Weigh in this week- 222.6 means a 15 pound total loss.
I am super happy! Not just because I finally have a loss to post, but because I've stuck with it for this long. Here's the thing, Ultimately I don't want my happiness to be determined by whether I lose weight or gain weight or plateau for awhile - I don't want my happiness to be dependent on my body at all!
But I am proud of myself for accomplishing change in an area that I was looking to improve. And I am improving every day. My clothes fit looser. I feel younger and less wiped out. I can climb my stairs a little easier.
I still have a long way to go before I'm not considered obese anymore, though.
I hate that word by the way. Obese. It is truly a loaded word that brings to mind images of Gilbert Grape's mom for me.
I know it's supposed to be a medical term and all, but it is offensive to me. In fact the whole way the medical community addresses the growing epidemic of chronic obesity in America is offensive to me. People are dying and if a doctor addresses the issue at all with a patient they only tell them to eat more fiber and less fat. The only medical solution they have come up with is Gastric Bypass Surgery. You would think that by now the powers that be would have identified what is causing this epidemic. I mean it's not like one or two people are fat. In 2009 34 percent of Americans were considered to be obese and 32.7 percent are overweight. This means that 2 out of 3 people weigh more than they should these days. It can't be all about will power and McDonalds!
It's hard for the average person to sift through all the research and diets and fads to try to find what works. I think that's why I am able to do the low carb thing, because the science behind it makes sense to me and it seems solid. Obviously I'm not an expert on this though. It would be nice if the government would take an interest in this. I mean really, you want to bring down the cost of healthcare? Let's start by making people healthier! Maybe gym memberships should be tax deductible and you could get a tax credit for bringing your BMI down so many points in a year. Maybe the FDA should talk to someone about how they say there are 2.5 servings of soup in a can. Maybe they should start focusing on healthy eating habits in schools. I don't know how to fix it, but when I think about how broken it has become with no attempts to fix it it makes me really angry.
Think about it, if 2 out of 3 people in the United States got cancer there would be walks and telethons and concerts for a cure. Bono would be outraged!
But we're just fat and it's not the same thing because it's our own fault.
Or is it?
First of all congratulations on the loss!! 15 pounds is a great accomplishment! I know you must feel amazing.
ReplyDeleteI can only speak for myself but it wouldn't really matter how many servings were included in a can. If want to over-eat I will open 10 individual servings. Lol!
Very thought-provoking post! Keep up the great work, girl!
Keelie
Congratulations for getting there before me ... *smile*
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree there is really not much that is wise and sensible coming out to help turn the tables on the Fat Epidemic.
There is so much information, much of it emotional ranting, some of it downright stupid and dangerous and scientists keep coming up with scary stuff, (feeding rats mega doses of whatever even though no person would ever eat like that), instead of a positive solution.
Someone once said that until there is consensus on a particularly divisive/contraversial issue the jury is out. Sadly for many people the jury is out and they are confused.
There is some good science, good research and some incredibly good examples of how to turn lives around. I guess that's why this kind of Blogging Community is so helpful.
So we keep on blogging, communicating what we learn, what works for us and why and hopefully someone else is encouraged to turn their life around.
Keep on and you will soon have your 20 pound button to show us.