63 nations studied. Survey excluded our hefty U.S. neighbours
TOM SPEARS,
CanWest News ServicePublished: Tuesday, October 23
Canadian adults, both men and women, are the most obese in a survey of 63 nations that raises new health warnings for our country.
That this survey didn't include the U.S. of A should immediately set off the alarms (No, that sound doesn't mean the fries are ready) and make even the least sceptical among us question its accuracy. The article quoted above does go on to say that the actual Canadian obesity rate is around 22% (compared to the survey's 36%) and the U.S. rate is 33%. Both are alarmingly high but at least we have a few belt notches to go before we catch up to our portly neighbours to the South.
For those of us trying to lose a few pounds and bring down the national average the mixed message gauntlet is both bewildering and daunting. Never before have we been so well informed about the ill effects of overeating nor has it ever been easier to pig out. Add to this dichotomy the relentless bombardment of ads, the 100s of millions of dollars spent by major corporations to convince us that their concoctions of small amounts of protein smothered in salt, fat, sugar, and processed flour are good for us and it's no wonder we're in this mess.
All fast food restaurants serve salads now but hardly anyone actually buys them. I think corporate psychologists have determined that corpulent consumers feel better just knowing a salad is available as they wolf down their Big Mac or Triple Bypass Bacon Burger....the very same motivation that as kids led us to bring our homework on the family vacation only to leave the books unopened. We are being studied, focus grouped, and manipulated to death. The junk food industry is thrilled but so is the diet and health industry who reap the benefits as well. Yo-yo dieting is the best thing that ever happened to all of them so what are we to do in the face of these forces?
Here at The Blob I espouse moderation and balance. For every gluttonous, cheesecake clogged soirée there must some sort of healthful follow up, ideally the very next day (a light salad and some spirited wrestling perhaps) and if you don't yet have to buy your clothes at a special store you're doing OK. If you are on the fat side and want to shed a few pounds you'll need motivation which means you have to be in a positive frame of mind which means you have to feel better than somebody else....this is where the fat celebrities come in!! Find one who's way fatter than you and allow yourself to bask in the idea that despite their massive wealth and fame they would kill to get down to your weight! Get on that stationary bike....Kirstie Alley just had another donut, she's out of control but you're not!! "Oprah can't keep it together...poor, poor, Oprah... time for your walk!!"
There are literally tons of overweight stars but if you want an easy reference guide check out this magazine. Forget Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Slimfast etc. Just pick a fat star and let the motivational boost help get you back into fighting trim.
10 comments:
"Four Chin 500".
Very clever, Blobby, very clever. Speaking on behalf of corporate Canada from the centre of the universe, I think you've outdone yourself.
Hey Blobber!! If I wanted to gaze upon the ugly mug of the world's most self-important female ( I must say, though, her 3rd chin is quite sexy!!) I would have bought her magazine O (I'm so Wonderfully Important). Jeepers Creepers!!!!!! Why do you force-feed us this shit (don't get me started about fois-gras!!)?????? This woman (whom I refuse to name) could gain or lose 1000 lbs-99.999999% of the human race COULD CARE LESS!!!!!! Yes, some people (the lucky ones) eat too much and exercise too little-to them I would say, hello(!!!) you're not stupid!!!! Either reverse that ratio, or SHUT UP ABOUT IT (hundreds of thousands((!!!!!!)) of your fellow humans die of STARVATION every year!!!!!)!!!!! God!!!!! I hate our species (although I love you, Blobbie!!!)!!!!!!
Thanks for the kind words Mave!!
Mikester on the other hand well....are you having a bad day honey??? Did somebody beat you at snooker? (or chess?....or anything?) Maybe this is male menopause which I had previously thought to be a myth. Anyways crankiness is part of your charm but let me just say this. In 30 years when all of Africa is being guided into the 20th century by women trained at the Oprah School for Girls I will come put a copy of her magazine upon your grave along with a single, thorny rose....
BTW will you finally admit to being a misanthrope? I think the phrase "God!!!!! I hate our species!!!!!!!!!!" is what we call a dead giveaway
I'll kick in the chess set to go with the rose.....
Dear Blob,
I agree with Mike 100%. (O.K. 90%). When your good works are done in the atmosphere and the self-centred-ness, it becomes disgusting. I applaud the good works.(!!!!!!!!) It's a happy accident this gigantic ego-that-ate-America may have a beautiful and lasting effect on the world. I just hope her example only spawns good works and not a whole race of narcissist Oprah wannabes!
Can you imagine???
Oy!
And another thing- What the hell is wrong with being a misathrope? You and I both know that people suck!
(everyone but you guys...)
As usual, there is a mistake that makes me sound like an idiot...
I meant "IN an atmosphere of self-centredness"
Thanks for your kind attention.
Don't worry about the mistakes party bear, that was probably just the booze writing. I contend that if it weren't for self-serving people we'd still be living in caves. As they say: "Scratch and altruist and you'll find a little sign that says What's in it for me??
I never said misanthropy is bad but I want to plead the case for what we should call "selective misanthropy". Indiscriminate Mikexxxster, as usual, is cutting too wide of a swath.
BTW someone in your house wrote a comment in another post that reads as following: "I love caulk" This was in relation to a brief discussion of caulk and grout.
As always I'm more than willing to help and it just so happens that I have a fair amount of caulk at my house that is not being used and simply going to waste. Just say the word and it's yours!
Oh boy...
Dad, what the hell are talking about?
Oprah.
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