America is the land of extremes: anything is possible. Unfortunately, the
anything possible philosophy goes both ways. You get the extremely overweight, mostly people who cannot afford (or think they cannot afford healthy options) and the other extreme, the super skinny buffed plastic surged Barbie creations we get to see on all media outlets as the supposed "goal". That's what we are supposed to look like. That's what we are lead to believe is the
ideal.
Well, I can tell you, both extremes are just plain wrong and bad for your health. In between these two huge dichotomies, are the evil empires: large corporations who's only interest is that we get fat and/or sick. Add to that the livelihood of fitness centers, sales of diet books, weight watcher programs, sales of magazines and eleventy billion different diets......the list goes on and on.
Don't get me wrong, I am not railing against self-help books and articles and endorsement of good health. What I am against is the creepy pervasive stench of intentional dumbing down to keep all these industries growing at an alarming rate and to the tune of huge profit margins.
Why is it, in the poorer areas of cities, streets are plastered with fast food joints? Giving the residents easy access to the worst options possible? Does the over excessive consumption of fizzy drinks, salty foods, artificial additives manipulate the common sense gene? Can someone explain to me how it makes sense to opt for a bag of potato chips as opposed to an apple or a carrot? That buying a can of soda pop is preferable to just drinking plain water? What is happening to this country? Why are fries preferable over a bowl of rice? Or oatmeal? Or vegetable soup? There is no argument that makes any of these processed foods preferable over things that actually grow on trees or sprout out of the ground.
A degree in rocket science is not compulsory to figure out if the food you put in your mouth doesn't grow on trees or bushes, most likely, it's bad for you. And by bad, I am talking death-threateningly bad. Cancer, diabetes, obesity. The percentage of people with diabetes, cancer and major health problems are one of the highest in the world. In the
world.
Currently, the US ranks Nr. 3 after India and China on diabetes. Certainly, not all diseases can be attributed to nutrition or the avoidance of certain foods. Nevertheless, a decent diet and occasional exercise can only be a positive thing, surely.
The effect of these products do not only affect your physical well-being. US ranks Nr. 1 in mood disorders. Over-sugared, over-salted, over fizzified........is that a surprise? Healthy mind means healthy body and vice versa.
Use your common sense. Go back to the roots. Take that literally. People, do not let your health be gradually undermined by these Big Brother tactics, because that's what this is. You are nothing without your health. You do not need fitness centers, you do not need Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. You need common sense. And if that gene is recessive, something needs to be done to educate parents and children.
If you've got the money to pay a monthly fee to LA Fitness or whatever - great! But a run or brisk walk in the park is free. No excuses.
You know, I totally get it, in times of recession, there is depression. And a lot of us look for comfort food. Hey, I do. I eat cheeseburgers, I eat fries. I drink Coke Zero. I don't work out everyday. Far from it. But I try to get the balance right.
You can have all the money in the world, the greatest job, you can have it all, but you cannot buy health. That's where it starts.
Your body is the only thing you've got that is truly yours. And should be treated with the utmost care.