Guest guest Posted December 24, 2003 Report Share Posted December 24, 2003 Sometimes it is important to get your facts straight before you jump to conclusions. Reputable sources typically do have editors review and audit the content prior to release. The article is very accurate, as 59 million is almost a third. Let's review. According the U.S. Census, who I believe keeps the most accurate statistics regarding the American population: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html There were: 284,796,887 Americans as of the last census. Now, if you look carefully, it also shows that 25.7% of those were under the age of 18, or not adults as per the legal definition in the United States of America. Now, since the study rounded to the millions, I am going to do the same. 285,000,000 x 25.7% = 73,000,000 non-adults in the U.S. as of 2000. Let's do some simple subtraction: 285,000,000 = total U.S. population -073,000,000 = non-adult U.S. population =212,000,000 = adult U.S. population. Now, the article stated that 59 million Americans are obese. Let's figure out how much that is: 59 / 212 = 0.27, or rounded, 0.3. Probably closer to a quarter (0.25) than a third (0.33) but really since we're rounding the distinction is very arbitrary. I hate to be so " anal retentive " but it can be really annoying when people jump to conclusions and are quick to try and devalue something simply because they are not willing or ready to face the reality being shown. So when you say, " 59 million is not a third. It's not ALMOST a third. It's not even almost a fourth, " you are absolutely incorrect. In is MORE than a fourth, and it IS almost a third. I look around me, and I absolutely believe the 1 in 3 is obese. But please, try to expand your views to more than just your world. The rate of obesity varies from location to location. Just because America itself has between 1 in 3 to 1 in 4 people doesn't mean one particular county might not have 1 in 10 while another has 2 out of 3. As for the long anti-fitness diatribe, spare me. And also, don't give me the GOSH YOU'RE OVERREACTING CAN'T ANYONE TAKE A JOKE reply that people commonly use when their actions don't meet with general approval. I don't know what self-promises you are failing to fulfill are causing such resentment against healthy people. No one here is demanding that you follow BFL to a T or that you have washboard abs. Rather, this is a community of people trying to help each other obtain health and wellness, and centered around the success with which BFL has empowered so many people to do so. Ridicule is a thin disguise for envy. I hope you can let go of some of that negativity over the holidays. I won't be surprised if you take this as an " attack " or draw something negative from it, but I sincerely hope you are beyond that and can take it for the constructive criticism that it is, and use it as an impetus to grow as a person rather than simply reacting with anger. I hope everyone has a blessed celebration of the day that hope was born and the window to faith opened through Christ our King. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 24, 2003 Report Share Posted December 24, 2003 Jeff - Thank you for sharing that! I have been a bit in a negative/hostile mood myself, no need to get into details of why but certainly not fair to bring it out to the group. I am glad I posted that, however, because your reply is very informative. In fact, it was a little funny and if we can't step back and laugh about things (laughter is medicine) then why not? Thanks for bringing that back into perspective. As for attack, it was not an attack, more of a defensive mechanism, again, unwinding my negative energy in a total non-productive and insulting fashion - doesn't make it right, makes it wrong, and I sincerely apologize for that! I admire you for taking action to not become embroiled in the arguments/negative exchanges, because those can truly not go anywhere positive. Your post is, in fact, what I would consider a BANNER standard for how we should all conduct ourselves - despite some negativity being thrown your way, you shared some inspiration and insight and helped me turn to the mirror and learn something about myself. From the bottom of my heart - thank you!!!! I need to take this holiday to reflect on the stress I have allowed into my life, and take steps to reduce it and resurface in a much more positive mindset. Sometimes it takes a third party to make us realize how trapped we become in our own emotions. I truly do apologize and thank you for taking the time, which you were in no way obligated to take, to explain yourself and help me develop myself! Happy holidays to you as well, and I look forward to learning from my mistakes and becoming a better person in the process. > I stand corrected - I didn't take the non-U.S. adult population into > account - wow - almost a third. At the end there though, I wasn't > making fun of healthy people. > > The joke was that non healthy people can't be forced with laws to > eat right and exercise. It was not intended as an attack on healthy > people, but it WAS a joke, and sorry for any miscommunication. And > how it would be enforced, I thought, a cell with a drill sargeant > would be funny. How can you get such people to change their ways, > unless they want to? By locking them up and forcing them to eat a > certain way in a room with exercise equipment? So that was the > joke, bad though it may be. I hate explaining funnies to people. > > However, if anyone is picking up any hostility from me, (which > seems to) you will notice, I have not been posting lately. > That is because I am not participating in what I consider irrelevant > posts that then build up into crescendos of total irrelevance: about > co-workers, lurkers, trolls and where is such-and-so, which build > into totally irrelevant, off-topic strings of banter, plus reading > the irrelevant banter from the trolls themselves. > > While all this is fun and entertaining, I think we can find such- and- > so in the archives and e-mail them directly if we want to be in > touch with them. In addition, I need to keep the focus on my BFL > and not on these outside issues. They are not helpful to me. So I > will not participate in this. There is too much irrelevant, non- BFL > chatter on the list. I'd rather see postings of BFL questions, > contest questions, menus, workouts, help with plateaus and bumps, > etc. My joke at least brings it back to BFL. > > So the one time I chime, in, bam! Here comes the Enforcer. And > your attack, which is what it is , despite the cleverly veiled > wording (generalizing some group you think I belong in versus naming > me) you chose, is personal and directed at me. And I resent it. > Like you said, people are too quick to jump to conclusions. My joke > (difficult to interpret though it was) at least was BFL relevant - > about nutrition, exercise, and getting those abs we all want. > > If someone is new to the list, the banter here all must be very > confusing and cliquish. But you will find lots of nuggets of wisdom > here. We are a pretty friendly and humorous bunch, and > actually is one of the great mentors on our list, but we do go off > topic from time to time, especially during this holiday festivity > time. But there is a lot of insane behavior around holiday time, as > you must guess. Instead, you probably want advice and > encouragement. So don't be afraid to post your questions, workouts, > menus - there are good well-informed people here who will answer. > That is what I hope the future posts will mainly consist of. > > I wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe holiday. > > Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 24, 2003 Report Share Posted December 24, 2003 Whew! Just wanted to thank everyone for encouragement and support and being who you are. My goals are not to drag myself down into attacking or pointing out flaws but rather offering productive solutions, and in that, I made a mistake. Fortuantely, I am VERY happy to see members willing to express themselves and opinions and who can help by teaching us all and leading by example. I just wanted to point out that in no way, shape, or form should anywhere here feel intimidated not to post or express your opinions. If they are not part of the common belief, or people disagree, that is fine - we don't all have to agree on the same things. When we become condescending or scathing in our posts, which I have fallen victim to, then it is simply wrong - don't fear correcting something you think is not right, regardless of whom it comes from! All of us are open to learning and growing. Thanks and have the greatest success, peace, health, and happiness this holiday season. Likness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 24, 2003 Report Share Posted December 24, 2003 Whew! Just wanted to thank everyone for encouragement and support and being who you are. My goals are not to drag myself down into attacking or pointing out flaws but rather offering productive solutions, and in that, I made a mistake. Fortuantely, I am VERY happy to see members willing to express themselves and opinions and who can help by teaching us all and leading by example. I just wanted to point out that in no way, shape, or form should anywhere here feel intimidated not to post or express your opinions. If they are not part of the common belief, or people disagree, that is fine - we don't all have to agree on the same things. When we become condescending or scathing in our posts, which I have fallen victim to, then it is simply wrong - don't fear correcting something you think is not right, regardless of whom it comes from! All of us are open to learning and growing. Thanks and have the greatest success, peace, health, and happiness this holiday season. Likness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 24, 2003 Report Share Posted December 24, 2003 I was just researching obesity statistics in Missouri a month ago and we are in the top 10 states for the worst. Missouri ranks ninth in the nation in the incidence of obesity, with at least 56 percent of Missouri adults overweight and another 22 percent obese. The prevalence of obesity in Missouri increased 65% from 1991 to 1998. Obesity is a major risk factor for 64% of Missouri deaths. This is only up to 1998 and I couldn't find any statistics mentioned beyond that date for Missouri, but I would imagine that 5 years it is even higher if it increased 65% over 7 years. That comes out to 9% higher per year so I wouldn't be surprised if Missouri is as high as 34% obese and maybe 60-70% overweight, but that is only a guess from looking around. I found a 2002 report that says obesity affects 70 million Americans and that includes children. Andy > Somehow I find this hard to believe: > > " The statistics show the need for such efforts. The number of obese > adults has doubled in 20 years, and is now up to nearly 59 million > people, or almost a third of all American adults. " > > What ninny edited that reporter at AP? At UPI they went through > your stories with a fine tooth comb. 59 million is not a third. > It's not ALMOST a third. It's not even almost a fourth. There are > 280 million Americans. Divide 59 million by that. That works out > to 21.1% percent. I look around me, I wouldn't say 1/3 are obese. > Would you? But I might believe 1/5. > > Did you hear about the federal law soon to be enacted? Anyone on > this list not practicing BFL will soon be committing a crime. They > will