Home » Opinion » Sloth and excess guilty for obesity
Sloth and excess guilty for obesity
October 8, 2009
By
Jaela Bernstien
I find the plague of obesity in North America disgusting. Our lust for taste, our lack of willpower, our laziness — all these factors have combined to make humans the fattest, unhealthiest species on earth.
It’s embarrassing, to say the least.
Especially around Thanksgiving it’s easy to excuse the extra pounds as a seasonal matter-of-fact, and even as necessary protection against the cold months ahead. But the truth is there is no excuse for the high rate of North Americans who are obese and out of shape.
Many of us will sit at family dinner tables this weekend, enjoying so-called comfort food and making excuses to justify outrageous consumption levels. “It’s just for the holiday,” we’ll say to ourselves as we drizzle animal juices overtop a heap of mashed potatoes and stuffing.
We’re obsessed with rationalizing our growing bellies. There’s nothing worse than pretending over-eating is some kind of social requirement — an excuse to meet with friends. No longer do we simply meet up with friends to talk. Instead, we disguise our true aims by going to dinner, meeting for coffee or grabbing some lunch.
Political correctness has played its role as well — we’re too polite to call things as they are. Chunky women are called “curvy” and men with beach ball-sized beer bellies are described as portly and rotund.
I’m sorry to break the harsh news, but you’re fat.
You’re obese, not pleasantly plump, not big-boned, not robust. You’re overweight, and if you don’t accept and deal with this fact, you’ll be guaranteeing yourself a shorter life span, among other problems.
Admittedly, weight issues can sometimes be the result of unpreventable genetic conditions. But for the vast majority of the population, the problem is laziness — people are far too comfortable eating their Cheetos and hamburgers and far too willing to complain rather than actually motivate themselves to change.
Every year, our governments lose billions of dollars treating illnesses resulting from obesity, not to mention the pricey ad campaigns encouraging people to get out and get active.
Yet, even as our tax dollars go to funding other people’s laziness, we’re still too timid to call it like it is.
I’m not saying we should starve ourselves, or slim to unreasonable proportions. There’s nothing wrong with a little “junk in the trunk.” But I have little tolerance when it comes to excessive obesity — for most, all it takes is willpower and effort, an easy sacrifice for a healthy and long life.
It’s time to stop making excuses, start resisting temptation and hit the gym — before the only thing you can fit into is a Muumuu.
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Managing editor Jaela Bernstien has been writing for the Gazette for three years. She brings experience in news and features to the job, along with a healthy dose of excitement. Here's to a great year - cheers!
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