Zeitgeist - Obesity/Diabetes

The System of inter-dependence via means of Low Income + Nutritionally Poor Diet.

Footage from Food, Inc.

"We've skewed our food system to the bad calories, and it's not an accident, the reason those calories are cheaper is because those calories are the ones that are heavily subsidized."

"Episode 2 - Two-And-A-Half Me (Life At 519 lbs.)"

"1 in 3 is obese--even the homeless"

1 in 3 is obese--even the homeless"

This study definitely seems to back up many themes I have written about on this blog including food insecurity in the obese. It is pretty telling when 2 out of every 3 homeless people in this study are fat. In the old days, I guess the very poor out and out starved, so they grew thin and starved to death but today, many get food from sources where the food is highest in fat and calories and is carb rich and get into the feast and famine metabolic drops. One can see the effects here:

The paradox is that hunger and obesity can exist in the same person. And although a person may be overweight or obese, he or she can lack proper nutrition.

Nutrition is a daily challenge for homeless people, as the foods they manage to get are often full of preservatives and high in sodium, fats and sugars. They may not have access to healthier options like fresh fruits and vegetables.

"It's the lowest socio-economic group who has the biggest obesity problem," said Paul Montgomery, one of the authors of the study published in the Journal of Urban Health. "No one looked at the homeless problem before. What we found was this group has a significant obesity problem that wasn't known."

The obesity rate in a sample of 5,632 homeless adults seen at the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program was similar to that seen in the general population.

"It just mirrors what Americans look like in general," said Barbara Dipietro, policy director of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. "It follows the homeless in general. They are more economically driven. They are intact families and people who are coming into homelessness, who don't come with behavioral health issues. When we look at the homeless population, we think they're different, but they're like everyone else."

Two out of three homeless individuals were either overweight or obese. The study found that 32.6% were normal weight and that 1.6% was underweight.

"Although underweight has been traditionally associated with homelessness, this study suggests that obesity may have replaced underweight as the new malnutrition of the homeless," the authors wrote.

The researchers found that 5.6% of this population were morbidly obese, meaning they had BMIs greater than 40. A 250-pound man who stands at 5 feet and 7 inches would have a BMI of 40. A BMI over 25 is considered overweight; a BMI over 30 is obese.

In further analyses, homeless women (42.8%) were more likely to be obese than homeless men (29.7%).

"Our results are in line with [the] hunger-obesity paradox," said Montgomery. "People feel hungry. The body's response is the higher calories, you store them and become obese, and you still feel hungry. It's a circular problem."

The human body might be hoarding calories, as an adaptive response when people do not consistently have enough to eat. The body's response could contribute to obesity, by "becoming more efficient at storing more calories as fat," according to the report.

One Day at A Time?

I am trying to think about different answers, how does one fix all this? I am pondering now some answers.

What if feel like you are caught up in a whirlwind that is making you literally sick,and it's like a spiral? What if you know stress and poverty to start with, caused your body to say "I am out of here", and now it's back and seems to be never ending? Having that deer in the headlights feeling again is no fun.

I think stress is aggravating both me and husband's illness. He got sick again this week. Whenever he has to work a lot on his freelance work, he is taking ill. He is older then me so some of you probably can perhaps catch a whiff of what I am hinting at regarding the future or what could happen to either of us. When you care about someone you worry about them!

The money stresses are getting bad. The tax rate for someone who does independent work, even a underemployed freelancer, is 20%, they do not care if you are dirt poor and using food pantries. They do not care if you have a disabled wife on a very small check. I kid you not. This 20% has been adding up every year. While rich people get giant tax refunds, our hole gets deeper and deeper. There is no money to save, no expendable income. I am wiping away most of my disability check on the rent alone. We are feeling tsunamis from every direction.

We try to have a positive attitude and keep going, and husband says "DO NOT GIVE UP" but sometimes I feel like the modern American life has just become a PILE ON. Like is anyone else saying, "hey something is wrong with this system!" My mind is full of fantasties about escape, but the body is more of a prison then super-max could ever dream of being. I've lost around 75lbs in 6 years but that is so slow as to be meaningless and is a teaspoon to a full cup of fat coffee. Does anyone else feel this way? I know reading some websites, about the real unemployment rate, that others are in this boat, but it doesn't make it easier when you seem to live in a society that does not admit what is happening on the front end.

