what do you say?

    While I know this answer, I'm sure I'm not alone in this thought. I was working out in the gym yesterday, and this "kid" who must weigh at least 350-400lbs is being shown the gym equipment....I know in my heart, there is no way in hell he will ever loose the weight he needs to. I just want to call  him aside and say...you know, for about the cost of a new car, you can look great and feel great the rest of your life.
   But of course, I say nothing...because he is a stranger.  I feel his pain!  Do other people feel this way?

David

David,

That is a tough call my friend...my own friends had wanted to pull me aside and have a heart to heart. Well I did finally realize that I needed to do this...and they were so relieved that I came to the decision on my own. I know deep down that you wanted to help that guy in the gym....but it is a tough line to cross...esp seeing that you didn't know him well...even knowing that your intentions were for his best.

-Rob

Oh...I would NEVER say anything...I guess I feel like I'm watching someone drowning and would like to throw them a life jacket. The people who know me have SEEN me change for the better and that is a testimonial in itself. Just feel their pain!

I certainly understand that you want to help that person....I have people asking me now if I can buy them Optifast so they can drop some weight like I have so far....I told them that this is medically surpervised and the such.

I'm pretty sure you can buy Optifast from the on-line Walgreens website.  It's not an Rx-only product.

/Steve

For me, it is a very hard call.  If you think you have info that could help him, maybe strike up a "gym" friendship and it will come up in conversation.

Good luck

Lou 

Great post, David. There is a young lady in her late 20's who's a cashier at Safeway who's severely morbidly obese. For the last 2 years, I've wanted to tell her about WLS. I haven't. She's had to use oxygen for the last 6 months or so and yesterday, I noticed she had to use one of those motorized chairs to get around the store.

She's in the downward health spiral (which we can all relate to) and, quite frankly, she ain't long for living imo. I will not tell her about WLS since I figure she already knows about it and, quite frankly, it's none of my business. On the other hand, I think if she saw a before picture of me on my frickin' death bed, it might motivate her to look into WLS.

Tough one.

Boner

Thanks Boner, 
     I guess I feel guilty that I "have the knowlege" or have :found the way"  and can't help someone else...you too understand the feeling!

Thanks for a great post.  I think most of us have been in that position (I know I have).  I know I'm a "newbie" in terms of WLS, but it wasn't until I started "bumping into" people who have had WLS, that I seriously started considering it.  Now my only regret is that I hadn't done it earlier!

This is a great topic, David. What I might do is when it is just you an him and the time is right, tell him that if he ever needs to talk about weight issues, to come and see you because you've been there. Let it drop at that.
Poor kid, he has his whole life ahead of him and is cutting it short by every french fry he eats.