HOT BODS / YOUNG /NO DISEASES ? Is it a dream?

[Pepper & Drew]

Originally Posted by WesternSwing

As Pepper said... Hedo is fantasy, not reality. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if allot of those hotbodies weren't on the Hedo payroll to make the club look good. I'm sorry, but like I've said before, the Lifestyle is nothing you think it is and everything you could never dream of.

Mr. WS

No, Hedo is not reality because of all the hot bodies...in fact, Hedo (or at least II is, and I suspect III) is full of normal, everyday people of all shapes and forms. What I mean by it being fantasy is that everything is all inclusive, so money has no meaning. Construction workers galavant with doctors and lawyers. That's not real life. Everybody is in a good mood because, hell, you're in the Carribean with no work, no kids, no worries. That's certainly not real life. You meet cool people from all over the world and you get to know them over a long period of time, since you're there for generally a week and you'll see these people day and night, which damn sure isn't real world! You see them naked first (if they're on the nude side), so there's no hiding. Alas, again, it's not real world either.

I think that people in the "real world" pale in comparison to "Hedo people" because you see people in a whole new light while you're there, so everyone seems more attractive. And, I think that the majority of people that go to either of the Hedos take care of themselves (not perfect bodies, but the best that they can be) because, let's face it, if you're going to be naked in front of lots of people, you have more incentive to lose that last 10 before the trip.

That's why I think it's hard to find people that seem as cool and attractive and soulful as those that you met at Hedo.

Pepper

[RaysWays]

There is a middle ground here. Basically most people who are overweight are so by choice - too many calories and too little exercise. It is an easy trap to fall into. Add on smoking and I'm with the no-respect gang. How important is sexuality to them when appearance plays a big (maybe too big) part? How important is life to them when they court illness and death with their habits? Go the next mile, to drug abusers - do they care about themselves?

Unquestionably, some of these people have genetic or serious emotional problems that drive them to such behavior. But that is a small fraction, maybe more for serious drug problems.

And before I slip off my Palmolive box, what really irks me isn't what they look like - its the fact that a hugely disproportionate amount of health care cost is due to them, and not paid by them, but by people who do take care of themselves.

(whump!)

[ShellyM]

Originally Posted by RaysWays

There is a middle ground here. Basically most people who are overweight are so by choice - too many calories and too little exercise. It is an easy trap to fall into. Add on smoking and I'm with the no-respect gang. How important is sexuality to them when appearance plays a big (maybe too big) part? How important is life to them when they court illness and death with their habits? Go the next mile, to drug abusers - do they care about themselves?

Unquestionably, some of these people have genetic or serious emotional problems that drive them to such behavior. But that is a small fraction, maybe more for serious drug problems.

And before I slip off my Palmolive box, what really irks me isn't what they look like - its the fact that a hugely disproportionate amount of health care cost is due to them, and not paid by them, but by people who do take care of themselves.

(whump!)

Okay, I'll tell you the truth and let you know right off that this post pisses me right off. Number one, I have been heavy. And, I'll let you know, I ALSO paid my fair share of taxes. Is there some obese American tax loophole that I missed out on?? I also do not appreciate you referring to people who have feelings as "them"...just who do you think you are? You think you are better than another human being because when you step on a scale it says you weigh less? So, you deserve to breathe oxygen more than a person who weighs 300 pounds? You have a lot of nerve to make that assertation. Oh, and comparing a person who likes their chips to a crack abuser is an entirely different story. I think you need to think about what you say before you open your big mouth. That really irks me, when one person believes they are "better quality" because they weigh less than another person. So, what happens when YOUR physical body begins to show wear and tear? When your hair starts falling out and turns grey? Watch out, maybe there is a tax loophole for that too.

I sincerely apologize to everyone else for my angry post, but I will not stand by and allow fellow people to be referred to as "them".

[rpu3]

Originally Posted by RaysWays

And before I slip off my Palmolive box, what really irks me isn't what they look like - its the fact that a hugely disproportionate amount of health care cost is due to them, and not paid by them, but by people who do take care of themselves.