One does not want to drive friends crazy with too many complaints. My friends are great and don't want to add stress to them. Many have heard this stuff before and a few of them are LIVING IT. What if you feel like you failed BIG TIME despite endless efforts? What if you feel trapped in a life of Ground Hog Day where the bad stuff repeats itself over and over? What do the strong and resiliant do? What is their secret? Stiff upper lip or letting things go? Anyone got any advice out there.

I do not think waking up every morning with a feeling of self recrimination is helping my life, but I am not sure how to fix it. We put up ebay to see it unsold, he sends out job applications to see them unanswered. I exercise as much as I am able, eat healthy, and see no results. Closed doors, closed dreams. I found myself thinking if only he got this simple clerk job, things could at least be stable, even way below his education, and well, he never heard anything back.

 Age is wearing upon me lately even more then the extra pounds and lately I am feeling extreme stress and grief on so many fronts, past a certain age, you know the therapists and others can only say so much. You can't get your youth back or years lost to illness. One secret of growing old is they do not tell people how hard it can be. I go pray and get some comfort and have hope in the hereafter.  I do not want to be the stereoptypical severely fat woman, crying copious tears as an object of pity to the world. I would rather be of service to this world rather then buried in bills I can never pay and medical stuff, that now seems to be moving beyond my knowledge. I want to do good for other people.

Life has become a fearful enterprise of worrying about the car breaking down, and other problems and then I have the medication fracas to fix on top of it all. I think to myself life was supposed to be more then just alternating of DRUDGE AND FEAR. I have hobbies, I have friends, I have God, and lately I am telling God, "I am tired, and this needs to get better."  Can a new life be found? Is this a call to revamp everything? What am I doing wrong? Am I doing anything wrong? Can I do something different? These are things running through my mind.

Is this modern American life? Why is this considered OK? I do have volunteer work and happy times with friends, and have those periods of happiness such a visit with one of my best college friends, and going to brunch with another friend who treated me but I return everytime to the creaking and breaking foundations of my life, which seems to rest on a precipe of total ruin. Perhaps this has become a norm in a failing economic system.  Perhaps I need to just deal with it and say OK, you are alright for TODAY. The recovery movement "TAKE ONE DAY at a TIME" message does serve a purpose.

I think about answers that range from cheaper rent, to downgrading, but there is no budgeting of "zero", when you have health problems that mean you need air conditioning to stay alive even, there's less room to move into a shack. I know some people in my position with a kindly aunt or cousin with a spare room would probably jump on that but when one is disabled, the game changes. Of course if we can hold on, we have to do that and stand on our own feet as much is possible.

I wish I could tell my husband's last two employers, "look what you did to our life, you ruined it!" but they probably would not care. I am not sure of the answers. The stress levels need to come down. Today I understand why some people just sell everything off, and hit the road, or run away to join that intentional community.  I would consider it seriously with better health. I may even consider a different lifestyle while in bad health. Maybe I am nuts or maybe I am seeing the holes in the modern American lifestyle. One wants one's life to have meaning beyond just survival. I feel unable even to do for others as I desire. It is a frustrating place to be. And my husband, I am worried about him too.

I cleaned out a closet yesterday, I am having us clean our apartment out increment by increment. If anything happens it will make it easier to deal with. I saw some of my old art work, when I was studying art education, and one thing, back then I realized was the idealism, the HOPE I had towards life, and the good I did via the art when I taught it and how much fun I had drawing and painting. It's good I did not know what awaited back then, but I miss that aspect of myself and need to get more of it back.

I seriously do wonder how long I have, when you are 500lbs you know you are dealing with less time. I hope those who care about me, know I never chose this. I did not want this all to happen the way it did. I wish I could figure out what I want to do with the time I got left. I want it to mean more then struggle.  Perhaps I need to just stop fighting the river and go with the flow. I am not sure. I want to have a life with meaning, and of some use. Something needs to change. I hope it is not too late for me, I am praying to God asking "What do I do now?".

I don't want to take scary new medications!

Well housecall doctors sent me a new guy. I am getting a bit worried about the constant turn-over. It seems there is a new doctor every MONTH lately.

He seemed nice, admitted that I had bad hormonal problems but then was rehauling all my medicines, stuff I have been on for 10 years. He was nice so gave him a listen to. They think my weight could be impacted even by the sleep apnea I have. We only get so much time with these doctors.

However I looked up the medications he wants me to go on...

One has a 1 in 100 chance of making you go blind, optic nerve deterioration! Keep in mind I am already mostly deaf. I cannot hear. So that alone to me is a deal breaker. I also could have allergic problems with this drug as it says on warnings, if you are allergic to so and so drug, do not take this. Well so and so drug put me in the ER.

