Overweight & obesity epidemics now afflicting the majority of Canada's citizens

[nauru]

What can be done?

There are loads of effective marketing campaigns for cancer-related research. But where are the huge events raising awareness about the dangers of being fat? Thousands of people are dying each year from being too fat.

What about a walk/run for the cure to overweight and obesity? A run for hope that we as a society can turn it around and finally start getting thinner, rather than fatter each year?

Not sure if this is still the case but when I was in school in the 90s there was lots of attention paid to teaching about the dangers of under-eating and anorexia, but no attention whatsoever to the dangers of over-eating and overweight/obesity. This is despite the fact that overweight/obesity kills many many times more people in Canada (and many other rich nations) than anorexia each year. Many (most?) of these deaths are preventable.

Ideas?

[Hairball]

It's a difficult problem, I find as a society we have great difficulty acknowledging that people are fat. There are all sorts of sugar coating terms, many people are just in denial. It's like a major sin to call someone "fat". Sometimes it feels like everyone is fat (statistically speaking), so it's like "ok" to be that way.

Once we are able to acknowledge it, I think people will be able to make more healthier lifestyle choices. Having health and nutrition be a mandatory lesson at school for our kids would be a good start.

[nauru]

It's a difficult problem, I find as a society we have great difficulty acknowledging that people are fat. There are all sorts of sugar coating terms, many people are just in denial. It's like a major sin to call someone "fat". Sometimes it feels like everyone is fat (statistically speaking), so it's like "ok" to be that way.

Once we are able to acknowledge it, I think people will be able to make more healthier lifestyle choices. Having health and nutrition be a mandatory lesson at school for our kids would be a good start.

The social aspect of fatness is, to me, one of the most dangerous aspects of overweight/obesity. Overweight/obesity is a socially contagious problem, and seems to be spreading out of control. Now that more than half of people are overweight or obese, how can we re-adjust people's perceptions of normal weight?

While I am open to evidence which contradicts my current view, I find it hard to believe that lack of education is a major driver of overweight/obesity. Surely most people with a grade 10 education realize that eating lots and lots of food makes you fatter, that eating lots of greasy, or sugary foods makes youeven fatter, and that exercise has the opposite effect.

You are right that our society has difficulty acknowledging when people are fat. It's acceptable and encouraged for friends to have an intervention when someone is having a drinking problem, but the same is not done when someone is having an eating/exercise problem.

Prominent politicians like Harper and Flaherty don't look like they are trying to lead by example either.

[Metagame]

Prominent politicians like Harper and Flaherty don't look like they are trying to lead by example either.

The government should absolutely stay out of public's private lives or do you think we should have more government and ban all fast-food or something? I personally have no problem with the rise of the fatties, and neither should the government. If a person wants to be obese, that is their problem.

[WildWolf]

The government should TAX them.

[nauru]

The government should absolutely stay out of public's private lives or do you think we should have more government and ban all fast-food or something? I personally have no problem with the rise of the fatties, and neither should the government. If a person wants to be obese, that is their problem.

My comment about 'leading by example' was in reference to their own physical condition (size of gut, number of chins), not public policy.

[Dina_E]

$20 big mac combos
$5 coke cans
$5-7 candy bars

heavy tax on microwavable sodium rich foods.

heavy subsidies from these taxes for gym memberships and equipments like bikes and weights.

[Metagame]

$20 big mac combos
$5 coke cans
$5-7 candy bars

heavy tax on microwavable sodium rich foods.

heavy subsidies from these taxes for gym memberships and equipments like bikes and weights.

Oh look, another leftist who believes higher taxes are the solution to everything. If we did what you proposed, it would be an economic disaster as fast food is one of the largest industries in this country and many of these corporations will gladly leave our country, resulting in millions of job loss. But I'm sure such logic goes right over your head?

[cheapmeister]

The food is no good. It makes you get bloated like a blimp in no time and keeps you that way.

[Junigenmukyoku]

Make people use the TTC. :cheesygri

or

Offer free gym programs issued by our friendly neighbourhood government, but of course that would costing the tax payers.

or

Do some good 'eat healthy' PR campaigns.

[Agafaba]

$20 big mac combos
$5 coke cans
$5-7 candy bars

heavy tax on microwavable sodium rich foods.

heavy subsidies from these taxes for gym memberships and equipments like bikes and weights.

So your plan is to add a 400% tax on "junk food" and implement a law requiring people to spend an undetermined amount of time at the gym? It would have to be mandatory, as I know at least as far as I am concerned I dont go to the gym even when it is free.

[Nook]

$20 big mac combos
$5 coke cans
$5-7 candy bars

heavy tax on microwavable sodium rich foods.

heavy subsidies from these taxes for gym memberships and equipments like bikes and weights.

And this will actively harm the junk food and fast food industry, including their employees. Also, tubbies don't skip out on gym because of the costs - they do it because they'd rather sit on a couch chowing on Cheetos trying to figure out what kind of weekend Oprah and Kim Kardashian just had.

Fat people can live their lives however they want. Other than the burden on our health care system, they don't pose much of a nuisance. The gov't should stay out of the private lives of others and not attempt to push their ideal physical body prototypes down citizens' throats and wallets.

[omgreo]

And this will actively harm the junk food and fast food industry, including their employees. Also, tubbies don't skip out on gym because of the costs - they do it because they'd rather sit on a couch chowing on Cheetos trying to figure out what kind of weekend Oprah and Kim Kardashian just had.

Fat people can live their lives however they want. Other than the burden on our health care system, they don't pose much of a nuisance. The gov't should stay out of the private lives of others and not attempt to push their ideal physical body prototypes down citizens' throats and wallets.

The only reason IS that burden on our health care system. It's the same reason I'm against smoking or drinking heavily. I don't care if people want to smoke or drink themselves silly but if that comes out of our taxes then I have a problem with it.

[RolandCouch]

The problem is that it's socially acceptable to say someone has a smoking or drinking problem, but not that they have an EATING problem. People need to be shamed.

[qewcool]

http://pinterest.com/pin/55943220341440888/

"The OECD predicts, by 2020, 75% of the US population will be obese.
Another case of privatization of profits and socialization of loss: The food industry picks up the profits while the taxpayers clean up the resulting mess via the healthcare system. The symbiotic relation between the food industry creating sickness and the healthcare industry curing it can also be called "sickcare"."


http://www.zerohedge.com/news/your-country-fat-presenting-14-years-exponential-american-obesity

"we have another suggestion: offer every American $100 for every pound they lose until they get to just below their ideal weight, and offer them a further $1000 each year to stay below that weight. Total cost: a tiny fraction of whatever healthcare would cost, and the future benefits to one's credit card, to social healthcare outflows, and to society in general, would be unmeasurable."

[XtremeModder]

Oh look, another leftist who believes higher taxes are the solution to everything. If we did what you proposed, it would be an economic disaster as fast food is one of the largest industries in this country and many of these corporations will gladly leave our country, resulting in millions of job loss. But I'm sure such logic goes right over your head?

That's not true at all people will pay ridiculous amounts of $ for pre made foods because they can't cook. Much like the way we get gas for our cars even though we're getting screwed more and more every month over the last how many years? I wish my income increased this much to match...

Ive been good and haven't had fast food in about 2-3 months until Friday last week when I was starving and out with a friend.

I stupidly got the KFC double down (spicy one)

I hardly ever check the nutritional table on anything I eat but I have been lately as to choose healthier foods. I had my phone trying to find it online and the sandwich in the other, here it is:

http://www.highriskinsurancequoteline.com/new/content/view/12/26/

So what did I do? I for one was disgusted but I managed to eat half then threw out the rest

[Tijuana]

You should be able to criticise people who are fat just like we criticise those who smoke.

[Ziggy007]

Guys, I found a cure for the epidemic known as obesity, will I be rich?

http://www.best-treadmills-reviews.the-best-review.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/used-treadmill-for-sale-in-goa.jpeg

Step 1: Epidemic
Step 2: Create scientific solution
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Profit

[diggler649]

I think it's easy to pass judgement to those who are overweight. Some people are blessed with good genes and others aren't. I can eat a whole tub of ice cream and not gain a pound whereas I know other people who gain 10 pounds just staring at a box of Oreos.

A lot of it is genetic, but unless you have a glandular issue, anyone can lose the weight. It's how much mental fortitude you have to get up off your ***** and do real exercise. At the bare minimum, it should be 3 times a week (2 intense cardio sessions and 1 weight-lifiting session). You will see those bricks of butter melt off.

[Hairball]

My comment about 'leading by example' was in reference to their own physical condition (size of gut, number of chins), not public policy.

I remember Harper noticeably lost a lot of weight since taking office, but after the coalition crisis in 2008 he grew back in size, probably from stress.

[Hairball]

The problem is that it's socially acceptable to say someone has a smoking or drinking problem, but not that they have an EATING problem. People need to be shamed.

As someone who had a weight problem in the past, I kept getting reassurance from people that I wasn't fat (maybe not that much compared how obese many are). After years of not really feeling so good, and warnings from my doctor I decided to get to work and lose it.

[t3359]

I enjoy the Big Mac combo or Popeye's combo every once in a while, and I'm definitely not on the obese side. I might have it once a week, but if I eventually get high cholesterol or blood pressure later on in life I'll definitely be cutting it down. So I think I'm fairly responsible and think a flat-out fast-food tax would be a silly thing. I doubt the government would implement that, and the obese would complain about it until the cows came home.

Perhaps certain types of obesity and related diseases would eventually be categorized as a preventable disease and government provided medical support for such would be eliminated. That along with things like diseases caused by excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, etc. That would cause alot of political problems and protests, but given that the majority of us (probably) aren't obese smokers that drink non-stop, it might work...?

bjl

[t3359]

Guys, I found a cure for the epidemic known as obesity, will I be rich?

http://www.best-treadmills-reviews.the-best-review.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/used-treadmill-for-sale-in-goa.jpeg

Step 1: Epidemic
Step 2: Create scientific solution
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Profit

Problem is exercise requires effort and the results aren't immediate. Create a cure for lack-of-effort and give immediate-results, and you'll get rich... hey, sounds like liposuction.

bjl

[t3359]

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/your-country-fat-presenting-14-years-exponential-american-obesity

"we have another suggestion: offer every American $100 for every pound they lose until they get to just below their ideal weight, and offer them a further $1000 each year to stay below that weight. Total cost: a tiny fraction of whatever healthcare would cost, and the future benefits to one's credit card, to social healthcare outflows, and to society in general, would be unmeasurable."

Where the @#*(% would that money come from? My taxes? There ain't no way my taxes should have been supporting them in the health-care system, and there ain't no @#*(% way I would be paying more to encourage them to behave the way they should have been.

bjl

[Agafaba]

That's not true at all people will pay ridiculous amounts of $ for pre made foods because they can't cook. Much like the way we get gas for our cars even though we're getting screwed more and more every month over the last how many years? I wish my income increased this much to match...

Ive been good and haven't had fast food in about 2-3 months until Friday last week when I was starving and out with a friend.

I stupidly got the KFC double down (spicy one)

I hardly ever check the nutritional table on anything I eat but I have been lately as to choose healthier foods. I had my phone trying to find it online and the sandwich in the other, here it is:

http://www.highriskinsurancequoteline.com/new/content/view/12/26/

So what did I do? I for one was disgusted but I managed to eat half then threw out the rest

There is no way to put this politely but... your ******** if you ever thought that the double down was going to be even a little good for you... you replace the bun with meat, add more meat and cheese and call it a sandwich...

