Comments on: Are your friends making you fat? http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/ Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:47:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Erin http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2241 Erin Sat, 08 Sep 2007 18:52:52 +0000 http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2241 But, blaming others (rather than my decision just to polish of the carton of icecream-oops!) is so much more fun! I guess that is something we all have to contend with. Personal responsibility is hard, in most facets of life. But, blaming others (rather than my decision just to polish of the carton of icecream-oops!) is so much more fun! I guess that is something we all have to contend with. Personal responsibility is hard, in most facets of life.

]]> By: Mark http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2229 Mark Fri, 07 Sep 2007 07:48:08 +0000 http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2229 Very true Liara, though I hope no-one would consider the title anything less than tongue-in-cheek. But you are right, the research does show what we already know; that some people are more willing to accept the attitudes they see in others, rather than addressing their own attitudes, and themselves as a whole, in a more positive way. Very true Liara, though I hope no-one would consider the title anything less than tongue-in-cheek. But you are right, the research does show what we already know; that some people are more willing to accept the attitudes they see in others, rather than addressing their own attitudes, and themselves as a whole, in a more positive way.

]]> By: Liara Covert http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2227 Liara Covert Fri, 07 Sep 2007 06:17:37 +0000 http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2227 Before you decide to attribute blame for something you don't like about yourself, you first must perceive something is wrong. To feel this way is to discover reason to distance yourself from baseline self-acceptance. Notice how the question that started this posting encourages readers to step further away from the real issue that may beg for attention... Before you decide to attribute blame for something you don’t like about yourself, you first must perceive something is wrong. To feel this way is to discover reason to distance yourself from baseline self-acceptance. Notice how the question that started this posting encourages readers to step further away from the real issue that may beg for attention…

]]> By: Jenny http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2191 Jenny Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:05:12 +0000 http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2191 hah, hah! Speak for yourself E! The thrill of a challenge - my specially chosen and most humbly offered gift to you ;) You do realize it is in no way fair though, right? (the huge difference in stride length and all…you’re actually working much harder than me, so see? you win! :) ) Sorry for the personal conversation... I have nothing of substance to add to the discussion. :D hah, hah! Speak for yourself E! The thrill of a challenge - my specially chosen and most humbly offered gift to you ;)

You do realize it is in no way fair though, right? (the huge difference in stride length and all…you’re actually working much harder than me, so see? you win! :) )

Sorry for the personal conversation… I have nothing of substance to add to the discussion. :D

]]> By: Erin http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2190 Erin Fri, 24 Aug 2007 17:58:42 +0000 http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2190 The other piece with same sex friends is the competitive nature, even in close friendships. For example, I have a very strong competitive streak. So if Jenny is running a mile in 8 minutes, you better believe I'm working my hardest to run it in 7 1/2 minutes. The great thing about Jenny is that she just watches me and laughs (and then proceeds to pass me again). It's a lovely balance - and keeps us both motivated. I think Mark nailed it for the other end of the spectrum. The other piece with same sex friends is the competitive nature, even in close friendships. For example, I have a very strong competitive streak. So if Jenny is running a mile in 8 minutes, you better believe I’m working my hardest to run it in 7 1/2 minutes. The great thing about Jenny is that she just watches me and laughs (and then proceeds to pass me again). It’s a lovely balance - and keeps us both motivated.

I think Mark nailed it for the other end of the spectrum.

]]> By: Jason http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2188 Jason Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:03:47 +0000 http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2188 Actually, I'm not surprised about the same sex thing... like Mark said it's who you are concerned with comparing yourself. It's also probably who you can relate to <i>in that area</i> more... different things have different impacts on men and women when it comes to physical fitness. Oh, and getting married tends to make people put on weight, though it's generally not because of the quality of the cooking of the new spouse (although that can certainly make a difference... my wife is an excellent cook!), but rather because they lose some of the drive to maintain their appearance for the benefit of the opposite sex. If you're no longer looking to capture the attention of a special someone, because you already have it, you don't worry quite as much about your appearance (at least, that's usually the case). Actually, I’m not surprised about the same sex thing… like Mark said it’s who you are concerned with comparing yourself. It’s also probably who you can relate to in that area more… different things have different impacts on men and women when it comes to physical fitness.