(whump!)

As a current employee of a top 10 insurer, I'd just be curious as to your sources pointing to overweight people receiving a disportionate amount of the healthcare dollars. And at the same time, you might want to define "overweight", as some extra weight has been shown to not make a difference as to health and you see that the insurance industry uses that weight issue in life underwriting - you can be in the preferred plus group with some extra weight. Yes, I'd be glad to go dig up the studies.

On a personal level, I have been overweight more of my life than at an ideal weight - as in overweight as a child, and a yo-yo dieter in my college years, mostly keeping weight off through purging.

I lost about 80 lbs. over the last three years (60 lbs the first year, 10 lbs the second year, and 10 lbs this year), by cutting sugar, and refined flour products out, and have kept it off. Unfortunately, I have been to the MD's office more in the last 3 years for various sports injuries (back, ankle, shoulder), stress related injury (tmj), and illness, then I had been for the previous 10 years, of which I was significantly overweight. I know many with the same sort of experience, which is why I was curious as to the source of your statement.

As to the original poster - perhaps you met more couples to your liking at Hedo III because it was a specialized event - Bliss Club was there. Kind of like "The Beautiful People" group being at various resorts throughout the year. Perhaps you met enough contacts at the event you were at to find where your preferred interests can be found at. Otherwise, you are going to just keep meeting the rest of us average folks, or the not-so-average, etc.

Rebecca

[2jersey]

[QUOTE=rpu3]

As a current employee of a top 10 insurer, I'd just be curious as to your sources pointing to overweight people receiving a disportionate amount of the healthcare dollars. And at the same time, you might want to define "overweight", as some extra weight has been shown to not make a difference as to health and you see that the insurance industry uses that weight issue in life underwriting - you can be in the preferred plus group with some extra weight. Yes, I'd be glad to go dig up the studies.

Being overweight increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and some cancers.

Overweight and obesity are a result of energy imbalance over a long period of time. Individual behaviors, environmental factors and genetics all contribute.

The role of genetics in obesity is still not fully understood. At most, genes are believed to be a contributing factor, and rarely the cause of obesity.

About half of all obesity related medical costs are paid by medicare and medicaid, funded through State and Federal Government.

It is amazing that anyone could question the detrimental health effects of obesity - or the glaringly obvious fact that much medical treatment costs for objesity related conditions is funded with taxpayer dollars and private insurance premiums which are materially impacted by the obesity epidemic. Google "obesity cost" for more information.

Obese people may not be "unsightly", but they are certainly, on average, less healthy than non-obese people - and medical treatment for their avoidable diseases and conditions is a financial burden which is shared by everyone, the obese and non-obese alike. Unavoidable facts.

[rpu3]

Originally Posted by 2jersey

It is amazing that anyone could question the detrimental health effects of obesity - or the glaringly obvious fact that much medical treatment costs for objesity related conditions is funded with taxpayer dollars and private insurance premiums which are materially impacted by the obesity epidemic. Google "obesity cost" for more information..

I'm not sure how it is amazing that I would ask where someone who used a perceived general statement got that statement. My background is science, legal and work in an industry that loves to review studies to raise rates. I just wanted to know if there was a article or study that the poster found.

I wasn't saying that obesity doesn't have an effect on health. I'm just not that stupid. I was questioning the disportionate statement and questioning the poster's definition of overweight in that I was hoping, given my profession in life underwriting and legal, that there was an article or study out there that I hadn't seen. There is a difference in the amount overweight on its impact on health, especially since "health" tends to be a multi-causal result. Additionally, obesity is different than "overweight". The term used was overweight. Hence my curiousity.

I certainly didn't want to post something would lead others to think I was so incredibly ignorant about such a well-known effect that I need to be told to google basic facts, so in the future I'll send my curiosity queries regarding a source to a PM next time.

