I know I won’t be making many friends with this post, but sometimes I just have to vent. This weekend I went back to SoCal for an event and to see some friends. Now that I live amongst the most image conscious people in the country, I had forgotten about the fact that most (> 64%) people in the United States are overweight, with a good portion of them being very to morbidly obese. Yeah, I said it.
Because who wants to be this guy?!! (photo courtesy: fotosearch.com)
I’m not passing judgment on anyone, and I understand the difference between overweight and obese. Some people are inherently/genetically more likely to become overweight, and for them its a constant battle to stay on the right side of the mark. Difficult, but doable. I’m just saying that, if a person chooses to be obese, they shouldn’t try to blame it on genetics or anyone other than themselves. Not only is it a cop out, it’s self-defeating and a self-fulfilling prophecy. Plus it makes you fatter through non-action.
Example #1:
I have a friend that one day decided that being 300+ pounds wasn’t in his best long term interest. Instead of whining about it or blaming society or genetics, he actually did something about it. He didn’t get a lap-band or liposuction or bounce through a series of fad diets like most people do. Yet, in one year he lost either 120 or 160 pounds. I don’t remember which. What was his secret? The truth… WILL AMAZE YOU!!! His transformation was the result of a rarely mentioned weight loss program called Eat Less, Workout More. Amazing isn’t it?!?! We have joked around about writing and selling the book, but it would be two pages long including the title page.
The reason I say obesity is a lifestyle choice is because, well, it is!
Example #2:
This weekend I saw a series of photos of a good friend that chronicled his life from birth to now- roughly 30 or so years. He was an average sized toddler; by junior high school, he was the chubby kid we all knew, and stayed that way throughout high school. Then he got a good job that pays well, which put a lot of really nice restaurants on the radar, and a lot of extra pounds on his belly. At some point, he made a choice- He lost 60 pounds on the Atkins diet and exercise. I’m not a fan of the Atkins Diet, but I’m totally a supporter running your ass around the block a few times. The fad and the exercise fell to the wayside eventually. Where is he now? Well, do I really need to say?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately because my new job description includes “sit behind a desk 10 hours a day”, and since I started my new job, I haven’t been able to get to the gym or even run as much as I would like. With about a total of ten gym visits/runs in the last three months, 20 minute inhalated lunches, and late night dinners, its no surprise that I’ve gained ten pounds in three months!
However, unlike some people in this world, I’m not going to bitch about it on my blog, blame it on cafeteria food (damn you cafeteria food!), and not do anything about it. You see, ten pounds in three months is 40 pounds in a year! That’s like, four or five clothing sizes different, to which I say, HELLS NO! Un- em-effing- acceptable! Already the days are getting shorter and my new (smaller) gym is filling up, so I don’t know what all my options are. In my best condition (yeah- about three months ago) I was in excellent shape, could run for days, practiced diligent eating habits, and had less than 6% body fat as a result. I felt pretty good about myself and I look forward to getting back to this level, but this post isn’t about me.
This post is about the guy or girl you know (or even you)- who is at, near, or over the line into obesity status. Perhaps a little self ownership is due. After lamenting the pot belly I’d never had until recently, I have vowed to get back into the exercise thing and eating right at any cost. Even if it means getting home at 10 pm every night.
Once I figure out a program that will fit around my work schedule, I will post and update it here, where I am accountable for my words as well as actions. And maybe to inspire someone else, too. It could happen. 
Related Links:
http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/healthmedical/a/hhsobesity.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/defining.html
*Note: It took over an hour to write this post on my tiny screened, mobile device. Not recommended.
