Collarspace Discussion Forums


Home  Login  Search 

Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization


View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
 
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Polls and Other Random Stupidity >> Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization Page: [1] 2 3   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 1:34:29 PM   
TreSwank


Posts: 1165
Joined: 3/5/2005
Status: offline 		       In a quaint little Uzbekistan village, just a smidgeon south of the Aral Sea, a young, swarthy-faced boy named Shebani washes his face out of an old, leaky well-bucket.  Shebani's life is arduous, living in such a socio-economically depressed shithole of a nation, but he manages to make it through the days with a blue-ribbon smile and a Ward Cleaver optimism  that could melt almost anyone's heart.  The boy is lean and almost devoid of excess body fat, owing to his days of physical labor - and he's pretty damn happy when there's work to be had in his homeland.  Shebani always manages to take in a couple decent meals a day; lots of vegetable and stews, with a little bit of meat and bread to give him that kick of energy he needs to plow any arable land.

 Thousands of miles away, in the heart of Rosewood, Indiana, Jeanine Johnson sits at home, enamored by the velvet rope crowd on Entertainment Tonight, wondering how that tawdry bitch, Angelina Jolie, can keep such a traffic-stopping, sexpot figure.  By now, Jeanine has finished her seventh glass of Diet Pepsi. She's been on her Lean Cuisine diet for four weeks, but still, those extra eighty pounds seem to be turning their middle-aged sojourn into a permanent residency.  Jeanine thinks that all of the circumambulation she does as a Wal-Mart customer service representative SHOULD have burnt those stubborn calories away by now.  Hell, she's even considered going to the doctor, because that extra pudge COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE HER OWN DOING.  It's "obviously" her metabolism or an undiagnosed thyroid condition.

 Here we can sit and watch yet another example of America's Kaleidoscope vision.  Over here, in the U.S., "responsibility for one's self" is an empty phrase.............a banality, in the same annals as, "How's the weather?", or "Have a good one!".  Rationalization and neurosis are the rules of thumb for the average, bovine citizen of these "great states". 

Your weight isn't your own fault, Mrs. Johnson - it's a glandular disorder!!!  Cardiovascular fitness?  Overrated!   Depressed, are we?  Hand me my prescription pad!!!!!
 
And the march of the blind goes on and on.  How can we make any rational decisions regarding a war, when your individual, autonomous American can't even get their shit together?



 

< Message edited by TreSwank -- 2/14/2007 1:42:35 PM >
Profile   Post #: 1
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 1:42:48 PM   
newsub111


Posts: 10
Joined: 1/6/2006
Status: offline 		Wow, have you had a bad day, or what?? 
Having said that I do agree with most of what you have said here, and I'm glad that you, as an american have said it, because if I, a brit had said it, we would probably be next on Mr Bush's visiting list!!
Hope you have a nicer day tomorrow!

(in reply to TreSwank)
Profile   Post #: 2
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 1:43:43 PM   
TreSwank


Posts: 1165
Joined: 3/5/2005
Status: offline 		No............I'm always like this, with the exception of those cocktail-heavy nights out.


Too much status quo, too much T.V., too many  yuppies, too many rednecks, too many Starbucks, too many Wal-Marts,  too much nasty food, too much American Idol, too much manufactured pop music; the list can go for decades.

< Message edited by TreSwank -- 2/14/2007 2:03:04 PM >

(in reply to newsub111)
Profile   Post #: 3
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 3:22:39 PM   
topcat


Posts: 1675
Joined: 1/31/2004
From: Tidewater, VA
Status: offline 		Dear Swankster-
 
on this one, science is on your side:
 
http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2006/08/02/obese_americans_claim_to_eat_healthy.php
 
Stay warm,
Lawrence

_____________________________

-there is no remission without blood-

(in reply to TreSwank)
Profile   Post #: 4
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 3:24:42 PM   
LadyEllen


Posts: 10931
Joined: 6/30/2006
From: Stourport-England
Status: offline 		I take it your including yourself in the description "cant even get their shit together"?

Well, at least thats what I understood to be the case from your recent health

Seriously though, I always wondered (maybe there's a doc in the house who can answer this?) why not implant those wanting to (needing to) lose weight with worms? You know, the little (and sometimes large) worms that attach to the digestive tract and consume the host's food. They are responsible for malnutrition and so on in third world countries where they are rife, so they could surely work. Once the host has lost weight by dint of said worms, the worms can be expelled by way of the medicine they use to cure natural infestations. Daft? Or an idea worth millions?

E

_____________________________

In a test against the leading brand, 9 out of 10 participants couldnt tell the difference. Dumbasses.

(in reply to TreSwank)
Profile   Post #: 5
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 3:31:03 PM   
MsOpal


Posts: 244
Joined: 8/31/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyEllen

I take it your including yourself in the description "cant even get their shit together"?

