Will we ever accept responsibility?

kateroot
kateroot Posts: 435
Before I say anything.. this isn't directed at anyone individually. It's a general statement about the sad state of affairs that is our health as a nation. The HFCS=poison thread made me think about all the excuses we use for being overweight and obese. "It's the chemicals in our food, it's the food industry's advertising, it's McDonald's fault!" These are excuses we hear constantly. The fact is, we are overweight as a nation because, as a nation, WE EAT TOO MUCH. The only way to stop the obesity epidemic is to accept this, and take responsibility for it. Maybe I'm being preachy, but I think it's sad that we've all become a bunch of helpless whiners.

I just don't get it.

Replies

  • hottottie11
    hottottie11 Posts: 907 Member
    ^^YES!
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    MFP is really the only place I hear that kind of thing. Do most people actually think that way?
  • polar135
    polar135 Posts: 319 Member
    i understand how you feel, but you can only effect what you touch. Example:

    My Kids, I am teaching my kids the correct way to live, thus helping solve the problem.

    I have turned on at least 5 people to MFP, and they are making the changes, and i know they will teach there children.

    You can only change what you touch. Make the change, set the example, and feel good about doing it.
  • andrea_marie3
    andrea_marie3 Posts: 39 Member
    Amen! We all need to be more responsible and accountable. Thanks for speaking the truth :happy:
  • polar135
    polar135 Posts: 319 Member
    MFP is really the only place I hear that kind of thing. Do most people actually think that way?

    I hear this all the time outside of MFP. It's on the news all the time.
  • kateroot
    kateroot Posts: 435
    MFP is really the only place I hear that kind of thing. Do most people actually think that way?

    For sure. That's been my experience, anyway. I'm also on sparkpeople , and I hear it there all the time. Most overweight/obese people I know IRL also don't accept responsibility for it. I think we've been conditioned as a society to blame our problems on outside sources, weight issues included.
  • EmmieBaby
    EmmieBaby Posts: 1,235 Member
    Convinience is a ***** isnt it, I used to live in the US and there used to be at least 2-3 fast food places at every corner. Groceries stores were rediculous..check the prices of fries VS. vegetable....healthy costs more. Also, and dont take this personaly please, I found Americans to be alot lazier in nature, always finding the shortest way to do something, always taking their cars instead of walking. Not caring that they were fat. I am overweight and I was the skinny one in my groupe of friends.

    I lost a friend last year to a heart attack, she was only 21 years old....want fries with that?

    I dont blame the food I eat for my weight gain,,, I blame myself for buying and eating them. No one put a gun to my head to make me eat a big mac.
  • I agree McDonald's didn't make me fat I made me fat now I'm trying to make myself healthy
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    MFP is really the only place I hear that kind of thing. Do most people actually think that way?

    I hear this all the time outside of MFP. It's on the news all the time.
    Oh, well, another reason I don't watch the news. :-p
  • 2012Kristin
    2012Kristin Posts: 222 Member
    I totally agree. Common sense and a bit of research and we should understand what we should/shouldn't eat. Sometimes it's difficult and we give in - some more than others - and that's why we're all on here.

    It's crazy to think that so many restaurants out there give you a plate of food equal to 3 serving sizes.... I get a to go box right away and only eat what I actual should. Keeps me on the right track!
  • jennajava
    jennajava Posts: 2,176 Member
    You are so right! It's the whole "clean your plate" syndrome. No, I don't need to eat until the food's gone. I need to eat until I'm full.
  • MercenaryNoetic26
    MercenaryNoetic26 Posts: 2,747 Member
    Absolutely 100% true.
  • So true!
  • I do understand what your saying but you have to keep in mind to the portion sizes have grown. Not just in fast food, but even the size of a bagel or a pizza. Its sad but its easier to eat unhealthy than to make healthy choices. We have a lot of people out there who dont make a lot of money so they go and eat top romen or the dollar menu off some fast food because making chicken or fish with fresh veggies is just too expensive for them. To top it off a lot of women grow up wanting to be princess's in a size zero but depending on how they are raised turn to food for comfort. Instead of placing blame on ourselves or the government why not focus on the positive changes we can make in our life now, today.
  • GreenLifeGirl
    GreenLifeGirl Posts: 381 Member
    i understand how you feel, but you can only effect what you touch. Example:

    My Kids, I am teaching my kids the correct way to live, thus helping solve the problem.

