Dieting results in long term changes to hormones and muscle fibers.

[eridani]

201. I just watched a not overweight friend have a stroke

Luckily, she is responding well to rigorous physical therapy.

I find it mindboggling that you can do so much strenous training while being in pain. I've never had pain related to weight. I got a lot of function back from frozen shoulder by massage therapy. I fixed what I thought was lower back pain by wearing an intertrochanteric belt at night and while doing specific exercises--turns out the problem was hip misalignment due to an earlier fall. Got rid of plantar fasciitis (caused by too much walking in new shoes of a brand I hadn't worn before) by stretching exercises and wearing a foot stretcher at night. I use orthotics because of high arches. None of those conditions had anything to do with weight.

You're right--if I couldn't function well at my weight, I'd probably be way more upset about it. Anything resembling interval training also has its own risks if you are over 65. One advantage of fat for women is better bone density--I have the bone density of a healthy 20 year old.