One is a "black box" drug that causes thyroid cancer. I do not know why they want to monkey with the diabetes drugs. I felt I was doing fine. Sugars were not that bad.

The other is this odd drug for sleep apnea. I guess they think I will lose weight on it. It is not without risk, but then I wonder how what something that amounts to "speed" is going to do to a woman diagnosed already with anxiety.

These drugs have scary side affects, are less then 3 years old, all are VERY EXPENSIVE, and I never could replace if the insurance says "No".

I am in the position now of having to call this guy, hoping I can get refills for my normal drugs, fearing that everything is messed up. It has been considerable anxiety and stress. While sitting there, he told me these drugs will "take weight off", but then I have heard that all before even with Metformin. To me vision is everything, I do art and was an art teacher in my pre-disability life. They told me my bnp skyrocketed. That is your score for congestive heart failure. I ran around 20-50 and now its 700 and something and I think they made these choices in a panic? That almost sounds like fluke as congestive heart failure is a progressive illness. If my heart failure got that much worse, why didn't they hospitalize me? Why am I breathing normal? I even went outside in 83 degrees [it was dry with no humidity] and walked to the back of a Dollar Store without dying recently. That makes no sense either.

However if my heart failure is worsening, why do I not feel worse? My stamina is BETTER lately then anything, I bloat about the same level as before. With the sleep apnea, I found out that can raise the bnp blood test score, maybe that's why he wants me to go on the sleep apnea drug.

I am willing to try that one, to see how it makes me feel, but the others NO WAY!

I saw him end of next week and now have to wait til TUESDAY to figure this out over phone. Fears of not getting regular drugs bother me. I need to go see more doctors. I have to admit I am scared. I wish I had said STOP DON'T but never had heard of most of these medications. I can barely maintain and get medication now. What are these people doing to me?

I won't take a drug that can make me blind!

An 800lb Young Man on Dr. Phil

My basic summation of this, no young man becomes 800lbs without serious physiological and underlying physical issues. Dr. Phil of course ignores that very fact. I wrote on the Dr. Phil board in my comment that was censored to the Susanne Eman show, that the super-fat were the canaries in the coal mine, and that ignoring the real causes was a detriment to everyone.



I feel so sorry for this young man, because of what I have been through. I hope he is able to get at least some help in moderating what he is facing. It is tough out there.

Dr. Phil Show: World's Biggest Bride: Confessions of an 800-Pound Woman

I have posted about Susanne Eman before...

see:

"Dying to the Fattest Woman on Dr. Oz"

I have to admit, I tried to watch this show, but got too disgusted dealing with some of my own issues and health problems, didn't feel like listening to Dr. Phil castigate fat people for "committing slow suicide" which he kept repeating over and over. The thing that is so sad about this, is this lady who has participated in this circus side show, will help perpetuate stereotypes about the overweight that we all overeat, and that we have chosen our fate, through her would be feederism participation. Here we see the false notion that most people choose to be ultra-obese advanced.Also I saw the part where she showed utter delusion about her obesity as if she was "healthy", I thought to myself here is more of the Obesity Hegelian Dialectic! I think even having the sister claim she eats healthy, was to help to add to the confusion and to help silence us fat people who are trying to get help beyond the EAT LESS mantras.

I tried to write on the Dr. Phil message boards, a response and sticking up for people in my position but they censored it and would not post it. Guess I am not surprised.

Monsanto's GMO Corn Causes Weight Gain?!

"Monsanto’s GMO Corn Causing Weight Gain, Disrupting Organs"

Are genetically modified foods making you sick and fat? Monsanto’s genetically modified creations have been pegged for causing a plethora of environmental and human harm, but are they also contributing to one of the country’s fastest growing health problems? A study published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences shows that GM food is indeed contributing to the obesity epidemic.


While being one of the first to report on a comparative analysis of blood and organ system data of rats fed GM corn, the study effectively ends the debate as to whether GMO foods are safe regarding health. The study found that GM corn fed to mice led to an increase in overall body weight of about 3.7 percent, while also increasing the weight of the liver by up to 11 percent.




“Crude and relative liver weights are also affected at the end of the maximal (33%) GM maize feeding level as well as that of the heart which for corresponding parameters to a comparable extent, showed up to an 11% weight increase…Additional statistically significant differences include … higher … overall body (3.7%) weight.”


