Re: Steve's fast weight loss goals

[Guest guest]

Hi Group,

I read Steve's 5/31 journal entry last night, and then again this morning, and in it he discussed again the goal of losing 60 pounds in 90 days. His arguments on what he is trying to do and how he is going to do it are fine as far as they go, but he really does not get into how he can lose that much that fast in a safe or healthy way. It is more of a justification for living a healthy life style, which we all already fully approve. I will be the first to say that whatever Steve does is his own business, and aso, when you start from a relatively high weight, the weight will certainly come off quickly as it takes a lot of calories just to maintain a large body. Still, it takes a lot of other nutrients at the same time, and it is very hard to get all of these in the framework of a very low calorie diet. I assume he is getting some expert advice on this and pray that he will accomplish it safely. For the rest of us, I worry that Steve's example will cause others to set unrealistic goals, doomed for failure or, worse, to cause harm to the body. At any rate, quick weight loss is not the beginning of setting those patterns that we can maintain as a longterm lifestyle. The fact that Steve took the time and effort to justify his plans is a compliment to us, and I appreciate it. We have become a sort of extended family, and, as such, do not have to approve of all that each do in order to support them. I am rooting for Steve in his goals, and hope it works as he plans, and at the same time would hope that another person would think long and hard before trying the same thing. Steve probably has a level of expert advice in this that the rest of us would not.

I have a son Steve's age who looks uncannily like Steve, and has much the same public presence (Steve they say everyone has a twin somewhere - I know yours).

I do not approve of everything my son does, but I support him in all he does. Same with Steve.

W..

[Guest guest]

Steve is a nice guy. Everyone likes Steve. I do too. But I believe "the group" puts him on a pedestal and supports him NO MATTER WHAT. There is something so weak about this...Steve leaves his kids and wife, No Problem. Steve lies about his walk,No problem. Steve divorces his wife,No problem. Steve reports quick weight loss plans,No problem. I would say it's only Steve's business but STEVE MADE A PUBLIC FORUM ABOUT IT AND HE MAKES HIS PRIVATE LIFE PUBLIC. That is when what he does comes under scrutiny and rightfully so. You guys can castigate the person criticizing Steve...but it's their opinion...no more right or wrong than Steve. It just is humorous almost to watch all you followers supporting Steve no matter what. Reminds me of the Emperor with no clothes. I'm gonna hang around here and watch Steve's next mistake, and the group scamper around twisting things to support him. Seems like

all you are inflicted with the disease to please!labtrek1941 wrote: Hi Group, I read Steve's 5/31 journal entry last night, and then again this morning, and in it he discussed again the goal of losing 60 pounds in 90 days. His arguments on what he is trying to do and how he is going to do it are fine as far as they go, but he really does not get into how he can lose that much that fast in a safe or healthy way. It is more of a justification for living a healthy life style, which we all already fully approve. I will be the first to say that whatever Steve does is his own business, and aso, when you start from a relatively high weight, the weight will

certainly come off quickly as it takes a lot of calories just to maintain a large body. Still, it takes a lot of other nutrients at the same time, and it is very hard to get all of these in the framework of a very low calorie diet. I assume he is getting some expert advice on this and pray that he will accomplish it safely. For the rest of us, I worry that Steve's example will cause others to set unrealistic goals, doomed for failure or, worse, to cause harm to the body. At any rate, quick weight loss is not the beginning of setting those patterns that we can maintain as a longterm lifestyle. The fact that Steve took the time and effort to justify his plans is a compliment to us, and I appreciate it. We have become a sort of extended family, and, as such, do not have to approve of all that each do in order to support them. I am rooting for Steve in his goals, and hope it works as he plans, and at the same time would hope that

another person would think long and hard before trying the same thing. Steve probably has a level of expert advice in this that the rest of us would not. I have a son Steve's age who looks uncannily like Steve, and has much the same public presence (Steve they say everyone has a twin somewhere - I know yours). I do not approve of everything my son does, but I support him in all he does. Same with Steve. W..

How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

I don't want to keep this discussion going, but one thing I thought

that needed added was that April was the one who filed for divorce I

believe. I don't think that is any reason to blame either one of them.

