Holy Smokes--It's Getting Worse

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:46 pm

I have posted sometime in the past about this matter of HUGE, GARGANTUAN, OBESE health care workers and it seems like it's getting worse. I went to my friendly Internist this AM for my yearly physical. The receptionist at the desk was drinking a 96 oz. something or other and eating something that looked like a three pound burrito. This young woman looked like she should be grazing in some field. There were about 15 people in the waiting room to see one of the four MD'S in practice. All but two of patients were like wise HUGE, not fat, HUGE. So in that respect they were no different than the receptionist and as I was to discover, the three RN's waddling down the hallway. It seemed like the only ones any where within normal weight limits were the other two old farts like me and the doctor I was to see, who is an old fart as well.

Could that be why we have so far lived to be old farts. These young over eaters (don't tell me it's genes, please) ain't gonna make it to old fart status, nope, it's diabetes time, coronary disease time and a host of other medical problems down the road.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:06 pm

And its going to continue to get worse as long as these food manufacturers continue to load everything with sugar, fructose and sucrose.

G-man · Post by **G-man** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:54 pm

I believe that genetics plays a role in that some people need to work harder to either gain or lose weight, but diet and exercise will cure most people of obesity.

Until recently, I had to fight to put on muscle mass... I maintained a normal weight, but I had to work much harder than most to achieve a level of fitness that for some came easy. I believe that diet and exercise are all that's needed for most people to maintain an ideal weight. There's a local guy here who is a contestant on the reality show America's Biggest Loser and the only thing he has done different in regards to losing weight has been to change his diet and to exercise. I believe that it's that simple. Some of us may have to work harder, but it's not impossible for anybody to maintain an optimal weight.

I still don't get why so many doctors smoke, though! :wah:

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:46 am

Ahso!;1269200 wrote: And its going to continue to get worse as long as these food manufacturers continue to load everything with sugar, fructose and sucrose.

You're not forced to buy the stuff though are you. Macdonalds here now has healthy eating options because of demand for it-so I'm told I never actually go in one.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:46 am

gmc;1269391 wrote: You're not forced to buy the stuff though are you. Macdonalds here now has healthy eating options because of demand for it-so I'm told I never actually go in one.I've gotten into the habbit of reading labels lately, and its almost impossible to avoid these poisons here in the U.S..

i recently watched a talk called Sugar:The Bitter Truth on UCTV.tv and became very alarmed.

hoppy · Post by **hoppy** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:14 am

I'm an old fart (70) and I'm kinda big. It used to be muscle because I usually had to do lots of heavy manual labor. Farm, construction, factory etc. Then I had to quit working suddenly. Medical reasons. Now I can't exercise my weight off. I changed my eating and drinking habits but it's not quite enough. Some of us are big because it's beyond our control. What we don't appreciate is being constantly bugged about our weight by some trim snot lucky enough to have no problems of that kind but too damn dumb to know carping about it won't help.

.

Bevdee · Post by **Bevdee** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:09 am

The way health care workers are skeleton staffed, and the way patient schedules are jampack stacked makes it impossible to take breaks away from the work area. More of my work now is documentation by computer, not on-hands patient care, so I have to sit a lot. I'm not huge, or even big, but it's a struggle not to be. Working in health care is so mentally exhausitng, sometimes it's difficult toresisit the urge to come home and congeal in front of the TV.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 9:21 am

How about this?

Attached files

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 9:32 am

Lon;1269499 wrote: How about this?Don't get him angry at you!

Bevdee · Post by **Bevdee** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:04 pm

Yikes- was that your nurse?

yaaarrrgg · Post by **yaaarrrgg** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:30 pm

Health care costs are going to be twice as expensive if the average weight goes up, even from what they are now.

What needs to happen, I think, is that food manufactures should be taxed for making unhealthy food, to pay for the medical costs of reversing the damages done by their products. Like a calory/fat/colesterol tax, to pay for the health care costs of consuming X grams. Otherwise, I think it's too easy for the Food and Drug industries to work in tandem, with one fattening people up, and the other unclogging them.

Really, the more unhealthy people are, the more these industries make a killing.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:33 pm

yaaarrrgg;1269702 wrote: Health care costs are going to be twice as expensive if the average weight goes up, even from what they are now.

What needs to happen, I think, is that food manufactures should be taxed for making unhealthy food, to pay for the medical costs of reversing the damages done by their products. Like a calory/fat/colesterol tax, to pay for the health care costs of consuming X grams. Otherwise, I think it's too easy for the Food and Drug industries to work in tandem, with one fattening people up, and the other unclogging them.

Really, the more unhealthy people are, the more these industries make a killing. :)I think thats a great idea.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:43 pm

yaaarrrgg;1269702 wrote: Health care costs are going to be twice as expensive if the average weight goes up, even from what they are now.