But this 2009 study sheds much more light on GMO dangers than mere weight increase.


“There is a world-wide debate concerning the safety and regulatory approval process of genetically modified (GM) crops and foods. In order to scientifically address this issue, it is necessary to have access to toxicological tests, preferably on mammals, performed over the longest time-scales involving detailed blood and organ system analyses.”the introduction states. “For the first time in the world, we’ve proven that GMO are neither sufficiently healthy nor proper to be commercialized…Each time, for all three GMOs, the kidneys and liver, which are the main organs that react to a chemical food poisoning, had problems,” indicated Gilles-Eric Séralini, an expert member of the Commission for Biotechnology Reevaluation.

Read the rest of the article, this is scary stuff.

GMOS MAKING AMERICANS FAT PART 2



See Part ONE Here: GMOS MAKING AMERICANS FAT?


I'm at the point where I feel safer buying food from Oriental grocery stores, health food stores and even made in Mexico [well for now until they push as many GMOs there too] which I am making a habit. I have had to remove most processed food to even return my digestion to a near normal state.

I need more time to study this issue.....the fact that they change the GENES themselves is a major problem.

Study: Genetically Modified Corn Increases Body Weight in Rats

Many crops in the U.S. are now genetically modified. For example, 93 percent of soybeans grown in the US are genetically engineered, as are:
86% of all corn
93% of canola
93% of cottonseed oil
Between 2008 and 2009, 95% of all sugarbeets planted were genetically engineered to be able to tolerate high doses of the pesticide Roundup

Some allege that Roundup kills healthy gut bacteria, and that genetically modified crops cause other health problems.

Many people claim that genetically modified (GM) foods increase obesity:


But is there any evidence for that claim?

One study implies that there might be.

Scientists tested GM corn at Monsanto laboratories, and found that the GMs increase body weight in rats. Specifically, a paper published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences reported in 2009:

We present for the first time a comparative analysis of blood and organ system data from trials with rats fed three main commercialized genetically modified (GM) maize (NK 603, MON 810, MON 863), which are present in food and feed in the world.

***

The three animal feeding studies were conducted in two different laboratories and at two different dates; at Monsanto (Missouri, USA) for NK 603 and MON 810 (June 7, 2000) and at Covance Laboratories Inc. (Virginia, USA) for MON 863 (March 14, 2001) on behalf of Monsanto.

***

Crude and relative liver weights are also affected at the end of the maximal (33%) GM maize feeding level as well as that of the heart which for corresponding parameters to a comparable extent, showed up to an 11% weight increase.

***

Additional statistically significant differences include … higher … overall body (3.7%) weight …

***

Several parameters indicate increases in circulating glucose and triglyceride levels, with liver function parameters disrupted together with a slight increase in total body weight. This physiological state is indicative of a pre-diabetic profile.

***

Our data strongly suggests that these GM maize varieties induce a state of hepatorenal [i.e. kidney and liver] toxicity.

***

This can be due to the new pesticides (herbicide or insecticide) present specifically in each type of GM maize, although unintended metabolic effects due to the mutagenic properties of the GM transformation process cannot be excluded. All three GM maize varieties contain a distinctly different pesticide residue associated with their particular GM event (glyphosate and AMPA in NK 603, modified Cry1Ab in MON 810, modified Cry3Bb1 in MON 863). These substances have never before been an integral part of the human or animal diet and therefore their health consequences for those who consume them, especially over long time periods are currently unknown.

What if this was a LIE from the beginning?

But has anyone ever thought what if this FAT AND FOOD thing is lie? I mean after all people used to believe the world was the center of the universe and other scientific former "truths" have been blasted out of the water. I know I may be stretching some thinking here, but consider other scientific studies and the rest I have shown on this blog.

As for the the link at the bottom of the picture. I consider it a LIE, the website it links to is NOT fat friendly.

In the article the thin woman claims people weren't so fat years ago...

but then years ago, the food had higher level of nutrition and was not adulterated, we were not around nearly as many toxins, we got more sun light, life was more simple and less stressful, where else can I begin?

Old Praises For Sugar

I'm sure its better then high fructose corn syrup but WOW..!

Sugar doesn't do anyone any favors.....

Diabetes Can Take a Toll On Your Emotions

Hey life by the numbers with condemnation attached isn't going to make for happy campers. I learned that my own sugar shot up by 30 points whenever I cried about something. That was quite a lesson about sugars, cortisol and stress.

