"To say that obesity is caused by merely consuming too many calories is like saying that the only cause of the American Revolution was the Boston Tea Party."
-Adelle Davis
Watch out... another stupid republican is afoot... and he is trying to help us! I can't even believe it's true, but if Mississippi Rep. W.T. Mayhall, Jr. gets his way, a bill will be enacted in his state that will require restaurant patrons to be weighed before being allowed to order food at restaurants. According to Junkfood Science, "Mayhill authored the bill in all seriousness" but even he believes it won't pass. If it is passed, "the bill would require that people who are obese, as defined by the state, be banned from being served in restaurants." You can read the full text of the bill here.
I cannot understand why republican politicians continue to take the, most impractical, and irresponsible approaches to nearly every problem facing America today. There is an obesity epidemic in America, we have all known that for a long time, but real change comes when we raise awareness to such devastating afflictions, potentially caused by obesity, such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Real change comes from practical, proactive approaches like working with a physician and a nutritionist, to find out what each individual's physical and nutritional needs are. Diets don't work, because they try to tell everyone the same information, the truth is, each individual has individual needs according to their blood chemistry and hereditary makeup.Diets don't work, but eating healthy does.
Diets don't work, because more often then not, they are the short cut to a better physical appearance, rather then a healthy lifestyle that will last forever. I have learned so much about nutrition since I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, and I haven't learned nearly enough, but what I do know is, in the case of Type 2 Diabetes, it doesn't just sit around waiting for an obese person to come along, it is a non-discriminate intruder. It's true, you are at a higher risk for diabetes is you are obese, but that isn't the only risk, there are other factors as well. That's why it's so important to try to lead a healthy lifestyle as early in life as possible.
I have been so impressed with my HMO and it's approach to wellness. I have Kaiser Permanente, and they have some very good resources available for not just taking care of the body but the mind as well. Natural approaches to pain management and real, easy to follow nutrition guides for healthy eating. They offer classes in nutrition, which are well run and sound in their advice. Coming up this spring, are a number of classes available in meditation and YOGA, because leading a healthy life isn't just about the outside, it's about being healthy on the inside too. I know of what I speak. I have completely changed my ideas about health and nutrition since I was diagnosed, and at my last visit, my doctor smiled, shook her head, and said, "Carly, your test results are terrific." And all it took was some dedication and effort on my part.
When Hillary Clinton tried to present a viable health plan to congress, back in the 1990's, Kaiser was one of the HMO's that she used, as an example of a well run system. It is my understanding that a lot of the principles in her health care initiative was based on Kaiser's system. Too bad it was shot down in the senate. Hopefully, if she is given the democratic nomination, we can finally see some real, practical changes in America. Healthy changes. I believe in her approach to bringing health care to all Americans. I believe she will encourage, not discourage. But even her help won't be enough, because the really hard work has to come from each of us, from within. Like with all other challenges, America's problem with obesity must be faced with truth, education, patience, and with a solid approach to a healthy lifestyle. Period. Humiliation simply doesn't have a place.
Read the entire Junkfood Science article here...
No Fat People Allowed: Only The Slim Will Be Allowed To Dine In Public!
NOTE: Earlier "Anonymous" left me the comment that Bill 282 was actually a bi-partisan bill, which is 100 percent correct. The three names on the bill include 2 republicans, W. T Mayhill, John Read, and democrat, Bobby Shows. So I suppose it is more accurate for me to say that "2 stupid republicans and one stupid democrat is afoot and they are trying to help us." Thank you Anonymous!
-OndineMonet
"Bread and Butter"
Santa Cruz, California
October 14th, 2005
Late Afternoon
4 comments:
It was actually a bipartisan bill.
I had Kaiser when I lived in CA and never had a problem with them! I liked them alot! But t hey aren't on the east coast or at least not by me.
Good post, Carly. I suspect that you and I had the same initial reaction when we heard about this: that it must be some kind of April Fools joke that came two months too early.
I think there's a lot more education and resources being made available than most people know or care to look for. People have been told for decades about how dangerous smoking can be, but just look at how many people still -- for reasons that are beyond me -- light up whenever they can!
Ultimately, whether they government increases education or not, your point is well taken: staying healthy requires us to take some effort, and there are too many of us who just aren't willing to do that.
Fast food is always so quick to receive the blame, but no one puts a gun to our head and forces us to order, then actually eat, a "Monster" burger. We do it to ourselves.
Getting healthy works the same way. It's something we have to do to ourselves.
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