Sometimes relationships are better kept as friends than as husband and

wife. Its really none of our business. I think the reason it was even

brought up in the first place was because April had been very much in

the forefront of the website as far as keeping up with the posts.

After her " disappearance " , I think it was mentioned for the sake of

clarity.

~~

Hi Group,

> I read Steve's 5/31 journal entry last night, and then again this

morning, and in it he discussed again the goal of losing 60 pounds in

90 days. His arguments on what he is trying to do and how he is going

to do it are fine as far as they go, but he really does not get into

how he can lose that much that fast in a safe or healthy way. It is

more of a justification for living a healthy life style, which we all

already fully approve. I will be the first to say that whatever Steve

does is his own business, and aso, when you start from a relatively

high weight, the weight will certainly come off quickly as it takes a

lot of calories just to maintain a large body. Still, it takes a lot

of other nutrients at the same time, and it is very hard to get all of

these in the framework of a very low calorie diet. I assume he is

getting some expert advice on this and pray that he will accomplish it

safely. For the rest of us, I worry that Steve's example will cause

others to set

> unrealistic goals, doomed for failure or, worse, to cause harm to

the body. At any rate, quick weight loss is not the beginning of

setting those patterns that we can maintain as a longterm lifestyle.

The fact that Steve took the time and effort to justify his plans is

a compliment to us, and I appreciate it. We have become a sort of

extended family, and, as such, do not have to approve of all that each

do in order to support them. I am rooting for Steve in his goals, and

hope it works as he plans, and at the same time would hope that

another person would think long and hard before trying the same thing.

Steve probably has a level of expert advice in this that the rest of

us would not.

> I have a son Steve's age who looks uncannily like Steve, and has

much the same public presence (Steve they say everyone has a twin

somewhere - I know yours).

> I do not approve of everything my son does, but I support him in

all he does. Same with Steve.

> W..

>

>

> http://www.thefatmanwalking.com/

> Keep walking Steve!!!

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

i turned a year older today. so i feel llike im about 90. good night everyone. and steve, keep doing whats right for you.

Happy birthday and may you have many, many more

[Guest guest]

i dont think anybody thinks of steve as a god, but most of us do respect him, and everything he has done 4 himself. and it seems to me like he has helped alot of other people along the way. sorry, i just had to get that off my chest. now, im off to dream land. this has been a long day, working, and i turned a year older today. so i feel llike im about 90. good night everyone. and steve, keep doing whats right for you. bandgb wrote: I don't want to keep this discussion going, but one thing I thoughtthat needed added was that April was the one who filed for divorce Ibelieve. I don't think that is any reason to blame either one of them.Sometimes relationships are better kept as friends than as husband andwife. Its really none of our business. I think the reason it was evenbrought up in the first place was

because April had been very much inthe forefront of the website as far as keeping up with the posts.After her "disappearance", I think it was mentioned for the sake ofclarity. ~~ Hi Group,> I read Steve's 5/31 journal entry last night, and then again thismorning, and in it he discussed again the goal of losing 60 pounds in90 days. His arguments on what he is trying to do and how he is goingto do it are fine as far as they go, but he really does not get intohow he can lose that much that fast in a safe or healthy way. It ismore of a justification for living a healthy life style, which we

allalready fully approve. I will be the first to say that whatever Stevedoes is his own business, and aso, when you start from a relativelyhigh weight, the weight will certainly come off quickly as it takes alot of calories just to maintain a large body. Still, it takes a lotof other nutrients at the same time, and it is very hard to get all ofthese in the framework of a very low calorie diet. I assume he isgetting some expert advice on this and pray that he will accomplish itsafely. For the rest of us, I worry that Steve's example will causeothers to set> unrealistic goals, doomed for failure or, worse, to cause harm tothe body. At any rate, quick weight loss is not the beginning ofsetting those patterns that we can maintain as a longterm lifestyle. The fact that Steve took the time and effort to justify his plans isa compliment to us, and I appreciate it. We have

become a sort ofextended family, and, as such, do not have to approve of all that eachdo in order to support them. I am rooting for Steve in his goals, andhope it works as he plans, and at the same time would hope thatanother person would think long and hard before trying the same thing.Steve probably has a level of expert advice in this that the rest ofus would not.> I have a son Steve's age who looks uncannily like Steve, and hasmuch the same public presence (Steve they say everyone has a twinsomewhere - I know yours). > I do not approve of everything my son does, but I support him inall he does. Same with Steve.> W.. > > > http://www.thefatmanwalking.com/> Keep walking Steve!!! > > > >

[Guest guest]

Happy, happy birthday, Della.