'Diabetes Can Take a Toll on Emotions"

Extremes in blood-sugar levels can cause significant mood changes, and new research suggests that frequent changes in blood-sugar levels (called glycemic variability) also can affect mood and quality of life for those with diabetes.

Depression has long been linked to diabetes, especially type 2. It's still not clear, however, whether depression somehow triggers diabetes or if having diabetes leads to being depressed.

My own belief about diabetes is that it is a modern disease triggered mostly by stress, the bad food and other toxins converging together to put the body into a negative state.

Some advice in terms of being a diabetic, try and block out the "you're going to die" messages they unload on the average diabetic.

Why do they think fear works in people getting healthy?

Some more advice too, the no carbs thing, well, it didn't work on me, I had the highest sugars on earth when I was on that gluten free diet and once had acouple weeks with barely any carbs. I also see my sugars zoom up when I don't eat enough which goes contrary to their advice. Experiment and see what YOUR BODY DOES IN RESPONSE to WHAT. Sleep too, sleep brings down my sugars.

I was told I am a rarity for being this weight and a "controlled diabetic", not sure whether to have been insulted. Doubt I'd be diabetic at all, if I didn't have the endocrine issues to start with as no one is in my family.

How the Obesity Policies are FAILING

Obesity, Disease, Politics & Power

So, why do I feel apprehensive about this national strategy to combat obesity?
Does America really need a national strategy to combat obesity?
Does the USDA need expanded powers over national nutrition standards?
Does Medicare require additional funding for obesity-related coverage?

At present, the USDA heavily subsidizes the very foods that have driven the rise in obesity.

Instead of giving them more power, perhaps they could be encouraged to shift their funding away from corn, wheat, rice, soy & sugar and towards fruits, vegetables and animal proteins that provide a better nutrient to calorie ratio.

Instead of classifying obesity as a disease and increasing medicare funding to include more obesity drug prescriptions and surgeries, perhaps the government could shift some money away from obesity treatment and towards obesity prevention.

Those are the types of big government initiatives that I could get behind.

I don't agree with all of this article, in that I do not believe government is going to be able to fix the problem of obesity, in fact even the idea that government can *fix* obesity seems odd to me. We know in fact obesity has WORSENED via the subsidies listed above. The last thing we need in our "Big Brother" society is more government telling citizens what to eat, when to exercise and what to do. It's simply not going to work. The way all the obesity epidemic outcry is going, what next fat camps?

If they really wanted to fix obesity, and well let's just say have our society be a healthier place, I think many of the changes are inherent ones and ones that would be directed from concerned individuals, ie NOT WAITING FOR THE EXPERTS OR THE CORPORATIONS that profit off all the bad food...


That said, question those experts, corporations and medicos. Why do we all take their word for granted when profits are part of the game? Why should I believe them myself? I was literally almost DEAD at near 700lbs and had to beg and fight for my own life because no one would listen.


We need to question overly mobile lifestyles, where people move all the time and the breaking down social connections. Yes those affect obesity. The more social you are the more active you are. The more social you are, the more healthy food and eating habits. Eating a greasy hamburger in your car while rushing to work does not count as a healthy meal.


We need to question a society that has become so virtual and the disappearance of true leisure--remember the 1970s when people still went outside? OK, I am being facetious here, I know it but some of you will know what I mean.


Maybe they should invent something more exciting then just pretty boxes with lots of graphics for us to sit around and look at. 


We need to question a society where so many are relegated to living in little boxes next to sculpted parking lots. How about the people who live in neighborhoods where leaving one's apt means constant stress, hassle or even danger?

They need to return to the metabolic realities of weight and really listen to those who have especially crossed the line of extreme weight, why is this happening to some people and not to others? What is going awry in our bodies?

We need to re-haul the food. Those with money can already make this a part of their lives. There is the local food movement and others where one can find the information. Some of us have the knowledge but not the cash, and that can be torture, seeing the healthy and whole food that would return at least some health to our bodies out of reach except in drips and drabbles. I ask myself all the time, why does having a lower amount of money mean always having to eat crummier food? Yes one can get some cheap broccoli, and carrots for low money but I am talking about having a meal with some ingredients beyond "survival eating". Why does a cheaper meal at a restaurant always mean a cheese-coated disgusting crummy-MSG laden meal?

We need to want REAL food again instead of garbage in brightly shiny colored boxes. People need to go back to gardening and we need community gardens for people who have no land.  