    I have turned on at least 5 people to MFP, and they are making the changes, and i know they will teach there children.

    You can only change what you touch. Make the change, set the example, and feel good about doing it.

    Totally agree.
  • nikkishai
    nikkishai Posts: 407 Member
    I agree! Too much focus is being put on the symptoms on obesity, but not enough focus is being put on the source of obesity.
  • runamym
    runamym Posts: 83 Member
    I agree. WE all need to take responsibility for our actions and change our habits/responses to triggers. However, it is a crime in this country that one bunch of carrots costs more than a Big Mac. For those families that are pinching pennies, it is truly challenging to change their budget around to spend more money on healthy whole foods, rather than fast foods off the dollar menu.
    Our govt subsidizes corn and beef so that's why all processed foods are made from corn -- it cheapens the cost and why we're used to spending only $1 on dinner these days. That's not what good real food costs. Our government needs to spend more money subsidizing American fruit and vegetable farmers -less on corn and beef. So that can drive the costs down of fresh fruits and veggies. Watch "Food Inc." or youtube it for the clips.... it's eye opening.
    We need to take responsibility, but ALL trainers/diet coaches tell us to "clean up our environment," too - get rid of junk food in our house --- we, as a country, need to clean up our fast food/junk food environment too to deal with our obesity epidemic.... it's costing this nation billions of dollars in health care costs. My husband's company just sent out a checklist of requirements in order to get a "discount" on our health insurance next yr - which the rates will still go up - go up every year.
    and on this checklist: bmi needs to be in healthy range, good cholesterol levels, good blood pressure! Now all those workers that DON'T have these requirements will pay full price of premiums next year. lovely. good thing hubs and I are good... now!
  • polar135
    polar135 Posts: 319 Member
    Also, i still eat fast food, i still have pizza, but i watch what i eat now. I don't get that second .99 hamburger with my Spicy Chicken Sandwich or that shake like i use to.

    You can still eat stuff, but in moderation.
  • polar135
    polar135 Posts: 319 Member
    I agree McDonald's didn't make me fat I made me fat now I'm trying to make myself healthy

    TRUTH! What my healthy lifestyle choice has taught me, is that it's on me.

    (I always knew this, and took care of everything but myself.) I must make the choice to be healthy. I must teach my children the same.

    This choice has me change my outlook at life. I starting back on college in January. I made this goal, time to move on the next, (without losing sight of my new healthy lifestyle)
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Excellent post Kate.
  • tladame
    tladame Posts: 465 Member
    i understand how you feel, but you can only effect what you touch. Example:

    My Kids, I am teaching my kids the correct way to live, thus helping solve the problem.

    I have turned on at least 5 people to MFP, and they are making the changes, and i know they will teach there children.

    You can only change what you touch. Make the change, set the example, and feel good about doing it.

    This makes sense. We can only do what we can do. I'm also teaching my 2-year-old daughter by example. Luckily she loves all fruit and even likes a few vegetables.

    Another poster mentioned the "clean your plate" thing. I agree. That is another thing I will not do to my child. If she is done eating, then that's fine by me. I don't want her to be unhealthy or have issues with food.
  • runamym
    runamym Posts: 83 Member
    that said, I vote with my dollar now -- spend money on organics and whole foods. Not at fast food joints! And I pay attention to those running for office and what their opinions are on our country's healthy epidemic. And I vote on election day. So that's how I'm trying to change that.... and of course, spreading the word to my circle of influence about healthy eating and exercise!
  • thankyou4thevenom
    thankyou4thevenom Posts: 1,581 Member
    MFP is really the only place I hear that kind of thing. Do most people actually think that way?

    Yes. I know so many people that are overweight and will just use all those excuses, all the time. I used to use those excuses too.
  • kateroot
    kateroot Posts: 435
    Excellent post Kate.

