Experts? Absolutely not. I’m no expert. Neither are you, buddy. I’m just someone who refuses to believe that fat people are “destined” to be that way because of their genes. Why are there more fat people per capita now than at any time during human history? Have we seen a genetic drift towards obesity in the last 100 years? Sorry, but it takes a LOT longer than that for something like this to occur. The reason we have more fat people now is simple: we now have access to huge quantities of mass produced, poor quality food, and we don’t exercise enough. It’s not a “theory”, its the way things are. Eat less calories than you burn, and you will lose weight. When you go off your diet, stop exercising (or at least exercise less intensely) and resume eating what you did before, guess what? You gain the weight right back. It’s no mystery. What is a mystery, however, is how and why you don’t see the gaping holes in your logic.
“...exercise doesn't seem to impact much on body composition. Not many build muscle and not many fat people lose fat...” You’re right. Know why? These people have it wrong. The answer is DIET (i.e. what you routinely put in your mouth). Get that right and results will come, guaranteed.
“Most people give up after 3 months of training.” Right again. Most people are quitters. Sad, but true. I refuse to be one.
“Bodybuilders have great physiques...” Which we BUILD through weight training, rigorous cardiovascular training, and proper diet. Some of us are born with a genetic predisposition for muscularity (mesomorphs), some of us are predisposed to be “skinny” (ectomorphs) and some people are genetically predisposed to carry extra adipose tissue (endomorphs). There is no one “pure type”; everyone falls somewhere within these three ranges. And EVERYONE is capable of radically changing their appearance. All it takes is will and discipline, two qualities that, sadly, are in short supply today.
“How sad is it that drug use has proliferated into every gym in the world...” Do you REALLY believe this? And even among the gyms whose patrons do use physique enhancing substances, where does the sadness figure in? Judicious use of ergogens, believe it or not, can be a GOOD thing, enhancing the quality of life of the user. Just ask pretty much any gold medal winning Olympic athlete from the past twenty years. Or do you believe that they got on the Wheatie’s box without some kind of “chemical assistance”?
“But the truth is the public doesn't respect or even appreciate the physiques that the champion men and women build.” Stick around this board long enough and you’ll find that most of the regular posters here don’t find those physiques particularly appealing either. I think they look just plain gross.
My problem with NAAFA is that they discourage folks from even trying to change their situation for the better. It is a defeatist attitude that only serves to soothe the feelings of people who, more than anything, need encouragement and guidance. I HAVE been fat. I know what it’s like to suck wind after 1 lap around the track. I know what it’s like to have stretch marks on my stomach. Through judicious diet and rigorous exercise, those stretch marks are now on my arms and chest. I did it naturally. I feel 100% better. Anyone, if they are committed, can do this.
I don’t like it when T-Maggers go to the NAAFA board and slam them with deliberately hurtful posts. But you must remember that if you spout enough bullshit, sooner or later, someone is going to call you on it. Don’t get mad when we burst your bubble. You listed a few degrees, there, Vince. You may want to contact those schools and ask for a refund.
Also, if your writing is typical of the direction that Ironman is heading, I’m glad I discovered this website over a year ago. Have a nice day. I need to fix a protein shake.