This is not about what nation has the fattest people, or just how fat those people are, because statistics always change, and hopefully they will change for the better. In truth diets do not work, that has been proven over and over. So, what does work? I believe that education is one part of the key, and not boring education like calories, but intelligent education and real information about obesity and weight loss techniques that actually work.
1. The Meat Mystery
This is the most critical and has the most levels within it. First of all the biggest, most secret, problem with meat, is that most meat is produced with the addition of growth hormones. In most places these cannot be given to the animal within a certain period of time before slaughter. However these chemicals or hormones do something to the animal, and adversely must have some effect on the consumer. Chicken is a wonderful example, chickens have been selected and chemically or hormonally, treated to grow larger breasts, is it any wonder that in recent years we have seen the growing problem of teenage boys having abnormal breast development? You can select to eat less meat or organically raised meat, even free range eggs instead of meat.
2. More on Meat
Most people have large portion sizes of meat, restaurants typically over do it, and people cannot seem to limit themselves. Just so you know, the standard size is a deck of cards, and for health benefits meat should not be eaten at every meal, or daily. In some nations people are lucky if they get meat more than once a month, and you will notice those nations often have people with longer lifespans, and less obesity.
3. Another One on Meat
Before you start thinking I want people to hate meat and turn vegetarian, this is not true, not is it realistic to expect. The third fact on meat is how it is cooked. Typically fried, or served with gravy.
4. Diet Pop
There is a saying, "If you need to drink Diet pop, you shouldn't be drinking pop at all.". This is one hundred percent the truth. Drink water, juice, or milk, tea... anything other than soda pop or high sugar beverages. The sugars in fruit juice are not as fattening, and are more natural, anything natural is going to be better for you. I am suspicious of the chemicals used to replace sugar in these "Diet" products, you should be too.
5. Exercise
Many people rely on their cars for everything, I have seen people drive to the end of the road to mail a letter, and drive back home. This is sickening. Not only for the obvious reasons, laziness, but it consumes gasoline for something that could have been done by walking. People start the pattern by driving their young children to school even when they are within walking distance. Every time you go to get into your automobile, ask yourself if you can walk there?
6. Be Accountable
I have seen countless overweight children, children as old as six or seven. This is typically the parents fault. They are not being accountable for allowing their child to get like that. Society needs to make parents accountable if their child has reached an unhealthy weight. People need to accept responsibility for their own weight as well. There are very few people who actually have "glandular" problems. If you stock your house with junk food, or offer large portion sizes, then you are a major contributing factor in the health and size of your family members.
7. Self Esteem
Typically overweight people suffer from a lack of self esteem, usually this was a problem before they put on weight, then it snowballs because of the weight. It is not uncommon for a girl who was raped to become fat as a way to protect herself from further attacks, or at least this is what she tells herself. It is not uncommon for a person who was hurt in a relationship to drown their sorrows in food. There are other scenarios that we all have heard of, they all boil down to personal self esteem.
8. Comfort Food
This ties in slightly with self esteem. People who are sad often find comfort in eating. This was sometimes the fault of their parent, who would comfort them by offering them food. A bad pattern to get into. If you must comfort yourself with food, pick an apple, there are many different tasting apples, and they are rather comforting.
I believe if you are over weight and can resolve to overcome at least two of these secret reasons to being overweight, then you can find a way out of the cycle and can be thin... or at least, thinner. It's not an overnight thing, it's not a quick fix, or a diet. It is about answering questions, looking beyond and making day to day changes in your lifestyle. I wish you well on your road to a healthier body shape.