We need more healthy lifestyles, where people have a connection to one another and a place to be. This society has too many disposable people where if you are not healthy, thin, fit,or well off enough you get relegated to the edges of society. Millions live with no place, no niche and no belonging and INACTIVITY accompanies all that. In my case I try to live my life being connected to my community and fighting this as much as I can via volunteer work, the arts, etc,. Why are so many being relegated to the fringes and given no place?

Our economy does not work for our well-being. Why aren't people being taught HOW TO DO things in school anymore? Our children are sat in front of books given Ritalin to remain quiet enough and then told, to be fit? How does that work? Does that make any sense?


Why aren't we taught to build, do and fix things? Why is that relegated to only very few groups in society anymore? Why don't I know how to grow a garden? Why don't I know how to sew? These things bug me. How did I get to this age and end up with so few skills? These are things I want to fix.

Sadly today as everything has gotten more expensive, it costs money to do anything. Soon they may charge us even to breathe, the way things are going.  Lack of money outside of great initiative in finding volunteer work or groups to join, often means NO MONEY TO DO. 

If a society functions on making people just passive consumers, who do not ever make, grow, or do anything--seriously, but CONSUME and take in, how does one maintain a healthy weight in that atmosphere? The other day, I told someone "I wish I had a workshop" and what ever happened to CRAFTSMANSHIP?

Even our activity now is like retarded repetition, get on the treadmill if you can afford the gym and WALK TO NOWHERE. Lift those cans up and down. Up and down....blah blah blah. Why don't we have more real things to do? Why has real leisure and DOING been relegated to the wealthier classes? Part of me thinks we would have all been better off staying on the farm, though I am too far gone for that now.

We need to keep our families together. We need to go back to where family counted above economic nomadism for jobs. Wouldn't I be more active seeing nieces and nephews on a day to day basis instead of once a year? This goes back to the earlier social aspects.

Real research needs done on the effects of stress. Stress, cortisol go together as I have written on "The real causes of the obesity epidemic". essay. People, if they are employed, are over-worked. Everyone I talk to says they are over-stressed with too many demands.  They seem to take this stress as a given rather then desiring a simpler way of life.  Very few question the mad making busy-busy go-go of this society, where so many are almost racing in circles. They may be right that the noose has been drawn tighter, economical survival is more dear, but it is something I would like people to think about.


Keeping people on an ever-spinning hamster wheel is not helping their health. I think this is one of the biggest influences as to why everyone is getting fat and unable to maintain healthy weights. People didn't stay skinnier in the old days, because they were more "responsible" and "better people", moral failings existed then too, the system allowed it more.


The toxins need examined, they ARE finding out the plastics, chemicals and more are AFFECTING the OBESITY. I have posted dozen of articles on this matter on this blog. You ever see the obesity initiatives addressing this issue? I sure don't.

And well

THEY NEED TO STOP HOUNDING PEOPLE and telling them lies, that if they simply starve themselves and "move" more that they will automatically become thinner. Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over when it does not work? Do they think all those fat kids they want to help WANT TO BE FAT? 

For many people that is SIMPLY NOT WORKING.


I of course don't have all the answers. The above is just my thoughts. I see obesity as a symptom of a society that has lost a healthy way of life overall. For me obesity was a symptom of extreme stress, and endocrine disease, applying my experience to the big picture, people are getting fatter because of the world and society they live in. We have never had a society like this one before and it is showing the affects in people's health. I do not see a mega corporation or bigger government solving the problem. People need to rethink their priorities overall. People need to say we need REAL ANSWERS NOT LIES.

The Anger of Severe Obesity

I felt heavily annoyed when I got on a scale and figured out, where the weight was at.

I was getting my knee looked at the doctor's, thank God I can almost walk normally now, and noticed the scale only went up to 500lbs but hopped on hoping to get happier news. I leaned a couple fingers on the table, and it flashed 506, but who knows?  I was 520 around 4 months ago. I thought finally I would see a number with 4 in front of it, for once in my life.  

Most scales when you are severely obese never work anyway. I would say I have encountered only TWO scales in my entire life, that did any proper weighing, one at Weight Watchers and this endocrinologist's with a 700lb limit and wide standing area.

I had been...


more active...[one of the reasons my knee went all kafooey beyond the fall....


eaten less food due to the combined factors of economic and abdominal distress


eaten less food due to allergy problems growing worse


taking all my thyroid pills and other medications


eaten salad and apples for snacks.. [other continued dietary tweaking--I boil even chicken sausages to get the fat off]


and well here I sit. Still fatter then crazy.

