Ok I know I only visit McDonald’s once or twice a year but seriously? NEVER AGAIN. Oy.
Three simple things Americans could do to stop the obesity epidemic:
1. Hey, exercise or something. Get your heart rate up for thirty minutes a day. Take a walk instead of watching another “Everybody Loves Raymond” rerun. Do ten crunches.
2. Portion control. Take your usual sized meal? And put half of it back. There, now you have a normal human portion.
3. Stop eating fast food, start eating fresh food. That you prepared. In your home. You may need to read a book to learn how, but trust me, it’s fun.
You don’t need to be wealthy to do this. Anyone can. It’s kind of how EVERYONE LIVED ABOUT THIRTY OR FORTY YEARS AGO. And lots of people live that way today, most of them not in the United States.
Ok I had to vent. Everyone, go see “Super Size Me,” if you can.
I KNOW, those fucking fatties!!! All they do is stuff their faces and watch Alf reruns. Well, I doubt they’d follow this advice (if they can even READ!).
Please. Do you think that’s what I’m saying?
Don’t you agree that fast food is inherently unhealthy, and that the companies who sell it try to make the most profits off of selling the biggest portions possible?
Don’t you agree that Americans are more sedentary than any other people in the world?
Don’t you agree that people would be more healthy if they ate better food instead of eating cheap sugary junk food, as most Americans do all the time, because the food industry is set up to make that the easiest and most profitable diet for their shareholders?
Don’t you agree that this society sets people up to fail by making bad food cheap, and by structuring most areas of the country as to be accessible only by car? So that exercise doesn’t come naturally and people have to make time just to be physically active?
We live in the most unhealthy country that also happens to be the wealthiest, one in twenty people have preventable diabetes, don’t you agree that this is kind of well, bad news?
I’m not angry at fat people for christ’s sake, I am angry at the food industry lobbyists, at the sugar companies, at the fast food companies, and at the goverment who have all made this possible and have done little to nothing to provide nutritious alternatives.
I hope to have kids someday and I am kind of horrified that I might have to send them to a school whose lunch program consists of french fries, pizza, Coke, and cookies.
Yes, this movie made me pissed off, it should make you pissed off too. It should make everyone pissed off and disgusted at how little regard these corporations have for human health. They are as bad as the tobacco companies, and maybe worse because their garbage is freely pushed at four year olds.
And also, I posted that original post up there right after I got home from the movie and had just finished listening to the fimmaker talking about how most Americans sit in their cars/on their sofas all day, eat junk food, and typically eat much, much larger portions than they need to. That is just a fact, and those are three HEALTHY THINGS people (every person, regardless of weight) could do to be healthier.
But most people honestly won’t do those three things. Who knows why. I’m sure there are many reasons.
I didn’t aim my post at anyone personally, and apologize if you were offended. I was just upset by the film.
> I’m not angry at fat people for christ’s sake, I am angry at the food industry lobbyists, at the sugar companies, at the fast food companies, and at the goverment who have all made this possible and have done little to nothing to provide nutritious alternatives.
Then why are your three points aimed at fat people? Honestly, I’m NOT offended. I think it’s a simplistic, condescending entry, even for a “I just saw this movie and am venting” entry, and I commented on it. Maybe I shouldn’t have, but what the hell. They are all true, 1-3, and everyone in America knows it, it’s impossible not to. It’s the way you worded it that I objected to.
I can see what you are saying and I am sorry for my wording. I guess I was just frustrated. I get frustrated at myself too for not doing the things I mentioned. Those are simple things to do, but in a way they are hard, too. It depends on the situation, and if you are in a bad situation (have little free time, not much money, lots of children, etc etc) it’s even harder to do those things. But I really wish our culture hadn’t devolved into something that made physical activity a “luxury” or healthy fresh produce a “luxury.” Bah.
Sorry.
I’m sorry I was harsh.
> Please. Do you think that’s what I’m saying?
I’m responding to your tone, and yes, that’s what I thought you were saying.
This is where I got it from:
> Hey, exercise or something.
> Take your usual sized meal? And put half of it back. There, now you have a normal human portion.
> You may need to read a book to learn how [to prepare food], but trust me, it’s fun.
That doesn’t read to you as condescending and superior? It sure does to me. Maybe it wasn’t what you MEANT to say, but sometimes it’s helpful to say what you mean to say, so that you’re understood.
Of course this country has an obesity problem, too much sugar in everything, no time to stop and think about what they’re putting in their mouths. Do you think no one has heard of eat less and exercise? And do you think it’s that simple? You yourself post about the cravings you have and how hard it is not to give in or how you feel when you do give in. That’s everyone, not just you. It’s way more complicated that you are making it in this entry. If your entry had said what you say in your response to me, I never would’ve had the reaction I did.
I realize everyone has cravings and that sugar is addictive. It just makes me sick that there is absolutely zero corporate responsibility going on, zero regulation, and that everyone who is trying to be healthy is set up to fail by corporations who own and distribute all of the food. It also makes me mad that the worst of the garbage is pushed at little kids.
Do you see why it makes me mad? The lust for profits has created a system where it is much much easier to get fat than it is to eat well and get enough activity. We are actually incredibly lucky to live in a city that is walkable, there are very few of those left in this country.
> I realize everyone has cravings and that sugar is addictive. It just makes me sick that there is absolutely zero corporate responsibility going on, zero regulation, and that everyone who is trying to be healthy is set up to fail by corporations who own and distribute all of the food. It also makes me mad that the worst of the garbage is pushed at little kids.
Of course, this makes me angry too. That’s not what you said in your entry, though. Do you see?