Looking at it from both sides

Jun 22, 2010

I realize that I am lucky...lucky for many many reasons.  One reason I want to focus on today is looking at weight related topics of discussion from both sides of the spectrum.  I can look at weight related topics of conversation from several angles, from being morbidly obese to now being within healthy weight ranges, and being more healthy.   It's so very important to be able to look at issues from multiple sides, whether or Not you've been on all sides yourself, but giving that benefit of hearing all sides is something that I believe is a learned skill today.

There are so many times people get caught up in being very very sensitive to topics they are incredibly passionate or emotional about, this goes for every topic out there.  We see this with politics, religion, lifestyle, etc.  We as humans fight and defend very strongly things that are of value and important to us.  However, we see all to often others forgetting the "other" perspective to a topic or another opinion or outlook OR just simply being so overly passionate, that they become utra sensitive to any surrounding arguments/opinions/outlook/perspectives.   But one must remember that because they have been on both sides of a story/topic/argument, doesn't mean that they have all the answers and that their experiences/knowledge reigns supreme.

I realize that because I have been on both sides of the weight scale, I don't have all the answers, but I can offer different perspective.  I

I recently read an article on OH.com about obesity killing America, Pretty strong topic, eh?  The article was written by an OH member, Jeremy.  I think that Jeremy's article was written well, he's pleading to people to take a look at what is happening to ourselves. Some members that read that article got very upset with Jeremy's "use" of words....But in reality, You can Not sugar coat absolutely everything when it comes to weight, weight loss, obesity topics...you just can not.  Facts are facts, and if you make it sunshine and roses, the point does NOT come through as clearly as if it were written to be a "wake-up call".  It's terribly frightening to know that our children are faced with not living as long as my generation or my sister's generation.... TERRIFYING at best...how can that be sugar coated? How can that be put into kind, soft, caring, loving words... How can that be re-written? I believe there is more of a sensitivity because many feel helpless, frustrated, or possibly ashamed or guilty.  I lived helpless and ashamed, I would look at everything and find the offense in it, I became so overly sensitive with everything that I alienated almost everyone in my life!!!  That was not a life I was going to live anymore.  

I commend Jeremy for his article, and for those that took it the wrong way, I besiege you to look at it from another side, take personal feelings out of it, Jeremy is not personally attacking anybody in his article, far from it.  He is simply stating that action must be taken now, and he is right.  He is not scolding or being hard on anybody, just merely pointing out that the issue in our country is a desperate one.  If that doesn't do it, Watch Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution....you can watch full episodes on the internet.  You talk about jaw-dropping.

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