Lose 10 pounds in 10 days

The obesity epidemic in America

from JoeUser Forums
Lose 10 pounds in 10 days... it seems like everywhere I go people are becoming fatter and fatter, and its not really that I dislike fat people, its more that it is sad to see this happen that leads me to right this article on what the federal government should do to take care of this growing epidemic.

Now, first lets start out with the good things its doing:
I'm sure you have all heard the ads regarding shedding pounds, such as the one where someone found a "butt' or a "double Chin" and the other ads promoting exercise and a good diet. This is a step in the right direction. Acknowledging that there is a problem is a step in the right direction. And we have reached this point. Obesity is rampant, and we know this and are working to stop this problem.

What we need to strive to do is to keep our children from becoming obese. There are some controversial plans that involve giving students "grades" based on their weight, and I can understand that this might be embarrassing to the child, but something needs to be done. We can't allow our population to balloon in the waist size.

We need to promote gastric bypass surgery. This is probably the best way to lose weight for obese people. These surgeries are a god send, and I think that Medicare should start providing this, considering that obesity is a major killer in this country.


Therefore, the number 1 way to lose 10 pounds is to promote proper health in the country.
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politics
4,125 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from PolMach Forums Top
OR cut the person's head off so they can have 10 pounds off in one day!!

HEH HEH
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
These surgeries are a god send, and I think that Medicare should start providing this, considering that obesity is a major killer in this country.


True, it is a major killer in the US. But one thing that is important to understand about gastric bypass (and the other related surgeries) is that you really need to be selective in who you offer the surgery to. Not only do they need to be obese, but they also need to be motivated and reliable. Most sensible doctors who perform this type of surgery won't do it on people who weigh more than 400 lbs (at least that is the cut off for those I know). The reason being you can pretty easily eat through a gastric bypass. It takes more effort to adhere to the diet than a lot of people think going into the surgery. For those who are over 400 lbs they are required to lose that extra weight.

So, yes, it is a great option for those who really need it. But people need to understand that there must be strict conditions on who can get this surgery. It cannot be something that is offered to everyone, no matter what.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh, one other thing of note. There are an awful lot of Medicare patients who simply would not tolerate this type of operation. If they are already that obese, their comorbidities are most likely going to be such that they would never survive the operation and subsequent lifestyle changes. Forcing Medicare to cover this type of surgery is just adding to the problem of unnecessary medical expenditures in the US.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

I have known people who, despite what they have told their physicians, haven't made much, if any, effort to lose the weight themselves.  I know 2 girls who have had the surgery despite being under 250lbs, one of whom was eating Wendy's cheeseburgers 4 days post-op. 


You have to modify your eating habits first.  Not doing so but having the surgery regardless is a recipe for disaster and failure.


(I've been fat, just so you know.  I''m not talking out of my arse here, I've been obese)

Reply #6 from PolMach Forums Top
I think gym class should be somewhat mandatory. Also, I think that schools should not contract out their lunch programs to companies as many of them have profit and not the student's health as their bottom line. During my time as a student, I watched as gym went from mandatory, to required for 2 semesters, to optional. Not surprisingly this coincides with the rise in obesity.

I watched Super Size Me and while it didn't stop me from eating at McD's, it did make me realize that I needed to become reacquainted with fruits and vegetables. Amazingly after that epiphany, I lost 10 lbs and got back to my high school sports athletics playing weight.

The Department of Health and Human Services has an interesting site called Small Steps where it shows all the little things you can do in a day to lose weight. Some are even funny like, "47. Bike to the barbershop or beauty salon instead of driving."

Link

On a side note: I read (I believe in Newsweek, sorry for no link or reference) that some schools in PA were putting video game machines on exercise bikes to get kids to go to gym class.... This strikes two chords for me...1) taxpayer money flushed down the drain for video game systems (and if there is one thing I can't stand about government, it's that flushing sound ) 2) is it time for parents and teachers to say "Go outside and play! Enjoy the weather!"? I know when I was growing up (wow, I sound old for being in my 20's) my mom and dad would say "If you stay inside on a day like today, you're doing chores." Needless to say, I spent a lot of time playing outside. Well enough rambling....
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

Ah, the government has to do something eh?  Again, bull flop!  Americans are free to be fat pigs if they choose.  The government isn't paying people to stuff hamburgers and french fries in their faces why should tax payers pay for weight loss expenses?  Don't blame the government.  Blame the PC police.  We have over weight fashion models and role models of all kinds.  The same groups saying "Love yourself and don't judge others" are the ones saying "our country is too fat".


I have recently decreased my mass from technically obese to merely over weight.  Weight loss won't happen unless the person wants it to.  You can't help someone who doesn't want help.  Just as you can't force someone to stop smoking, you can't make someone lose weight unless they want to.  Bipass surgery has a lot of drawbacks and can be very dangerous for anyone who doesn't take it very seriously.


Teaching people about proper nutrition and finding physical activity that is enjoyable are the most important things we can do.  People aren't unknowingly eating the wrong things and not exercising.  They are making those choices themselves.  It is up to them whether or not they change.

Reply #8 from PolMach Forums Top
The comment about the schools in PA getting video game exercise machines. I belive in Super Size Me it was explained that the money was raised without the use of taxpayer money, as if it was taxpayer money more schools in PA would likley have it like mine in Central Bucks.

I disagree with the idea of promoting gastric bypass surgurey. I feel there has to be some negatives to shrinking your stomach down to a size of a grape. Also why should we just say eat all you want, and then Medicare will get rid of all that weight for you. I think the government should offer incentives for people who join clubs and eat healtier similar to how insurance companies will off reduced rates to healthier individuals.

Obisitey is a big problem, but nothing will get done if the people who are obese refuse to do anything about it. In majority of the cases of people being obese (excluding the few who have a medical condition), it all boils down to a lifestyle choice. If you want to eat at McDonald's all the time and sit on the couch your gonna get fat and die young, unless you eat healthy and exercise. I know that it can be done, I went from being 6' 2'' 230 lbs 22.3% body fat to 6'3'' 158 lbs 5.5% body fat, by reducing portions and exercising regularly.

/rant