    Thanks!
  • brit49
    brit49 Posts: 461 Member
    Nice, Post, its convenient, it cost less to eat that crap!!! Plus they made it so the taste is nice and addicting 1 meal can have over 150 grams of carbs and lets not get into all that sugar, no wonder the heath of the nation is going down. I don't think your preaching at all.
  • I agree that is it very difficult to break the fast food cravings. It's easier and cheaper to keep eating junk so if you don't really want to change, you just don't. It took years but my body got so accustomed to fast food that I'd rather not eat if it wasn't McDonald's, Wendy's,etc. It just didn't taste good to me. And because I was young and had that rocking 20's metabolism, weight wasn't an issue. I saw no need to change. Now I'm in my early 30's; the weight started to pile on and my doctor is telling me that my LDL is elevated and my Tri's are high so I'm trying to get control of the situation.

    People (myself included) have to accept responsibility that they did this to themselves and the only way to change it is to make conscious choices until your body's cravings can catch up. Believe it or not... instead of craving french fries I now crave tomatoes, salmon, hummus, grilled chicken, etc. The tomato cravings are the strongest... some days I'll eat several servings. Strange!
  • kateroot
    kateroot Posts: 435
    I get lots of those healthy cravings now too! When your body is getting healthy food I really believe that those cravings for junk go away. That's been my experience at least.
  • bruthacuervo
    bruthacuervo Posts: 52 Member
    I agree wholeheartedly for the most part.... but i also do think the nutritional portion sizes are deceptive in nature... like seeing a package of reeces peanut butter cups... serves 2??? just so they can move the numbers down so it doesnt appear as the crap your really eating.

    Secondly.. WE.. are in control as adults... as KIDS.. such as those on the subsidized school lunch programs, we are shooting ourselves in the foot from the jump. Tomato paste... french fries as vegetables due to politics? (never mind the sodium.. its VEGETABLES! must be healthy.. healthy enuff for you broke kids anyway) We start the problem early then we have to spend our time "unlearning" what an actual healthy meal, portioned correctly are from the very begining.
  • twinmom01
    twinmom01 Posts: 854 Member
    Yes yes yes....great post...

    I have spent the past 3 years learning and teaching myself about healthy eating - it really has to be a lifestyle change - you HAVE to change your mentality AND you have to really read about proper nutrition for your body....not to say a treat now and then isn't bad....but sometimes I want to shake people - like the very obese lady at my gym who spends 60 minutes on a recumbant biike while drinking 1/2 gallon of sweet tea....I guess it is good she is moving something but she is negating any effects by drinking 300+ calories of sweet tea while working out...

    Something else - people who say they can't exercise...just because you can't do exactly what others are doing doesn't mean you can't do something....I can't do running or exercises when I am repetively coming down on my right foot because of ankle issues but I do my best -when I go to the gym I use the ellipitcal or the arc trainer - I found i love kickboxing...and found an excellent place that offers it twice a week - a few movements i can't do so I modify...I invite people to come with me all the time and their excuse is "oh I can't do that it will be to hard" - I tell them - we had a lady with a cane walker doing it - if she can do it you can do it...
  • kateroot
    kateroot Posts: 435
    I agree wholeheartedly for the most part.... but i also do think the nutritional portion sizes are deceptive in nature... like seeing a package of reeces peanut butter cups... serves 2??? just so they can move the numbers down so it doesnt appear as the crap your really eating.

    Secondly.. WE.. are in control as adults... as KIDS.. such as those on the subsidized school lunch programs, we are shooting ourselves in the foot from the jump. Tomato paste... french fries as vegetables due to politics? (never mind the sodium.. its VEGETABLES! must be healthy.. healthy enuff for you broke kids anyway) We start the problem early then we have to spend our time "unlearning" what an actual healthy meal, portioned correctly are from the very begining.

    I saw that in an article in the NY Times.. I cannot believe that, according to government regulation, PIZZA is considered a vegetable in school because it has tomato paste on it. Obviously it's the parents' job to educate children about proper nutrition, but disadvantaged kids or kids of parents who don't eat well themselves aren't necessarily going to get that education at home. Because of that, I do feel that schools have some responsibility to teach nutrition as well. Passing off pizza as a vegetable is exactly the opposite of what we need to be doing.
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