Dieting

How many of you know someone who is constantly dieting or exercising to obtain the perfect body? And, who in their right mind, can ever truly have THE perfect body?

The commercials with Marie Osmond bragging on how much weight she has lost have gotten mundane. Her smiling face and her trim body have appeared far too many times on television to count. She makes weight loss look easy by eating just the right foods and, as many of you know, weight loss is anything but easy. Good for Marie that she lost the weight but she also looks like she has had some plastic surgery, too.

The television show, “My 600 Lb. Life” depicts people that are very obese. These people go through a weight loss program that includes strict diets, exercise, and eventually surgery to obtain a healthier way of life. It is an agonizing program for these people and their families. Their whole way of life has to change in order for them to reach their target weight loss. Many accomplish their goals but many don’t. The transformation of those who have been successful in losing the weight is beautiful to see. They look like an entirely different person.

Many people in this country are absolutely obsessed with weight loss. We see the beautiful images of men/women in magazines and wish to be like them because they look so beautiful and happy. Of course, we know, because it has been pounded in our heads for years, that carrying too much weight is not healthy. Being overweight can cause a person to have heart issues, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Not to mention the psychological effects; low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

Summer is here and that means fitting into that swimsuit. You decide to lose 10 pounds and fast. It’s called Yo-Yo Dieting and those of you who have done it know that it just doesn’t work. You may lose those extra pounds but you will probably gain them back again. It’s not healthy on the heart or the mind.

What in this country contributes to weight gain? Food advertisements encourage people to purchase unhealthy food such as sugary drinks or high-fat snacks. When you live in a community that is constantly serving food for any and all celebrations, it is hard to maintain a healthy weight. The food just tastes so good.

Yes, weight loss is complex. We associate weight loss with success, happiness, and beauty. Many curvy people have all of those things and are genuinely the most wonderful contented beautiful people both on the inside and the outside. It’s all about self-image and feeling good about who and what you are.