[southernnorthcarolina]

We have a remarkable ability to delude ourselves, to our detriment.

Put the word "salad" on the menu, and I'll guarantee you some people will convince themselves that it's healthy and low-cal, no matter what the ingredients. I had lunch a few weeks ago with a weight-conscious (and mildly overweight) young lady who informed me in advance that she would have only a salad. So of course, she had a salad of baby greens (good, so far), topped with slices of blackened chicken (well... OK, if it stopped there, but...), bacon (a generous sprinkling), cheese (lots), and about a half-cup of blue cheese dressing. Of course, she had a Diet Coke.

[Alouette]

Four years ago I stopped drinking soda pop. This was a very big sacrifice on my part because I (used to) love Cherry Coke! Now the only beverages that I drink are, coffee with skim milk and artificial sweetener (in the morning) and mineral water. Once in a while for a treat I will drink Perrier sparkling water, but I gave that up early this year during the "boycott France!" movement. Fortunately Faygo makes a flavored seltzer so I don't crave the Perrier.

Two weeks ago I started an exercise program, walking for 2-3 miles first thing in the morning. When I get used to this routing I will add jogging then running to this routine.

My goal: to be slim by Christmas for a grand family reunion!

[PatrioticAmerican]

Americans watch too much TV? How? There is nothing on.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Americans watch too much TV? How? There is nothing on.

[Age of Reason]

If people had to chase a gazelle every time they wanted a snack, there would be much less obesity.

Anyway, I gave up stuffing my face when I gave up watching TV a quarter-century ago.

Giving up a lot of bad food was easier than giving up tobacco, I'll say that.

I'd still rather smoke than eat--in fact, I think I'd rather smoke than have sex. (I gave that up, too. Unsanitary.)

[Skywalk]

I wonder what would happen if NY enacted a tax against soda consumption, ads on TV for fast food, or on obesity and the SCOTUS struck it down. Would some on this board rediscover the meaning of the 9th Amendment?

[edayna]

Seems to me that a lot of our obesity problem is due to an obsession with obesity and food. It's a catch-22 - you worry about getting fat, so you think about each bite you eat, and those junk foods become even more tempting when you're not "allowed" to eat them.

My parents never prohibited me from eating junk food - even cookies before dinner. I was rail-thin, at least till my mid-20's. Genetics? Maybe - my dad was the only thin person in my family, though. Food didn't have much significance to me beyond simple enjoyment till I was in my late teens and surrounded by dieters.

I could lose a few pounds - well, more than that if I wanted to meet magazine model standards :) but I'm at a healthy weight. I personally feel that the key to keeping at a healthy weight is to eat a wide variety of foods.

I don't prohibit my kids from eating junk, either. I just make sure they have lots of healthy options. When faced with a choice between a box of donuts and a garden-fresh cucumber, my 7 year old will take the cuke sliced up with some low-fat dip any time.

Then again, maybe she's weird. ;)

[CathyRyan]

TOPS worked like a charm for me for one year. I went to one meeting and swore to myself if I did not lose a certain amount each month I would have to go back. I losed the weight...but gained it back at the end of the year.

[InvisibleChurch]

More often than not, though, when the waiter asks for her order, says Neal "I say cheeseburger and fries."

how does culture force her to say the above?

[Quas primas]

Interesting how these do-gooders who want us to eat less because it is 'healthy' convienently do not mention the deaths and health hazards of sex out side of marriage......not to mention the terrible affects of sodomy and the many STDs that are running rampant in society.

[FeliciaCat]

"Carlos Neal, 55, has gained 80 pounds since he married Mary 34 years ago. He's trying to slim down from 235 pounds, and recently lost a few pounds. Still, it's difficult to resist the cornucopia of sugar and fat. For lunch, he sometimes eats three Hostess desserts--Suzy Qs, doughnuts and a fruit pie. And he loves fast food. At Burger King, he'll order a Double Whopper, large fries and vanilla shake--a total of 2,090 calories.

"I don't deny myself this stuff, which is ruining me," he said."

This just kills me...c'mon excercise a little self-control instead of blaming it on "genetics" or some such crappola. sheesh.

[Sam Cree]

I have to say that I think that diet has an even more pronounced effect on weight than exercise. But exercise does have plenty of effect as well.