[Agafaba]

Where the @#*(% would that money come from? My taxes? There ain't no way my taxes should have been supporting them in the health-care system, and there ain't no @#*(% way I would be paying more to encourage them to behave the way they should have been.

bjl

So you would rather spend more when they end up in the hospital with obesity related issues? You also might want to talk to the government about their advertising against alcoholism, drugs and smoking.

[kennyhohoho]

Tax credit for gym memberships. Give people an incentive to be fit. In turn, it would create less of a strain on our health care system with obesity related illnesses.

Also, implement a fat tax, like in Denmark.

[ashgotti]

Where the @#*(% would that money come from? My taxes? There ain't no way my taxes should have been supporting them in the health-care system, and there ain't no @#*(% way I would be paying more to encourage them to behave the way they should have been.

bjl

Well you're still paying the amount in taxes for healthcare for obese people, this way you actually save money (in theory).

[Rainne]

It's okay. Someone has to buy the L, XL, XXL, XXXL sizes (that's how manufacturers make $).

[Supercooled]

It's a difficult problem, I find as a society we have great difficulty acknowledging that people are fat. There are all sorts of sugar coating terms, many people are just in denial. It's like a major sin to call someone "fat". Sometimes it feels like everyone is fat (statistically speaking), so it's like "ok" to be that way.

Once we are able to acknowledge it, I think people will be able to make more healthier lifestyle choices. Having health and nutrition be a mandatory lesson at school for our kids would be a good start.

reminds me of Wall-E where everyone is on a hover chair and fat. We like to harp about kids being indoors and the parks and recreational venues are baron where kids should be playing hand ball, soccer, baseball, ball hockey, etc... but instead they are cooped up inside with their video games (raises hand)... so you see the problem is as you siad, cultural.

[hondanation09]

The government should absolutely stay out of public's private lives or do you think we should have more government and ban all fast-food or something? I personally have no problem with the rise of the fatties, and neither should the government. If a person wants to be obese, that is their problem.

Not trying to be rude, but not sure why obesity should be treated any different then alcohol or cigarettes. The campaign against those "habits" by the government has been one of advertisement and taxes because of their implications on the health care system. For some reason we feel bad, or do not want to offend those who may be obese. We need to get around that feeling as a society in order to help out not only those who are obese now, but their kids who are also likely to be obese. The problem will get worse unless there is an intervention. I usually do not like government intervention unless it is warranted. How they do it is up for debate...taxes for unhealthy food or incentives for those who eat healthy and exercise must be considered. Tax all unhealthy foods with some sort of health tax and leave all healthy food free of all tax. How they determine healthy vs unhealthy must be worked out but it can be done and eventually (if we follow European nation trends...which we usually do) it will be done.

[peanutz]

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/your-country-fat-presenting-14-years-exponential-american-obesity

"we have another suggestion: offer every American $100 for every pound they lose until they get to just below their ideal weight, and offer them a further $1000 each year to stay below that weight. Total cost: a tiny fraction of whatever healthcare would cost, and the future benefits to one's credit card, to social healthcare outflows, and to society in general, would be unmeasurable."That's not fair to those who were never fat. Pay me for not being fat, bitches.


TI stupidly got the KFC double down (spicy one)I want to try that.


As someone who had a weight problem in the past, I kept getting reassurance from people that I wasn't fat (maybe not that much compared how obese many are). After years of not really feeling so good, and warnings from my doctor I decided to get to work and lose it.OMG what!? You really were a little chubby, Hairball? heHEHEHehe


It's okay. Someone has to buy the L, XL, XXL, XXXL sizes (that's how manufacturers make $).Not really! Bet they'd make more with selling the XS and S and M's because they are the SAME PRICE for less material.

[Rainne]

Not really! Bet they'd make more with selling the XS and S and M's because they are the SAME PRICE for less material.

Nah. Retail charges the same price for different sizes. I'm almost positive manufacturers charge more according to size (ex: XXL would cost more than a XS)

No idea why stores only stock a couple XS, S and like a billion L / XL though, it's annoying. It's probably something to do with the manufacturer's side.

[diggler649]

Nah. Retail charges the same price for different sizes. I'm almost positive manufacturers charge more according to size (ex: XXL would cost more than a XS)

No idea why stores only stock a couple XS, S and like a billion L / XL though, it's annoying. It's probably something to do with the manufacturer's side.

Especially at Banana Republic. Don't they know tons of Asians shop there? The only sizes they ever have in stock are fat and extra-fat.

[peanutz]

Nah. Retail charges the same price for different sizes. I'm almost positive manufacturers charge more according to size (ex: XXL would cost more than a XS)

No idea why stores only stock a couple XS, S and like a billion L / XL though, it's annoying. It's probably something to do with the manufacturer's side.Well, do you think retail's "consistent pricing" is taking into account the lower end of what manufacturers charge, or the upper end? Bet they take the upper end pricing and then apply it to all the sizes. That is what I mean when I say they probably make more money when they sell the smalls.

I suspect stores only stock a couple XS/S because more shoppers are M's and L's though. Maybe if they come from American companies, they just MAKE more L's and XL's...

[Mysticdragon]

Nah. Retail charges the same price for different sizes. I'm almost positive manufacturers charge more according to size (ex: XXL would cost more than a XS)

No idea why stores only stock a couple XS, S and like a billion L / XL though, it's annoying. It's probably something to do with the manufacturer's side.

Really? I find its opposite. Whenever I find a sale rack its always filled with tons of xxs, xs, s. Rarely will I find a M or L.

Same with when new items come out. I found this really cute Chinese inspired silk top last fall, the lady said they just got them in a few days prior. They had no L. Tried on a M but my boobs were too big :(

[kennyhohoho]

Really? I find its opposite. Whenever I find a sale rack its always filled with tons of xxs, xs, s. Rarely will I find a M or L.

Same with when new items come out. I found this really cute Chinese inspired silk top last fall, the lady said they just got them in a few days prior. They had no L. Tried on a M but my boobs were too big :(

Undo the top few buttons then. :D

[t3359]

Where the @#*(% would that money come from? My taxes? There ain't no way my taxes should have been supporting them in the health-care system, and there ain't no @#*(% way I would be paying more to encourage them to behave the way they should have been.

bjl


So you would rather spend more when they end up in the hospital with obesity related issues? You also might want to talk to the government about their advertising against alcoholism, drugs and smoking.


Well you're still paying the amount in taxes for healthcare for obese people, this way you actually save money (in theory).

No, that's not what I was saying. I'm saying that there's no way I should be paying more to the health care system to support people who don't take care of themselves. I'll support those who were unfortunate with unpreventable diseases and accident, but not those who had preventable diseases from things such as bad eating, smoking, over drinking.

bjl

[peanutz]

Really? I find its opposite. Whenever I find a sale rack its always filled with tons of xxs, xs, s. Rarely will I find a M or L.

Same with when new items come out. I found this really cute Chinese inspired silk top last fall, the lady said they just got them in a few days prior. They had no L. Tried on a M but my boobs were too big :(Maybe it's cuz you're in North Bay and I'm in Toronto.

Maybe I should shop in North Bay. You can come down to Toronto when there are sales.

[Hairball]

Tax all unhealthy foods with some sort of health tax and leave all healthy food free of all tax. How they determine healthy vs unhealthy must be worked out but it can be done and eventually (if we follow European nation trends...which we usually do) it will be done.

There is already a tax in a way, unhealthy foods are already subject to GST/HST, if you buy prepared foods, or eat at restaurants. Buy your own groceries and for the most part there's no tax if you cook it yourself.


OMG what!? You really were a little chubby, Hairball? heHEHEHehe

Yep, I believe I use to weigh close to 190 pounds, now I'm closer to 155.

[Mysticdragon]

Undo the top few buttons then. :D


Maybe it's cuz you're in North Bay and I'm in Toronto.

Maybe I should shop in North Bay. You can come down to Toronto when there are sales.


lol, Maybe

[WildWolf]

If there are so many fat, why are we cutting programs and services. The answer is in front of our face, if you are 40 Ibs over weight for an age category, you will be taxed, if you don't want to be taxed you get (6) months to loose some of the weight, putting into consideration, age, body type, sex etc. If you show improvement in (6) you don't get taxed, you are monitored that you continue on with loosing weight. If you are within a weight class you are automatically except, but warned if your diet continues you will become unhealthy and gain weight and could risk being taxed. This would keep weight under control and we could get rid of;

- KFC
- McDonalds
- Starbucks
- Tim Hortons
- Popeyes
- Burger King
- Taco Bell
- etc

If you want junk you don't need these places, I can walk into a grocery store, buy some donuts, some cookies then buy some greens, eat the greens, eat the sugar, poop it out, it's all good. I don't eat at fast food places, period. The last time I went into a Wendy's for a milk shake, I almost fell over due to the price, then I almost puked due to the taste. People are drinking this stuff all the time, I can waive once every 6 - 12 months, that is logical but everyday.

[Agafaba]

Who knows, maybe they are afraid of encouraging people to become anorexic. You cant take too little drugs, smoke not enough cigarettes or fail to meet your minimum daily alcohol intake, so it is a little different.

[jeffyjaixx]

Make Gym mandatory throughout all levels of education.

[kennyhohoho]

Make Gym mandatory throughout all levels of education.

This is fine for Elementary and Secondary, but you can't make it mandatory in Post Secondary. People aren't going to pay upwards of $500 per course, per semester to bounce a ball around.

[EmperorOfCanada]

I see a lot of uneducated posts here (and a lot of very good ones as well).

It is not as straight forward as people eating too much. There are multiple factors to the 'obesity epidemic' or whatever you want to call it. Contributing factors can be genetic, income (nutritious food costs more), sleeping habits, exercise habits, stress, proper health education and I am sure more I am not remembering.

IMO at least some good places to start would be better nutrition education in schools, stronger laws against advertising bad foods towards children, way more physical education for children (I have heard of some schools conducting all lessons outdoors while keeping active and having good results). Teaching children (and adults) the importance of proper sleeping habits..

I don't have all the answers, it is a big problem. But I think that's a good start.

*Edit*
I missed a big one. Portion sizes. Portion sizes are completely crazy compared to what they should be.

[Coz4k]

Too much rice guys.

[feidailo]

Raise awareness? You dont think fat people dont know their fat? If they really wanted change, they would stop eating and start jogging.

Its not just them, its the ***** we call society (i say ***** because society has sold out to corporations).

Its 99 cents for a cheeseburger and $4.99 for a "salad". Answer's obvious.

[92gsr]

Gym memberships won't solve the problem. Besides, you don't need fancy equipment to build muscle - doing exercises like push ups, dips, and pull ups are more than enough (unless you're looking to bulk up.)

The key to weight loss is your diet. People consume crazy amounts of sugar and simple carbs these days. If you cut these out, you can shed pounds easily. I've lost about 10 pounds this year just as a result of cutting down on my wheat consumption. (168 to 155.)

[Agafaba]

Its not so simple as blaming diet, there are lots of causes. Cars could be considered a big contributor, considering without them we would all be walking a lot more often.

[koalorka]

LOL, and Libertarians still claim that most people know what's good for them...

[92gsr]

Its not so simple as blaming diet, there are lots of causes. Cars could be considered a big contributor, considering without them we would all be walking a lot more often.

I would be willing to bet that more often than not, it's one's diet.

I will admit there are other factors in terms of one's diet, such as portion size, frequency of meals, and when fruit is consumed during the day.

About a couple of years ago, I was in the 175 range even though I was exercising. I was at that weight because I went to pubs a lot and drank large amounts of beer. I now consume maybe 1 pint of beer a week; I'm a wine snob now and I enjoy a gin and tonic every now and again. I almost never drink pop and I seldom put sugar in my coffee. I do eat white rice, but I don't eat bread (unless it's a burger.) I run about 20kms a week and I do about 100 push ups a day. What I do is not all that difficult (nor expensive) and I consider myself to be in fairly average shape.

