Before I launch into the real topic, I just want to circle back and say that, yes, I got out on my boat yesterday! The day was not without its challenges, like one of the two engines not wanting to stay running and then, when engaged, not wanting to kick up to full power. However, at least the second engine ran great and, between the two, we were able to get to our destination. It was a beautiful day so none of us truly minded that it took longer there and back. Here are a couple of photographs from the day.
Now that I got in a good day of boating and snorkeling, I’m prepared to take care of my heel with that plasma rich platelet treatment and wearing the restrictive boot for the prescribed length of time. Hopefully the treatment will accelerate the healing of my damaged tissues. At the same time, my boat mechanic can work on fixing the engine. See — bonus!
For today’s topic, I thought I’d talk about the overwhelming amount of emails, spam ads, and just plain internet exposure I see to all things having to do with diets, food, and getting in shape. We seem to be a people in dire need of help. It’s not like I don’t know that obesity is a prevailing health challenge; that it is the underlying cause of several other illnesses and health risks. I get that. For some reason, however, I am recently even more aware of the fact that this is all a huge business for a seemingly endless number of people and companies.
It’s like everybody wants a piece of the crisis, or a piece of addressing the crisis. The ads that I see in the newspaper are often full papers in full color. Wow, are those expensive. Helping people lose weight is profitable.
If shows like The Biggest Loser and Extreme Weight Loss didn’t score strong ratings with lots of viewers, they wouldn’t last on television, would they?
I wish they could all get on the same page for what works best and what is the healthiest plan to follow to lose weight and maintain weight loss. It would certainly cut down on the information onslaught. Perhaps I’d be satisfied if we only achieved consensus on how much fruit in a day is too much.
It feels like we overcomplicate matters. Why can’t it just be “eat fewer calories and exercise more consistently”? Instead, it’s “eat fewer calories and make sure that they’re 30% this, 40% that, 20% this and 10% the other stuff” or “eat fewer calories but stay away from w, x, y, and z and eat all you want of a, b, c, & d” or some other plan.
I’m not sure why I’m so annoyed by this tonight. I’d like to put out a strong reply to those numerous emails that I get practically every day and write letters to the editors of allllll the publications at the check-out lines of supermarkets. the message is: Please stop trying to sell me a product or plan that only you provide. Perhaps you can get all of your brains together and devise THE plan. Even three plans to suit different ages and accompanying health-conditions, but that’s all.
I like the K.I.S.S. rule – Keep It Simple, Sweetheart. It’s hard to maintain focus on food and fitness when our brains are besieged by an overabundance of info.
Weighty Matters 