The Land of the Obese?

I don't know...visit various resturants in your area....and notice the number of obese people in each one. from my experience, the fast food resturants don't have near the number of obese patrons as is at one of the steakhouses (a major chain, but I think I won't mention it's name).


I have never seen that many overly fat people gathered in on spot as in this resturant. I've come to the conclusion that this place does make people fat!!

Don't they have social welfare clinics for the poor?
2nd class medicine granted, but it's there nonetheless as a kind of pro bono if I remember correctly.

You'd think that the "richest" nation on earth would look after it's citizens better, instead of just those who can afford it.


[edit on 20/6/2007 by budski]

Many of us in the US still function under the post WWII illusion of "limitless resources for the greatest good". Our middle class is particularly susceptible to the idea that honest hard work is duly rewarded. One can hardly blame us - it seems every other day the media promote some legislation designed to micromanage our safety. When we're in trouble our insurance company will throw us a life line. If we don't have medical insurance our hospitals cannot turn emergencies away, right?

Our wealthy know this isn't the case anymore. They spend their time finding loopholes in the law so they don't have to make a pay-out for anyone else. The destitute know the score as well, realistically resigning themselves to their fate, as their free mental and physical health clinics gradually wither away. The rest of us "we the people" turn a blind eye.

Those who are obese apparently turn a blind eye away from the mirror.
Don't get me wrong - I like people with weird bodies. I adore freaks of nature. But the fat lady isn't in the freakshow anymore. She's the spectator. Fat families see themselves as well within the American norm. It's the fit specimens who are the freaks. Granted, those of us who are not obese, tend to imagine the condition as a living hell. Who knows, it may be fun, I mean, no one laughs louder at fat jokes than those carrying a few extra pounds... or maybe someone behind the curtain is laughing up his sleeve, too?

Originally posted by cannibalgod70
Those who are obese apparently turn a blind eye away from the mirror.
Don't get me wrong - I like people with weird bodies. I adore freaks of nature. But the fat lady isn't in the freakshow anymore. She's the spectator. Fat families see themselves as well within the American norm. It's the fit specimens who are the freaks. Granted, those of us who are not obese, tend to imagine the condition as a living hell. Who knows, it may be fun, I mean, no one laughs louder at fat jokes than those carrying a few extra pounds... or maybe someone behind the curtain is laughing up his sleeve, too?

I don't know how you can rationalize that.

I have struggled with weight all my life and I never liked it or thought myself to be normal in any way. Believe me, the obese still are considered freaks to most "normal" people. The many narrow minded and south of 90 IQ people that never look into their own mirror and deal with their own issues.

There is nothing fun or funny about it. And as this thread goes on I can see the self righteous and allegedly perfect starting to throw their own insulting two cents in. It's much easier to insult the fat person than admit to being imperfect. For those that don't struggle with it every day it's rather matter of fact and oh so simple. And if you tell me you have to struggle to keep 5 or 10 pounds off I say that's no struggle at all.

To just give you an inkling of how difficult it is I will tell you that I would give just about anything to be in complete control, thin and healthy. It's not only affects your health but it affects every aspect of life as well. If I didn't have to work outside the house I would probably be agoraphobic. That's how self conscious I am. I figure that I have wasted at least 15 years of my life holed up so as not to have to deal with the outside word. In other words, we are quite aware of our situation.

Thankfully I am sticking to a very strict diet right now and am losing weight but just like an alcoholic I can fall off the wagon in a second.

For the record I do not eat at fast food places or even go to any restaurants. Another fun fact is that the only other obese person in my family was my father. My mother has been on my back about this many times throughout the years which doesn't help in any way.

I know I'm opening myself up to insult and ridicule here but hey, someone has to do it.

Sorry for the erratic rambling.

I hear you jbondo
I have friends who've said much the same thing to me - my answer has always been to support them and help them with exercise, diet etc

Some people just can't help their body shape, and for those people we should not mock or judge - but there are also those who eat and eat and eat, because they want to - yes it's a form of addiction, but it's also a lack of self control.

