's motd Wed July 7, 2010

[Guest guest]

IT CAN'T BE!

Wednesday, 07 July 2010

Do you watch television news as much as I do? I'm a real news watcher, from CNN to ABC to NBC. I like to keep up with what's going on in this world of ours. And lately, I just can't believe what I'm hearing and seeing. One big story I've been seeing a lot lately is how as a country, we Americans are getting, well...fatter! No...it can't be!

When I was growing up, we didn't have all of the information we have these days about the fat, sodium and sugar content of the foods we eat. Shucks, back then, we simply ate whatever we wanted whenever we wanted! But these days, it's a different story. We're much more knowledgeable about what we eat. (Whether we use that knowledge to our advantage, or not.) For years now, we've been warned about what would happen to our nation's health if we didn't do something about the way we ate and how much we weighed. Well, I guess you could say our day of reckoning is at hand.Many of our county's medical experts have done research to take a closer look at America's "weighty" issues. Part of their research has included doing questionnaires and engaging focus groups, all in an effort to get more detailed information about the obesity epidemic sweeping our country. And here are some facts you need to know:

Obesity rates among our adult population grew in 23 states during the past year alone. And why is that? Well, it's because America's relationship with food has grown along with the depressing news about the economy and with all of the other stresses in life we deal with on a daily. One medical expert described our country's situation this way: We as a nation are in a medical crisis. (Boy, that's strong!)It's no secret that our country already has a problem with the growing cost of health care. And you'd be shocked to know how many people in the U.S. have no health insurance at all. But here's what's going to happen if we don't correct the problem. We'll only get even fatter and, as a result, it's going to cost our country billions of dollars, attending all of the medical problems our growing obesity epidemic will end up causing this nation.And what's to blame for our obesity? Well, for one thing, we snack more. I mean, let's face it, there're simply more snacks out there than ever. Oh, you know how it is, a small bag of potato chips here, a candy bar there and that donut you had during your break at work, they add up. Walk into any supermarket these days and you'll spot hundreds of processed foods just begging you to bring them home. Restaurants also know how much we love to eat. To satisfy our cravings and to pack us into their eateries, they're now serving portions big enough for two people!

And it's not just the eating problem we have in America. See, as we begin gaining more and more weight, the last thing on our minds is exercise. So, as a result, we're not only a country that eats more but, compounding the problem, we're a country that's exercising...less! (Not a good combination, my friends.)So, let me ask, can you help yourself and your country? Sure you can! You begin by planning how to lose the weight you need to lose. It's time for you to become a healthier citizen of these United States. Yep, plan your meals and spin your wheels, as in making exercise a dedicated part of your life. After all, there's so much life inside you. Use that life to help extend your life by living a healthier life-style...everyday!If not, all of those TV news shows will continue telling us how the obesity problem has now spread to all 50 states. And I don't have to tell you, that would be one big disaster for our country. So please, let's not allow it to happen. Before I go, there's one more thought I want to leave you with. How many overweight and obese parents are passing their unhealthy lifestyles along to their children?Love,