Haiti Vs. Our Disaster At Home
I think what has happened in Haiti is devastating, but we have our own disaster happening in the States and, unlike an earthquake, WE have the ability to stop it.
It’s obesity. It’s killing us. 200,000+ Haitians are presumed dead. It’s a true disaster. But a similar disaster is happening to us and we are doing it to ourselves.
We will die fast because of obesity.
We will live in pain because of obesity.
We will bankrupt the health care system because of obesity and our unhealthy children will end up paying for it.
We will go blind from diabetes and suffer more heart disease, amputation and organ failure because of obesity.
I applaud celebrities, stars, networks and everyday people for helping the Haitians during this terrible time.
But after that situation is rectified, or at least on the mend, let’s turn our attention to our problems here at home.
Thoughts?
Jim
You couldn’t have said it better. The Haitian earthquake is a tragedy that happened to a lot of innocent people. Too bad our tragedy is of our own making.
Comment by Lorraine — January 19, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Thanks. I really believe we need to start our own movement against obesity and it needs to start one person at a time.
Comment by admin — January 19, 2010 at 8:50 pm
My husband and I were discussing this topic and here’s what we believe (Sorry if I get political here)…
In regards to obesity, the government is taxing us to death and I believe they are a BIG part of the problem! Because our government keeps raising taxes, we have to work more to pay our bills. Because we have to work more, many families feel that they have to be a two income family. When most women used to stay home, they could cook good meals for their families. Now working women and men get home late, they are tired, and they either order out or fix some boxed meal or frozen entree or whatever. Same thing during the day… lots of eating out or packing a packaged meal that’s full of sodium, sugar, and bad fats. People aren’t taking time to care for themselves because they are worried about “staying afloat” financially. What is people’s number one excuse for not exericising? My guess is that they say they can’t find time,(but I’m not sure of the actual answer). Americans are full of stress. (Have you ever talked to Europeans who go on ‘holiday” for a month? What American believes they can take a whole month awaay anymore?) Part of this, I believe, people put upon themselves (I think there are a lot of people who measure their worth by how “BUSY” they are and how much they have). But I also believe that part of this is related to having to work more and being dollared to death and “controlled” by the government!
Yes, the Haiti earthquake is a tragedy but you said it well Jim, we do have a major problem here in America!
Comment by Elizabeth — January 21, 2010 at 9:35 am
Elizabeth:
You raise many valid points.
But, if you are forced to eat on the go, you can make better choices even at fast food restaurants. I’m not saying it’s the healthiest thing you can do, but a small burger and fries and diet coke is under 500 calories.
Subway has GREAT options and, on the run, you can throw a Boca burger in the microwave and then bust open a bag of salad and put some light dressing on top. It’s not that hard.
What it really involves is planning. I just watched “Good Morning America” and one mom, while this may sound extreme, plans her meals months in advance, but she says she gets all the decisions done in advance and then shops for the best deals.
Like I said, that is an extreme case, but the more you plan, the more you will find you are able to stay healthy and at a more appropriate weight.
Jim
Comment by Jim Karas — January 21, 2010 at 11:58 am
Thanks for the comments Jim. Personally, I’m a stay at home mom and make homemade meals and try to plan the week’s meals in advance. My husband doesn’t like eating out (he’s a truck driver and eats on the road all week) so we eat pretty well. I was actually just bringing up those points to raise some thoughts about our country’s problem with obesity. But your points are great and those are great ideas for those on the go, like my husband. I’ve been helping him pack his lunches full of carrots, apples, bananas, and whole wheat sandwiches. He’s eliminated soda, which I think is huge! He hates the food on the road… nothing good to eat in those convenience stores and truck stops!
Comment by Elizabeth — January 21, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Elizabeth:
Love what you are saying and think that you and your husband are doing a great job of getting him the right food on the road.
Jim
Comment by Jim Karas — January 21, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Yes, the obesity problem is huge. But it’s way more complicated than planning ahead and prepping meals. Have you seen the the newest contestants on “Biggest Loser” and the obese people Dr. Oz features for intervention on his show? So many of them seem incapacitated by their habits and addictions and appear emotionally incapable of imposing self-discipline. The pervasiveness of high fructose corn syrup and availability of junk food in schools and in every public venue constitutes capitalism gone wild. Plus, lifelong desk jobs and sedentary recreation activities aren’t making things any easier. The totality of it all is a lot for the average American to overcome.
Comment by Sara — January 23, 2010 at 1:43 am