THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS
- By loramarie03
- 19 September, 2012
- 16 Comments
Yesterday I managed to squeak out a 30 minute kettlebell workout filled with squats, swings and cleans. Have I mentioned how much I love my kettlebell?! It seriously is the best investment I’ve ever made in fitness equipment. There is just something about swinging a kettlebell around that makes you feel bad ass. Am I right?
This morning I was hoping to wake up and run, but ended up oversleeping due to this darn cold. I am hoping to get in to see a doctor today because it’s starting to make me crabby.
Last night I was reading the news and came across this headline:
Group: More than half in 39 states will be obese
Um, what?!
The article continues:
We Americans already know how fat we are. Can it get much worse?
Apparently, yes, according to an advocacy group that predicts that by 2030 more than half the people in the vast majority of states will be obese.
Mississippi is expected to retain its crown as the fattest state in the nation for at least two more decades. The report predicts 67 percent of that state’s adults will be obese by 2030; that would be an astounding increase from Mississippi’s current 35 percent obesity rate.
The new projections were released Tuesday by Trust for America’s Health with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Trust for America’s Health regularly reports on obesity to raise awareness, mostly relying on government figures.
The group’s dismal forecast goes beyond the 42 percent national obesity level that federal health officials project by 2030. The group predicts every state would have rates above 44 percent by that time, although it didn’t calculate an overall national average.
I can’t imagine a society where pretty much half the population is obese. That doesn’t include the number of people who are just considered overweight. I mean, this is getting ridiculous. Why in the world can we not take responsibility for ourselves and our health? Why do we constantly have to play the blame game, so that the government wastes its time on passing soda bans instead of truly making a difference in health policies? How will our healthcare system — which is already struggling to perform at the level it is required to today — be able to survive?
People, we need to do something. We ALL need to do something.
I get it. It’s HARD. If it was easy, we wouldn’t have this problem. It takes a lot of work.
But you know what?
It’s the most rewarding type of work. Nothing feels better than when you finish your day knowing you were able to turn down that piece of chocolate at work, or that the best part of your day was that 30 minute sweat session you snuck in before work. Or what about when climbing the stairs was faster than waiting and taking the elevator up a few flights? Or being able to talk about your day with your partner with a walk after dinner?
We need to take responsibility for our health. Like I remember my parents telling me in high school, nobody cares more about you than YOU. So, be selfish. Make YOU the most important part of your day and make YOU the priority. After all, a better, healthier you means a happier life for everyone around you.
Does this research make you mad? What can be done to turn this around? To motivate people to get healthy?
Copyright © 2013
Perfect post! I think we can turn this around by trying to act responsibly in our own lives. The other day, though, I met a woman at pre-school severley obese and struggling. She had been following my blog and had a million questions about when I ran and what I ate. We are "built" the same and she could see herself becoming healthy, because even though I am far from perfectly trim and slim, am working hard at it and loving the process! You are correct in saying that we have to make ourselves the priority. No one else can do it for us, but having some guidance helps…
That's awesome that you are able to inspire her!!
I read this story yesterday and of course noticed Wisconsin as a state that is already in trouble!
Yikes, I know… all of that cheese and beer! WI is such a pretty state, there is no excuse to not be active outside…
It is crazy. Not all, but many people want to blame someone or something else for their problems. Genes do play a part in obesity but it is only one factor.
At my office I have organized a Run@Work Day this Friday. I got the idea from the Road Runners Club of america. They promote this each year. I managed to get about 10 people who will run a 5K with me this Friday. Most of them are runners and I was hoping to get a bunch of people to walk 1 mile with me. The people who do nothing are the ones I was hoping to reach. It is a start though.
That's awesome!! I think once people realize that others are interested in it… they get more excited about it. Kudos to you for organizing this!
Great post! This subject really hits a nerve with me because most of my family is obese and diabetes and heart disease are rampant. My pet peeve lately has been with my kids. At school they are rewarded with candy!!!! Daily! In the class, in the assemblies, playground, everywhere. I noticed handfuls of candy wrappers in their pockets and one of my daughters said they get a piece if they answer correctly. My third grader recently said they get a "brain kiss" (a Hersey kiss) if they get a right answer. Then of course every birthday they get cupcakes. Her after school day care is just as bad. Candy, cupcakes, doughnuts. It's ridiculous! We are thinking of they best way to address this with both the school and her daycare. But as diabetes runs in our family we feel we need to make a stand. One little boy in her class has a peanut allergy so we've all been asked not to send anything with nuts. I know once I make an issue of this I will be the "mean mommy" that won't let her kid eat candy.
When I was in school we didn't get rewards for simply giving the right answer and teachers didn't wast their money on candy! Someone I know is a teacher and used to do a daily trivia question where the reward was candy. She was upset at the start of this year because the school has banned the use of candy as rewards/given out in classes. However, once she took a moment to find something different to give out (little toy trinkets) and really look at the reasons why the school was doing it she was upset with herself for giving out candy in the pervious years. Children should be rewarded for good deeds, learning, etc but not with candy! I'd be that "mean mommy" too if I had kids
Exactly! And sometimes it's better to reward them with experiences rather than things… giving them the opportunity to be VIP, lead the class to recess, etc., etc. is often more valuable than candy or items.
That is absolutely crazy!! I thought that was a place where it would be monitored, wow. I don't think you are a mean mommy at all, in fact, I'm sure your kids will thank you in the future for speaking up.
Oh my gosh I totally agree. Kyle sent me an article yesterday talking about this very issue. Terribly embarrassing for our country.
Seriously!! It is just crazy that there are people starving…even in our own country… when others are just getting larger and larger.
What a wonderful post sweetie. I heard about this study, and have found it to be so heartbreaking. I wish that more people would realize that eating healthy can be good. I feel as if so many American's just assume that "healthy eating" is gross, and don't even give it a try.
I know! Or they think it's too hard… it's not! Sometimes it's even easier than eating unhealthily.
What a great post and the title is right on! It is so disappointing to be reading an article like that about the country you live in.
I know, it is sickening… and it's just sad that there doesn't seem anyway to turn it around.