Oh, and getting married tends to make people put on weight, though it’s generally not because of the quality of the cooking of the new spouse (although that can certainly make a difference… my wife is an excellent cook!), but rather because they lose some of the drive to maintain their appearance for the benefit of the opposite sex. If you’re no longer looking to capture the attention of a special someone, because you already have it, you don’t worry quite as much about your appearance (at least, that’s usually the case).

]]> By: Mark http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2187 Mark Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:30:28 +0000 http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2187 The researchers suggest that same sex friends have more influence because we're influenced more by those we resemble (though I'd say even more so by those we'd <em>like</em> to resemble). No such effect for most spouses I suppose. I'd have thought the same as you (especially since I have one friend who put on a lot of weight after he got married. His wife was already overweight. But in their case I think it was just that she's an awesome cook). The researchers suggest that same sex friends have more influence because we’re influenced more by those we resemble (though I’d say even more so by those we’d like to resemble). No such effect for most spouses I suppose. I’d have thought the same as you (especially since I have one friend who put on a lot of weight after he got married. His wife was already overweight. But in their case I think it was just that she’s an awesome cook).

]]> By: Erin http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2186 Erin Fri, 24 Aug 2007 02:02:29 +0000 http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2186 Mark, I read this post almost two weeks ago and I still find my head returning to it. A sure sign of a good post. What keeps me coming back is that same sex friends have such a larger impact than spouses. I would have thought the opposite because you eat and recreate so much with your spouse. Followed by the fact that this is the person you are intimate with, which would further lead me to believe that you hold each other to the same standards as yourself. Shows you how much I know! Mark, I read this post almost two weeks ago and I still find my head returning to it. A sure sign of a good post. What keeps me coming back is that same sex friends have such a larger impact than spouses. I would have thought the opposite because you eat and recreate so much with your spouse. Followed by the fact that this is the person you are intimate with, which would further lead me to believe that you hold each other to the same standards as yourself. Shows you how much I know!

]]> By: Mark http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2157 Mark Thu, 16 Aug 2007 02:54:55 +0000 http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2157 No doubt that does happen Claireanne. And for me it was also about being the guy who could eat anything and not put on weight, so many of my friends would regularly give me their leftovers whenever we'd go out for dinner together. If someone with a slower metabolism than mine tried that they'd probably be huge ;) Liara, I think I've been both a follower and leader at different times in my life. Leading got some of my friends into trouble because I could eat anything without putting on weight and so I ate anything without concern for its effects on my health. And following lead me to adopt healthier eating habits <em>before</em> my poor habits lead to any serious illnesses. No doubt that does happen Claireanne. And for me it was also about being the guy who could eat anything and not put on weight, so many of my friends would regularly give me their leftovers whenever we’d go out for dinner together. If someone with a slower metabolism than mine tried that they’d probably be huge ;)

Liara, I think I’ve been both a follower and leader at different times in my life. Leading got some of my friends into trouble because I could eat anything without putting on weight and so I ate anything without concern for its effects on my health. And following lead me to adopt healthier eating habits before my poor habits lead to any serious illnesses.

]]> By: Liara Covert http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2155 Liara Covert Thu, 16 Aug 2007 02:29:39 +0000 http://thewindingpath.net/2007/08/13/are-your-friends-making-you-fat/#comment-2155 People say "you are what you eat." People also say you may be evolving into characteristics or qualities of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Ask yourself if you're a leader (trendsetter) or a follower. Think back to elementary school and your habits and friends then. Compare your history to how you feel now and whether your current friends share your values and eating habits. Some people may be drawn to you because they seek to make positive changes in their lives and you represent a great role model. People say “you are what you eat.” People also say you may be evolving into characteristics or qualities of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Ask yourself if you’re a leader (trendsetter) or a follower. Think back to elementary school and your habits and friends then. Compare your history to how you feel now and whether your current friends share your values and eating habits. Some people may be drawn to you because they seek to make positive changes in their lives and you represent a great role model.

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