What's wrong with the world

[cdog]

I know this is a parrot forum but I dont have anywhere else to share this.
I just watched a commercial for a diet pill, and diet pills by themselves are a rude thing to be advertising but this one, zantrex, advertised it with two moldels and their slogan is "being thin is great". Not only is that statement completely rude but showing models as what you should look like is wrong, no one looks like that. Hasn't anyone ever heard of it's what's on the inside that counts? This is why people have low self esteem, and I dont think these kinds of things should be on tv, it teaches kids that it is alright to make fun of people who are overweight. So many people take to not eating or become balemic(dont know how to spell it), and even worse they commit suicide to just get away from all these rude people because they dont fit in to what the media thinks is beautiful.
If only people could see past the cover of the book and love the person for who they are.
Sorry just had to vent.

 

[jaimmorr]

I'll probably get yelled at for this, but I refuse to stand up for something that I don't believe is right.

I disagree with you. I understand the fact that people shouldn't be rude or bullying about it, but... Being thin IS better than being overweight. I don't mean being super thin, as in having an eating disorder. I mean being at a healthy BMI. If that means you are on the thinner side or the bigger side, so be it. If you look a bit overweight, but you are actually very healthy, great! Being HEALTHY is great. Not being thin or overweight. HEALTHY.

You're right. I wish people could see what's on the inside, but most do not. I am just not an advocate for defending overweight people. If you want to be overweight, it's your choice. (Obviously, not if you have a medical condition. But that is not a very big percentage.) If you are CHOOSING to be a certain way, why should you get special treatment if people say things that hurt your feelings?

I am in no way advocating for bullying and I'm definitely not saying that anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders are better. But more people die from obesity every day than eating disorders. Both are wrong. A diet pill from the television is not the answer, but I don't think that people should not show commercials with skinny people on them.

People on here might not like me anymore for saying these things, but it's what I believe is right and true. I hope you'll think about the other side of the story here.

 

[cdog]

Being HEALTHY is great but thin is not always great. I'm not against showing skinny people on tv but using them as a gauge as to what people should look like, as in using them for a diet pill commercial is wrong and rude. And I'm not saying people should be overweight I'm just saying that people shouldnt make fun of them. People who are overweight often have low self esteem and the media uses that against them to get them to slim down to what everyone thinks is beautiful, thats whats wrong with people, they want people who are overweight to look like a certain image when they should mind their own buisness and not worry about how people look but instead worry about how people act.

 

[jaimmorr]

I see where you're coming from. (By the way, thanks for not getting defensive over it... This proves that you're very mature for your age!) Using thin people for a diet pill is the only way they will sell it. I'm against diet pills anyway, so I don't think they should advertise them at all! But that's why they do it. You're right, people shouldn't make fun of them. People are so sensitive though. For instance, I don't think it's making fun of someone if you say they're fat. If you said that the person was disgusting looking, that's making fun of them. But saying they're fat is just a fact. And if the person doesn't like being called fat or doesn't like the fact that they're fat, they can take steps to not be fat anymore. Trust me, I know. I lost 60 pounds last year from counting calories and exercising.

 

[evesta]

This issue is always over simplified by people who have never had a weight problem. I wish it were as easy as calories in and out. I know, logically it should be that easy but few people who have battled wth maintaining a healthy weight have it that easy. If it was, everyone could lose and maintain. But there are so many factors and variables. Genetics, metabolism, mental health issues, reaction to sexual/physical abuse, food addiction(imagine being addicted to something you have to have to survive daily), and too many other personal battles to mention. And once you've been fat even if you do get skinny your body's main issue in life is to gain the weight back.
I try not to judge people especially when I don't know what it is like to walk in their shoes. I perfer to take weight loss and from people who know what the battle is. And I will teach my children to love themselves no matter if they are fat or thin or somewhere in between because if you can't love yourself when you are fat, old, ugly, at your lowest point or whatever you never will really love yourself at all. Healthy is so much more than a number on a scale or your dress size

 

[jaimmorr]