Elaine

i dont think anybody thinks of steve as a god, but most of us do respect him, and everything he has done 4 himself. and it seems to me like he has helped alot of other people along the way. sorry, i just had to get that off my chest. now, im off to dream land. this has been a long day, working, and i turned a year older today. so i feel llike im about 90. good night everyone. and steve, keep doing whats right for you.

[Guest guest]

ty elaine Elaine wrote: Happy, happy birthday, Della. Elaine i dont think anybody thinks of steve as a god, but most of us do respect him, and everything he has done 4 himself. and it seems to me like he has helped

alot of other people along the way. sorry, i just had to get that off my chest. now, im off to dream land. this has been a long day, working, and i turned a year older today. so i feel llike im about 90. good night everyone. and steve, keep doing whats right for you. __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

ty howard. i turned 35, i feel olldd lol dougpapa@... wrote: i turned a year older today. so i feel llike im about 90. good night everyone. and steve, keep doing whats right for you. Happy birthday and may you have many, many more __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

dougpapa@... wrote: I'm gonna hang around here and watch Steve's next mistake, and the group scamper around twisting things to support him. Seems like all you are inflicted with the disease to please! "Well" a long time ago my Mother told me, If you can't say something good about a person, Just don't say anything at all. I find that a very good thing. I can find something good in almost

everyone and in almost every circumstance. Everything goes better with a positive attitude. I hope you don't let negative thoughts take away some of your joy for living. __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Maybe the "disease to please" is no bad thing, when the person to whom it is directed is not someone one is trying to get something from. There is no payoff here except the satisfaction of helping each other and being helped in turn on our journey through life. Try it sometime. You might actually like it better than finding fault and judging people you do not know.

W.

Re: Re: Steve's fast weight loss goals

dougpapa@... wrote:

I'm gonna hang around here and watch Steve's next mistake, and the group scamper around twisting things to support him. Seems like all you are inflicted with the disease to please!

"Well" a long time ago my Mother told me, If you can't say something good about a person, Just don't say anything at all. I find that a very good thing. I can find something good in almost everyone and in almost every circumstance. Everything goes better with a positive attitude. I hope you don't let negative thoughts take away some of your joy for living.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

even if he did cheat on a few miles, how does that affect you? labtrek1941 wrote: Maybe the "disease to please" is no bad thing, when the person to whom it is directed is not someone one is trying to get something from. There is no payoff here except the satisfaction of helping each other and being helped in turn on our journey through life. Try it sometime. You might actually like it better than finding fault and judging people you do not know. W. Re: Re: Steve's fast weight loss goals dougpapa@... wrote: In a message

dated 6/3/2006 6:25:59 PM Central Standard Time, bethblack69@... writes: I'm gonna hang around here and watch Steve's next mistake, and the group scamper around twisting things to support him. Seems like all you are inflicted with the disease to please! "Well" a long time ago my Mother told me, If you can't say something good about a person, Just don't say anything at all. I find that a very good thing. I can find something good in almost everyone and in almost every circumstance. Everything goes better with a positive attitude. I hope you don't let negative thoughts take away some of your joy for living. __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Very well said Shan!

Jane

[Guest guest]

Beth Black wrote:

>

> Steve is a nice guy. Everyone likes Steve. I do too. But I

believe " the group " puts him on a pedestal and supports him NO MATTER

WHAT. There is something so weak about this...

Rubbish! and I and more recently several others have gently but

very firmly said we disagree with Steve's stated aim for weightloss

of several lbs a day. But we also recognise his authority over his

own decisions and goals - this is TOTALLY important for all us obese

people. Far too many people try to treat us as stupid fat lumps. Fat

we are and sometimes lumpish but NOT stupid. We do not need thers to

decide our method of healing ourselves. That jhas to be done the way

WE need to do it, each of us, with our own mistakes - and successes.

>> Steve leaves his kids and wife, No Problem.

