1/3 of americans are now obese

[Amby 490]

Sort of like ordering the Supersize Diet Plate with the Diet Coke.

Tell me about it! I used to work in a hotel in London in the mid-nineties, and one of the switchboard operators (a hefty lass called Kim) was forever bitching about being fat. She used to order great big #### off pizzas with all the trimmings............................and a diet coke!

And she wondered why she had an ####### the size of Kilimanjaro...............

I have no sympathy for people who complain about being fat and then don't do anything about it. Whine whine whine whine but do nothing. Whatever lazy ###.

[Mags 112]

Magenta,

happy that she's drinking a homemade banananana, pineapple, strawberry & orange smoothie right now!

[HAL 9000 96]

NUmber like these and other every day observations lead me to cast a lot of doubt on the so called "Poverty" stats.

Has there ever been another time in history where the impoverished also suffered from too much food intake?

And don't give me that "it's because they are poor they can only eat unhealthy fat food".

During the depression years a lot of folks lived off of nothing but Molasses and cornbread.... even with that diet

we did not see folks so fat that businesses provided electric scooters to get around on.

A little FYI- this is something I've corrected others before, so don't take it the wrong way:

Cheaper foods are crammed with cheaper ingredients.

Sorry, but I don't buy that: it's got ####### all to do with the obese consuming "cheaper foods" and everything to do with them consuming far too many Maccy Ds/Taco Bells/KFCs and easy-to-prepare ready meals. Idleness is the key here. We get fed (pardon the pun) the same line of "we can't afford to eat healthily cuz we're poor" ####### here, with regard to the less well off. Funny then how so many of them seem to have no problem finding money for booze and cigarrettes.

What the average U.K. lardass spends on that, and takeaway food per week, would buy an abundance of fresh, lean meat & fish, fruit and vegetables. It's then real simple to grill the meat, and boil or steam the veg, but your average fatty is too damn idle to do it. And so they continue to eat their #######, and put an insufferable strain on the NHS, which the rest of us continue to pay for, both in NI contributions and lengthy waiting lists.

No, they are how they are because they're lazy, not broke.

I think you misinterpret my take on the matter. Cheaper foods are easier to buy. Poverty dictates that one has to consume what is cheaper to obtain. Does that make it exclusively an exercise in home economics? Of course not. When you combine overmarketed products with honest to goodness poor consumer choices, then of course... you get Fat Nation 101.

Now, notices what you are refuting in my argument. You claim it has nothing to do with the relationship between food quality and price? I'm not sure if you've checked in a bit... but all those 'fine' establishments mentioned above don't sell exactly at the same price as places that set the health level a bit higher. Granted- a HUGE one, too... people go with taste as the first step in choosing appetizing meals at most locations, and poor judgment usually accompanies this process. Which is why if you realize it, products that are cheaply made with unhealthy ingredients end up precisely on the menu at those places.

Sure... some of those places offer 'healthier' alternatives... but seriously... who's going to educate and train a self-gratifying nation to make better choices? Sure... you have those like me that work in research labs in fields that have everything to do with behavior, metabolism, diabetes, obesity, etc... but the science of it all will only inform you of what's there and what's not and what is affecting what.

As for physical activity... yeah... I could get into how obesity and pre-diabetic physiology acts to limit a person's drive to move... but that will likely fall on many a blind eyes here.

[HAL 9000 96]

you have to consider that for a large amount of people food is viewed as a pleasure. it's like sex. i say they should try having more sex and eating less. why do u think married people get fatter? because they don't fukc as much, so they eat.

I do see it as a hedonistic mechanism. Sure... exercise more and know more about what you're putting into your body. If people exercised good food judgment, there wouldn't be 75% of the food brands we see marketed today. I think its overly simplistic to finger point one side of the equation. Usually when that happens, nothing gets resolved.

[HAL 9000 96]

Sort of like ordering the Supersize Diet Plate with the Diet Coke.

