Spreading Obesity, Turning the Tide
News . Recipes and Health Facts . Training notesSomeone sent me this graphic and it really shocked me! While the media will do the occasional story on obesity in adults or children I have never seen it presented like this.
This simple graphic really puts the problem in perspective! I wonder if there is any correlation to the spread of fast food or chain restaurants during the same period? Don’t get me wrong I am not excusing the problem or blaming the problem on these restaurants. That is just an observation. I do think however that given the progression of the problem we shouldn’t expect the solution to arrive any faster. That isn’t very good news for our kids but it is realistic. The first steps to recovery for any problem require us to admit there is a problem and get educated about the cause and solution.
What is needed is another fitness craze in the country! Personally I’d like to see a Martial Arts fitness craze, more fun then running! π Seriously we do need a fitness craze but it has to be a healthy craze. It can’t be filled with fad diets, gimmick exercises and unrealistic goals. Yes everyone has a stomach muscles under there somewhere but that doesn’t mean we have a hidden six-pack!! Not that you can’t get there but that shouldn’t be your goal, it isn’t realistic when you are struggling to loose 20, 30, 40, 50 pounds or more. To get a six-pack you need to get rid of almost all of your body fat. That isn’t a realistic goal for most adults with responsibilities! That isn’t to say you can’t work towards it but set realistic goals, or goal stages.
With goal stages you can still shoot for the end game (say six-pack abs) but there are realistic goals that lead to the ultimate goal. Perhaps your first goal is to cut out all snacks and do 30 sit-ups a day. This will be a difficult goal for many to achieve but it is attainable and realistic. So forget the 30 minute abs while you wait for your Pizza delivery!
Talk about unrealistic!!
So wake up America, start taking an interest in your health and learn more about how to eat and exercise healthy in future articles here! Until then eat healthy and train hard.
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Yes most people are shocked when they see the progression of a growing problem. We all know that obesity is a problem but few of us would guess how wide spread the problem is.
Kate is right, losing weight is HARD! There are people with legitimate problems that stop them from losing weight. Some specifically undiagnosed/treated thyroid problems can truly make it impossible to lose weight. Chronic illness is another problem that can inhibit weight loss and a healthy life style. I for one suffer from migraines and when I have one all I want to do is eat (it helps the nausea). That being said often times there are bigger problems at play. I do not write this to excuse or validate unhealthy behavior but to perhaps start a discussion about dealing with this issues. When bigger problems are at play it often requires us to deal with them before we can begin to live a healthier life style. Not impossible but it does make it an even harder task. What it boils down to is desire. Do you want it bad enough.
Another issue is age. No one likes to admit it but it gets harder to lose weight as you get older. Again not impossible but it takes a little more work. But also like Kate said, it could be “the best decision you’ll ever make”!
Hmm, I knew the problem of obesity had been growing over the years, but that graphic really puts a new spin on it. Like Kayla said, it’s definitely an eye-opener. Imagine what that map could look like in another 10 years if Americans don’t realize what we’re doing to their bodies with all the fast food and sedentary lifestyles we’ve gotten used to.
And losing weight, for some people, IS hard. Because maintaining that motivation is hard. I speak from experience. But also from experience, I can say that not only is it possible, it’s quite possibly the best decision you’ll ever make.
I’m for one, am going to take you up on the 30 situps a day and try the snack thing……. π Rebecca
Wow, what an eye-opener! I agree, people need to start taking an interest in their health–I personally know lots of people who are suffering from severe health problems that are related to their obesity, and it breaks my heart that more and more people will be facing these problems in the coming years. Losing weight isn’t hard–it’s just about eating high-nutrient foods and moving more–but I think people just lack motivation…maybe after seeing this, they won’t.
~Kayla
http://www.micronutrientgourmet.com