Quite. No problem for us.

Problem for him, his wife and the kids to sort out for themselves.

>> Steve lies about his walk,No problem.

Quite. No problem.

Ever studied myth? It's the healing and redemptive power of the

story, the model, the hero/ hera. Do you really think all the heroes

of the great stories did all that's put on them? Nah. Course not. But

it's stories written larger that enlarge US - spiritually not

physically!

>> Steve divorces his wife,No problem.

Steve and his wife have agreed to divorce, yes no problem. People do

it all the time and mostly with far less dignity and care than this

family.

>> Steve reports quick weight loss plans,No problem.

Yes here I agree for real there is a problem. A problem for Steve if

he gets attached to that goal. (But a recent post from him makes it

clear he isn't)

More widely it culd be a problem just because Steve IS a public hero

and a model for so many. This is one of the many complexities he will

have to grapple with now he is famous. How much should he take

responsibility for affecting others because he is their visionary

icon? If too much he sacrifices his freedom to experiment, to play,

to mess up, to be human. Too little and others get damaged by his

example.

Not an easy question but for me ultimately - having

been 'famous'and 'a leader' myself, the bottom line is a leader's

radical ultimate freedom to do as they damn well please if they

really want to. It was one's deep founded nature as a unique

individual that built the leadership. So acting against one's own

needs betrays both oneself and one's responsibilities to others.

>> I would say it's only Steve's business but STEVE MADE A PUBLIC

FORUM ABOUT IT AND HE MAKES HIS PRIVATE LIFE PUBLIC.

Yes. But it still belongs to him. We just get the outer layer.

> That is when what he does comes under scrutiny and rightfully so.

Sure. We can disagree and some of us have. So as you say, no problem.

> It just is humorous almost to watch all you followers supporting

Steve no matter what. Reminds me of the Emperor with no clothes.

Hmm. This is your fantasy mate. You're not seeing the critical (but

supportive) posts, and the disagreement here.

> I'm gonna hang around here and watch Steve's next mistake, and the

group scamper around twisting things to support him. Seems like all

you are inflicted with the disease to please!

Heavens. Didn't you know that obese people are deeply programmed to

please? We swallow anger and grief with the food, and smile. We

are " good natured " - like hell we are! Under the cushioning fat we

rage and weep. But outside our rounded childlike faces smile and

smile.

Don't, please, treat the typical obese characteristics with contempt.

It doesn't help. Instead work with us as one of us or as a fellow

traveller, to work our way out of the disease to please most of us

share.

Then there's the next problem, taking pot shots at easy targets,

friendly, generous leaders or other fatsos who don't shoot nasties

back. It's easy to feel strong by playing the truthtelling kid

against the powerful naked Emperor. It's MUCH harder to look down at

one's own bulging tummy and see oneself, fat, exposed and vulnerable.

But looking at it is a big step to dealing with it.

Shan

[Guest guest]

I got up at 4 something am and found Shan's rebuttal of Beth's critique posted all over again, went back to bed and could not stop thinking about this critique and the ones by the news media. It is sort of like those Dear Abby letters that start out telling about what all is wrong with his/her marriange and ends up "should I leave or stay in this marriage?" She will answer (wisely) that the person has to evaluate for self the pros and cons of the matter and decide him/herself. so:

Did Steve walk every mile?: Well, I will never actually know, will I? Steve knows, and hopefully, is ok with what he knows. What I do know is that he walked whatever number of miles it takes to impress me. Was it the full number of miles? Impressive. Was it 119 miles less that that? Still impressive. Was it 1000 miles less than that? Still almost 2000 miles carrying a bonebreaking load. No one thinks or implies he shaved that much off. All he really had to walk is whatever number of miles is enough to impress the individual person who is considering the matter when choosing his hero/mentor/life example. I could have chosen the British army guy who is walking around the world, or the Peace Pilgrim. I chose Steve as much for the company of you others who followed his journey as anything else. Steve and his journals resonate for us. We tap into what he shares with us. He is real and his battles and demons are real. We have the right to choose. Anyone who has the need to criticise us and Steve certainly has the right, but with that right certainly should not be surprised that she be seen as rude, judgemental, maybe looking for attention in a somewhat childish way. We do not need someone else to choose who interests or impresses us, but enough, the matter has already had too much attention, and anyway.Shan has covered this far better than my poor power to add or detract.. Too early in the morning.....

