BlogHer - weight loss - Comments

I think move and nourish

darrenlive — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:41:55 -0500

I think move and nourish would really do it. Also for natural treatments whenever possible. mercury free dentist san diego

Nice

pdanuva — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:14:38 -0500

Nice Post. thanks for sharing.

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It's not anyone's fault that you're nuts!

SuperNEW — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:00:51 -0500

Ok, what is the point of this?

If the stupid lady went and pigged out at Taco Cabana then took two pills--which you're not supposed to do-you can only have 3 a day and you're supposed to only take them one at a time--why does it matter? Why would you intentionally overdose on something when you know you shouldn't take any at all if you don't want to get sick?? If you overeat, you don't take the pills---simple!! That has nothing to do with the drug. Crazy people are no one's problem but their own.

Like I said in my other post about this--I've been on Alli almost a week and haven't had any side effects at all. Just don't take it if you're going to eat like a pig!! It's very simple!

Regarding Low-income families/obesity

redheadedlefty — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:15:12 -0600

Hi Catherine,

I think this a very interesting topic and I am disappointed to be this late to the conversation. I am a social worker with a lot of experience working with underprivileged youth and their families. The thing I see over and over again is that parents without means lack the education and frankly, attention, to understand and implement the ideas behind healthy eating/healthy lifestyle. They typically don't receive the kinds of quality services and medical care that we receive.

Also, consider their backgrounds. It is my experience that poverty begets poverty and that the obesity issues (and many other major issues affecting poor Americans) are cyclical. I am appalled by the amount of time kids spend in front of the TV (sometimes something that could be changed but is often not because of the complex circumstances in the home).

Lastly, good, healthy food isn't cheap. And cheap, bad food is cheap and ADDICTIVE. It really is. Again, cyclical.

I find that it isn't helpful to blame them, though. The truth is that *most* of these people would love to be under different circumstances but will never get there (at least under present conditions).

If you get a chance, you should read a book called The Working Poor, written by David Shipler.

Skinny B*tch

semicharmedwife — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:55:38 -0600

Has anyone read "Skinny B*tch"? It's a somewhat angry but very well-researched book advocating veganism, but also supporting changes like cutting out caffeine and aspartame. Since reading it, I've been incorporating tons more fruits and veggies into my diet and have cut caffeine entirely. I will still eat meat, fish, and dairy, but only in small servings and I treat it like "dessert". I've noticed a HUGE different. My skin looks better. I'm sleeping better (I can probably chalk that one up to the caffeine). I've lost 4 pounds in two weeks without trying. I totally believe that fresh produce is the way to go.

I'm very fortunate in that I don't have to worry too much about my grocery budget (two-income family, no kids), but I can certainly see where the high costs of produce and organic products would be a problem. The US has HUGE subsidies for sugar--couldn't we subsidize produce to make it more affordable for everyone?

Jen
Semi-Charmed Wife

Meat and cheese are expensive

Cherre — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:38:27 -0600

No doubt about it. All the processed foods Americans eat are expensive too! By cutting these items out of your diet, you should save money for sure.

So what should you buy? Organic or locally grown vegetables are definitely more expensive, so if you can't afford your grocery bill just get conventional produce. It's still better than any hamburger. Then, start focusing your meals around whole grains found in the bulk section of stores like Whole Foods. For under $1.00/lb. you can stock your pantry with brown rice, barley, rye, amaranth, whole oat groats, wheat berries, not to mention beans, seeds, and the occasional (though more pricey) nuts.

There are beautiful recipes you can make for every meal with ingredients like these! Soup is a great place to start. Plus, by moving towards a plant-based diet you are helping stave off future costs to your health and the environment.

http://doesabodygood.blogspot.com

I agree Gena

Catherine Morgan — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 08:54:06 -0600

I totally agree with you Gena. This is a very complex problem, and it's going to require a complex solution.

I'm not sure if this was already pointed out or not...But, up until recently school lunches have been very high in fat, sodium, and calories. This is a big deal, because many low income children receive free or reduced lunch (sometimes breakfast too), that's a lot of unhealthy food in a year. I do believe that this problem is being addressed at this point (although I'm not sure how successfully).

It's all these individual circumstances, that add up to make a pretty big impact on the health and weight of our children. And, I do believe that when you look at each of these problems, it is easy to see how low income children could be more affected.

Thanks for commenting.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
CatherineBlogs, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

Not just the food,

Gena Haskett — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:56:33 -0600

I gotta jump in here. This is a complex problem.

Buying what you can afford to feed your kids is one part of the problem. When I was coming up that usually involved a whole lot of rice and beans. And oatmeal.

Now days it is cheaper to have processed food that has a lot of fat and dang near zero nutritional value. Most of these folks know what they see on tv and you got ride of Home Ec so what do they 20-30 year old moms know about nutrition? But lets look at others parts of the problem.

You got ride of sports in schools. You have signs up the ying yang about no skating, no playing in the park. In some neighborhoods it is school to home and home to school. You can't let your kid roam in some neighborhoods.