[poedua]

I would be willing to bet that more often than not, it's one's diet.

I will admit there are other factors in terms of one's diet, such as portion size, frequency of meals, and when fruit is consumed during the day.

About a couple of years ago, I was in the 175 range even though I was exercising. I was at that weight because I went to pubs a lot and drank large amounts of beer. I now consume maybe 1 pint of beer a week; I'm a wine snob now and I enjoy a gin and tonic every now and again. I almost never drink pop and I seldom put sugar in my coffee. I do eat white rice, but I don't eat bread (unless it's a burger.) I run about 20kms a week and I do about 100 push ups a day. What I do is not all that difficult (nor expensive) and I consider myself to be in fairly average shape.

And - usually - a sedentary lifestyle.

[Mysticdragon]

IMO at least some good places to start would be better nutrition education in schools, stronger laws against advertising bad foods towards children

I think this is a really good point. I know when I was in school I usually ate at the cafeteria and the #1 food ordered was poutine, then things like pizza, fried chicken wings, french fries etc...

There really aren't many healthy choices even within schools. And trying to ban these foods means a change in the cafeteria vendor which the corporations that own them fight against.
Even when I was in university living on residence, 90% of the choices on campus for food were fast food chains.

Better education and stronger laws on advertising snacks to children could help.

[92gsr]

And - usually - a sedentary lifestyle.

I'm an office worker too, so that's not really an excuse. I drive my car on the weekends too.

On the other hand, I do live on the west coast and there's a healthy amount of pressure to stay fit and lead a healthy lifestyle since the majority of people here are trim and healthy.

[Agafaba]

I would be willing to bet that more often than not, it's one's diet.

I will admit there are other factors in terms of one's diet, such as portion size, frequency of meals, and when fruit is consumed during the day.

About a couple of years ago, I was in the 175 range even though I was exercising. I was at that weight because I went to pubs a lot and drank large amounts of beer. I now consume maybe 1 pint of beer a week; I'm a wine snob now and I enjoy a gin and tonic every now and again. I almost never drink pop and I seldom put sugar in my coffee. I do eat white rice, but I don't eat bread (unless it's a burger.) I run about 20kms a week and I do about 100 push ups a day. What I do is not all that difficult (nor expensive) and I consider myself to be in fairly average shape.

I was the opposite of you, I used to walk a lot more but I ate tons (like, every other day) of fast food, drank mostly pop and had my fill of candy. Now I dont eat even close to as much junk, but I dont walk nearly as much either, and I went from 170-175 to 200-205 (im 6'3)

[peanutz]

Its not so simple as blaming diet, there are lots of causes. Cars could be considered a big contributor, considering without them we would all be walking a lot more often.And most people who drive cars loathe the idea of bike lanes being put up everywhere around the city.

I need 50 minutes to drive to work (one way) during rush hour. I would love to get up earlier and use 90 minutes to bike there, then take the TTC back at night. It can't happen, though, because there is no safe and efficient way for me to do that.

And I am not one to easily scare - I have biked downtown when I used to work at the university as a summer student, through the sweltering heat and nasty, congested traffic when the TTC was on strike. One guy who saw me reapplying my sunscreen noted how I put that on, but not a helmet (I have a helmet now, don't worry!)

The most fit I have ever been was after 1 week of going to "Leadership Camp" in high school. Yeah, it sounds lame, but this was how an average day went:
7:30am - get up. Some girls got up earlier to shower in the morning.
8am - breakfast; chat/discussion with group leader at table.
8:45am - first few hours of cross-country skiing.
12noon - come in for lunch.
1pm - back outside for some more cross-country skiing.
3:30pm - return indoors for discussion with the whole group of girls plus leaders over snacks
5pm - free activities (pingpong, candlemaking, nature walk/hike, choir, etc.)
7pm - dinner
8pm - more free time, opportunity for me to shower.
10 - lights out for sleep.

I pretty much came back home with rock hard (NOT EXAGGERATING) legs and toned/muscular everything else. Imagine if our whole workday or schoolday was like that? Plenty of time for physical activity, work, lessons/studying. I had SO much fun over that week and my sleeping habits were perfectly synched; and on top of all that, I felt alert and relaxed all the time (great mood.)

My ideal is that physical activity is woven into the everyday routine, not "set aside" for time at the gym, etc. I get too bored of being at the gym for long intervals, which is why I prefer biking around outside. I realize some people's schedules are too hectic to find the time (especially those with kids and other dependents), but without that excuse or some form of injury, I don't understand how majority of people who are overweight and/or obese let themselves get that way.

[peanutz]

I also just want to clarify that I'm not being hateful. There is real concern and sympathy from me when I see someone working their butts off who obviously has let themselves go. However, there are also others I see strolling leisurely around in malls or whatever, who clearly don't seem to be rushed for anything in the world, who are kinda big and I just wonder...how could you do that to yourself?

It's not just health care burden. Have you ever had to sit somewhere public next to someone who is large and taking up part of your space/seat? TTC, movie theatre, concert, basic maneuvering through the grocery store aisles, etc...

My brother once had a large lady sit on half his lap in one of the SINGLE SEAT spaces on the TTC. She didn't even ask...

[diggler649]

I also just want to clarify that I'm not being hateful. There is real concern and sympathy from me when I see someone working their butts off who obviously has let themselves go. However, there are also others I see strolling leisurely around in malls or whatever, who clearly don't seem to be rushed for anything in the world, who are kinda big and I just wonder...how could you do that to yourself?

It's not just health care burden. Have you ever had to sit somewhere public next to someone who is large and taking up part of your space/seat? TTC, movie theatre, concert, basic maneuvering through the grocery store aisles, etc...

My brother once had a large lady sit on half his lap in one of the SINGLE SEAT spaces on the TTC. She didn't even ask...

Reminds me of a time when I got stuck in the middle seat on a flight from Regina to Toronto. You know when you see a large person squeezing through the aisle and you're saying to yourself "please don't sit beside me, please don't sit beside me". Well that happened to me twice. I felt like I was stuck in a phone booth with two inflated life rafts. When I went to open my pretzel snacks, my arms got stuck. They were like flippers on a seal. Couldn't reach anything. Horrible.

[peanutz]

Reminds me of a time when I got stuck in the middle seat on a flight from Regina to Toronto. You know when you see a large person squeezing through the aisle and you're saying to yourself "please don't sit beside me, please don't sit beside me". Well that happened to me twice. I felt like I was stuck in a phone booth with two inflated life rafts. When I went to open my pretzel snacks, my arms got stuck. They were like flippers on a seal. Couldn't reach anything. Horrible.LOL

Why do all these unfortunate things happen to you.

(As an aside, I am a G now. I got it last Thursday. There was the strictest, meanest looking examiner coming towards my car and I was saying "Please don't be me, please don't be me"...and of course, she came for me. :( Maybe the chant works when you do the opposite. It's a good thing I'm a pwnerer. Never failed a driving exam!)

[Rainne]

Dieting is the main reason. People starve themselves and stress their bodies in an effort to lose weight. This won't work in the long term.

But eating healthy is not cheap. Why buy a bag of fruits (which you can consume in like one sitting) when you can buy a Big Mac + fries/drink combo (with a coupon) for $4.99?

[EmperorOfCanada]

Not joking either but many offices would do well to buy these (or at least make them optional for those that would like them)

http://www.macworld.com/article/1156988/treadmilldesk.html

[peanutz]

Treadmill desk? Eh...not for me. But when I get my own place, I'm going to put an elliptical in front of the TV for sure.

[Muney]

It is not as straight forward as people eating too much. There are multiple factors to the 'obesity epidemic' or whatever you want to call it. Contributing factors can be genetic, income (nutritious food costs more), sleeping habits, exercise habits, stress, proper health education and I am sure more I am not remembering.



Nope, you're wrong. It IS as straight forward as people eating too much. 99% of people are fat because they're too lazy to eat right and exercise. It's easier to stick some crap in the microwave or grabbing a bag of chip then cooking something healthy. Its easier to sit on your ***** at home than to go to the gym and work out, or go for a walk. It's 100% laziness.

[KDSet]

One problem: where are all the fat people? :|

[diggler649]

LOL

Why do all these unfortunate things happen to you.

(As an aside, I am a G now. I got it last Thursday. There was the strictest, meanest looking examiner coming towards my car and I was saying "Please don't be me, please don't be me"...and of course, she came for me. :( Maybe the chant works when you do the opposite. It's a good thing I'm a pwnerer. Never failed a driving exam!)

Flying out of Regina, I wouldn't have expected anything less. If there is a city in Canada that is the epitome of obesity, it's Regina. They actually have to install speed bumps in all-you-can-eat buffet restaurants. FACT.

[funkyfr3sh_]

Dieting is the main reason. People starve themselves and stress their bodies in an effort to lose weight. This won't work in the long term.

But eating healthy is not cheap. Why buy a bag of fruits (which you can consume in like one sitting) when you can buy a Big Mac + fries/drink combo (with a coupon) for $4.99?

If you plan it right, you can eat healthy home cooked meals cheaper than eating out for sure.

[EmperorOfCanada]

Nope, you're wrong. It IS as straight forward as people eating too much. 99% of people are fat because they're too lazy to eat right and exercise. It's easier to stick some crap in the microwave or grabbing a bag of chip then cooking something healthy. Its easier to sit on your ***** at home than to go to the gym and work out, or go for a walk. It's 100% laziness.

Incorrect.

[flashy_mcflash]

If you plan it right, you can eat healthy home cooked meals cheaper than eating out for sure.

I think you might lose out on some variety though. Walk into a grocery store with $10 and you can buy a serviceable meal but you'll be eating the same things pretty often. Walk into a food court with $10 and you can basically eat anything on offer.

[Ottomaddox]

Ban drivethrus, video games, TVs, computers and cars.

We're fat because we don't have the work in the fields anymore, and we play WOW instead of playing catch in the backyard.

[Muney]

Incorrect.

Strong argument. How is it incorrect? Fat people are fat and it's 100% their fault. How is that not correct? I left out the 1% who are fat because of a medical condition, but for the other 99% its true.

[Hairball]

Strong argument. How is it incorrect? Fat people are fat and it's 100% their fault. How is that not correct? I left out the 1% who are fat because of a medical condition, but for the other 99% its true.

I agree, sure some people might have a medical condition making them fat, but for many, making proper lifestyle choices, such as eating right and doing exercise should help their condition.

It's this kind of thinking that we need to erode. It's like no one can lose weight, so I'm not going to try too.

[flashy_mcflash]

Strong argument. How is it incorrect? Fat people are fat and it's 100% their fault. How is that not correct? I left out the 1% who are fat because of a medical condition, but for the other 99% its true.

So you clearly have a source for your 100% and 99% figures? Or is it just bonehead 'common sense'?

[peanutz]

We're fat because we don't have the work in the fields anymore, and we play WOW instead of playing catch in the backyard.Nooooooooo. I spent about 3 years playing, dreaming, strategizing, socializing around shooting people's heads off. I spent 10-hour days in MUH CHAIR! And I actually lost weight (especially muscle mass) doing this; I did not gain. That's unhealthy too, but in another way.

So has anyone prodded anyone else into losing weight in this thread? I have! My brother was tubby to begin with and he was really putting on the pounds this past winter. I told him straight up, "OMGGGG You're getting fat...it's so bad :( You need to lose it!" and now he swims 4-5 times a week and has been losing.

Maybe I should become a motivational speaker.