Rebecca

[ShellyM]

[QUOTE=2jersey]

Originally Posted by rpu3

Obese people may not be "unsightly", but they are certainly, on average, less healthy than non-obese people - and medical treatment for their avoidable diseases and conditions is a financial burden which is shared by everyone, the obese and non-obese alike. Unavoidable facts.

I did not dispute this at all. My problem with the poster is the fact that they feel that thin people are "better" than a person who is heavier. It didn't offend me personally, because I really don't give a crap what the poster thinks about me...he doesn't pay my bills. HOWEVER, there are people who come onto these boards who ALREADY have poor body images. And the last thing they need is some holier than though person calling them "THEM PEOPLE", as if they are less than human!!!! Thats bull, and you know it. Disrespect against the heavy is the last accepted prejudice in this society, and I don't appreciate it. There are people who read that post that really felt worse about themselves. Thats all I'm saying. Hey, I'm a hispanic American.....obesity, diabetes, hypertension, thats all in my genetics man. Yes, Jay and I lost weight due to health reasons. I'm not saying that. HOWEVER, just because a person is heavier than me does NOT make them less of a person than I am.

[2jersey]

[QUOTE=ShellyM]

Originally Posted by 2jersey

I did not dispute this at all. My problem with the poster is the fact that they feel that thin people are "better" than a person who is heavier. It didn't offend me personally, because I really don't give a crap what the poster thinks about me...he doesn't pay my bills. HOWEVER, there are people who come onto these boards who ALREADY have poor body images. And the last thing they need is some holier than though person calling them "THEM PEOPLE", as if they are less than human!!!! Thats bull, and you know it. Disrespect against the heavy is the last accepted prejudice in this society, and I don't appreciate it. There are people who read that post that really felt worse about themselves. Thats all I'm saying. Hey, I'm a hispanic American.....obesity, diabetes, hypertension, thats all in my genetics man. Yes, Jay and I lost weight due to health reasons. I'm not saying that. HOWEVER, just because a person is heavier than me does NOT make them less of a person than I am.

Hun, I'm sure you mean well - but you are setting up a straw man. You are saddling OP with a position which they did not articulate, and you are arguing against this fabricated position.

You have every right to be irritated/offended by those who de-humanize the obese - but I think you are grossly exaggerating when you argue that OP suggested that obese people are "less than human".

[ShellyM]

I apologize if I offended, and perhaps I mis-understood. I read the OP and I don't feel that I did, but I apologize. I am not going to say anymore on the subject, since I have said my peace lol. Anyways, everyone have a great weekend.

[intuition897]

Originally Posted by RaysWays

And before I slip off my Palmolive box, what really irks me isn't what they look like - its the fact that a hugely disproportionate amount of health care cost is due to them, and not paid by them, but by people who do take care of themselves.

(whump!)

Oh horseshit. Overweight people pay their taxes just like you do. And if obesity is such a problem in our society, then there are at least as many heavyweight tax-payers as there are middleweights.

And I'd like to know where you get your "facts" from.

Yeah, I'm a little offended. I struggle with my weight, as does Mr. intuition. We're not hugely overweight, but we could stand to lose about 20 each. Our lack of good health is part of the reason that we're not currently swinging. We just don't feel good about ourselves, and that attitude will spill over with our playmates. That would suck, so we aren't going to bother with it right now.

"So don't be so damned lazy!" you say, "Get off your fat asses and do something about it." Easier said than done. Plus there are circumstances (that I won't go into) that prevent us from developing/sticking to a regular workout routine. Without regular exercise, it becomes exceedingly difficult to manage one's weight...or feel healthy. Sure we could bull ahead and make exercise a priority...at the cost of our careers. I'm quite serious, this is the choice we have. Get fit and lose your job, or keep your job and just suck it up for the time being until the job changes. Realistically, all we can do in the mean time is deal with it. And listen to others tell us how it's nobody's fault but our own that we're overweight.

[Pepper & Drew]

It trips me out when people talk about weight, and don't allow people to express preferences on that topic, but everybody says that race, hair color, etc. are preferences, and that others shouldn't be so sensitive when people choose them or don't chose them based on those preferences.