[PJ-Comix]

The following is only a guideline of what is normally served at the Emerald Coast Buffet. Management reserves the right to change any of the items offered without notice.

Gourmet Center	Mon - Fri Lunch	Weekend Brunch	Mon - Thurs Dinner	Fri - Sun Dinner
Sushi Bar	California Roll Florida Roll Cucumber Roll Vegetable Roll Grilled Salmon Roll	California Roll Florida Roll Cucumber Roll Vegetable Roll Grilled Salmon Roll	California Roll Florida Roll Vegetable Roll Seasonal Seafood Rolls:      Tuna, Eel, Grilled       Salmon, JB, Dynamite	California Roll Florida Roll Vegetable Roll Rice Pockets Seasonal Seafood Rolls:      Tuna, Eel, Grilled       Salmon, Spider, JB, etc Sashimi: Salmon, Tuna,       Snapper, Octopus
Grill	Chicken Teriyaki Smoked Sausage Garlic Bread	Chicken Teriyaki Salmon Steaks Smoked Sausage	Chicken Teriyaki Salmon Steaks Smoked Sausage	Steak Teriyaki Chicken Teriyaki Salmon Steaks Grilled Mahi Mahi
Carving Station	CLOSED	CLOSED	Hand Carved Prime Rib	Hand Carved Prime Rib
Hot Entrees	Orange Chicken Shrimp & Lobster Sauce Barbecue Ribs Almond Chicken w/ Veg. Black Pepper Steak Shrimp Tempura Imitation Scallop Tempura Szechuan Chicken BBQ Pork & Broccoli Tofu w/ Mixed Vegetables Sesame Chicken Meatballs w/ Black Bean      Sauce Szechuan Tofu Kung Pao Chicken Szechuan Eggplant Egg Rolls Ja-Doo Chicken Wings Sauteed Mushrooms Shanghai Noodles Salt & Pepper Snapper	Orange Chicken Shrimp & Lobster Sauce Barbecue Ribs Ja-Doo Chicken Wings Bacon Honey Garlic Spare Ribs Sesame Chicken Black Pepper Steak Sauteed Mushrooms Mussels w/ Black Bean      Sauce Szechuan Chicken Meatball w/ Green Pepper Imitation Scallop Tempura Kung Pao Chicken Shanghai Noodles Tofu w/ Mixed Vegetables BBQ Pork & Broccoli Egg Rolls Almond Chicken w/ Veg. Salt & Pepper Snapper	Snow Crab Legs in Garlic      Butter Shrimp & Lobster Sauce Barbecue Ribs Ja-Doo Chicken Wings Szechuan Chicken Honey Garlic Spare Ribs Sesame Chicken Egg Roll Spring Roll Black Pepper Steak Szechuan Eggplant Messels w/ Black Bean      Sauce Pot Stickers Meatball w/ Green Pepper Shanghai Noodles Duck Breast w/ Sweet      Potato Tofu w/ Mixed Vegetables Imitation Scallop Tempura Orange Chicken Peking Pork Chops	Snow Crab Legs in Garlic      Butter Shrimp & Lobster Sauce Breaded Jumbo Shrimp Barbecue Ribs BBQ Pork & Broccoli Seafood Delight Sesame Chicken Peking Pork Chops Honey Garlic Spare Ribs Szechuan Eggplant Orange Chicken Black Pepper Steak Duck Breast w/ Sweet      Potato Mussels w/ Black Bean      Sauce Pot Stickers Stuffed Crab Claws Egg Rolls Ja-Doo Chicken Wings Spring Rolls Shanghai Noodles Salt & Pepper Snapper
Soups	Hot & Sour Soup Won Ton Soup Egg Drop Soup	Hot & Sour Soup Won Ton Soup Egg Drop Soup	Seafood Chowder Japanese Miso Soup Sweet Corn and Chicken      Soup Hot & Sour Soup Won Ton Soup Egg Drop Soup	Seafood Chowder Japanese Miso Soup Sweet Corn and Chicken      Soup Hot & Sour Soup Won Ton Soup Egg Drop Soup
Desserts	Black Forest Cake Home Made Almond       Cookies Napolean Cheese Cake Honey Twist Fresh Cut Fruit Fresh Cut Fruit Salad Jello Flan Chocolate Cake Almond Jello & Mandarin      Orange Coconut Cake	Chocolate Strawberries or      Bananas Black Forest Cake Home Made Almond       Cookies Coconut Tarts Cheese Cake Honey Twist Key Lime Pie Fresh Cut Fruit Fresh Cut Fruit Salad Jello Strawberry Short Cake Flan Coconut Cake	Chocolate Strawberries or      Bananas Fresh Fruit Tarts Napolean Black Forest Cake Home Made Almond       Cookies Coconut Tarts Cheese Cake Honey Twist Key Lime Pie Strawberry Short Cake Fresh Cut Fruit Salad Flan Fresh Cut Fruits	Chocolate Strawberries or      Bananas Fresh Fruit Tarts Mochachino Cake Marble Cheesecake Home Made Almond       Cookies Coconut Tarts Cheese Cake Honey Twist Tiramisu Cake Strawberry Short Cake Fresh Cut Fruit Salad Flan Fresh Cut Fruit
Ice Cream Make your own Sundae	Vanilla Amaretto Almond (Sugar      Free) Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake Orange Sherbert Pistachio Pralines Strawberry Cheesecake Rum & Raisin	Vanilla Amaretto Almond (Sugar      Free) Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake Orange Sherbert Pistachio Pralines Strawberry Cheesecake Rum & Raisin	Vanilla Amaretto Almond (Sugar      Free) Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake Orange Sherbert Pistachio Pralines Strawberry Cheesecake Rum & Raisin	Vanilla Amaretto Almond (Sugar      Free) Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake Orange Sherbert Pistachio Pralines Strawberry Cheesecake Rum & Raisin
Salads	Crab Meat Salad Italian Tortellini Salad Rotini Salad Macaroni Salad Make you own Caesar      Salad Assorted Salad Builders	Peel n' Eat Shrimp Kiwi Musells Crab Meat Salad Shrimp salad Seafood Salad Italian Tortellini Salad Hawaiian Delight Salad Make your own Caesar      Salad Assorted Salad Builders	Stone Crab Kiwi Musell Peel n' Eat Shrimp Raw Oyster on Half Shell Crab Meat Salad Shrimp Salad Italian Tortellini Salad Make your own Caesar      Salad Assorted Salad Builders	Snow Crab Legs Stone Crab Kiwi Musells Peel n' Eat Shrimp Crab Meat Salad Shrimp Salad Italian Tortellini Salad Make your own Caesar      Salad Assorted Salad Builders

