I think it's about time we discussed this.....

Gee, some of you guys on here are really insensitive. I was always a chubby kid growing up. Now I have to work out everyday, run 4 miles, eat like a bird just to stay at 170. So I have to agree with Mamoosh, losing weight is very hard. Its total lifestyle change that requires time and discipline. And for all you teenagers that rag on overwweight people, wait till you hit 35....muhuhahaaa...

mike.s. and MAGXL200 get the morons of the week award. Congratulations.

I agree with Moosh that losing weight is not easy, but also as someone who has lost weight, and is dating someone that lost three times as me, my perspective is also quite different. I believe that if you choose to do something about it, you can lose weight. It's not easy to make that lifestyle change commitment, but it can be done.

Are there medical exceptions? Yeah, of course there are, and I'm certainly not going to blame people in that boat for their condition. It's less about choices and more about the genetic code they had no say in getting.

But really there are two issues here. One is whether or not people should work to live a healthier lifestyle, the other is whether or not manufacturers should be more accommodating. In the case of Intamin, we can really blame some idiots in New England for not running and maintaining their ride correctly (and for the record, MF doesn't appear to be turning many people away these days).

Let's face it, we've all been to enthusiast events, and we see how people eat. It's not up to us to tell each other how to live our lives, but I wish people would realize that there are consequences for the way they treat their bodies.

It's funny how all these overweight people are not obese.

Who cares who works out and how often? Who cares about what diets have been tried? It all doesn't matter. Ride manufactures are creating rides that accommodate the majority of people. If someone doesn't fit by the parks standards, then they can't ride. It's that simple. The reasons behind it are not important.

On that note, I sympathize with rides that have had their restrictions tightened. It must be awfully frustrating to come back to a favorite ride and not be allowed to ride when you had enjoyed it for years prior.

^Now, THAT'S what i'm talkin' about.

Neuski, if you are talking about me than you missed most of my point....

I stated how much I workout and how big I am in order th convey that I am not huge(as I stated earlier I know I am overweight).

My problem is with the line at MF....I wasted an hour and a half of my time in line for a ride that I couldn't ride without any warning.

Obviously you will reply with something like, "the test seat is there for a reason". How is someone who has fit in every ride they have ever ridden expected to try the test seat?

This opinion is coming from someone who knew that the restraints on Millie weren't big, imagine the shock someone who didn't love coasters and was just visiting the park would feel.

Neuski, seems like that was aimed at my post so...

Are you saying that overweight and obese are the same thing? Or are you saying that everybody is lying and they can't admit that they're actually obese and not merely a little overweight.

I was only using my mother as an example to show that it isn't 'easy' to lose weight. The older you get, the harder it is to lose excess weight. She could care less about being able to fit into any kind of amusement park ride.

*** Edited 7/27/2006 3:43:52 AM UTC by Incidentalist***

My comment was nothing personal. I have heard the same line both of you wrote from others outside of this forum. I only included the comment because I was entertained by hearing it again.

What I am saying is that there are people out there who are technically obese but refuse to admit it. And I find it funny that I hear "I'm overweight by X pounds but I'm not obese." Do I agree with the government's definition of obese? Hell no. Do I believe that there is a lot of denial out there. Hell yes.

Nate: The whole Millennium Force problem was not handled well by Cedar Point and that is not going to be disputed by many here.

I come from a family of overwight people. That might give a some insight. Am I overweight? I guess that depends on who you talk to.

Look at anorexia and bulimia. Those two disorders are every bit as bad as being overweight and obese. Give me a woman that's somewhat overweight compared to either of those. Been there, done that, collapsed esaphagus's (sp?) and heart murmors and plenty of trips to the ER. Skinny is NOT always healthier, but you can't convince many of that.

It would be near-impossible for any company to make a restraint system that could fit everyone comfortably. If you can't fit what's there, sorry. Sometimes obesity is hormonal and not all meds work. If you fit that category, that's just a bad set of genes and is not your fault. (I'll never fly a plane because of my eyesight. Is it fair? No, but that's the way it is.)

I'm 5'9" and weigh 180. I'd like to lose about 20 lbs. Wish me luck.

I've never been to an Enthusiast event, but i've heard people discuss overweight people. How's that different from a bowling league or watching a football game in a bar (lots of heavy people do those things as well, so what's the difference?)

I don't care what you weigh...

Please let me stick my big fat foot up some idiots skinny little arse while it's still big.

Now that I've found a diet I can live with and actually works. I'll have the last laugh when your 40 with a non working thyroid wondering why you can't fit on rides.

Oh and Jeff, That was last monday that 5'10" 205 guy rode MF. He got to ride but they hassled him everytime and I'll be damned if a 36 inch waist on a adult male is OBESE.

Chuck, who admits I can lose weight and diet was part of the problem. Hell Two footlong subways from the low fat menu less calories and fat than one double cheeseburger wanna add fries and a coke with that? Tripple it!

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Jeff said:
mike.s. and MAGXL200 get the morons of the week award. Congratulations.

(needless quotation removed -J)

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lol, i am a moron because seriously over weight people disgust me? how ignorant...

i used to be a walrus when i was younger and some of it was caused because i had hypthyroidism. so you know what you do if your weight problem is caused by your thyroid, you see a doctor. guess what you do after this? anyone? they usually will prescribe you medicine for your thyroid.

to lose weight and maintain you will need:a well-balanced diet, (healthy!) possibly some form of exercise, and most importantly, dedication! if you think your weight is a problem, there are many ways to treat this problem.

the people with some form of disease or possbily ssri medications that have gained a lot of weight can be an exception. but then again, there are ways to solve these problems by the advice of your doctor. doesn't anyone here have doctor's that are concerned for their health? *** Edited 7/27/2006 1:30:09 PM UTC by Jeff***

Let me just say I wish I had the same faith in the medical industry that you do.

lol, i am a moron because seriously over weight people disgust me? how ignorant...