W

From: Shan

To: thefatmanwalking_group

Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 9:15 PM

Subject: Re: Steve's fast weight loss goals

Beth Black wrote:>> Steve is a nice guy. Everyone likes Steve. I do too. But I believe "the group" puts him on a pedestal and supports him NO MATTER WHAT. There is something so weak about this...Rubbish! and I and more recently several others have gently but very firmly said we disagree with Steve's stated aim for weightloss of several lbs a day. But we also recognise his authority over his own decisions and goals - this is TOTALLY important for all us obese people. Far too many people try to treat us as stupid fat lumps. Fat we are and sometimes lumpish but NOT stupid. We do not need thers to decide our method of healing ourselves. That jhas to be done the way WE need to do it, each of us, with our own mistakes - and successes.>> Steve leaves his kids and wife, No Problem. Quite. No problem for us. Problem for him, his wife and the kids to sort out for themselves.>> Steve lies about his walk,No problem. Quite. No problem.Ever studied myth? It's the healing and redemptive power of the story, the model, the hero/ hera. Do you really think all the heroes of the great stories did all that's put on them? Nah. Course not. But it's stories written larger that enlarge US - spiritually not physically!>> Steve divorces his wife,No problem. Steve and his wife have agreed to divorce, yes no problem. People do it all the time and mostly with far less dignity and care than this family.>> Steve reports quick weight loss plans,No problem. Yes here I agree for real there is a problem. A problem for Steve if he gets attached to that goal. (But a recent post from him makes it clear he isn't)More widely it culd be a problem just because Steve IS a public hero and a model for so many. This is one of the many complexities he will have to grapple with now he is famous. How much should he take responsibility for affecting others because he is their visionary icon? If too much he sacrifices his freedom to experiment, to play, to mess up, to be human. Too little and others get damaged by his example. Not an easy question but for me ultimately - having been 'famous'and 'a leader' myself, the bottom line is a leader's radical ultimate freedom to do as they damn well please if they really want to. It was one's deep founded nature as a unique individual that built the leadership. So acting against one's own needs betrays both oneself and one's responsibilities to others.>> I would say it's only Steve's business but STEVE MADE A PUBLIC FORUM ABOUT IT AND HE MAKES HIS PRIVATE LIFE PUBLIC. Yes. But it still belongs to him. We just get the outer layer.> That is when what he does comes under scrutiny and rightfully so.Sure. We can disagree and some of us have. So as you say, no problem.> It just is humorous almost to watch all you followers supporting Steve no matter what. Reminds me of the Emperor with no clothes. Hmm. This is your fantasy mate. You're not seeing the critical (but supportive) posts, and the disagreement here.> I'm gonna hang around here and watch Steve's next mistake, and the group scamper around twisting things to support him. Seems like all you are inflicted with the disease to please!Heavens. Didn't you know that obese people are deeply programmed to please? We swallow anger and grief with the food, and smile. We are "good natured" - like hell we are! Under the cushioning fat we rage and weep. But outside our rounded childlike faces smile and smile.Don't, please, treat the typical obese characteristics with contempt. It doesn't help. Instead work with us as one of us or as a fellow traveller, to work our way out of the disease to please most of us share. Then there's the next problem, taking pot shots at easy targets, friendly, generous leaders or other fatsos who don't shoot nasties back. It's easy to feel strong by playing the truthtelling kid against the powerful naked Emperor. It's MUCH harder to look down at one's own bulging tummy and see oneself, fat, exposed and vulnerable. But looking at it is a big step to dealing with it.Shan

[Guest guest]

Amen! I chose this site for the respect I have that a 400 pound man could have the courage to do something so drastic to change his life for the better. I stayed because the people here all have their own courage. Facing the attitudes of people when you have any kind of handicap takes courage, humor, grit, and just plain good attitudes. I am a person who believes in good attitudes. I have a poem about attitudes on my wall which in part says that attitude is more important then education, money, circumstances, success, failure, or what other people think, say, or do. It also says that attitude is the only thing we have control of...our own attitude that is. We cannot control, time, events, or people. I see that reflected in the majority of people on this site and I really appreciate the attitudes.