Tell me about it! I used to work in a hotel in London in the mid-nineties, and one of the switchboard operators (a hefty lass called Kim) was forever bitching about being fat. She used to order great big #### off pizzas with all the trimmings............................and a diet coke!

And she wondered why she had an ####### the size of Kilimanjaro...............

Worst combination for any meal: Diet drinks 'trick' your body into thinking its getting a sugar fix... and when it realizes there is no sugar there... it does the opposite: CRAVE more sugar/carbs.

Which is why I tell people... if you want to gain weight... drink a Diet Coke followed by two cheeseburgers. Ughhh...

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Now, notices what you are refuting in my argument. You claim it has nothing to do with the relationship between food quality and price? I'm not sure if you've checked in a bit... but all those 'fine' establishments mentioned above don't sell exactly at the same price as places that set the health level a bit higher. Granted- a HUGE one, too... people go with taste as the first step in choosing appetizing meals at most locations, and poor judgment usually accompanies this process. Which is why if you realize it, products that are cheaply made with unhealthy ingredients end up precisely on the menu at those places.

Yes, but what I'm saying is that it would be better not to go those establishments at all. A Big Mac meal here is about £4. That's a sandwich, regular fries, and regular soda for one. So £8 if Mr & Mrs Tubby eat together. Now if said heffers took their £8 to Asda (the U.K. equivalent of Walmart, and indeed owned by said corporation) that would buy them a couple of pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast, and some fresh vegetables (a small bag of potatoes, some corn, a bit of broccoli) and if portioned sensibly, would stretch to a couple of meals for each. But like I said before, it's much easier to stop at the drivethru.

As for physical activity... yeah... I could get into how obesity and pre-diabetic physiology acts to limit a person's drive to move... but that will likely fall on many a blind eyes here.

I'm not suggesting it's easy for them, but if they're serious about losing weight, then they'll summon the energy and willpower needed to succeed. Baby steps at first: take the stairs instead of the elevator; walk to the local convenience store instead of drive; and if you do take a spin into town in the car to shop at a mall, park farther away from the entrance so you have to walk that little bit more. You with me here?

[Mags 112]

Yes, but what I'm saying is that it would be better not to go those establishments at all. A Big Mac meal here is about £4. That's a sandwich, regular fries, and regular soda for one. So £8 if Mr & Mrs Tubby eat together. Now if said heffers took their £8 to Asda (the U.K. equivalent of Walmart, and indeed owned by said corporation) that would buy them a couple of pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast, and some fresh vegetables (a small bag of potatoes, some corn, a bit of broccoli) and if portioned sensibly, would stretch to a couple of meals for each. But like I said before, it's much easier to stop at the drivethru.

When I used to shop at Asda 2lbs of chicken breast would COST 8 quid.

[HAL 9000 96]

Now, notices what you are refuting in my argument. You claim it has nothing to do with the relationship between food quality and price? I'm not sure if you've checked in a bit... but all those 'fine' establishments mentioned above don't sell exactly at the same price as places that set the health level a bit higher. Granted- a HUGE one, too... people go with taste as the first step in choosing appetizing meals at most locations, and poor judgment usually accompanies this process. Which is why if you realize it, products that are cheaply made with unhealthy ingredients end up precisely on the menu at those places.

Yes, but what I'm saying is that it would be better not to go those establishments at all. A Big Mac meal here is about £4. That's a sandwich, regular fries, and regular soda for one. So £8 if Mr & Mrs Tubby eat together. Now if said heffers took their £8 to Asda (the U.K. equivalent of Walmart, and indeed owned by said corporation) that would buy them a couple of pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast, and some fresh vegetables (a small bag of potatoes, some corn, a bit of broccoli) and if portioned sensibly, would stretch to a couple of meals for each. But like I said before, it's much easier to stop at the drivethru.

As for physical activity... yeah... I could get into how obesity and pre-diabetic physiology acts to limit a person's drive to move... but that will likely fall on many a blind eyes here.