I sometimes wonder about the severe effects that the condemnation and horrors of severe obesity has done to me. Sometimes I feel like I will go mad between what I am TOLD, and what the body does. It's like I am expected to believe lies when the reality I live is so different. I found myself in a fit of pique telling my husband, "It's a load of hooey, all this eating affects weight thing, MAYBE they really have nothing to do with each other!"

Yesterday, I got hungry, and because I was away at a meeting from home and away from all food, and even had prepared with a snack, a salad of dark greens with a little meat on it, I sat there, with the hunger pains rumbling through me, and felt like my body was "the enemy".What could I do? For years I have trained myself to "take the hunger" and eat if forced to if the blood sugar is really taking a nose dive, but that has not mattered one ounce either.

Everyone who is fat will admit that when pressed, even if size acceptance wants us to be happy and fat, that having a body that does nothing you tell it to do makes you hopping mad! I never have been in "control" of this body.  Why do people think body control is a given? It does what it wants. Sometimes I feel like my own body MOCKS me. Like the Nelson of the Simpsons going "HA HA!" you think you can do anything about it?"

I tell myself be happy, don't be angry. But it's hard when they always put it in your face. This is going back to my voicelessness theme on this blog.  I feel even more irritated at the grocery store, watching thin people with bags of M&Ms, sugar water-faux juice and bag after bag of potato chips in their grocery carts, then I saw this fat woman, she had salad in hers.

Oh I did get the "your weight is crushing your cartilage of your knees" speech though there is no permanent damage from the doctor but found myself thinking,

"What am I supposed to do about it?"

Economy Crashing? Blame the Disabled!

This article made steam come out of my ears the other day...

Job disability a headache for U.S. recovery

While one of the corporate minions in this article mutters about "lost skills" during a gap in one's work history that is a misnomer, everyone who has ever applied for jobs, knows they go nuts if there is even a 6 month gap, for someone taking care of an ill relative or even taking time off to travel, this is just something else they take advantage of, can't have one of the hamsters jumping off the wheel even for a break!

Trillions for wars, and they want to expand the whole Pax Americana thing globally by the way....

Trillions for the bankers in the banker bail-outs

Manufacturing shut down in America, jobs outsourced, so basically the majority of our past industry has been shut down.

but the collapse of the economy is blamed on the disabled!

Give me a break.....

I concede that now since we have millions of unemployed that those who are on the unhealthy edge and realize they aren't getting job because they aren't young, fit or dare I say "perfect" enough anymore according to the corporatists, the disability system is being overwhelmed.

What else would happen in a society where there is NO PLACE for millions of people? They are lying to you about the economy, and they are playing the game of blaming the most vulnerable, to cover up their greed! Whose realizing what is really going on? It is so very few. They own the media after all, they can convince the whole country and have done so with ease that the cause of their troubles, is granny and that disabled person over there.

I warned a few people, it may not be there the way things are going soon. Be very careful. If you can't breathe well or know that trying to work would hospitalize you, apply but if you are on the fence healthwise, and have other options do explore those. The rhetoric against the disabled is getting BAD out there.  

Anyhow this article made me very angry. I know they got most of the populace believing most on disability are parasites. I was so angry yesterday after seeing this, I went off on a tear saying to husband, "Why didn't I ever have a job when I was young with a living wage and more importantly AVAILABLE HEALTH INSURANCE?"

No end to US obesity epidemic, forecast shows

No end to US obesity epidemic, forecast shows

Sadly why they cry the warning nothing will be done. The obesity is the outcome of an overly stressed "sick" society.

Today, just over a third of U.S. adults are obese. By 2030, 42 percent will be, says a forecast released Monday.

That's not nearly as many as experts had predicted before the once-rapid rises in obesity rates began leveling off. But the new forecast suggests even small continuing increases will add up.

"We still have a very serious problem," said obesity specialist Dr. William Dietz of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Worse, the already obese are getting fatter. Severe obesity will double by 2030, when 11 percent of adults will be nearly 100 pounds overweight, or more, concluded the research led by Duke University.

Instead of screaming, "there is a problem!" they need to realize the "solutions" are not working.

They can't keep yelling ALERT ALERT, while on the back end allowing the food corporations to pour the high fructose corn syrup into the food and the endless toxins. They can't keep blaming people on this hyper-responsibility fix, because blaming people isn't working either. They can't keep blaming people during the time of a failing economy. Reading the comments on that article, most are awful.It's a scary time to be fat.