I have never got on a site before where I stayed as I really have never felt like I clicked with the people. The people on this site have insight on their own issues and those insights help all of us. The different points of view help everyone. But the best of all is that we don't necessarily like who we are but we accept ourselves and move on to make the best of our good qualities and improve our bad ones. We also accept each other. Even tho a lot of you would not go backpacking alone, you admire those of us who do. some of us swim, some walk, some do whatever. And yet we all encourage and up build each other.

I am not going to pick out any people who I especially admire as I admire each and everyone of you for your various qualities. There are people here who suffer from paralyzing diseases, from knee problems, from all kinds of things. And yet you all just keep going along day by day. This is my kind of group, one where the people accept their issues and work with them.

I hope I never lose track of you all.

Jane

[Guest guest]

hope I never lose track of you all.

Thank you dear Jane

I feel the same as you.

[Guest guest]

My feelings exactly. Finding a group like all of you is pure magic.

W.

Re: Re: Steve's fast weight loss goals

Amen! I chose this site for the respect I have that a 400 pound man could have the courage to do something so drastic to change his life for the better. I stayed because the people here all have their own courage. Facing the attitudes of people when you have any kind of handicap takes courage, humor, grit, and just plain good attitudes. I am a person who believes in good attitudes. I have a poem about attitudes on my wall which in part says that attitude is more important then education, money, circumstances, success, failure, or what other people think, say, or do. It also says that attitude is the only thing we have control of...our own attitude that is. We cannot control, time, events, or people. I see that reflected in the majority of people on this site and I really appreciate the attitudes.

I have never got on a site before where I stayed as I really have never felt like I clicked with the people. The people on this site have insight on their own issues and those insights help all of us. The different points of view help everyone. But the best of all is that we don't necessarily like who we are but we accept ourselves and move on to make the best of our good qualities and improve our bad ones. We also accept each other. Even tho a lot of you would not go backpacking alone, you admire those of us who do. some of us swim, some walk, some do whatever. And yet we all encourage and up build each other.

I am not going to pick out any people who I especially admire as I admire each and everyone of you for your various qualities. There are people here who suffer from paralyzing diseases, from knee problems, from all kinds of things. And yet you all just keep going along day by day. This is my kind of group, one where the people accept their issues and work with them.

I hope I never lose track of you all.

Jane

[Guest guest]

I'll second that.

I got involved with this group primarily to follow Steve's walk which in turn

got me involved with AOM & my walking has increased considerably.

Gerard

>

> From: jjsmth@...

> Date: 2006/06/08 Thu PM 04:13:43 EDT

> To: thefatmanwalking_group

> Subject: Re: Re: Steve's fast weight loss goals

>

> Amen! I chose this site for the respect I have that a 400 pound man could

> have the courage to do something so drastic to change his life for the better.

I

> stayed because the people here all have their own courage. Facing the

> attitudes of people when you have any kind of handicap takes courage, humor,

grit,

> and just plain good attitudes. I am a person who believes in good attitudes.

> I have a poem about attitudes on my wall which in part says that attitude is

> more important then education, money, circumstances, success, failure, or

> what other people think, say, or do. It also says that attitude is the only

> thing we have control of...our own attitude that is. We cannot control, time,

> events, or people. I see that reflected in the majority of people on this

site

> and I really appreciate the attitudes.

> I have never got on a site before where I stayed as I really have never felt

> like I clicked with the people. The people on this site have insight on

> their own issues and those insights help all of us. The different points of

view

> help everyone. But the best of all is that we don't necessarily like who we

> are but we accept ourselves and move on to make the best of our good qualities

> and improve our bad ones. We also accept each other. Even tho a lot of you

> would not go backpacking alone, you admire those of us who do. some of us

swim,

> some walk, some do whatever. And yet we all encourage and up build each

> other.

> I am not going to pick out any people who I especially admire as I admire

> each and everyone of you for your various qualities. There are people here who

> suffer from paralyzing diseases, from knee problems, from all kinds of things.

> And yet you all just keep going along day by day. This is my kind of group,

> one where the people accept their issues and work with them.

> I hope I never lose track of you all.

> Jane

>

>