This issue is always over simplified by people who have never had a weight problem. I wish it were as easy as calories in and out. I know, logically it should be that easy but few people who have battled wth maintaining a healthy weight have it that easy. If it was, everyone could lose and maintain. But there are so many factors and variables. Genetics, metabolism, mental health issues, reaction to sexual/physical abuse, food addiction(imagine being addicted to something you have to have to survive daily), and too many other personal battles to mention. And once you've been fat even if you do get skinny your body's main issue in life is to gain the weight back.
I try not to judge people especially when I don't know what it is like to walk in their shoes. I perfer to take weight loss and from people who know what the battle is. And I will teach my children to love themselves no matter if they are fat or thin or somewhere in between because if you can't love yourself when you are fat, old, ugly, at your lowest point or whatever you never will really love yourself at all. Healthy is so much more than a number on a scale or your dress size

Very well put. I completely agree with everything you said. Like I said in the above post, I lost 60 pounds last year and am no longer overweight. I know that it's hard, but it's definitely possible. And I'm not saying you shouldn't love people (or yourself) if they are overweight. In fact, my fiance is overweight and I love her. I actually like the fact that she's not thin. The only thing I don't like is that I am afraid that she won't live as long since she's overweight. But other than that, I would rather her STAY the way she is! I think she's beautiful and I tell her that almost every day.

 

[cdog]

Both my parents are overweight and my mom is stuggling to get the weight off. There is a girl at my school that I have liked since the day I met her and she is overweight. She is the most beautiful person i have ever seen and is the nicest person I know and I have always wanted to ask her out but I never had the guts to. My best friend is also overweight and he is a great person and doesnt care what people think of him.

 

[jaimmorr]

You should ask her out. I bet she'll say yes! A sweetie like you, who would say no?!

 

[cdog]

I wish but due to health reasons I am now being home schooled. If my doctors could find some meds that actually worked then I could go back.

 

[jaimmorr]

I wish but due to health reasons I am now being home schooled. If my doctors could find some meds that actually worked then I could go back.

Oh, I see. I'm sorry to hear that. Do you use facebook? Maybe you could find her there.

 

[IcyWolf]

how about the fact that they put this ad at the top of this thread....

I personally think if people would get educated on nutrition and stop trying to find quick fixes for weight loss a lot more people would lose weight and keep it off. People see diets as a temporary thing, that's not how it works! I have spent half of my life learning about nutrition in the form of whole foods and when I try to have a conversation with someone that is overweight about it I always get the, "you're skinny you don't understand" argument. I'm always polite about it and I'm never the one to start these conversations either. I hate that people act like everyone that is skinny is just lucky and doesn't do any work to stay that way. I've been on one of the most strict diets since I was ten years old(vegan), I have to read the ingredients on EVERYTHING and even that's not enough, I have to research those ingredients since many things are animal derived and aren't obvious, like geletin, casein, whey, certain dough conditioners, additives, etc. AND on top of all of that, I also research the companies and distributors themselves to find out if they do animal testing. And it's not just food, I spent almost a half an hour the other week reading labels on deodorant because believe it or not, many of them have geletin in them! I may be 5'9'' and 130lbs but it's not something that just happened, I'm sure if I just ate whatever was put in front of me like the majority of people I would probably be overweight too.

 

[jaimmorr]

how about the fact that they put this ad at the top of this thread....

I personally think if people would get educated on nutrition and stop trying to find quick fixes for weight loss a lot more people would lose weight and keep it off. People see diets as a temporary thing, that's not how it works! I have spent half of my life learning about nutrition in the form of whole foods and when I try to have a conversation with someone that is overweight about it I always get the, "you're skinny you don't understand" argument. I'm always polite about it and I'm never the one to start these conversations either. I hate that people act like everyone that is skinny is just lucky and doesn't do any work to stay that way. I've been on one of the most strict diets since I was ten years old(vegan), I have to read the ingredients on EVERYTHING and even that's not enough, I have to research those ingredients since many things are animal derived and aren't obvious, like geletin, casein, whey, certain dough conditioners, additives, etc. AND on top of all of that, I also research the companies and distributors themselves to find out if they do animal testing. And it's not just food, I spent almost a half an hour the other week reading labels on deodorant because believe it or not, many of them have geletin in them! I may be 5'9'' and 130lbs but it's not something that just happened, I'm sure if I just ate whatever was put in front of me like the majority of people I would probably be overweight too.

Thank you, very good points. And LOL at the ad at the top of that. I was vegetarian for three years, vegan for a few months (oops), and now I'm back to eating meat. But I am going back to being vegetarian. Kudos to you for staying vegan for so long! That is AWESOME! It's TOUGH.