[Muney]

So you clearly have a source for your 100% and 99% figures? Or is it just bonehead 'common sense'?

It's science. Calories in, Calories out. If you don't understand this then you're probably fat.

[laptopuser]

Dieting is the main reason. People starve themselves and stress their bodies in an effort to lose weight. This won't work in the long term.

But eating healthy is not cheap. Why buy a bag of fruits (which you can consume in like one sitting) when you can buy a Big Mac + fries/drink combo (with a coupon) for $4.99?

nice job naming a coupon that you can get once or twice yearly. realistic big mac combo is ~$8 after tax.

look at how expensive eating "healthy" (non-processed) food is. keep in mind most of these aren't taxed either.

bundle of bananas <$2
several apples <$3
bag of carrots <$2
kilo of ground beef <$5
eggs $2-3
4L milk $4-5
lettuce <$2
broccoli <$2
rice costs pennies
oatmeal costs pennies
loaf of bread $2-3

these foods will last you through multiple sittings. you sure you arent just lazy?

[Agafaba]

Strong argument. How is it incorrect? Fat people are fat and it's 100% their fault. How is that not correct? I left out the 1% who are fat because of a medical condition, but for the other 99% its true.

While I kind of agree with you I think the esteemed emperor was right. It is a little more complicated then "damn lazy people". Its not that I am too lazy to go to the gym, its that I really dont enjoy gym activities. I have no issue walking an hour to go visit a friend, but thinking about going to the gym and walking on a treadmill makes me want to sit at home and do nothing.

[EmperorOfCanada]

Strong argument. How is it incorrect? Fat people are fat and it's 100% their fault. How is that not correct? I left out the 1% who are fat because of a medical condition, but for the other 99% its true.

Well, let me backstep a little. I dont entirely think you are wrong, but I think saying people eat too much and thats all there is to it oversimplifies the problem. There are many other contributing factors such as the ones I already listed, as well as sugar addiction etc which I forgot to mention in my other list.

One thing that people forget about or simply dont care about is the fact that often by the time people are responsible for making their own eating decisions it is too late, they are already fat, already addicted to sugar, in really bad cases they are already diabetic. Fat kids almost always grow up to be fat adults. Yeah you can take a 'your an adult, get over it, grow up and live healthy' stance, and ultimately I agree with that in most cases... I just dont want to see people oversimplifying the problem.

[EbonyRose]

OMG what!? You really were a little chubby, Hairball? heHEHEHehe
You should get him to show you a pic. He looks like he is now, but it looks like he's wearing a "fat suit". It doesn't look real at all. :razz:


As for our epidemic, there are so many factors contributing to this. This is a lifestyle problem and should be addressed from childhood. Schools should force kids to exercise daily and they should educate kids on proper eating and teach them how to prepare healthy meals. If the kids are obese or overweight for a non-medical reasons, there should be repercussions such as mandatory supplementary exercise, or failure to pass the grade. Parents will get their act together, if they know their kid's education is at stake. If we keep this regime up from childhood all the way until the end of high school, then we've done all we can to prevent them from becoming obese. After that, it's up to them.

The thing about targeting adults is that it's too late at this point, because it's harder to change their habits once they reach adulthood. Not to mention it's harder to track them. We can implement a fat tax, but how do find the fat people? How do we keep track of track of people's weight, etc.? It seems a like an organizational nightmare. Not to mention everyone's circumstances are different. Some jobs are hectic and people may not have the time or energy to exercise.

I do agree that there should be some sort of tax or monetary repercussion for having a "preventable disease", such as smokers who get lung cancer and obesity related diseases, because it's not fair that the rest of us are burdened, because of their lifestyle choice. I don't agree about the fast food tax though, because people have a right to eat what they want. Not to mention fat people aren't the only ones to eat fast food and the tax would actually have a negative effect on the economy. Fast food is a big industry and employs a lot of people.

[laptopuser]

I think you might lose out on some variety though. Walk into a grocery store with $10 and you can buy a serviceable meal but you'll be eating the same things pretty often. Walk into a food court with $10 and you can basically eat anything on offer.

learn to cook a range of different meals. the main obstacle is time, not variety.

[laptopuser]

While I kind of agree with you I think the esteemed emperor was right. It is a little more complicated then "damn lazy people". Its not that I am too lazy to go to the gym, its that I really dont enjoy gym activities. I have no issue walking an hour to go visit a friend, but thinking about going to the gym and walking on a treadmill makes me want to sit at home and do nothing.

dont worry big boy, you dont have to go to the gym to lose the weight. you just have to eat less. the gym is a useful tool for cardiovascular health and muscle building, but it's not necessary for weight loss at all

[diggler649]

While I kind of agree with you I think the esteemed emperor was right. It is a little more complicated then "damn lazy people". Its not that I am too lazy to go to the gym, its that I really dont enjoy gym activities. I have no issue walking an hour to go visit a friend, but thinking about going to the gym and walking on a treadmill makes me want to sit at home and do nothing.

You can't have your cake and eat it too. It's getting your mind in the right spot. When I first took up running around 8 years ago, I hated it. I would be thinking, who the hell likes to run? I started out doing 3K. Then 5k. Then 7k. Now I do 10k runs before I start hating it.

I think most people don't like to exercise because it's not easy. But once you're zoned in, your mind forgets you're exercising. When I went for a run on Sat, I didn't even remember the first 7k of that run.

[Agafaba]

nice job naming a coupon that you can get once or twice yearly. realistic big mac combo is ~$8 after tax.

look at how expensive eating "healthy" (non-processed) food is. keep in mind most of these aren't taxed either.

bundle of bananas <$2
several apples <$3
bag of carrots <$2
kilo of ground beef <$5
eggs $2-3
4L milk $4-5
lettuce <$2
broccoli <$2
rice costs pennies
oatmeal costs pennies
loaf of bread $2-3

these foods will last you through multiple sittings. you sure you arent just lazy?

Ground beef isnt exactly the best example of healthy living when you compare it to burgers... Although it is cheaper to buy it yourself. Eating a burger, some fries and a pop at home isnt going to be any better for you than going to Mcdonalds to do it, you have to actually eat healthy things.

[Agafaba]

dont worry big boy, you dont have to go to the gym to lose the weight. you just have to eat less. the gym is a useful tool for cardiovascular health and muscle building, but it's not necessary for weight loss at all

Oh thank god... I can go from 2 meals a day to just 1 and thats all it will take?

[Muney]

While I kind of agree with you I think the esteemed emperor was right. It is a little more complicated then "damn lazy people". Its not that I am too lazy to go to the gym, its that I really dont enjoy gym activities. I have no issue walking an hour to go visit a friend, but thinking about going to the gym and walking on a treadmill makes me want to sit at home and do nothing.

I understand that, but you dont HAVE to go to the gym to be healthy. You can walk (like you said) or simply not eat bad food. If you dont eat bad food then it's not needed to go to the gym to lose weight.



Well, let me backstep a little. I dont entirely think you are wrong, but I think saying people eat too much and thats all there is to it oversimplifies the problem. There are many other contributing factors such as the ones I already listed, as well as sugar addiction etc which I forgot to mention in my other list.

One thing that people forget about or simply dont care about is the fact that often by the time people are responsible for making their own eating decisions it is too late, they are already fat, already addicted to sugar, in really bad cases they are already diabetic. Fat kids almost always grow up to be fat adults. Yeah you can take a 'your an adult, get over it, grow up and live healthy' stance, and ultimately I agree with that in most cases... I just dont want to see people oversimplifying the problem.

People eating too much is nobody's fault but their own. (im not going to touch on the sugar addiction and diabetes, because you're right in this aspect) I used to be a fat ***** . I used to sit on my ***** playing video games, drinking beer and eating pizza. It was my fault, nobody else was to blame. Once i decided that I was sick of being a fat slob then I changed my life style and made my self better. I now see all fat people as lazy slobs and it disgusts me that someone would be so satisfied with being fat and not want to change.

[Rainne]

nice job naming a coupon that you can get once or twice yearly. realistic big mac combo is ~$8 after tax.

look at how expensive eating "healthy" (non-processed) food is. keep in mind most of these aren't taxed either.

bundle of bananas <$2
several apples <$3
bag of carrots <$2
kilo of ground beef <$5
eggs $2-3
4L milk $4-5
lettuce <$2
broccoli <$2
rice costs pennies
oatmeal costs pennies
loaf of bread $2-3

these foods will last you through multiple sittings. you sure you arent just lazy?

^ I guess

But explain why people are fat then? Are they just lazy? You can lose a lot of weight by just eating lean meats (chicken/fish), vegetables/fruits + water. You don't even need to exercise!

[diggler649]

dont worry big boy, you dont have to go to the gym to lose the weight. you just have to eat less. the gym is a useful tool for cardiovascular health and muscle building, but it's not necessary for weight loss at all

Exercise is a healthier way of losing weight. Dieting only makes you miserable and tired. And many people underestimate weight lifting. You burn tons of fat doing that. Your muscles still burn fat for a couple of days after lifting.


How long you burn fat after lifting weights varies with the training method, but you continue to burn fat following lifting for a significant period of time. In a 1997 study published in "The Journals of Gerontology," it was shown that a single bout of resistance training elevated the metabolism of all study participants for up to 48 hours following training. What is more significant is the fact that the study participants were all men of at least 59 years of age. As you age, your metabolism does not function as efficiently, which is one of the reasons for the decrease in muscle mass and increase in body fat everyone experiences as part of the aging process. If this type of protocol works well for seniors, it will work better for someone with a more efficient metabolism.

[Agafaba]

You can't have your cake and eat it too. It's getting your mind in the right spot. When I first took up running around 8 years ago, I hated it. I would be thinking, who the hell likes to run? I started out doing 3K. Then 5k. Then 7k. Now I do 10k runs before I start hating it.

I think most people don't like to exercise because it's not easy. But once you're zoned in, your mind forgets you're exercising. When I went for a run on Sat, I didn't even remember the first 7k of that run.

For me I just have trouble seeing the point other than an arbitrary amount of time spend doing the activity. I dont mind taking an hour walk to visit a friend, grab a bite etc... because walking is the means of doing something and not the activity itself. I know once I wanted to visit my family in Norwood when I was living in Peterborough so I went for a 3 hour bike ride on gravel (highway 7 is scary when your not going 100kph)

Being 200 at 6'3 isnt too bad, I am at the very tip of the "medically recommended" range so im not personally worried. Now that its warm I will spend a lot more time exploring Barrie seeing as I just moved here and I dont know the landscape.

[peanutz]

You should get him to show you a pic. He looks like he is now, but it looks like he's wearing a "fat suit". It doesn't look real at all. :razz:OMGGG I wanna see I wanna see....bet he's SHO CUTE.


The thing about targeting adults is that it's too late at this point, because it's harder to change their habits once they reach adulthood. Not to mention it's harder to track them. We can implement a fat tax, but how do find the fat people? How do we keep track of track of people's weight, etc.? It seems a like an organizational nightmare. Not to mention everyone's circumstances are different. Some jobs are hectic and people may not have the time or energy to exercise.Yes. The majority of students aren't large, but I also know that many students' timetables are crazy and really don't have time to spare, especially during exam time. Many working adults have rough hours that they have no control over.


I do agree that there should be some sort of tax or monetary repercussion for having a "preventable disease", such as smokers who get lung cancer and obesity related diseases, because it's not fair that the rest of us are burdened, because of their lifestyle choice. I don't agree about the fast food tax though, because people have a right to eat what they want. Not to mention fat people aren't the only ones to eat fast food and the tax would actually have a negative effect on the economy. Fast food is a big industry and employs a lot of people.100% agree. In addition, many fast food places are trying to improve, McDonald's included. I know lots of people say that their salads still have a lot of calories but if you get the GRILLED chicken option and minimize the amount of dressing one uses, they are definitely healthier (but also more expensive because fresh food is necessarily so and is another issue altogether.)