be locked up in solitary with free weights and a stationary > bike, and force fed a protein and a low glycemic carb at every meal, > forced to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, and forced to do 3 days > of intense cardio and 3 days of intense weight workouts with a drill > sargeant. > > The drill sargeant will enjoy taunting the prisoner by lifting up > his or her shirt, pointing to his/her washboard abs, and saying, " 5 > percent bodyfat. " Before and after mug shots will be taken of the > prisoner in a skimpy bathing suit. The prisoner will write a > mandatory essay and do 84 days of planning and exercise journaling, > showing an improvement in attitude and muscle tone, to be freed. > Upon release they will receive a box of free Myoplex. > Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 24, 2003 Report Share Posted December 24, 2003 I got your joke Jeff and I certainly didn't mean to start a controversy over this article. I just amazes me that lawmakers think they can write legislation forcing people to be healthy, not be obese or whatever. The whole idea is a joke to me. Why don't they look at what is working and that is people like the ones in this group that are taking repsonsibility for their health. We don't need to come up with excuses it is the governments fault that we gain weight. Andy > I stand corrected - I didn't take the non-U.S. adult population into > account - wow - almost a third. At the end there though, I wasn't > making fun of healthy people. > > The joke was that non healthy people can't be forced with laws to > eat right and exercise. It was not intended as an attack on healthy > people, but it WAS a joke, and sorry for any miscommunication. And > how it would be enforced, I thought, a cell with a drill sargeant > would be funny. How can you get such people to change their ways, > unless they want to? By locking them up and forcing them to eat a > certain way in a room with exercise equipment? So that was the > joke, bad though it may be. I hate explaining funnies to people. > > However, if anyone is picking up any hostility from me, (which > seems to) you will notice, I have not been posting lately. > That is because I am not participating in what I consider irrelevant > posts that then build up into crescendos of total irrelevance: about > co-workers, lurkers, trolls and where is such-and-so, which build > into totally irrelevant, off-topic strings of banter, plus reading > the irrelevant banter from the trolls themselves. > > While all this is fun and entertaining, I think we can find such- and- > so in the archives and e-mail them directly if we want to be in > touch with them. In addition, I need to keep the focus on my BFL > and not on these outside issues. They are not helpful to me. So I > will not participate in this. There is too much irrelevant, non- BFL > chatter on the list. I'd rather see postings of BFL questions, > contest questions, menus, workouts, help with plateaus and bumps, > etc. My joke at least brings it back to BFL. > > So the one time I chime, in, bam! Here comes the Enforcer. And > your attack, which is what it is , despite the cleverly veiled > wording (generalizing some group you think I belong in versus naming > me) you chose, is personal and directed at me. And I resent it. > Like you said, people are too quick to jump to conclusions. My joke > (difficult to interpret though it was) at least was BFL relevant - > about nutrition, exercise, and getting those abs we all want. > > If someone is new to the list, the banter here all must be very > confusing and cliquish. But you will find lots of nuggets of wisdom > here. We are a pretty friendly and humorous bunch, and > actually is one of the great mentors on our list, but we do go off > topic from time to time, especially during this holiday festivity > time. But there is a lot of insane behavior around holiday time, as > you must guess. Instead, you probably want advice and > encouragement. So don't be afraid to post your questions, workouts, > menus - there are good well-informed people here who will answer. > That is what I hope the future posts will mainly consist of. > > I wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe holiday. > > Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 24, 2003 Report Share Posted December 24, 2003 And thanks to you for all the helpful information that you share with our group! Probably a good time for us all (myself included due to my short fuse with Jas/Jess) to clean up our act as Jeff stated. There may be a lot of new people joining this group in the new year and we want to make a good impression. Andy > Whew! Just wanted to thank everyone for encouragement and support > and being who you are. My goals are not to drag myself down into > attacking or pointing out flaws but rather offering productive > solutions, and in that, I made a mistake. Fortuantely, I am VERY > happy to see members willing to express themselves and opinions and > who can help by teaching us all and leading by example. I just > wanted to point out that in no way, shape, or form should anywhere > here feel intimidated not to post or express your opinions. If they > are not part of the common belief, or people disagree, that is fine - > we don't all have to agree on the same things. When we become > condescending or scathing in our posts, which I have fallen victim > to, then it is simply wrong - don't fear correcting something you > think is not right, regardless of whom it comes from! All of us are > open to learning and growing. > > Thanks and have the greatest success, peace, health, and happiness > this holiday season. > > Likness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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