 

[evesta]

I couldn't do vegan but admire those who can. I perfer a meat, cheese, beer and if that means checking out a little early, so be it lol My good friends are vegan and it really takes some devotion especially in this rural area we live. They are awesome people, I love them!

I also embrace being fat, I am fat and say it without feeling embarrased. I would like to be less fat but not skinny. I also think I'm attractive and so do others, including my hubby I want to be healthy but find that is a life long journey for me. My doctor is actually fine with my weight, although I'm not. He says I have other health issues that are more pressing and dieting right now would not be healthy for me. But I try to work on it along with every other thing in life. With 2 kids, a house full or critters and a husband that is gone more than he is here sometimes just keeping my head above water is all I can manage! lol

 

[IcyWolf]

I'm vegan for ethical reasons not for health, the health benefits are just a nice perk I'm not saying everyone should go vegan, I'm just saying that if people focused more on nutrition and cut out some of the processed, cholesterol laden foods we would be a much healthier society. Everyone has this stigma that healthy food has to taste bad and that's not the case at all! I make healthier, completely cholesterol free versions of almost every meat and dairy based dish and they taste wonderful! Everyone is always amazed when they try my food, I'm always giving out recipes

 

[evesta]

I totally get that! My friend is always trying new vegan stuff on me and it is good. I love fresh veggies and fruits. I just went to town on a bowl of raw sugar snap peas, tomatoes and canteloup And I get the ethical thing too, my friend doesn't she does it purely for health reasons.

 

[cdog]

I wish but due to health reasons I am now being home schooled. If my doctors could find some meds that actually worked then I could go back.

Oh, I see. I'm sorry to hear that. Do you use facebook? Maybe you could find her there.

I dont use facebook( I have one but I dont use it), but for her I just might have to. I think she might even be my friend on there.

 

[cdog]

I could never be vegitarian, I love meat too much, I eat it almost everyday. Just curious, what does being vegan entail?

 

[jaimmorr]

You know, a lot of people don't think they can be a vegetarian, but anyone can. In fact, even if you love meat, it's easier than you think. They have vegetarian chicken nuggets, buffalo wings, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, and way more. Not to mention vegan cheese, vegan milk, etc. It's actually pretty easy when you know what to look for.

Being vegan means using absolutely no animal products. So, no dairy, no meat, etc. Nothing that uses animal products of any kind and nothing that tests on animals. No fur, obviously.

 

[IcyWolf]

Yes it means no meat(including fish), dairy, eggs or honey, not using products tested on animals and not wearing fur, leather, wool or silk It's really not that hard, I guess I kind of had an advantage since I was so young when I decided to make the change, I wasn't "already set in my ways" so to speak and I was really just learning how to cook anyway. My friends actually pick on me because I don't know how to cook meat, the only thing I know how to cook is ground beef and that's only because it changes color when it's done :09:

If you ever have the chance, try substituting boca meatless crumbles for ground beef in something. We use it for spaghetti, tacos, shepherds pie, chili, sloppy joes, everything really, it's really good, super low in fat, no cholesterol and it's cheaper than ground beef. It's three something for a pound. I've had plenty of people start using it instead of beef, not because they are vegetarian, just because they liked it and when I told them how much cheaper it was they all want to start using it instead

 

[KatherineI]

Can I just chime in that I think that the BMI is just plain Bulls***? I'm 5'5", 135lbs and people tell me how skinny I am, how healthy I look. I'm in the second smallest size I've ever worn, but according to the BMI, I'm overweight. The BMI does not account for everything and is not the end all, be all. The BMI should be thrown out. It shouldn't be about exactly how much you weight, it should be about your build, your eating habits.

I have a friend who is definitely overweight. She is fantastic about eating healthy, particularly organic fruits and veggies and is primarily a vegetarian. She runs in marathons almost every other month (and is doing so currently in her second trimester of pregnancy!) and yet, according to the BMI, she isn't just overweight, she's obese.

There's a lot more that goes in to this than people realize. Not to mention, that "models" are size 4 or less. That's unhealthy unless you're built extremely tiny to begin with. A healthy, normal size is 6-14. And yet fashion and society tells us that 14 is overweight.

Cdog, why not call that girl up and ask her out on a date? Unless you're absolutely home-bound, I'm sure you could do something; dinner, movie, something. Go for it!