I believe the smoker-tax cannot be implemented because years ago it was not proven or widely acknowledged that smoking causes lung cancer and a ton of other chronic diseases. After people got hooked, it is allegedly very difficult to stop. It is also very difficult to prove that someone simply wasn't a victim of second-hand smoke.

Has anyone here watched Fat Sick and Nearly Dead? I thought it was such an inspiring documentary. You may not agree with all the dietary principles pushed in it, but it's still worth watching.

[Experimentalist]

You should be able to criticise people who are fat just like we criticise those who smoke.

If someone told me, a grown man, that I have a smoking problem, I'd seriously tell them to f*** off.

[Rainne]

Exercise is a healthier way of losing weight. Dieting only makes you miserable and tired. And many people underestimate weight lifting. You burn tons of fat doing that. Your muscles still burn fat for a couple of days after lifting.

Not really. Eating fruits provides sustained energy throughout the day (vs. coffee / processed carb bursts). Chicken tastes great too :lol:

[EmperorOfCanada]

Once i decided that I was sick of being a fat slob then I changed my life style and made my self better. I now see all fat people as lazy slobs and it disgusts me that someone would be so satisfied with being fat and not want to change.

I assume if you were that way yourself you realize people dont wake up with a smile on their face saying 'Thank god I am fat'. Its not like they like being fat, its that it is difficult to change. You have to find the right motivation to change, and luckily you did.

[Muney]

(highway 7 is scary when your not going 100kph)

I'm paranoid driving on hwy 7 in a car, couldn't imagine it on a bike.

[KDSet]

^ I guess

But explain why people are fat then? Are they just lazy? You can lose a lot of weight by just eating lean meats (chicken/fish), vegetables/fruits + water. You don't even need to exercise!

Fats are stored readily by the body and sugars are converted to fats to some degree by the liver. North Americans consume huge amounts of both. Plus the modern sedentary lifestyle.

[Nettles]

The problem is that we're a winter country which hasn't adapted to the fact that we're a winter country. Austria, Scandinavian nations, Germany, etc are also winter countries with somewhat compareable temperature however they don't have the same obesity. Within Canada, I think BC is the least obese province and maybe it's because the main BC population around Vic/Van enjoys weather which lets them engage in year-round activities.

In the rest of the nation though, people do get out for summer but not much else. Not many kids are playing hockey and the majority of adults certainly aren't engaging in skiiing or some other winter activity which results in physical exercise. The city lifestyle has also been brought here without enough parks or arenas or other venus to just go and "play."

I think the gov't needs to give the problem more importance by creating activities for people to do something in winter and admit that it is a problem.

[peanutz]

The problem is that we're a winter country which hasn't adapted to the fact that we're a winter country. Austria, Scandinavian nations, Germany, etc are also winter countries with somewhat compareable temperature however they don't have the same obesity. Within Canada, I think BC is the least obese province and maybe it's because the main BC population around Vic/Van enjoys weather which lets them engage in year-round activities.

In the rest of the nation though, people do get out for summer but not much else. Not many kids are playing hockey and the majority of adults certainly aren't engaging in skiiing or some other winter activity which results in physical exercise. The city lifestyle has also been brought here without enough parks or arenas or other venus to just go and "play."

I think the gov't needs to give the problem more importance by creating activities for people to do something in winter and admit that it is a problem.Yes... I don't like wintertime in Toronto, it sucks. Finally I can go out and be free and have fun starting in Spring to Fall.

[laptopuser]

^ I guess

But explain why people are fat then? Are they just lazy? You can lose a lot of weight by just eating lean meats (chicken/fish), vegetables/fruits + water. You don't even need to exercise!

people are fat because they're addicted to what they eat. cravings for junk food can be overwhelming. much like smoking, it's a way of relieving stress and a damaging hard to quit habit.

consider that losing weight really is simple. for most it may be as simple as calories in vs calories out. the emotional bond people have with what they eat, and the stress of daily living are at the root of the problem. the question should be "whats making me eat this way?" not "how do i lose weight?"

[Muney]

I assume if you were that way yourself you realize people dont wake up with a smile on their face saying 'Thank god I am fat'. Its not like they like being fat, its that it is difficult to change. You have to find the right motivation to change, and luckily you did.

I guess I just dont understand how people cant get motivated to lose weight. Yeah its hard, but it's worth it. I just cant wrap my head around it. My sister in law drives me nuts. Shes 5'4 and about 250-300lbs and complains constantly about being fat, was offended when her Dr told her she was morbidly obese, yet she coats everything in butter, eats chocolate and ice cream all the time, pizza and lord knows what else. These are the people I hate. Compain about being fat, but are too dumb and lazy to try and change.

[peanutz]

BTW it's not just a matter of calories, it's definitely also the way that foods trigger your body's systems.

I'd rather eat a low-moderate sugar/high-fat ice cream, than a mid-high sugar and lower calorie artificially-flavoured sorbet. The latter is going to spike your insulin faster and higher.

[diggler649]

The problem is that we're a winter country which hasn't adapted to the fact that we're a winter country. Austria, Scandinavian nations, Germany, etc are also winter countries with somewhat compareable temperature however they don't have the same obesity. Within Canada, I think BC is the least obese province and maybe it's because the main BC population around Vic/Van enjoys weather which lets them engage in year-round activities.

In the rest of the nation though, people do get out for summer but not much else. Not many kids are playing hockey and the majority of adults certainly aren't engaging in skiiing or some other winter activity which results in physical exercise. The city lifestyle has also been brought here without enough parks or arenas or other venus to just go and "play."

I think the gov't needs to give the problem more importance by creating activities for people to do something in winter and admit that it is a problem.

Or skip buying F35's and give everyone a Canada Goose jacket. Then people won't need to store loads of fat to get through the winter.

Brilliant, diggler. Utterly brilliant.

[92gsr]

I think everyone is entitled to eat at least 1 or 2 things that are unhealthy. For example, I often get pizza by the slice and I eat potato chips. I don't however eat ice cream, drink beer (especially if it's crap, mass-brewed stuff), eat chocolate, etc.

My philosophy is this: if you have a spare moment at home, you should be doing something which works your muscles: a set of push-ups, dips on the kitchen counter, planks and side planks, leg raises, etc. I personally am not a fan of big gyms because in my experience, you either encounter roid monkeys or people who don't know what they're doing. I wouldn't support a tax credit for gym memberships because I feel they are unnecessary for most people (unless you want to bulk up.)

If you don't have time for hour-long cardio sessions, do interval training or high intensity workouts.

[koalorka]

Stop eating s**t for food and you won't be a repulsive land-whale who will die prematurely.

What's so difficult about this?

[peanutz]

Trailer for Fat Sick and Nearly Dead:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9SGWcZwk7c

I know diggler juices ^_^ I do too...have had my juicer for 4-5 years now.

[peanutz]

Stop eating s**t for food and you won't be a repulsive land-whale who will die prematurely.

What's so difficult about this?*pet*

[diggler649]

Trailer for Fat Sick and Nearly Dead:
I know diggler juices ^_^ I do too...have had my juicer for 4-5 years now.

Great movie. Which juicer do you have again? I think I told you I have the Omega.

http://www.thebestjuicerreviews.com/image-files/omega-8006-masticating-juicer.jpg

[koalorka]

Here's a typical week of groceries for two families, one in Germany and the other in America.

Guess who dies first from arteriosclerosis? Notice also how there is not a single item that would be considered edible anywhere outside of the USA in the bottom picture, just processed, easily-digestible starch paste moulded to look like different food items in brightly coloured packaging.

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/8623/foodfamilies1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/851/foodfamilies1.jpg/)

[Agafaba]

Here's a typical week of groceries for two families, one in Germany and the other in America.

Guess who dies first from arteriosclerosis? Notice also how there is not a single item that would be considered edible anywhere outside of the USA in the bottom picture, just processed, easily-digestible starch paste moulded to look like different food items in brightly coloured packaging.

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/8623/foodfamilies1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/851/foodfamilies1.jpg/)

And look how angry those Germans are, maybe they should but a snack once in a while for themselves and cheer up.

[diggler649]

Here's a typical week of groceries for two families, one in Germany and the other in America.

Guess who dies first from arteriosclerosis? Notice also how there is not a single item that would be considered edible anywhere outside of the USA in the bottom picture, just processed, easily-digestible starch paste moulded to look like different food items in brightly coloured packaging.



Why do German women look so angry all the time?

[koalorka]

Why do German women look so angry all the time?

Hard to say, I'm not a German woman.

[Ottomaddox]

I see alot of beer, wine, red meat and cheese on the Germans' table...

[Hairball]

BTW it's not just a matter of calories, it's definitely also the way that foods trigger your body's systems.

I'd rather eat a low-moderate sugar/high-fat ice cream, than a mid-high sugar and lower calorie artificially-flavoured sorbet. The latter is going to spike your insulin faster and higher.

That is true, the type of foods you eat definitely affects things too. But for people that are just starting to tackle a weight problem, calories are probably the easiest things to start with. The information is readily available and you can keep track of how much you burn.

[flashy_mcflash]

And look how angry those Germans are, maybe they should but a snack once in a while for themselves and cheer up.

ahahaha came in to post the same thing. Turn those smiles upside down, Fritz!

[EmperorOfCanada]

I see what you did there

http://i40.tinypic.com/jl5n6d.jpg

[peanutz]

Great movie. Which juicer do you have again? I think I told you I have the OmegaI have the SoloStar II, which was a predecessor of the Omega. Mine squeezes a tiny bit more juice out of the produce, but also takes a minute or two longer to clean due to the bigger screens. Also, yours is the "next gen" one with the extra-hard auger which looks like a "black d----", your words.

[Simaahoy]

My parents makes sure that everyone of us eat healthy and traditional food and play variety of sports. I wouldn't feed my kids processed foods and at least make them burn off the extra fat/calories.

[Becks]

Maybe Vancouver is more fit. The small sizes are the first to go. It's always the Large and Extra Large that get left on the racks at incredibly low prices.

[Rainne]

Maybe Vancouver is more fit. The small sizes are the first to go. It's always the Large and Extra Large that get left on the racks at incredibly low prices.

Nah. That's the entire world. So many designer pieces with L, XL left. Even basic crew/v-necks.

[diggler649]

I have the SoloStar II, which was a predecessor of the Omega. Mine squeezes a tiny bit more juice out of the produce, but also takes a minute or two longer to clean due to the bigger screens. Also, yours is the "next gen" one with the extra-hard auger which looks like a "black d----", your words.

I do recall saying that. Does yours come with the 15 year warranty?

[peanutz]

I do recall saying that. Does yours come with the 15 year warranty?Nope! At the time, mine came with a 5-year warranty. The Omegas came with 10-year warranties. When this one dies I'll just get the updated Omega model.

[kennyhohoho]

Here's a typical week of groceries for two families, one in Germany and the other in America.

Guess who dies first from arteriosclerosis? Notice also how there is not a single item that would be considered edible anywhere outside of the USA in the bottom picture, just processed, easily-digestible starch paste moulded to look like different food items in brightly coloured packaging.

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/8623/foodfamilies1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/851/foodfamilies1.jpg/)

It's not THAT different to be honest. If you look closely, the German family still has frozen pizzas in the bottom right. That's basically the same as the 2 pizzas the kids are holding. The Germans have a ton of alcohol, while the Americans have a ton of pop. Which is worse for you is debatable. Sure the Americans have a bit more junk food with chips, etc. but they do have fruits, fresh meats, etc. the same way the Germans have too.

