Diet Centers, Gym Membership, Obesity and Self-Control

FrankBlunt · Diet Centers, Gym Membership, Obesity and Self-Control

One of my New Year's Resolutions for 2007 was to spearhead the demise of Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers. My issue with Jenny Craig is their special menu when real food is readily available on the perimeter of most any grocery store. The only items one would normally need from the aisles in the interest of good health are nuts and high fiber cereals.

Weight Watchers involves a point system that encourages a punishment and reward concept. This is psychologically damaging and will keep the participants returning time and time again.

Some weight loss programs, in contrast to the major players, boast of their approaches that require no specially formulated food. These entities remain flawed because they have a "You need us, you can't do it alone." philosophy.

Do you need to join a gym to get in shape and lose weight? No. Dynamic tension can be used to mimic the very same exercises performed with expensive weights or elastic devices. Add walking or aerobics to gain heart benefit and you're all set.

As for obesity, I'm tired of hearing it referred to as a problem or an epidemic. Obesity is a result that compromises one's overall health, while sedentary lifestyles have become the epidemic. I asked myself why society, namely medical and pharmaceutical sources, would label obesity as the problem. My answer was that proper diet and regular exercise are achieved through self control and motivation. There's no money to be made when people have self respect and value their lives enough to stay in shape. With obesity as the epidemic, drugs can be sold, and surgeons can get rich performing lap-band / gastric bypass operations (Often at the expense of taxpayers).

People constantly try to pin the blame for obesity on genetics or hormonal imbalance, including a former co-worker of mine in regard to morbidly obese friends of his friend. I retorted with, "Was it genetics or hormones that were responsible for them ordering those double-bacon cheeseburgers following the rafting trip on which I accompanied them? The large orders of fries? Sodas? Milkshakes?"

I'll leave the answer to you, the readers.

Bebi

My sentiments exactly. I'm not my ideal weight, but I know that it's down to chocolate and lack of exercise rather than anything else. I have a terrible sweet tooth, but I am aware that I'll put on weight when I tuck into a bar of chocolate or some crisps. When it bothers me too much I just think oh well time to start the daily walks up and stop snacking. Unfortunately that's not too often LOL I know, I'm bad... But the blame is entirely on my head.

What does annoy me is healthier food is priced as a luxury item, look at the difference between basic and organic veg. I'm not that sure whether organic really is better for you or if it's just a gimmick, but it illustrates my point. It's the same with free range vs battery eggs. And we're always being told that we should be eating organic/free range/fair trade products, but to do that with everything you eat you need a healthy shopping budget... I'm also sure that I heard about a study that was done that showed people on low incomes suffer more from obesity issues than people with decent wages. I'm not sure if it's linked in with self esteem or just pure financial reasons, but it makes you think.

A small pricing example. Using these prices 1.5kg of organic works out at £1.78, £1.11 dearer than ordinary carrots.
Sainsbury's Carrots, Organic 750g - £0.89/unit
Sainsbury's Carrots, Basics 1.5kg - £0.67/unit
These are taken from this page.