Body positivity is important, but not more so than health.
We lived through the days when bigger meant better, and many times they were. But there were also companies out there who weaponized the phrase to basically blast Americans with saturated fats, fast and junk foods, and basically fattened up a huge portion of the population. Today, we have smartened up to know that bigger does not always mean better; however, the consequences of our past are still largely visible in not just our everyday population, but in the media and the world as well. One of the major side effects of our gluttonous past was the change in our own mindsets on how we view our bodies.
Today we are more open to accepting differences, and commenting
on another person’s physical presentation is becoming more and more taboo, even
if it is commenting on their weight to help them live a longer and more fruitful
life. I am not talking about the individuals who have medical issues that may wreak
havoc on their metabolism, but individuals who don’t really have any medical
problems but just use this excuse to stay obese. If you’re reading this and
feeling guilty, you know who you are.
It’s plain and simple. Obesity just means you have too much
body fat. The scary part is, 1 in 3 adults in the United States are obese, but
many deny this and usually blame it on something else that may be out of their
control. However, being obese can negatively affect your heart, your blood
pressure, blood sugar levels, and other important bodily systems that help to
make your body operate well and efficiently. Other chronic medical conditions
can occur with too much extra fat cells in your body, which can produce
inflammation and other unwanted hormones.
Feel guilty? Not to worry, there are plenty of exercises, programs, and information out there that can help you take those extra inches off your waist that are safe and effective. Remember, forget the quick and easy methods, because they will only make things worse down the road.
