This article is the final conclusion to the article series about the sins, or reasons for obesity in the western culture from the last seven articles. Let’s just go through the process of how it all started:
It began with the use of a vehicle – a car for getting around, which immediately reduced our physical capacity to walk and thus deprived our own ability to exercise.
Corporations next moved in to build an empire of economical fast-foods, strategically positioned close to roads; so that cars will pass by them and families will stop for a bite to eat and drink. This captured the whole family market for casual dining at an affordable price; which led to the inclusion of a range of large-sized sugary drinks that everyone valued, especially in the hot summers months.
As time progressed, the family structure changed; leading to children gaining more control over their meal choices; that further fueled the fast-food industry. Lack of time then became a burden to families laden with household responsibilities that again reinforced the economical fast-food industry.
Now with splintered families suffering, through lack of time in managing the family household commitments; leisure time became more of an afterthought, or used as a method to leverage increased financial solutions that used technology to increase financial support.
Either way, leisure activities were designed around a sedentary lifestyle choice that paralleled technological advancement with digital communication and fitted into high-end gadgets for social and entertainment purposes. The nature of technological advancement further cemented the sedentary lifestyle of a typical family and continuation of obesity in the western culture.
I have not created a pleasant picture about the way obesity has developed in the western culture. I hope this is insightful to you, because it may help you see how the puzzle works. This is only from my perspective, but I have read many books on obesity and I have used some of their information to create this paper. It is hard to get out of this type of lifestyle, unless you truly want to; because fast-foods are here to stay. It is up to you whether you want to continue in it, or whether you want to make changes to a healthier and more active lifestyle,
Discuss this with your family doctor first, as he can advise you on the best way to make positive changes to your health status. He should advise you to join a local support group for healthy eating in your area that will get you started on the right path. Please don’t try to do it on your own, because you need support on how to change the way you think and shop for food; also the way you cook food and the way it should served, so you can actually enjoy what you are eating.
This change is a whole new way of life, but in a positive health direction, because your body will gain all the nourishment that it needs. After a while, you will not miss the fast-food, because you will find other foods that are more nutritious and enjoyable for your body to enjoy.
I promise you, there will be regrets!
The author, Gail McGonigal is a qualified Occupational Therapist, who has a company called Active Living Solutions Ltd. She is using her professional skills to create a niche market in comfortable, ergonomic daily living products, the first product is an ergonomic chair: http://www.activelivingsolutions.net/big-and-tall-chairs.html that aim to help people overcome functional mobility deficits with chronic problems, such as joint pain from obesity. Gail’s E-book will help you understand about Ergonomic chairs before you go ahead and purchase one. http://www.activelivingsolutions.net/page/410470202
Gail offers a free ‘Therapeutic Active Living Program’ with each chair that she sells, because she understands the restrictions in functional movement and obesity. Included in her package is a toll-free number that will provide you with personal guidance from Gail, should you need more it.
If you are a reader like Gail, you will find the books by Michael Pollan interesting, particularly:
“Food Rules: An Eaters Manuel”
“The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals” and
“In Defense of Food: an Eaters Manifesto”
Also a book by Alicia Silverstone “The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet.”
I am not vegetarian, but I love her ideas for innovative vegetarian cooking.
Happy Reading!