[PJ-Comix]

Guess where I'm eating Wednesday night? (Must remember to leave room for the cheesecake.)

[timm22]

"The dark side of a technologically advanced society is obesity," said Dr. Samuel Klein of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity.

Nonsense. Automobiles or televisions are not denying people the ability to exercise. Just because I drive down to the corner store does not mean I can't walk that same distance at some time that is more convenient for me.

[wideminded]

The culture has to change," said Marian Fitzgibbon of Northwestern University Medical School. "In a culture with virtually unlimited access to high-fat, good-tasting food in outrageous portions, with no reason to regularly exercise, people will be unable to maintain healthy weights.

One reason it's not going to change soon is that people don't like being told what to do. Especially because many of the people doing the telling have their own weird agendas about food.

[ctonious]

Two of every three adults are overweight. Nearly one in three is obese--at least 30 or 40 pounds overweight, depending on height.

Although I do not disagree with the basic trend discussed here - I am absolutely appalled at the dimwittedness, or sinister sleight-of-hand tricks of these "the sky-is-falling" doomsayers. Sure, arbitrarily change the weight standards overnight - using the riDICulous BMI standards - which has never been vetted in a discussion about real people, real weight and height ranges - and you can make anything sound like a universal crisis. Anybody ever READ these new standards that these breathless idiots are hyper-ventilating over?

Hey, I'm all for health and progress - but let's not let brainless YMCA pinheads suddenly change the rules and say "OhmiGOOOOooooood!! FerSure!! It's now like really BAAAaaad!"

[giotto]

For lunch, he sometimes eats three Hostess desserts--Suzy Qs, doughnuts and a fruit pie.

LOL! This might be a clue as to why he's overweight. (What the heck is a Susy Q?)