Sorry for the long break, I have authorized myself not to be consistent and highly perfectable and I LOVE IT.
I have used that time (Christmas holidays) to reflect on what I have seen after a road trip to the US that took us down to North Carolina (I wouldn't mind moving there).
SO HERE IT IS and PLEASE DON'T TAKE IT PERSONAL
IT'S ALL FOR OUR OWN GOOD.
I HAVE TO JUMP IN THE CONVERSATION
raging in the US and fast coming to Canada and I am sure in your country as well wherever you live.
BIG PEOPLE ARE BECOMING or WILL BECOME A BURDEN FOR THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
As a result of this statement, 2 camps are now opposed (and I want to create a 3rd one).
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
WE ALL HAVE TO BE REASONABLE.
The whistle was blown in US because over there the growing group of obese people is creating a society issue and health problems related to obesity are fast rising.
Frankly, when I go to the US it is always a chock to see how many BIG people there is.
The other camp objected that obese people in US are now being polarized negatively and that you can be BIG and HEALTHY. So health is not necessarily related to being BIG.
WELL.... I agree in a sense with both camps and I also disagree with them.
Let me explain.
I think the problem is not well presented and we are getting polarized as if BEING BIG WAS OUR OWN FAULT. All of those statements as a result just make us feel guilty, ashamed of ourselves or if we feel like pushing back: ANGRY.
As if.... As if having a weight of 300lbs was a choice in life. Dah! To be big or not to be big.
The result of so much stupidity in the comments created a strong reaction on the other side: being big does not mean being unhealthy.
Well deep in my heart (as much as I would like to believe it) I don't buy that, sorry! I wish.
Of course I know big and healthy people (Krista Henderson, big, beautiful, strong and marathoner!)
But when I see BIG people walking with difficulty (forget about running), it makes me sad. They might be healthy (I'm not a doctor), but what I SEE is a reduced quality of life. When I run (=slightly jog) and after 5 minutes I am out of breath, I wish I was lighter.
Do I wish I was less heavy? For sure. Do I find myself ugly because I am obese. For sure NOT.
The good part of making it a society issue is that it is a society problem. Society has to resolve it. When I order in a US restaurant I am always amazed by the size of the plates and you know what? I always finish my plate!!! In a grocery store, coke and seven-up are easier to find than bottles of water and try to find a healthy snack in a convenient store! I spent a few days in Pittsburgh PA, didn't see a single bus. Everybody has a car. And nobody walks.
Trying to lose weight in America is like trying to climb a mountain against a crowd of people running down.
So instead of fighting back by denying the problem, let's talk about the real problems and the real solutions as a society.
Catherine
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