I hear what you guys are saying. I also think your body can hear what you say to it, like if you look in the mirror and say "geez I look like crap today". You are telling your body that and it will respond. Try looking in the mirror and telling yourself you look wonderful. Your mind is a very powerful tool, we should all use it. I think that also plays a big part in why there are so many people unhappy with their weight. You have to look at the big picture and realize you only have so long to enjoy this life. Is that how you want to live your life? Sorry just some thoughts.

Originally posted by budski
but there are also those who eat and eat and eat, because they want to - yes it's a form of addiction, but it's also a lack of self control.

Wow! If I ate just for the fun of it without caring I would be 400 or 500 lbs probably.

It truly is a constant battle but to tell the truth I have seen those families (very rarely) sitting at a restaurant seemingly oblivious and just shoveling food in. I can't even sit down in a restaurant let alone eat at one, just too self conscious.

There an element of self control in every indulgence.

Thanks for your insight my friend.

Originally posted by paigcal
I hear what you guys are saying. I also think your body can hear what you say to it, like if you look in the mirror and say "geez I look like crap today". You are telling your body that and it will respond. Try looking in the mirror and telling yourself you look wonderful. Your mind is a very powerful tool, we should all use it. I think that also plays a big part in why there are so many people unhappy with their weight. You have to look at the big picture and realize you only have so long to enjoy this life. Is that how you want to live your life? Sorry just some thoughts.

You are very wise indeed! Don't apologize for something so positive.

Yes the mind is an extremely powerful tool and I will have to agree with you 100% but when you are obese looking in a mirror is like going to a horror movie where the horror is you. I have difficulty looking below my head and seldom do.

Give me a couple of months though and I'll take a peek.

Think of your little body, you have to give it some positive feedback for any changes are to be made. Its just a body nothing is as bad as we all think it is. Life is short.

Good luck with your diet, jbondo. Just make sure it gives you all the essential nutrients you need. And thank you for your insights. Our individual imperfections are what makes this forum educational and entertaining in it's hyper-cubist environment and there should always be room for those whose mental processes are as different as different can be. Attaining perfection isn't what counts, it's the struggle that counts and the character it develops within. Being thin isn't all its cracked up to be either, but it is one less thing to worry about. The important thing is not to let your own angst defeat you. If you're fat say it out loud: I'm fat and I'm proud!

In the cyclical world we live in, though, it should be no surprise that traditional ideals turn upsidedown and we begin worshipping the Venus of Willendorf again.

Originally posted by paigcal
Think of your little body, you have to give it some positive feedback for any changes are to be made. Its just a body nothing is as bad as we all think it is. Life is short.

[edit on 21-6-2007 by paigcal]

I don't know what you may be thinking but I'm not depressed or anything over this. When I was a teenager it was quite depressing and horrible but I have since learned to treat it more clinically.

I am very positive and on track right now. To tell the truth I was taking antidepressants prior to leaving my ex and her nutjob family behind. I haven't taken an antidepressant or been depressed since the day I escaped their clutches. To tell the truth the depression actually caused me to lose a great deal of weight. Which wasn't healthy either as not eating is bad as well.

I do however appreciate the kind thoughts very much!

Originally posted by cannibalgod70
Good luck with your diet, jbondo. Just make sure it gives you all the essential nutrients you need. The important thing is not to let your own angst defeat you. If you're fat say it out loud: I'm fat and I'm proud!

Thank you so much! Now if I could just kick this 2 pack a day cigarette habit...

As much as I appreciate your exuberance I just can't see myself exclaiming the fat and proud thing.

By the way, anybody got a bowflex on them or that Tony Little swinging jigger machine for cardio? I've got a few dollars just burning a hole in my fat pants.

Hey, I'm only about 10 pounds overweight and some days it makes me feel like crap - not exactly fat, but I do have a paunch.

Course it's a bit different for me as I used to be so fit.

jbondo - walk for 30 minutes at a time, at a good pace and that will work better than any gym - at least to start off with.

As for dieting - balance and moderation is the key!

Good luck mate

Budski,

I know exactly how it is done. In fact I'd wager most obese people know exactly how to lose weight and stay fit.

