Hormones play a large role in our health and wellbeing. They can cause fluctuations in our weight, our appearance, and our behaviour.
The thyroid gland has taken a lot of blame for rising obesity within society. But is it really possible for over 50% of the population to have a thyroid problem?
I don’t think so.
Using your thyroid as an excuse for being overweight is not making anyone feel sorry for you nor is it going to help you get healthier. And really, when it comes down to it, your health is the biggest issue here.
Obesity cost Australians $58billion in 2008 and this amount is set to grow in the future while Americans spent around $147billion.
There is also an increase in preventable diseases including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and even behavioural issues. According to the Heart Foundation, almost 30% of people are obese while 60% are classified as over weight.
Yes, there are overweight people who can still be healthy, but they are the minority. The bigger you are, the harder your heart has to work. Sure there are exceptions, just like everywhere else. But we’re not here to talk about exceptions, we’re looking at the majority or the norm.
An article on News.com.au is once again criticising a personal trainer who is claiming that ‘overweight people are fat and lazy’. Is she wrong to do so or is the media just hyping up one side of her argument to make her look like a bitch?
What’s more interesting are the comments from readers…there are many people with excuses out there. Too many who refuse to take responsibility for their health and wellbeing. Sharny Knieser is just pointing out the obvious that overweight people refuse to accept.
As a person who has a three hour daily commute to and from work, spends eight hours in the office, while working on several side projects, and now nearing the end of my second trimester of pregnancy, I still find the time to exercise and eat healthy most of the time. Sure it’s a lot less than it used to be and there are days where I don’t feel like it, but I don’t allow these conditions to become excuses for not training or eating right. It’s frustrating hearing people complaining about the lack of time they have yet they are quite content to watch television till 11pm at night while snacking on a bowl of MnM’s then sleeping in and having to rush off to work without breakfast or a morning workout.
A friend of mine is a full time employee in a stressful job, with two kids, a husband, and a house to look after. She lives in a country where it’s either freezing or wet for half the year. She works 8-10 hours per day, spends an hour to two commuting each day, yet she still has time to run and cycle (and she runs a lot), socialise with family and friends, spend time with her kids, travel, and eat healthy. No excuses.
Sorry if it hurts, but for most, being fat or obese is a choice. They have allowed themselves to reach that point where changing seems too difficult. Pick up any health and fitness magazine and read the success stories of men and women losing 20kg, 50kg, or even just 10kg to improve their health. They took responsibility, realised that they didn’t get fat overnight, so they knew they wouldn’t lose the weight overnight either, they changed their eating habits, starting being more active, and improve their lifestyle and wellbeing not just for a few months while being on a ‘diet’, but change their habits for a lifetime.
Weight loss is achievable for anyone willing to commit and take responsibility. Yes, there are going to be exceptions where hormones will prevent results but that’s no excuse to dig in to a burger and fries or a chocolate bar after lunch every day.
It’s not about your size, it’s what you put in your mouth that matters most. If you can honestly say that you eat healthy 90% of the time including lots of fruit, vegetables, lean protein, good fats, lots of water and avoid the processed and sugar laden crap that is so overly available in every supermarket, corner store, or fast food joint, you’re active in some way every day, and you’re still overweight, then it might be a hormonal problem. Otherwise, you’ve simply made the choice to be fat.
So, what are your thoughts? Is being fat or obese a legitimate illness or a consequence?