No sports outside of school except maybe basketball and almost nothing for girl children. Technology in this case is the processed food for the mind and body. This is not a one size blame it all on the mom problem. It has many parts that have to be addressed.

Gena - Out On The Stoop

Being poor doesn't mean you can't use your brain

mysecretlife — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:09:32 -0600

Come on now. College freshman gain weight because they are away from home and away from being served balanced regimented meals from their mommies for the first time, and only have all-u-can eat meal plan cafeterias to dine in! Free ice cream buffets and so forth. This happens to rich freshman as well. You can still buy cheap healthy food. Loaf of generic wheat bread, bulk ground beef, etc.. these types of items can make tens of meals all week if you're smart. Jeez a huge bag of 20 raw russet potatoes at the market is around $2 and you can't even get a large saturated fatty french fries for that anymore. Little money does NOT equal little brains. It's all education. It starts with the parents!!

http://www.blogher.com/blog/mysecretlife

Lila

totally!

Kian Yamaguchi — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:49:30 -0600

And even though I know better and even though I am all about the healthy when it comes to my kids, for myself... I really don't care. Which of course means I'm gonna be hating life later on but I'm throwing caution to the wind for now.

http://mamafasha.blogspot.com

Yes it does

grannysu — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:30:20 -0600

Poor people buy cheap food--those oriental noodles that are high in fat but can bought for 10-30 cents a package; packaged macaroni and cheese that can be found for 25-30 cents a box; cheap pizzas, cereal, white bread. If you're poor you will shop at discount grocery places. You will buy what you can get the most of for your dollar. What you can get the most of is carbohydrates and fat.

Why do colllege freshmen gain weight? Because they eat cheap--and because they're usually poor.

Granny Sue
Stories from the Mountains and Beyond
www.grannysu.blogspot.com
susannaholstein@yahoo.com

Obese children....

mysecretlife — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:20:19 -0600

Oh please. This problem is not a community problem, a fast food problem, a money problem, or an attitude problem. THIS IS A PARENTING problem. You can make cheaper meals at home with smart shopping than you can order in the drive through line. If obesity is in the genes? Exercise, eat smart, communicate, teach healthy habits. 100% parenting. People should stop blaming anything and everyone else. This has nothing to do with being poor.

Fast Food

Clumsy Cook — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:37:01 -0600

I work in a alternative high school in a poor neighborhood in NJ and almost 100% of the children there are over-weight or obese. There is no-one to "blame" because in actuality we all are---these children come from homes that are so broken and dysfunctional that they have never eaten a family dinner in their lives and fast food is the cheapest way to get a meal, pre-cooked, without spending too much of their welfare money. The way America treats their poor, by throwing people in jail for small drug charges, not providing therapy and family management, forcing women to work 40 hour work-weeks while they are single-handedly trying to raise a family, is appalling. We need an overhaul of how our society treats our low-income and poor citizens, and we need to forget about excuses like "too much video gaming." These kids don't have money enough to spend over $1.00 on a burger, I don't think video-games are the problem.

Thanks JoLynn

Catherine Morgan — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:17:50 -0600

Thanks JoLynn. I think I might check out that book Sugar Blues since you recommend it so highly. And if you do write another post on this topic, I hope you'll come back and link to it from here.

Thanks for commenting.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at CatherineBlogs.com and The Political Voices of Women

I'm with ya Catherine, I'm a sugar addict, too

jb108 — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 01:19:40 -0600

Hi Catherine,

My name is JoLynn Braley, and I'm a sugar addict, too. But, you already knew that (thanks for linking to my post at The Fit Shack). ;)

I really believe that sugar is a drug, just like any other.....not just my opinion and my personal experience, but also based on the research I've done (I've blogged about it several times). It causes a chemical reaction in the brain just like heroin and morphine do. If that's not a drug, I don't know what is. ;)

The issue is that most people don't want to consider this because sugar is too ingrained in the body and mind, look at how most of us grew up! That doesn't change the fact though, that it chemically alters the brain and sets in motion a cycle of continual cravings for more. Don't think for a moment that the processed food manufacturer's don't know this also......that's how they keep you coming back for more.

It is more than possible to eliminate refined sugar (and flour) from the diet and do so as a lifestyle. I must say that life is much sweeter without the white powder, and I have plenty of sweets in the form of fresh fruits, although I always have a protein with them, I don't eat fruit by itself.

I was also recently privileged to do an interview with author and food addict Dr. Debbie Danowski. She is addicted to sugar and flour (the 2 most addictive ingredients) and has been a recovering addict for 18 years....18 years clean and 18 years of keeping off over 100 pounds. As well as authors like herself, I'm glad to see other people blogging about this.

One last thing, I highly recommend reading Sugar Blues by William Dufty. You'll learn all about this sweet substance......there is so much more I could say, but I may as well write another post about it instead of going on an on here. :)

Keep up the great work Catherine, I really enjoy your posts.

JoLynn