Eat healthy very small portions approx 6 times per day and exercise. Easily said, huh? Well, that is exactly what I am doing and believe it or not there is a hump (for me it's at 2 weeks) that once you get over it the diet becomes much easier. The thing is; just like a drug, when you go on a diet your body goes into withdraw and that's why it's so hard to stick. Fat people don't eat because they're hungry, they eat because something pushed them to this point and now it is an addiction. Once that pleasure center in the brain notices that the sugar and chemicals are slowly disappearing then you start to adjust and begin to lose those cravings.

As for walking, yea! it's great! I have bone on bone knees though. That's why I'm looking for one of these, used machines for sale:

www.homefitnessclub.com...


[edit on 22-6-2007 by jbondo]

Apologies jbondo,
didn't mean to sound patronising.

Good luck with the programme - hope it works for you and you meet your targets/goals.

Originally posted by budski

Apologies jbondo,
didn't mean to sound patronising.

Good luck with the programme - hope it works for you and you meet your targets/goals.

Absolutely no apologies needed my friend!

I know there are some other issues we probably don't agree on outside this thread but hey, you cant agree on everything.

We are right in line here and I appreciate your input very much.

Last night I was watching a programme called "Cooking in The Danger Zone" on BBC4.

One of the countries featured was Tonga - and boy do they have problems

www.guardian.co.uk...

I wonder if the US and UK could ever get this bad?
Probably not, as we don't have anywhere near the amount of fat in our diets that Tongans eat.

I know that junk food contains large amounts of fats and sugars, but these guys eat some foods which are50% fat!.

There were also cultural issues involved as well, where "bigger is better".

I'm really at a loss about this - a whole nation could literally eat themselves to death!

I'm not sure but I think Eskimo's have a great deal of fat from seals, whale's, etc...in their diets. However, they are/or were so vigorously active that it was never an issue.

I'll check that info out Bud, thanks!

On Edit: Did they give the longevity statistics? I'm wondering how long the Tongans live? Another group would be Hawaiians.

I'm noticing a racial thing going on here, Eskimo's, Tongan's, Hawaiians....hmmm, interesting.

[edit on 27-6-2007 by jbondo]

I just saw the show and looked at a few stats - no longevity though.

It did say that 1 in 5 is diabetic - 20% of population! If I remember, the pacific islanders have a genetic predisposition towards excess weight.

Tongans are eating themselves to death. Alongside its neighbour Nauru, Tonga, with 110,000 citizens, has the fattest population on the planet: 92% of all over-30s are overweight or obese. The World Health Organisation is clear that obesity increases the likelihood of heart disease and circulatory problems, many cancers, skin problems, infertility and diabetes. Almost 20% of the adult Tongan population suffers from diabetes and the death rate from nutritional conditions is 10 times that of the UK's. It is putting tremendous strain on the health service and the economy, and the problem is getting worse.www.guardian.co.uk...

I think I'll have a look as well in a bit when BB finishes

ok, found some figures:
www.unicef.org...
globalis.gvu.unu.edu...

Also, for comparison:
www.unicef.org...

Also
www.who.int...

Interestingly in this link, the life expectancy is higher for males than females at 72/70






[edit on 27/6/2007 by budski]

[edit on 27/6/2007 by budski]

Did you check this page out:

globalis.gvu.unu.edu...

I can't believe there are places where life expectancy is down at 35 yrs. I also can't believe with all the advanced health care that the West is in the middle of the pack. It would seem also that countries with consistently low temps have long life spans. Makes sense though.

Wow, that is interesting. You would think since they live somewhere tropical, that they would live off fruits from the trees. They probably got sick of fruit. I think their main problem is mixing proteins with starches. When you mix these it makes it harder to digest. The body has to work overtime. When you mix meat and any kind of starch or carbohydrate, the body can't digest these, so they accumulate in the body, adding to their weight. It is also not good to eat friut and then eat some meat. They should wait at least a half an hour before they eat anything other than fruit. I don't know for a fact how these people eat their food and what they are mixing. I will have to do some more reading and find out more information. Digestion is the key to weight loss, you have to be able to digest your food so it expelled from the body.