There's no denying that the Germans have more natural foods, but collectively, the two pics aren't THAT different.

[diggler649]

Nope! At the time, mine came with a 5-year warranty. The Omegas came with 10-year warranties. When this one dies I'll just get the updated Omega model.

Mine is the 8006. Comes with a 15 year warranty. Tell your BF to get off his wallet and buy it for your birthday!

http://www.omegajuicers.com/juicers/masticating-juicers/juicer-8006.html

[koalorka]

I have the SoloStar II, which was a predecessor of the Omega. Mine squeezes a tiny bit more juice out of the produce, but also takes a minute or two longer to clean due to the bigger screens. Also, yours is the "next gen" one with the extra-hard auger which looks like a "black d----", your words.

Juicers really do nothing to help you become less disgustingly fat. Digesting the hard skins and cuticle of fruits and vegetables consumes chemical energy, which the GI system must expend to break down long polysaccharides, and that in itself contributes to a wholesome energy balance.

Processed foods are basically a paste composed of simple sugars which require little effort to digest because they were already broken down at the factory with heat/chemical energy inputs.

[diggler649]

It's not THAT different to be honest. If you look closely, the German family still has frozen pizzas in the bottom right. That's basically the same as the 2 pizzas the kids are holding. The Germans have a ton of alcohol, while the Americans have a ton of pop. Which is worse for you is debatable. Sure the Americans have a bit more junk food with chips, etc. but they do have fruits, fresh meats, etc. the same way the Germans have too.

There's no denying that the Germans have more natural foods, but collectively, the two pics aren't THAT different.

When we have children, I will not feed them what's in the pics above. It will be sticky buns, sticky rice, chicken feet, har-gow and juice from my Omega 8006 juicer.

[PHANTOMPHOENIX]

Has anyone posted this life expectancy calculator that came out today in the news...

http://www.rrasp-phirn.ca/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=91&lang=en


I guess it only applies to Ontario

[Nurse2B]

people are fat because they're addicted to what they eat. cravings for junk food can be overwhelming. much like smoking, it's a way of relieving stress and a damaging hard to quit habit.

consider that losing weight really is simple. for most it may be as simple as calories in vs calories out. the emotional bond people have with what they eat, and the stress of daily living are at the root of the problem. the question should be "whats making me eat this way?" not "how do i lose weight?"

This.

McDonald's will always be there, as will all of the healthy alternatives. People need to ask themselves why they chose to grab that Big Mac combo instead of a salad, a wrap, or some other healthy alternative elsewhere.

[diggler649]

Has anyone posted this life expectancy calculator that came out today in the news...

http://www.rrasp-phirn.ca/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=91&lang=en


I guess it only applies to Ontario

Just did the quiz. My life expectancy is 89. My biggest risk is fruits/vegetables. Need to eat more.

[sandikosh]

People are overweight and obese is because of their choice. They chose to be in that position. Let these people live their life the way they want to!

[Mysticdragon]

Has anyone posted this life expectancy calculator that came out today in the news...

http://www.rrasp-phirn.ca/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=91&lang=en


I guess it only applies to Ontario

whee 89!

My fruit and veggie diet is inadequate.. I probably already knew that.

Interesting that it doesn't ask for your height and weight.

[PHANTOMPHOENIX]

whee 89!

My fruit and veggie diet is inadequate.. I probably already knew that.

Interesting that it doesn't ask for your height and weight.


Apparently I don't drink enough alcohol. :o

[kenchau66]

Fat people are going to be fat. Nothing we can do. Except higher healthcare costs, I don't really give a **** about them, makes me look like a spartan when I'm next to these fat bastards.

5'10 185lbs

[KDSet]

People are overweight and obese is because of their choice. They chose to be in that position. Let these people live their life the way they want to!

It's the associated healthcare costs on the rest of us that are at issue.

[Nurse2B]

whee 89!

My fruit and veggie diet is inadequate.. I probably already knew that.

Interesting that it doesn't ask for your height and weight.

I got 88!

I need to consume more fruits & veggies, knew that :)

[diggler649]

Fat people are going to be fat. Nothing we can do. Except higher healthcare costs, I don't really give a **** about them, makes me look like a spartan when I'm next to these fat bastards.

5'10 185lbs

You're on the chunky side.

Male Female
Height Ideal Weight Height Ideal Weight
4' 6" 63 - 77 lbs. 4' 6" 63 - 77 lbs.
4' 7" 68 - 84 lbs. 4' 7" 68 - 83 lbs.
4' 8" 74 - 90 lbs. 4' 8" 72 - 88 lbs.
4' 9" 79 - 97 lbs. 4' 9" 77 - 94 lbs.
4' 10" 85 - 103 lbs. 4' 10" 81 - 99 lbs.
4' 11" 90 - 110 lbs. 4' 11" 86 - 105 lbs.
5' 0" 95 - 117 lbs. 5' 0" 90 - 110 lbs.
5' 1" 101 - 123 lbs. 5' 1" 95 - 116 lbs.
5' 2" 106 - 130 lbs. 5' 2" 99 - 121 lbs.
5' 3" 112 - 136 lbs. 5' 3" 104 - 127 lbs.
5' 4" 117 - 143 lbs. 5' 4" 108 - 132 lbs.
5' 5" 122 - 150 lbs. 5' 5" 113 - 138 lbs.
5' 6" 128 - 156 lbs. 5' 6" 117 - 143 lbs.
5' 7" 133 - 163 lbs. 5' 7" 122 - 149 lbs.
5' 8" 139 - 169 lbs. 5' 8" 126 - 154 lbs.
5' 9" 144 - 176 lbs. 5' 9" 131 - 160 lbs.
5' 10" 149 - 183 lbs. 5' 10" 135 - 165 lbs.
5' 11" 155 - 189 lbs. 5' 11" 140 - 171 lbs.
6' 0" 160 - 196 lbs. 6' 0" 144 - 176 lbs.
6' 1" 166 - 202 lbs. 6' 1" 149 - 182 lbs.
6' 2" 171 - 209 lbs. 6' 2" 153 - 187 lbs.
6' 3" 176 - 216 lbs. 6' 3" 158 - 193 lbs.
6' 4" 182 - 222 lbs. 6' 4" 162 - 198 lbs.
6' 5" 187 - 229 lbs. 6' 5" 167 - 204 lbs.
6' 6" 193 - 235 lbs. 6' 6" 171 - 209 lbs.
6' 7" 198 - 242 lbs. 6' 7" 176 - 215 lbs.
6' 8" 203 - 249 lbs. 6' 8" 180 - 220 lbs.
6' 9" 209 - 255 lbs. 6' 9" 185 - 226 lbs.
6' 10" 214 - 262 lbs. 6' 10" 189 - 231 lbs.
6' 11" 220 - 268 lbs. 6' 11" 194 - 237 lbs.
7' 0" 225 - 275 lbs. 7' 0" 198 - 242 lbs.

[nauru]

That quiz is weird on the alcohol part. I generally don't drink at all. But just to test the system I tried these options:

No drinking at all: 89 years life expectancy
Drinking less than once per month: 90 years
Drinking 1 or more times per month (but never more than 5 drinks at once): 91 years

So keeping everything else the same, I can raise my life expectancy by 2 years by drinking more alcohol?

That doesn't sound right.

[nauru]

5'10 185lbs

This height/weight combination = fat.

[kenchau66]

You're on the chunky side.

Male Female
Height Ideal Weight Height Ideal Weight
4' 6" 63 - 77 lbs. 4' 6" 63 - 77 lbs.
4' 7" 68 - 84 lbs. 4' 7" 68 - 83 lbs.
4' 8" 74 - 90 lbs. 4' 8" 72 - 88 lbs.
4' 9" 79 - 97 lbs. 4' 9" 77 - 94 lbs.
4' 10" 85 - 103 lbs. 4' 10" 81 - 99 lbs.
4' 11" 90 - 110 lbs. 4' 11" 86 - 105 lbs.
5' 0" 95 - 117 lbs. 5' 0" 90 - 110 lbs.
5' 1" 101 - 123 lbs. 5' 1" 95 - 116 lbs.
5' 2" 106 - 130 lbs. 5' 2" 99 - 121 lbs.
5' 3" 112 - 136 lbs. 5' 3" 104 - 127 lbs.
5' 4" 117 - 143 lbs. 5' 4" 108 - 132 lbs.
5' 5" 122 - 150 lbs. 5' 5" 113 - 138 lbs.
5' 6" 128 - 156 lbs. 5' 6" 117 - 143 lbs.
5' 7" 133 - 163 lbs. 5' 7" 122 - 149 lbs.
5' 8" 139 - 169 lbs. 5' 8" 126 - 154 lbs.
5' 9" 144 - 176 lbs. 5' 9" 131 - 160 lbs.
5' 10" 149 - 183 lbs. 5' 10" 135 - 165 lbs.
5' 11" 155 - 189 lbs. 5' 11" 140 - 171 lbs.
6' 0" 160 - 196 lbs. 6' 0" 144 - 176 lbs.
6' 1" 166 - 202 lbs. 6' 1" 149 - 182 lbs.
6' 2" 171 - 209 lbs. 6' 2" 153 - 187 lbs.
6' 3" 176 - 216 lbs. 6' 3" 158 - 193 lbs.
6' 4" 182 - 222 lbs. 6' 4" 162 - 198 lbs.
6' 5" 187 - 229 lbs. 6' 5" 167 - 204 lbs.
6' 6" 193 - 235 lbs. 6' 6" 171 - 209 lbs.
6' 7" 198 - 242 lbs. 6' 7" 176 - 215 lbs.
6' 8" 203 - 249 lbs. 6' 8" 180 - 220 lbs.
6' 9" 209 - 255 lbs. 6' 9" 185 - 226 lbs.
6' 10" 214 - 262 lbs. 6' 10" 189 - 231 lbs.
6' 11" 220 - 268 lbs. 6' 11" 194 - 237 lbs.
7' 0" 225 - 275 lbs. 7' 0" 198 - 242 lbs.

I'm a bodybuilder dumbass

EDIT: just looked at the ideal weight, LOL AHHAHAHAH 149LBS LOL OMFG

[kenchau66]

This height/weight combination = fat.

do you know how i know you don't lift

[PHANTOMPHOENIX]

That quiz is weird on the alcohol part. I generally don't drink at all. But just to test the system I tried these options:

No drinking at all: 89 years life expectancy
Drinking less than once per month: 90 years
Drinking 1 or more times per month (but never more than 5 drinks at once): 91 years

So keeping everything else the same, I can raise my life expectancy by 2 years by drinking more alcohol?

That doesn't sound right.


Moderate alcohol drinking is considered healthy. It seems once you go too high, you start losing years.

[BongoBong]

This height/weight combination = fat.

lol using just BMI on an individual level to determine if you are fat is silly. It is a good tool for the population level since it's reasonably accurate over a whole population and super easy to use, but individually not at all.

[RolandCouch]

This height/weight combination = fat.

Dumb conclusion.

BMI is so stupid compared to BF%

[diggler649]

I'm a bodybuilder dumbass

Hey, who you calling a dumbass? Don't make me take off my shirt. I go to Costco to buy cartons of bandages because I'm so cut.

[nauru]

Yeah I was going to add the athleticism disclaimer to that post but didn't bother. Should have done so.

[kenchau66]

Yeah I was going to add the athleticism disclaimer to that post but didn't bother. Should have done so.

nah bro I purposely left out my psychique so that you'll get it wrong. Thank you for the indirect compliment though.