"disgust"..."have no sympathy for"...wow, it just keeps getting BETTER AND BETTER!

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MAGXL200 said:
I agree mike, I have very little simpathy for overweight people. I know several and they all complain about how overweight they are but all they do is sit and watch tv. Losing weight is not hard. Eat a blanced meal (u can eat alot just keep it balanced) and do some exercise. you dont have ot go to the gym for 4 hours a day. if you go for 1 hour every other day and really work hard that is more than enough. It'll be along time before I give any sympathy.

Also people complain that Intamin doesnt catter to them. Why should they. its YOUR fault you are overweight not theirs.

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What a coincidence! I have very little sympathy for people who have poor knowledge of the English language, including spelling and grammar.

I actually did type out your mistakes with corrections item by item, but decided to erase before posting. But if someone decides to be the body mass police, I can be the grammar police.

So if this is a problem with parks and American riders, maybe Hershey should replace Chocolate World with Broccoli World. Six Flags should drop Papa John's pizza in favor of Succotash wraps. Holiday World should give out free Ensure instead of soft drinks. And Cedar Fair should begin offering 25 cent bags of alfalfa sprouts.

Then the 37,000 people (combined) who attend their parks each year will have no trouble fitting into any seat on any ride.

All I can say is if you are obese, over weight, fat or whatever you call yourself -- I say continue to be that way, it works out great for me.

Why you might ask? Because you are job security for my wife who works in cardiac rehab. Thanks to all you people who used her services this past year as you helped to pay for my honeymoom to the Bahamas and for our coaster trips this season.

Sorry, I had to do it. ;)

Right... I got all ya all topped. I weigh more than anyone else who has posted. I'm not gonna even say how much because I really don't want to be told "LOL You're a BLIMP!" Or some such other insensitive comment. I'm also quite tall, 6'3". Now, given all that, I've ridden every ride I've ever wanted to with the exception of a couple of B&M stand ups. X? Most comfortable restraints I've ever sat in. Stelth? Almost as good.

Now, what does PISS me off is when the end of a seatbelt gets frayed, and rather than replace it, the maintanance folks CUT IT SHORTER. Wife and I rode Timberhawk earlier this year. Now we've been on it since it opened and had NO problem with the seat belts / lapbars. (And yeah, we're both big.) So imagine our surprise when not only were the belts not long enough, but we've both lost about 10 - 15 lbs since the last time we rode? ( GO GO GADGET Workouts!!) THAT is a real aggrivation there... To their credi, the ride ops admitted that no, we hadn't actually gotten fatter, they'd cut the belts shorter becuase the ends were getting worn... Nice. pretty soon only kids will be able to ride... he he...

And yeah, riding and fitting on any coaster is part of the motivation for losing weight. I may or may not have a slow thyroid, but now that the wife and I are hitting the gym three times a week for 20 mins cardio and 40 mins strength / stretching we're certainly noticing that we both sleep better (I've not had to use my CPAP in weeks!) and again, I think we've each lost about 10 - 15 lbs. It's not much, but at least the needle is going in the right direction.

And... a few suggestions for folks that might want to lose weight or may already be doing so... that might help cause I'm all about helping if I can:

1) If you MUST have a burger (and let's face it, who doesn't want one now and again...) Try In N Out or another smaller local chain rather than McD, the quality of the ingrediants and taste are MUCH better.

2) Try drinking lightly flavored soda water rather than full sugar Pop when you want something fizzy. ( I like to mix two parts plain soda water with 1 part Diet Dr. Pepper.)

3) If you really REALLY gotta have that funnel cake, then SPLIT one with your sweetie... don't each get one...

Man... I could really go for an In N Out right about now...

-Rob Escher

(Oh, and Moosh? Thanks for your support. Gonna have to meet you next time I'm in your neighborhood.)

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Mamoosh said:
NOTE to those of you saying you have no sympathy for overweight people: do not EVER introduce yourself to me at a park or event...I want nothing to do with someone so callous!

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Well, I have no sypmathy for skinny people. Or gay people. Or ugly people. Or people with funny hair. Or Mexicans. Or people with a freckle under their nose that looks like a booger.

Can I introduce myself to you at a park (for like the 5th time now and still have you have no clue who the hell I am)? ;)

LOL John...I know who ya are now ;)

im sorry if i hurt anyone's feelings, i guess im arrogant when it comes to health.i guess being unhealthy and dealing with the scorn of others have made me this way *** Edited 7/27/2006 6:42:55 AM UTC by mike.s.***

The only reason I have so little sympathy is I find it amazing that most countries around the world do not have a major problem with overweight people like America does. Why is that. Do Americans really have that many more thyroid problems, I doubt it. It is simply becuase Americans eat more and do less physical work than most countries. For those who really do have medical problems I'm sorry my post did come out really harsh I really didn't mean to be that much of an a** about it. I do apologize. I did make some harsh comments and I really wasn't thinking at the time, so I do apologize to all that really have tried losing the weight and can't. *** Edited 7/27/2006 10:37:36 AM UTC by MAGXL200***

Actually we all didn't have this problem until SF's staff or ride ops as we call them were lax about checking seatbelts and a couple of people fell out and that's why we're still having this seatbelt controvercy. I think if no one fell out of the SMROS's all of us fatties would still be riding(myself included)