What needs to happen, I think, is that food manufactures should be taxed for making unhealthy food, to pay for the medical costs of reversing the damages done by their products. Like a calory/fat/colesterol tax, to pay for the health care costs of consuming X grams. Otherwise, I think it's too easy for the Food and Drug industries to work in tandem, with one fattening people up, and the other unclogging them.

Really, the more unhealthy people are, the more these industries make a killing.

I would agree with you if all foods were unhealthy, penalize the manufactures and processors by all means, however that's not the case.

There are lots of healthy foods to purchase and the consumer in my view has the responsibility to read the labels and make a determination to buy or not to buy. Besides, nutritionist tell us that even occasional consumption of so called unhealthy foods (Oreo's, Fritos, Big Mac's) is OK, it's the steady and continuous consumption of these unhealthy foods that cause the problem.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:56 pm

Lon;1269705 wrote: I would agree with you if all foods were unhealthy, penalize the manufactures and processors by all means, however that's not the case.

There are lots of healthy foods to purchase and the consumer in my view has the responsibility to read the labels and make a determination to buy or not to buy. Besides, nutritionist tell us that even occasional consumption of so called unhealthy foods (Oreo's, Fritos, Big Mac's) is OK, it's the steady and continuous consumption of these unhealthy foods that cause the problem.Perhaps what needs to be said here, Lon, is that certain people get hooked on those unhealthy foods and the industries know it, thats why they put the same ingredients in all the foods. The industries now beginning to use fructose as preservatives in meats and vegetables, so before we know it there won't be any healthy foods to buy.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:37 pm

Ahso!;1269710 wrote: Perhaps what needs to be said here, Lon, is that certain people get hooked on those unhealthy foods and the industries know it, thats why they put the same ingredients in all the foods. The industries now beginning to use fructose as preservatives in meats and vegetables, so before we know it there won't be any healthy foods to buy.

Sorry, but I think that's a cop out. No one likes Oreo's (I could eat a whole package in one sitting), Fritos and a Big Mac more than this dude, so what your telling me is that the processors and manufactures should be responsible for our lack of discipline. Were not talking about heroin or meth addiction. If that's the case, let's sue or fine all the beer, whiskey and soft drink folk (oh yeah--those soft drinks can be nasty stuff).

yaaarrrgg · Post by **yaaarrrgg** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:38 pm

My worry is that telling people to do something they already aren't doing is not going to have any real world effect. Like the "war on drugs." If anything, all this talk about food has only made me hungrier. Now I'm craving chocolate. Ice cream also sounds good.

But if a person has a choice in the supermarket between a $5 bag of Fritos, or a 50 cent bag of fruit, I think they are more likely to change their impulse buying habits (myself included).

Also, I think healthier foods could be subsidized by more expensive junk foods.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:01 pm

yaaarrrgg;1269731 wrote: My worry is that telling people to do something they already aren't doing is not going to have any real world effect. Like the "war on drugs." If anything, all this talk about food has only made me hungrier. Now I'm craving chocolate. Ice cream also sounds good.

But if a person has a choice in the supermarket between a $5 bag of Fritos, or a 50 cent bag of fruit, I think they are more likely to change their impulse buying habits (myself included).

Also, I think healthier foods could be subsidized by more expensive junk foods.

Consider this---------You are at your Aunt Bessie's house for a Sunday dinner and man she is a great cook despite all the high carb things she serves up. You have a nice pile of delicious food on your plate and when Aunt Bessie asks if you would like seconds you say YES even though your blood sugar levels are borderline diabetic. Now, do we fine Aunt Bessie or chastise her? Course not. Is it your responsibility to say yea or nay. I think so. We shouldn't make others responsible for our choices.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:03 pm

Lon;1269729 wrote: Sorry, but I think that's a cop out. No one likes Oreo's (I could eat a whole package in one sitting), Fritos and a Big Mac more than this dude, so what your telling me is that the processors and manufactures should be responsible for our lack of discipline. Were not talking about heroin or meth addiction. If that's the case, let's sue or fine all the beer, whiskey and soft drink folk (oh yeah--those soft drinks can be nasty stuff).i think you're taking what I'm saying to an extreme. That's okay. Earlier on you made a point of saying you aren't going to be persuaded by any mention of genetics regardless. People who don't fight weight gain like others can't understand the issue the same. I've been dealing with weight problems since my late 20's. I understand how my body works, you understand yours, but neither one of us can empathize with the other. i'd only advise that when we're witnessing obesity to the extent we now are that not all those people are irresponsible, lazy fatso's. theres something else to it, Lon.