The truth is, weight is one determining factor in overall health, but it's not the ONLY factor. Activity level, what you eat, age, whether you smoke, don't get enough sleep, genetics, etc. have a lot greater bearing on your overall health. An overweight person that doesn't smoke and exercises regularly is a lot more likely to be healthy than a thin person who smokes and has poor nutrition.

But, back to the original poster: why is it terrible that they find it unattractive that someone is overweight? When I was overweight, (35 pounds heavier), I felt unattractive. I didn't feel good. I'm sure I wasn't as attractive to others because I didn't believe it myself. It took me two years and lots of early mornings at the gym, lots of turning down food that would derail my progress and a commitment to myself that I would never put other things ahead of my health again. It's not easy. It's much easier to not think about calories, or fitting a workout into your daily schedule. I know. I didn't worry about it either, and I grew by leaps and bounds.

I don't particularly enjoy the soreness or my battered feet, and sure, my house would be cleaner if I didn't go workout in the morning, and it sure as hell would be easier to grab some fast food versus packing my breakfast, lunch and snacks each day. If you want to do it, you will. If you don't, you won't. But don't berate people because they're looking for people who share their idea of what "taking care of yourself" means. They didn't call anybody fat. They didn't say they were superior. What they said is they're not meeting the kind of people they're looking to meet. Which seems to be a question of where can I meet this type of couple, not a personal rejection to any one of us.

Flame away! flamethrow

Pepper

[2jersey]

Originally Posted by intuition897

Oh horseshit. Overweight people pay their taxes just like you do. And if obesity is such a problem in our society, then there are at least as many heavyweight tax-payers as there are middleweights.

Obese people incur higher medical bills (on average, and in aggregate) than non-obese people. However, obese people are not normally required to pay extra group medical insurance premiums or medicare/medicaid taxes. Additonally, in the U.S., there is a very high correlation between poverty and obesity, and impoverished people pay a very tiny share of their total health care costs. Not sure about Canada, but these facts are broadly publicized in the U.S. and have become fairly common knowledge.

[SW_PA_Couple]

Originally Posted by P and R

IS IT POSSIBLE TO MEET SUCH COUPLES OR SINGLE FEMALES?
OR IS IT ALL A PIPE DREAM?

From what I have seen, you will have no trouble finding hot, young bodies at the typical swinger's venue. Don't know what to say about these same peoples' lack of disease -- have had little direct-contact experience in that regard. When I remove my shirt, the beautiful people run for the hills.

How people who make unwise life-style decisions affect insurance rates is a legitimate concern. How they affect a gathering of "lifestyles" couples is not.

JoAnn

[rpu3]

Originally Posted by Pepper & Drew

What they said is they're not meeting the kind of people they're looking to meet. Which seems to be a question of where can I meet this type of couple, not a personal rejection to any one of us.

Flame away! flamethrow

Pepper

No flame here. I had questioned a different poster, not the original poster.

I had a mixed reaction to the original post and chose to take it that they were just saying that they don't meet a lot of people they are interested in and is it even possible to meet this subset of the lifestyle?

What I had tried to express towards the original poster is that perhaps the reason that they met more of the type of folks they'd like to meet at Hedo III is because Bliss Club was holding an event there, thus a much higher concentration of the younger set, which happened to be more of what they seek. I'm not sure what the Bliss Club is, but I know that if I want to meet the 35 to 50 set, I don't go to a resort that's hosting a Bubbly Bares takeover, or I don't go to the Beautiful People events because I'm not a model-like person.

However, a special group at Hedo III isn't typical of regular life (I think you may have said that already). And I do sincerely hope that the original poster made contacts at the resort in order to locate local couples and events that are more to their liking. Or else, a road trip occasionally to the club in Miami might be in order, or future travel with that group, and others like it.

I should go work out instead of posting, though. Ugh.

Rebecca

[intensity_too]

I'm keeping my fat ass (that is actually caused by an endocrine problem, thank you very much!) out of this discussion.