That America is an obese nation is a given fact. The puzzling question for me though is “Why Are Americans So Fat?” After all, with the plethora of information on the dangers of obesity that are available coupled with the resources available; you would think that the percentage of fat Americans should go down every year.
But that is not the case. If anything, America is getting fatter.
I think for America to begin a journey toward a trimmer, healthier being; we need to discuss the root cause for why we are fat – as a nation. How we got here has been well documented. Likewise, the solution for getting slender has also been well document. It is that bridge between “how we got here” and “where we need to go” that I would like to discuss.
I believe a significant obstacle for anyone wanting to lose weight is the “fitness experts” and “dieting gurus” that dominate the magazines and infomercials that are ubiquitously around us. All the claims on magazine covers, websites, and late night shows have one common theme. That theme is that weight loss is simple and easy.
While weight loss is simple, it is anything but easy.
Weight loss is hard. Weight loss takes commitment. Weight loss requires a paradigm shift in how you look at your life.
Too many Americans see those “lose 20 lbs. in one week by not drinking sodas” headlines and either believe it or get discouraged. If they believe it and try it; they are destined for failure. You do not lose 20 lbs. in week by dropping sodas. Failure leads to discouragement and to belief that one cannot lose weight. It becomes a cycle of failure.
That cycle of failure keeps Americans fat. To break that cycle, our “dieting experts” need to be more candid on the difficulties of losing weight. They need to be more candid on the level of commitment an overweight person needs to fundamental change their outlook on eating and life.
Until our “fitness gurus” step and choose to help educate and guide us instead dispensing cotton candy advice; I do not believe we will make much headway in reducing obesity in our nation.