I'm not suggesting it's easy for them, but if they're serious about losing weight, then they'll summon the energy and willpower needed to succeed. Baby steps at first: take the stairs instead of the elevator; walk to the local convenience store instead of drive; and if you do take a spin into town in the car to shop at a mall, park farther away from the entrance so you have to walk that little bit more. You with me here?

Sounds good. Of course... like I mentioned... you can't expect people to put aside hedonistic instinct when the drive to please oneself is so prevalent. We are in essence in agreement from two edges of the same fence mate.

Regarding exercise... absolutely. Food is good for a certain amount of metabolic maintenance- including weight management... but if you don't start the fat burning furnace, most if it will stay (and grow) even more with time. That is inarguable.

With winter surrounding our northern latitudes its amazing how people worsen their decision-making process. This is the time I walk more often to work instead of taking the bus. Since last month... with the heavier meals of the Holidays and an upcoming meat roast I'm making... I've lost 5 pounds thanks to my body's increased calorie-burning demands.

Speaking of which... its snowing now. On my way out!!

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Yes, but what I'm saying is that it would be better not to go those establishments at all. A Big Mac meal here is about £4. That's a sandwich, regular fries, and regular soda for one. So £8 if Mr & Mrs Tubby eat together. Now if said heffers took their £8 to Asda (the U.K. equivalent of Walmart, and indeed owned by said corporation) that would buy them a couple of pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast, and some fresh vegetables (a small bag of potatoes, some corn, a bit of broccoli) and if portioned sensibly, would stretch to a couple of meals for each. But like I said before, it's much easier to stop at the drivethru.

When I used to shop at Asda 2lbs of chicken breast would COST 8 quid.

If you buy their own brand stuff, 4 fillets will cost you a fiver. I know, because I bought some this afternoon.

[Mags 112]

Yes, but what I'm saying is that it would be better not to go those establishments at all. A Big Mac meal here is about £4. That's a sandwich, regular fries, and regular soda for one. So £8 if Mr & Mrs Tubby eat together. Now if said heffers took their £8 to Asda (the U.K. equivalent of Walmart, and indeed owned by said corporation) that would buy them a couple of pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast, and some fresh vegetables (a small bag of potatoes, some corn, a bit of broccoli) and if portioned sensibly, would stretch to a couple of meals for each. But like I said before, it's much easier to stop at the drivethru.

When I used to shop at Asda 2lbs of chicken breast would COST 8 quid.

If you buy their own brand stuff, 4 fillets will cost you a fiver. I know, because I bought some this afternoon.

All right, a fiver then. That leaves just 3 quid. Can you REALLY buy potatoes, broccoli and sweetcorn for that?

Not being argumentative, just puzzled!

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Yes, but what I'm saying is that it would be better not to go those establishments at all. A Big Mac meal here is about £4. That's a sandwich, regular fries, and regular soda for one. So £8 if Mr & Mrs Tubby eat together. Now if said heffers took their £8 to Asda (the U.K. equivalent of Walmart, and indeed owned by said corporation) that would buy them a couple of pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast, and some fresh vegetables (a small bag of potatoes, some corn, a bit of broccoli) and if portioned sensibly, would stretch to a couple of meals for each. But like I said before, it's much easier to stop at the drivethru.

When I used to shop at Asda 2lbs of chicken breast would COST 8 quid.

If you buy their own brand stuff, 4 fillets will cost you a fiver. I know, because I bought some this afternoon.

All right, a fiver then. That leaves just 3 quid. Can you REALLY buy potatoes, broccoli and sweetcorn for that?

Not being argumentative, just puzzled!

Absolutely!! One 1kg bag of baby new potatoes (£1), 300g brocoli (88p), 326g sweetcorn (29p) = £2.17. Oh and I lied about the chicken breast, btw - it was only £4.70

So for a grand total of £6.87, you get at least 2 very healthy meals, with a quid or so left over from your original £8 to buy some mineral water.

Here, see for yourself: http://www.asda.com/asda_shop/sys/web_sys0...fcfkjdgoodgmh.0

[Amby 490]

Damian shoots down the haters

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Damian shoots down the haters