. They're saying goodbye to trying again and again to achieve an ideal weight. Instead, they're opting to live healthily and feel good about their bodies and the way they live their lives--extra pounds and all.

People like 37-year-old Maria Canul, 5 feet 2 and a curvy 180 pounds, who eats a nutritious diet, exercises for 30 minutes almost every day on a StairMaster, does light yoga daily and goes for walks:

"Like an increasing number of people who fall outside the normal weight box on BMI charts, she's fine with how she looks, thank you. The striking redhead is healthy, fit, happy--and has no problem attracting men. Canul now sees society coming around to her view as well.

" 'I see it in the reaction from men and even in the media. There's more appreciation of larger women. I'm getting hit on a lot, so apparently my weight isn't an issue for some. I think I look pretty average. Thin is on the way out....12 is the average size of women today, and I don't have to be a size 2 ever again.' "

The article also notes that "when so much of the population falls outside the normal BMI range, acceptance can't be far behind. Media messages, books on body diversity and organizations promoting fat acceptance are urging heavy people to accept their size and focus more on their health."

We've already received an array of letters from readers who responded to the article with irritation or support. Read the stories and feel free to post your own comments and experiences below.

-- Rosie Mestel

Photo: Maria Canul, 37,  is overweight, but has stopped dieting. "I took diet pills, I did all different kinds of things that were not really healthy," Canul said. "Technically, I'm fat, but it's not that unusual to be my size."

Credit: Dave Getzschman / For The Times

Comments

[Lisa Cain]

Is it better to focus on being thin or being healthy? Personally, I have chosen being healthy. The post baby stomach flab and the cellulite don't make me feel less attractive IF I had a chance to exercise and I ate mostly great food during my day. It is how I feel that matters.
Lisa
http://www.snacksnoop.com

[Robb Russell, D.C.]

Regarding: Diets? Not for them (Health, October 12, 2009) and genetically normal weight

Therapist and author of The Diet Survivor's Handbook, Judith Matz, is credited with stating that those who give up dieting do not gain weight but rather settle where the body's weight 'is genetically set to be.' This presumes that some people are genetically destined to be overweight. It ignores the simple fact that you cannot attain your genetically normal weight if you eat a diet that is not genetically suited for you. People who eat in a manner to which we are genetically designed are virtually never fat.

Humans evolved as hunter-gatherers on diets mostly of vegetables, fruits, nuts, game, fish and seafood. These are the foods our species is adapted to eating. Modern-day people who adopt eating habits similar to hunter-gatherers experience considerable health benefits, particularly finding a genetically true weight. If you stick to eating in accord with what I like to call our Food Blueprint, it is pretty difficult to remain overweight.

Domestic cats are meat-eaters but can live for many years on dry cat food which has considerable amounts of grains and legumes. Humans can also live on foods that are not optimal, but there are negative health consequences. If one sticks to the type of foods humans evolved to eat for hundreds of thousands of years, the natural response is to be lean. If the choice is to eat the standard American diet, unwanted weight gain is almost assured.