[Agafaba]

nah bro I purposely left out my psychique so that you'll get it wrong. Thank you for the indirect compliment though.

:lol: thats special.

[sandikosh]

It's the associated healthcare costs on the rest of us that are at issue.

But what about the costs if these people decided to get fit? Less food consuming will result in less labor to farm it, produce it, transport it and sell it. There also be less fast food establishments. And don't forget the AYCE buffets! More unemployment will result in more UI claims. More UI claims will result in more taxes to pay for it. So even if they become fit, there still be additional costs.

[kenchau66]

But what about the costs if these people decided to get fit? Less food consuming will result in less labor to farm it, produce it, transport it and sell it. There also be less fast food establishments. And don't forget the AYCE buffets! More unemployment will result in more UI claims. More UI claims will result in more taxes to pay for it. So even if they become fit, there still be additional costs.

I entirely agree bro. In this world, we need fat people. The amount of food they consume reduces the economies of scale in the food/produce industry.

Moreover, since fat people are generally pretty stupid, lazy and unambitious, they tend to work in minimum wage jobs. If we eliminated these fat blubbers of waste, who is going to flip the burgers at burger king? NO ONE I TELLS YA NO ONE

[Agafaba]

I entirely agree bro. In this world, we need fat people. The amount of food they consume reduces the economies of scale in the food/produce industry.

Moreover, since fat people are generally pretty stupid, lazy and unambitious, they tend to work in minimum wage jobs. If we eliminated these fat blubbers of waste, who is going to flip the burgers at burger king? NO ONE I TELLS YA NO ONE

Yup, fat blocks the receptors in your brain and prevents proper cognitive thinking. Dont forget who would sell you... well anything really... and to some extend supply you with technical/general support over the phone.

[EmperorOfCanada]

I entirely agree bro. In this world, we need fat people. The amount of food they consume reduces the economies of scale in the food/produce industry.

Moreover, since fat people are generally pretty stupid, lazy and unambitious, they tend to work in minimum wage jobs. If we eliminated these fat blubbers of waste, who is going to flip the burgers at burger king? NO ONE I TELLS YA NO ONE

Lazy and unambitious I might grant you, but stupid , I dont think so Tim.

[KDSet]

But what about the costs if these people decided to get fit? Less food consuming will result in less labor to farm it, produce it, transport it and sell it. There also be less fast food establishments. And don't forget the AYCE buffets! More unemployment will result in more UI claims. More UI claims will result in more taxes to pay for it. So even if they become fit, there still be additional costs.
Rather than spending their money on unhealthy habits, they spend it on healthier habits and support/maintain/increase the jobs there. Nothing changes, except they'd be less of a burden on our healthcare system. The costs there btw are expected to skyrocket in the coming years, what with demographics and stuff.

[peanutz]

Juicers really do nothing to help you become less disgustingly fat. Digesting the hard skins and cuticle of fruits and vegetables consumes chemical energy, which the GI system must expend to break down long polysaccharides, and that in itself contributes to a wholesome energy balance.

Processed foods are basically a paste composed of simple sugars which require little effort to digest because they were already broken down at the factory with heat/chemical energy inputs.I wasn't claiming that juicers cause people to not be fat. It was a side-discussion that spun off of the documentary I posted about two men who lost weight by juicing (juice-fasting, to be more specific.)

However, if we are talking about overall health, juicers can provide many benefits. And it is also possible that the nutritional density of vegetable juices may help some people to reduce the intake of other, low-nutrient-dense foods.

The actual amount of energy expended in digesting food is usually minimal compared to the caloric intake one gets, anyway. Modern foods were domesticated/selected for and engineered to yield relatively high levels of calories compared to their ancestors, including all-natural vegetable foods you buy at the supermarket to cook yourself and eat.

[aaronl3e7]

I entirely agree bro. In this world, we need fat people. The amount of food they consume reduces the economies of scale in the food/produce industry.

Moreover, since fat people are generally pretty stupid, lazy and unambitious, they tend to work in minimum wage jobs. If we eliminated these fat blubbers of waste, who is going to flip the burgers at burger king? NO ONE I TELLS YA NO ONE

The economies of scale in the food industry :lol:

I know a few "fat" people who are anything but. The ones I'm referring to hold degrees (more than one in instances), MBA's in addition to a few professional designations. They might not be fit, but I would never consider them lazy or unambitious.

I completely agree with you, that we need them. I would personally never dream of buying a Quattroporte or a Panamera brand new. The fellows I know are essential to the second hand market for high end cars in that regard.

People usually get fat as they age, people usually become more financially stable with age as well.

[diggler649]

I wasn't claiming that juicers cause people to not be fat. It was a side-discussion that spun off of the documentary I posted about two men who lost weight by juicing (juice-fasting, to be more specific.)

However, if we are talking about overall health, juicers can provide many benefits. And it is also possible that the nutritional density of vegetable juices may help some people to reduce the intake of other, low-nutrient-dense foods.

The actual amount of energy expended in digesting food is usually minimal compared to the caloric intake one gets, anyway. Modern foods were domesticated/selected for and engineered to yield relatively high levels of calories compared to their ancestors, including all-natural vegetable foods you buy at the supermarket to cook yourself and eat.

I'm with you nutz. Let's juice these mofo non-believers.

[Aznsilvrboy]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/540803_340367222677159_175913989122484_843499_3762 0603_n.jpg

:lol:

[wachidarin]

Totally agree that people are in denial about their weight...

I hate how clothing sizes have changed in recent years, smaller sizes look like large. Seems like it's just to make people feel better and the "average" or "standard" is always increasing.
Girls get so much slack, they are never fat, they are "big boned" or "curvy". Ugh.

I gained just a little bit of weight lately over the holidays, and although I am thin, people around me are discouraging me from cutting back on foods or changing my diet in any way. Friends and family keep saying I am fine, as they are more afraid I'll have some self image issues but I do want to look good and feel healthy. Just 'cause you're thin doesn't make you healthy either, that's what people don't get.

[Ziggy007]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/540803_340367222677159_175913989122484_843499_3762 0603_n.jpg

:lol:

Same thing applies to the food courts downtown.

I can go pick up a big mac combo for about $7-8. If I go to any of the "fresh" style salad places that are trendy around here, a salad and a water is probably $12-13

[Hairball]

Same thing applies to the food courts downtown.

I can go pick up a big mac combo for about $7-8. If I go to any of the "fresh" style salad places that are trendy around here, a salad and a water is probably $12-13

Or you could get a Big Mac combo with side salad and a water, sure it isn't great, but isn't terribly bad either for a meal. Better than eating fries with it.

[flashy_mcflash]

So obesity is out of control and what does the gov do? Why, less policing on misleading and outright false food labels (http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/03/30/canada-budget-2012-cfia-cuts_n_1391708.html#s668296&title=Healers_With_Flavour), that's what!


The federal government’s decision to stop policing nutrition claims on food labels threatens Canadians’ health and leaves consumers with little recourse when food labels are wrong, the head of an agricultural union says.

In the budget released Thursday, the Conservative government announced it would no longer verify nutrition claims on food labels, and will instead set up a website where consumers can take their concerns directly to food producers.

“The Government will change how the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) monitors and enforces non-health and non-safety food labelling regulations,” the budget document states. “The CFIA will introduce a web-based label verification tool that encourages consumers to bring validated concerns directly to companies and associations for resolution.”

Bob Kingston, president of the Agriculture Union, which represents food inspectors at the CFIA, said the new policy amounts to “a total farce.”

Consumers don’t have the capacity to determine whether nutrition information, such as the level of sodium or cholesterol in a food product, is accurate, he argued, adding that he disagreed with the government's assertion that nutrition labels are a "non-health and non-safety" issue.

He cited Crohn’s disease sufferers and diabetics as two groups of people who rely on accurate food labelling to determine what they can and can’t eat. The new policy is “hanging them out to dry,” Kingston told The Huffington Post.

Consumers “are being asked to take on the corporations that hurt them,” he said.

Asked if the new rules amounted to greater danger to Canada’s food supply, Kingston said: “Absolutely.”

The office of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, which is responsible for the CFIA, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Prior to the budget being released, news reports suggested the CFIA was projecting a $21-million cut to its $719-million budget, which would have resulted in some 200 food inspectors -- 10 per cent of the total -- losing their jobs.

The actual budget cut came in considerably higher than that, at $56 million, but Kingston could not say how many job losses that would mean. He said the CFIA had received “assurances” the budget cuts would not mean a loss of front-line staff such as food inspectors, “but that’s nonsense.”

Kingston said the previous policy was bad enough. “We find [food labelling] violations all over the place” and the agency already “walks away from enforcing clear violations” in an effort not to impede commerce, he asserted.

An investigation by Postmedia news last year found that the existing system had significant flaws.

Even when government inspectors identify what they believe is a misleading or fraudulent claim on a food product, some complain they can't act swiftly to get it off the market because of Ottawa's slow, muddied approach to policing food labels.

In other cases, inspectors say they face hurdles from company lawyers while the products with disputed nutrition claims continue to be sold.

Other inspectors complain there just aren't enough resources to deal with misleading food labels.

Not all the cuts to the CFIA budget will come from staff reductions. The government announced in its budget Thursday that the CFIA would merge back-office functions with other agencies with similar mandates, such as Health Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, saving on administrative costs.

[t3359]

Hey, who you calling a dumbass? Don't make me take off my shirt. I go to Costco to buy cartons of bandages because I'm so cut.

ha ha ha...


whee 89!

My fruit and veggie diet is inadequate.. I probably already knew that.

Interesting that it doesn't ask for your height and weight.


I got 88!

I need to consume more fruits & veggies, knew that :)

85! But that's only because I'm injured from running and lifting weights too much. Once I recover, I'd be up to 88.

Yeah, really strange - I don't drink at all any more, but if I tell it that I drink more than 24 in the last week, I'll live to 90. Maybe I should start again!

I'd probably be spending a few years worth of time in the gym, just to get 3 more years!?

bjl

[kennyhohoho]

Lazy and unambitious I might grant you, but stupid , I dont think so Tim.

http://www.70sbig.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/alborland.jpg

[Nettles]

Or skip buying F35's and give everyone a Canada Goose jacket. Then people won't need to store loads of fat to get through the winter.

Brilliant, diggler. Utterly brilliant.

Or they could open up more hockey arenas or community centres or gyms to public use.

[feidailo]

Hey, who you calling a dumbass? Don't make me take off my shirt. I go to Costco to buy cartons of bandages because I'm so cut.

i lol'd

[Nurse2B]

Dumb conclusion.

BMI is so stupid compared to BF%

+1

[hazelsmrf]

It's hard. A lot of it is habit, you are used to eating, so you eat. Then you eat more. You get home, you go look in the fridge. You sit down in front of the TV, you grab a snack. Not necessarily out of hunger, but out of habit. And habits are HARD to break, not impossible, but really difficult when you don't even know what it is you're doing.

Then there is tons of conflicting information. I lost 100 pounds on Atkins. While that was going on, people were telling me how I needed bread to live, that I was destroying my arteries, that I must be stuffing my face with bacon... When really the reality was, lots of veggies, and meat. No bread, no potatoes, no pasta. But yeah, I was killing myself. I didn't cave because I had done my own research and trusted in that more than random person's opinion, but the fact is it DID go against common nutritional guidelines, I was not doing the food pyramid. And people like to give the example of the Double Down as one of the symptoms of obesity, but truly the (non battered) Double Down was actually not that awful on Atkins, you got some more chicken, and you tossed the bun. IMO the chicken is healthier than the bun in the first place. I get my doctor telling me that I shouldn't eat more than 2 eggs a day because eggs contain cholesterol! And from what I have read in several books and studies, dietary cholesterol does not raise blood cholesterol, so again, the information out there is contradictory.