Subway Fat Seats in a Foreign Country

I think it's great that they are thinking of the fat people there...

There are a few places doing an OK job in terms of fat people, newer medical facilities do put in couches and restaurants are doing better...but most public transportation in America? Forget it! I used a big public transportation system in a huge city, it was a nightmare.

Subway Fat Seats in Brazil

I am actually considering telling the local library, we need better chairs for fat people here, I went to another room, where they hold meetings and dragged one out because the other ones are narrow.

Get me a fat seat, and make the fat seats a bit higher if possible. I LIKE this idea. Ignore the low-thinking people who think "ha ha so, funny." I've been without a decent seat so often, I do not even care if the chair has a giant FAT PERSON HERE sign above....


SUBWAY FAT SEAT.

Getting more sleep helps to dampen obesity genes

If you tend towards being fat, never take a third shift job, trust me on that one. Remember my 400lb weight gain, a big chunk of that came when I was put on third shift, I had to take that job or end up homeless....When I was young, I was seriously sleep deprived, too much restaurant work, not enough sleep, and later too many pieced together jobs and bad schedules. This is another reason I think the lower classes tend to be higher in weight.


Getting more sleep could dampen effect of obesity genes

The results suggest that shorter sleep provides a more permissive environment for the expression of obesity related genes,” study leader Dr. Nathaniel Watson said in a statement. “Or it may be that extended sleep is protective by suppressing expression of obesity genes.”

Just how sleep interacts with the body’s weight gain processes remains unknown, but it could have something to do with sleep deprivation triggering a rise in stress hormones that increase appetite, decrease metabolism, and encourage the accumulation of fat around the waist.

What does this mean in a society that prides itself on as little sleep as possible? That is something that definitely needs changed.

Fear From Fat: The Latest in The Fall Saga

Being this fat can be like living in a cage.

Today I was struggling with trying to get care regarding my knee. For some reason my house call doctors, did not want to come visit me, even though their website promises 24-48 hour sick calls and X-ray services. I found myself asking the office "gatekeeper" who for some reason seems to despise me, even though she has never seen or met me, and I have remained polite, "Do you offer X-ray services?" anymore. I tried to explain my fall had been a week ago, and my knee had relapsed but such nuances just seemed LOST. If I needed the ER I would have already been there, huge bills and all. Note to the doctors who are even nice people and this one is, get rid of the grown-up hall monitors, who make life miserable for everyone who must call a medical office.

I had my husband call them and finally called the local free clinic, for an appt, and also an orthopedic doctor who takes Medicare, even if knee gets better, I need to serious deal with my rapidly declining height. I feel like the medical world is so cold. I know they are "scientists" and the rest but can there be a little bit of *pretend* empathy? My husband did call for me and they did later send in an anti-inflammatory. The fear I had of losing all mobility has gripped my being like tendrils of ice wrapping around the hurting knee.

Obviously I can walk since I am sitting at my computer, and I did go do dishes, one thing being this weight, you better learn to TAKE the pain, or you will be in your bed for good, the fears of losing mobility or becoming bed ridden are IMMENSE and GREAT. I think people who have worse injuries, or lower thresholds for pain, do end up in bed. I do not blame them. My threshold isn't that good, though fear fuels my engine a little bit. You know pain is bad when you are crying just because it hurts so much.

My husband did step up and helped me. Thank God for him. He got me my medication, did most of the dishes, and chores, and helped be a spotter in the shower...[yes I am too afraid to shower alone right now with the knee this messed up]

I know this is one part of being fat when you are in the great weights, that is one of the hardest, the possible falls and the outcomes. The weight does not help. I almost flew out of a car once with a broken door when the driver turned a corner, save for the seatbelt. The gravity of weight only pulls you down.

Add to the Class Warfare Via Obesity Files

Don't think it does not exist.

If one visits places like Indian Hill and Manhattan vs. Appalachia, or a poor small town in Wisconsin, one is going to see different obesity rates. I can see the future now, a thin, well-heeled, corporate "professional class" vs. the fatter less trim, and "together" poorer class. Oops that already exists now! Silly me.....

"Why Being Overweight Could Earn You a Lower Salary"

The corporate classes actually expect very thin women, I have noticed even average types who may run size 12, 14, 16 seem to be blocked from the boardrooms too.

Now if you want to see an article to tie into the one above, check this one out...

"Thin Women Earn More then Average Women"

Yeah something is really wrong with that, with the difference being $16,000!