I agree totally.
And the fact that she is smart enough to understand the situation...She knows she is extremely over-weight, she knows she struggles with binge-eating, and she knows that her many health issues are ones that were brought on by her weight and can be reduced were she to loose weight.
Like you mentioned before as well, it's that she tries something, then gives up.
It's like, with the water. Drinking 6 glasses a day, especially if you're not regularly doing that, can take some reminders, some pushing and you gotta stick to it. But say she missed a day or so, or realized a week had passed and she was only maxing out at 4 glasses, then she just says "well, I tried but it wasn't for me!"
The problem is that she is okay with just ... failing... with being where she is. It's her comfort zone. I think she is afraid of the amount of work it's going to take. She's probably afraid that if it starts to work that she'll have to keep it up.
It's why she just makes excuses and justifies her position.
"Well I tried, but I failed and I figured I would fail lol i'm so quirky can't even drink water! but I hope you all keep it up and don't be like me lol, but i've stopped drinking diet soda as much so that's almost the same thing!"
She's not embarrassed to say she failed. She's not embarrassed to say that she weights about 500lbs and has slipped disk and all this stuff that one would be ashamed to admit.
I think it's definitely a lack of tenacity, and a bit of fear for stepping out of her comfort zone.
I mean homegirls been so big for so long, it's kind of her 'thing'
Exactly!
She seems to think cold turkey = success. Drinking soda instead of water like you intended doesn't mean "I can't do it!" It means go back to your original plan, and if you keep failing, adapt a better strategy. Maybe put a lemon wedge, cucumber or mint in your water if it's boring you, or take a water-bottle with you everywhere to resist temptation. Whatever you do, don't give up! Same for any other lifestyle change. It's an adjustment, not an overnight switch. Al is definitely an instant gratification type like
@Barbarella said, and that's a huge stumbling block.
She's just like a smoker who has tried to quit countless times and riffles off excuses for why they haven't succeeded yet. The problem is they don't want to quit. They know they should, and they dislike dealing with the consequences, but they like smoking regardless. You have to be completely committed to quit. AL wants to lose weight and improve her health, but she doesn't want to give up food yet. It might take a serious life or death moment for that to happen.
Good point about her weight being a part of her identity. I never thought about that, but I think you're right that it's a big part of her problem. It's scary to give up your identity and imagine your life without it. If she could realize there's more to her than being the "fat chick" she might be more committed, but choosing "obesity blogger" as a youtube career is prolonging her current self image.
I hope one day she becomes a genuine healthy living vlogger and dates women for their chemistry rather than to mooch off of them, but at this rate, that's a long time coming.
I do think it would be really hard to lose weight. I think it would be exhausting to have to relearn portion control, feel what emotions she's stuffing down with her foods, learn a new way to celebrate, and find another outlet for emotions. I have watched a lot of documentaries about the super morbidly obese (not just my 600 lb life) and it seems like very few can do it once they get in that 500+ range. Many end up dying.
Logically it'd be pretty easy to loose weight quickly at her size if she controlled her portions and exercised regularly. It's over-coming the psychological aspects and remaining disciplined (especially during celebrations and other social situations like you said) that's difficult.
I'm not sure if she's insured either, and I doubt she can afford decent coverage. She should see if she can get a nutritionist or a counselor covered if she is insured, and if she can, I hope she takes advantage of that. Even weight watchers would be beneficial. Doing this alone isn't working. Girlfriend needs an extra push.
As entertaining as her chaotic life is, I really hope she improves. She's one of the few lolcows that I haven't written off as a lost cause
(yet.)
Also trying to blame her low view count on YouTube screwing things up.
