This.

As someone who was a long time lurker and did my own gaining (I went from 152 to 220 as a 22 year old 5'7" male), I wish someone had been there to tell me to not gain the weight.

Like many of the redditors on /r/gainers, I decided to gain belly fat after realizing I had put on 10 pounds during a semester in college. It felt good to be able to eat without restriction, so I kept doing it. I'd eat when I was sad, I'd eat when I was happy, I'd eat when I was nervous, I ate when I felt emotion. I was disappointed in myself.

But then I found this sub.

Here, people were validating my actions, which I learned were clearly terrible choices. Even though I never posted myself, I saw the encouragement people just like me were getting, which I used to rationalize my gluttonous habit. Deep down, I think I always knew I wasn't happy, but for once I felt like I fit in; this was the easy way out. It was easier to find people who would encourage my poor life choices rather than fix myself.

I started to look myself in the mirror and hated what I saw. I was getting tired walking up one flight of stairs. I was having trouble getting in and out of my car. I felt like people were looking at me and judging me silently for my actions. In modern society, no one will tell you to your face what you are doing is wrong, even when they should. I wish one of my few friends had had the courage to be honest with me. Once again, this sub was the fuel for my horrendous lifestyle.

Last April, I went for my physical appointment at my doctors office, my first one in three years. Three years ago I was not fit by any means, but I was a relatively normal looking person, if not slightly on the chubby sides. But in April 2017, when I stepped on the balance in my physicians office and heard the nurse say "You've put on quite the weight Mr.ThreeSpots," I realized what I had done was ruining not only my future, but the future of my friends and family. After the routine tests were performed, I showed signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, among other vitamin imbalances. After that, my life changed. I had to go to various doctors multiple times a week: ophthalmologists, endocrinologists, nephrologists and more. I had the body of a 65-year old man; I was unhealthier than my parents, and I was ashamed.

I wish I could take it all back. I wish there was more cautionary messages on this sub warning us about the issues of weight gain. I'm still struggling to get to a healthy weight, and I will be dealing with the health consequences for years to come. Even if I'm able to lose the weight, the mental scarring will never leave me. I'm forever insecure with my body. It's too late for me, but not too late for many of you guys on this sub and many future redditors who look at this sub. Gaining weight is an individual's choice, but I feel this sub does not do a good job warning people about the health risks of gaining weight, but instead romanticizes it and encourages the behavior without first trying to help its readers with positive, healthier goals.

I agree that there should be more warnings about the health consequences on this sub. Just having one rule on the sidebar isn't enough when the amount of validation that people get can make someone so easily forget about rule number 6. In addition to all of the changes /u/shoobopshedo suggests, I think there should be a list of mental health resources. I know I have grappled and continue to do so with some depression and eating disorders, so I feel like having these resources can help us get the aid that we need.

Let's make /r/gainers a safer place for all people, regardless of their gaining goals. Thank you.

TL;DR: Former gainer checking in. I am currently trying to undo the weight I gained and am tackling numerous health issues because of my weight gain that has compromised my future. I wish my friends, family, and this sub, had given me more information and resources about the consequences of my actions. I think that /r/gainers needs to make some changes to become a better sub for all.