On a practical level, yaaarrrgg had a good solution.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:27 pm

Ahso!;1269741 wrote: i think you're taking what I'm saying to an extreme. That's okay. Earlier on you made a point of saying you aren't going to be persuaded by any mention of genetics regardless. People who don't fight weight gain like others can't understand the issue the same. I've been dealing with weight problems since my late 20's. I understand how my body works, you understand yours, but neither one of us can empathize with the other. i'd only advise that when we're witnessing obesity to the extent we now are that not all those people are irresponsible, lazy fatso's. theres something else to it, Lon.

On a practical level, yaaarrrgg had a good solution.

I concur that there is a slight genetic factor for some people, but the vast majority (including members within my family) just plain over eat, consume high carb meals continually and do not get enough exercise. I never called these folks lazy irresponsible fatso's, those are your words.

Lack of self discipline is what I do say. High carb foods continually make you hungry and you crave more high carb foods, where as low carb foods make you feel full and you eat less. Even without any exercise, slowly reducing high carb intake and substituting low carb will bring about weight loss. There is no mystery about this. Do a web search on high carb foods and low carb foods. But no matter what, if you take in more calories per day than your body burns you gain weight and vice versa.

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:27 pm

hoppy;1269420 wrote: I'm an old fart (70) and I'm kinda big. It used to be muscle because I usually had to do lots of heavy manual labor. Farm, construction, factory etc. Then I had to quit working suddenly. Medical reasons. Now I can't exercise my weight off. I changed my eating and drinking habits but it's not quite enough. Some of us are big because it's beyond our control. What we don't appreciate is being constantly bugged about our weight by some trim snot lucky enough to have no problems of that kind but too damn dumb to know carping about it won't help.

.

I'm with you on this one hoppy. Like you, i'm larger than what I'd like to be but in the past I was always at the lower end of the acceptable weight tables. Now, because of some serious physical problems, I'm no longer able to do all the things I loved, which were mostly sports related. I don't eat or drink many "bad" things and actually I don't eat much at all, yet it seems like I can only lose a few pounds. I would love to be able to do all those activities again, and I hate the fact that I can't...I'm not lazy, I'm physically disabled. :-5:-5

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:32 pm

It would be nice to afford a lot more fruits and veggies, but the prices are just to high for us on a limited income. Lower the costs and it would make them so much more accessible to people. I always see sales on junk food, but where are the sales on produce? Thankfully I'm not a big junk food person, yet would love to have more fresh produce.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:38 pm

shelbell;1269762 wrote: It would be nice to afford a lot more fruits and veggies, but the prices are just to high for us on a limited income. Lower the costs and it would make them so much more accessible to people. I always see sales on junk food, but where are the sales on produce? Thankfully I'm not a big junk food person, yet would love to have more fresh produce.

What do you eat shelbell?

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:27 pm

Lon;1269766 wrote: What do you eat shelbell?

I normally only eat once a day...seems I'm hardly ever hungry and have to remind myself to eat. Somedays it'll be a sandwich or a bowl of oatmeal, others it's a bowl of cereal or a lean cuisine type dinner. I may indulge on occasion with a dish of sherbet or if I really want chocolate, a couple of small squares satisfies my sweet tooth. Sometimes I'll just have a can of some fruit, drained of course, or i'll heat up a can of some type of veggie and that will be my meal. I may have fast food once every 1-2 months. Not much variety I know, but some fresh fruits and veggies only come in to large of quantities for just myself and half ends up in the trash.

Oh, and I drink lots of water...i may have a can of soda that is diet.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:23 pm

shelbell;1269799 wrote: I normally only eat once a day...seems I'm hardly ever hungry and have to remind myself to eat. Somedays it'll be a sandwich or a bowl of oatmeal, others it's a bowl of cereal or a lean cuisine type dinner. I may indulge on occasion with a dish of sherbet or if I really want chocolate, a couple of small squares satisfies my sweet tooth. Sometimes I'll just have a can of some fruit, drained of course, or i'll heat up a can of some type of veggie and that will be my meal. I may have fast food once every 1-2 months. Not much variety I know, but some fresh fruits and veggies only come in to large of quantities for just myself and half ends up in the trash.

Oh, and I drink lots of water...i may have a can of soda that is diet.

Your big dog no doubt eats more than you do.

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:06 pm

Lon;1269867 wrote: Your big dog no doubt eats more than you do.

Yes he does Lon, without a doubt. :wah:

yaaarrrgg · Post by **yaaarrrgg** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:54 am

Lon;1269740 wrote: Consider this---------You are at your Aunt Bessie's house for a Sunday dinner and man she is a great cook despite all the high carb things she serves up. You have a nice pile of delicious food on your plate and when Aunt Bessie asks if you would like seconds you say YES even though your blood sugar levels are borderline diabetic. Now, do we fine Aunt Bessie or chastise her? Course not. Is it your responsibility to say yea or nay. I think so. We shouldn't make others responsible for our choices.

I agree that chastising people is not needed. Any taxes placed on food will just be passed right along to the consumer. It's the consumer's choice to pay it or not.