Anyways, so we have conflicting nutritional information. And I'm not even advocating a low carb diet for anyone, you need to do what YOU can stick with. If that's low carb, fine. If that's weight watchers, fine. But I always find it funny when someone tells me I'm killing myself with chicken and broccoli, while they're trying to figure out how much cake they can eat within their points. But I guess that's like someone eating only bacon on Atkins, there are good ways and bad ways to do any "diet". Exercise is well and good but I don't agree that an obese person will lose a significant amount of weight with exercise alone, isn't losing weight like 90% diet? Exercise is important for health and quality of life, but it doesn't make a huge dent in your weight, not if you're not also changing what you eat.

I have had so much trouble with yo-yo dieting. It was never that I didn't want to lose the weight... I really, really wanted to. But I was also a perfectionist. And if I slipped up even a little bit, my mind would tell me how I was a big failure and that I'd never do it right. Which would lead me to binges. And then I'd start over. Until one day my will power wavered and I ate a cookie. Which, because of my perfectionism, was a huge failure. And so it would go. On and on and on again. I needed to learn to not expect perfection, that eating right 90% of the time would be OK...

So overweight people, we probably know we have a weight problem. And we've probably tried many times to lose it. Only to fall flat on our faces for whatever reason. If it was easy, nobody would be fat, because who wants to be the fat person? I'm slowly getting to where I need to be, but it's very much a 5 steps forward 4 steps back kind of deal, it's not the quickest process for me right now because I'm actually taking it slower to not push myself into deprivation/binge mode.

[Agafaba]

Exercise is well and good but I don't agree that an obese person will lose a significant amount of weight with exercise alone, isn't losing weight like 90% diet? Exercise is important for health and quality of life, but it doesn't make a huge dent in your weight, not if you're not also changing what you eat.

It depends on how much exercise you do, just like a diet works better or worse depending on how much you cut down on eating. If someone managed to do several hours of cardio every day they would lose weight incredibly fast.

[hazelsmrf]

It depends on how much exercise you do, just like a diet works better or worse depending on how much you cut down on eating. If someone managed to do several hours of cardio every day they would lose weight incredibly fast.

I just don't buy that the average person will do several HOURS of cardio a day to lose weight. It seems like something you'd maybe do for a week and then say F this. I'm sure there are some people that manage to do it, it's just not really a solution for the average person. Plus don't you get hungrier if you exercise intensely for hours? So if you're exercising for hours because you can't control your diet, then how are you going to control the extra hunger that exercise will bring.

[EmperorOfCanada]

I just don't buy that the average person will do several HOURS of cardio a day to lose weight. It seems like something you'd maybe do for a week and then say F this. I'm sure there are some people that manage to do it, it's just not really a solution for the average person. Plus don't you get hungrier if you exercise intensely for hours? So if you're exercising for hours because you can't control your diet, then how are you going to control the extra hunger that exercise will bring.

I have actually had excercise curb hunger, not make it worse.

[Agafaba]

I just don't buy that the average person will do several HOURS of cardio a day to lose weight. It seems like something you'd maybe do for a week and then say F this. I'm sure there are some people that manage to do it, it's just not really a solution for the average person. Plus don't you get hungrier if you exercise intensely for hours? So if you're exercising for hours because you can't control your diet, then how are you going to control the extra hunger that exercise will bring.

Haha ya for most people planning on hours of cardio a day is a plan to fail, thats why its important to diet and exercise. Really when you break it down to the basics both are doing the same thing, reducing the number of calories your body can turn to fat at the end of the day.

[hazelsmrf]

I'm not saying that SOME people can't do it, but I've read several studies and articles that showed the opposite happened for people:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1914974,00.html

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/phys-ed-why-doesnt-exercise-lead-to-weight-loss/

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500165_162-5269114.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/sep/19/exercise-dieting-public-health

[KDSet]

I just don't buy that the average person will do several HOURS of cardio a day to lose weight. It seems like something you'd maybe do for a week and then say F this. I'm sure there are some people that manage to do it, it's just not really a solution for the average person. Plus don't you get hungrier if you exercise intensely for hours? So if you're exercising for hours because you can't control your diet, then how are you going to control the extra hunger that exercise will bring.

Nom on some starchy foods rich in fiber, like wholegrain bread/pasta. Eat less, more often.

[hazelsmrf]

Nom on some starchy foods rich in fiber, like wholegrain bread/pasta.

Which comes back to the differences of opinion on nutritional data, there are plenty that cut out breads and pastas completely to lose weight. Obviously that's going to be something you disagree with, but I think it's valid.

[Agafaba]

I'm not saying that SOME people can't do it, but I've read several studies and articles that showed the opposite happened for people:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1914974,00.html

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/phys-ed-why-doesnt-exercise-lead-to-weight-loss/

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500165_162-5269114.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/sep/19/exercise-dieting-public-health

The one link actually recommended the same thing I usually do, low intensive cardio. Walking to the corner store instead of driving can have all the benefits of exercise (weight loss and otherwise) without significantly increasing your appetite. Its the little things that you can make a part of your lifestyle but doesnt interfere with it that tend to work the best.

[hazelsmrf]

The one link actually recommended the same thing I usually do, low intensive cardio. Walking to the corner store instead of driving can have all the benefits of exercise (weight loss and otherwise) without significantly increasing your appetite. Its the little things that you can make a part of your lifestyle but doesnt interfere with it that tend to work the best.

Yeah don't get me wrong, I make an effort to get off my butt and walk. I just don't personally do anything like HIIT because I know it's not something that I'd stick with. I do cardio for fitness reasons I just don't think it's significantly impacting my weight loss.

[KDSet]

Which comes back to the differences of opinion on nutritional data, there are plenty that cut out breads and pastas completely to lose weight. Obviously that's going to be something you disagree with, but I think it's valid.

I don't disagree with it; it's just another weight-loss strategy in my view. I think how it works is that by cutting off carb sources entirely from your diet forces your body to use up glucose stores and convert fats & other body materials to make up for the loss.

My reasoning behind starchy & fiber-rich foods is that your body first has to break down the starch to get at the usable energy source -- a slow release mechanism if you will -- and the fiber (or combination of both) is supposed to help curb the appetite.

[Nettles]

Exercise is well and good but I don't agree that an obese person will lose a significant amount of weight with exercise alone, isn't losing weight like 90% diet? Exercise is important for health and quality of life, but it doesn't make a huge dent in your weight, not if you're not also changing what you eat.

This current group of fatsos is lost but it should be about preventing it from happening in the future by focusing on getting kids exercise by giving them places to play or run especially during the winter and encouraging them to.

[hazelsmrf]

This current group of fatsos is lost but it should be about preventing it from happening in the future by focusing on getting kids exercise by giving them places to play or run especially during the winter and encouraging them to.

I agree that kids should be getting a lot of exercise, I fondly remember the hours spent playing hide and seek and tag and blah blah until my mother called me in for bath/bed. But it would probably also be a good idea to stop giving them so much fruit juice! That's one thing that I'm proud of, no juice for my 5 year old and 2 year old. Milk and water and that's it. If they want fruit they can eat it.

[DearSummer]

Interesting...

http://media.economist.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/full-width/images/2012/04/blogs/graphic-detail/20120407_WOC865.png
http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2012/04/daily-chart-1

[peanutz]

I have actually had excercise curb hunger, not make it worse.Probably because your body moves into the mode where it is more efficiently breaking down stored fat to create energy.

When I start a workout, I can actually feel that shift. In the first 15-20 minutes I feel quite sluggish. After that point, I can feel elevated energy and alertness, which tells me I've kicked into the green zone and I try to maintain this for as long as possible. This is why "they" generally recommend cardio sessions of at least 30 minutes at a time. 15-20 minutes is actually the "warmup", it's the period after this where you are doing the most valuable activity for weight loss.


The one link actually recommended the same thing I usually do, low intensive cardio. Walking to the corner store instead of driving can have all the benefits of exercise (weight loss and otherwise) without significantly increasing your appetite. Its the little things that you can make a part of your lifestyle but doesnt interfere with it that tend to work the best.My experience is the same. Low-moderate intensity exercise let me lose without creating a strong appetite. On the other hand, high-intensity workouts always made me very hungry. They have their place, but not for the loss of weight.

[ClubberLang]

Tax incentives/credits for physical fitness activities. Doesn't have to be huge.

[hazelsmrf]

Tax incentives/credits for physical fitness activities. Doesn't have to be huge.

I think you're being a bit naive if you think that that's what will fix the obesity problem. Exercise can be free so giving them a tax incentive won't necessarily make people more likely to do it. Maybe more likely to get that gym membership that they never use?

[Agafaba]

I think you're being a bit naive if you think that that's what will fix the obesity problem. Exercise can be free so giving them a tax incentive won't necessarily make people more likely to do it. Maybe more likely to get that gym membership that they never use?

If they found a way to give cash incentives for weight loss it would work, but I dont know how they could set a system like that up without offending a lot of people.

[hazelsmrf]

Cash incentives may be a short term solution, but I think that people that lose weight just to get X amount of money would also likely regain the weight. After all, what have they really learned? Anyone can starve themselves short term, maybe even give themselves an eating disorder. I think for lasting weight loss you need to address the problems that made you gain weight in the first place.

I think education is the key here. Giving people the tools THEY need to lose the weight. Understanding that everyone may have different reasons for having their weight problem, and everyone will have a different motivator for losing it. Someone may be motivated by health, someone may be motivated by vanity.

[packardbell]

a pic is worth a million words
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h343/packardbell2nhand/shenzhen%202012/P1110809.jpg

[sandikosh]

Damn americans! They eat so much and leave little for others! Just look at the people in the background.

[vaillancourt]

I have a viable solution to the problem: send every fatty to a "workout camp" in the far north and have them run around in the cold and do jumping jacks until they are fit and of an acceptable size.

[nauru]

I have a viable solution to the problem: send every fatty to a "workout camp" in the far north and have them run around in the cold and do jumping jacks until they are fit and of an acceptable size.

So basically what you are suggesting is, round up the fat ones and send them to a gulag labour camp in Siberia the arctic.

[peanutz]

So basically what you are suggesting is, round up the fat ones and send them to a gulag labour camp in Siberia the arctic.Make it into a reality show so we can get $ from it, too.

[Ottomaddox]

Make it into a reality show so we can get $ from it, too.

I thought that was what 'The Biggest Loser' was?

[Rainne]

I wish high end designers would stop allowing size L / XL clothing.

Don't they realize NO ONE EVER BUYS THAT SIZE AND IT ALWAYS GO ON SALE?? :facepalm:

Petition for more Size XS / S / M clothing!

[obernewtyn]

Compared to the States we are still far from being an epidemic. It'll have to hit the states before us.

Everyone is born in different shapes and sizes and the people who have trouble being overweight are the Endomorphs.

It doesn't mean they are constantly stuffing themselves with burgers. Their body type is just really sensitive to weight gain. If they want to loose the weight, they'll have to eat healthier and exercise on a regular basis.

Don't even think about diet pills, starving, etc...There's no way around it.

If you're fine the way you are so be it, it's all good.

If you want a more healthier lifestyle, more power to you.

[CDNPatriot]

Wait till kids look at Mayor Blob Lardship and his brother Hog Ford and follow their example lol.

A picture is worth a thousand words lol He can't even position his head straight. All of that lard is pushing his head back all the time.

http://storage.canoe.ca/v1/dynamic_resize/sws_path/suns-prod-images/1331212085493_ORIGINAL.jpg?quality=80&size=650x