Well, at least thats what I understood to be the case from your recent health

Seriously though, I always wondered (maybe there's a doc in the house who can answer this?) why not implant those wanting to (needing to) lose weight with worms? You know, the little (and sometimes large) worms that attach to the digestive tract and consume the host's food. They are responsible for malnutrition and so on in third world countries where they are rife, so they could surely work. Once the host has lost weight by dint of said worms, the worms can be expelled by way of the medicine they use to cure natural infestations. Daft? Or an idea worth millions?

E


An idea actually whose time has come and gone.  My grandmother who was a young adult in The Great Depression (so you get an idea of the era) actually told me about remembering when tapeworms were sold in pharmacies and ladies took them regularly to assist in weight control.  After a month or whenever the pharmacist recommended she shold take a break, the lady would consume olive oil and mineral iol until said worm was uncerimoniously ejected (I never did ask just how the lady was sure it was out).
MsOpal

(in reply to LadyEllen)
Profile   Post #: 6
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 3:34:12 PM   
LadyEllen


Posts: 10931
Joined: 6/30/2006
From: Stourport-England
Status: offline 		MsOpal - interesting!

With all the genetic engineering we can do now, I wonder if we'll see a return of this, but with improvements?

Mind you, it would have to get past the authorities I suppose, because these worms reproduce I understand, by way of breaking off and being expelled with faeces to be picked up by another host (human/animal). I guess this would have to be dealt with somehow as otherwise the water system could be rife with them!

E

_____________________________

In a test against the leading brand, 9 out of 10 participants couldnt tell the difference. Dumbasses.

(in reply to MsOpal)
Profile   Post #: 7
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 4:08:33 PM   
HydroMaster


Posts: 4786
Joined: 9/24/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: newsub111

Wow, have you had a bad day, or what?? 
Having said that I do agree with most of what you have said here, and I'm glad that you, as an american have said it, because if I, a brit had said it, we would probably be next on Mr Bush's visiting list!!
Hope you have a nicer day tomorrow!



Hmm, showed interest in saying the original post....Can that be considered grounds for invasion...tempting.

Well as a fat ass American, weighing in at a hefty 240,  I have to agree that 90% of the overweight are that way due to lack of activity. But not me of course I have a underactive thyriod...lol...no. Personally I sit in an office 10-12 hours a day and once I get out exercise just isn't high in priority...rest, for the most far, is my happy place.  The only thing that keeps me from ballooning into the visage of a certain well known troll is my diet....which closely resembles our Eastern European example.  Want to eat healthy?...Come to West Virginia. Deer(venison, if you like) is some of the leanest meat there is, quite healthy, and it makes a tasty stew.  Please take some of them off our hands....they're everywhere....throw a rock and you'll probably take one down.  Walmart...*shudders*, that teeming mass of stupidity is definitely not a place to exercise. 

(in reply to newsub111)
Profile   Post #: 8
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 4:18:38 PM   
athenaruls


Posts: 27
Joined: 10/4/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: TreSwank

      

Here we can sit and watch yet another example of America's Kaleidoscope vision.  Over here, in the U.S., "responsibility for one's self" is an empty phrase.............a banality, in the same annals as, "How's the weather?", or "Have a good one!".  Rationalization and neurosis are the rules of thumb for the average, bovine citizen of these "great states". 

And the march of the blind goes on and on.  How can we make any rational decisions regarding a war, when your individual, autonomous American can't even get their shit together?



I have to agree with TreSwank.

But this isn't just about overweight people blaming their thyroid problem for their heftyness. It's about taking responsibilty for one's actions.

Finding a scapegoat has almost become the norm.

It's so and so's fault that I have a bad life. Boo hoo hoo. Then change it. People want pity, but they don't want to own up to their actions.

TreSwank made a good point, though didn't use the greatest example.

(in reply to TreSwank)
Profile   Post #: 9
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 4:20:17 PM   
cjenny


Posts: 1736
Joined: 11/27/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: MsOpal

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyEllen

I take it your including yourself in the description "cant even get their shit together"?

Well, at least thats what I understood to be the case from your recent health

Seriously though, I always wondered (maybe there's a doc in the house who can answer this?) why not implant those wanting to (needing to) lose weight with worms? You know, the little (and sometimes large) worms that attach to the digestive tract and consume the host's food. They are responsible for malnutrition and so on in third world countries where they are rife, so they could surely work. Once the host has lost weight by dint of said worms, the worms can be expelled by way of the medicine they use to cure natural infestations. Daft? Or an idea worth millions?

E


An idea actually whose time has come and gone.  My grandmother who was a young adult in The Great Depression (so you get an idea of the era) actually told me about remembering when tapeworms were sold in pharmacies and ladies took them regularly to assist in weight control.  After a month or whenever the pharmacist recommended she shold take a break, the lady would consume olive oil and mineral iol until said worm was uncerimoniously ejected (I never did ask just how the lady was sure it was out).
MsOpal



Squick squick. Squawk even. Squirmy but that makes me think wormy.
I don't want dinner now lol. Hey new diet, just the threat of worms..
TS, that example you used made me realise just how happy everyone in Uzbekistan must be! Maybe all that happiness will help it become a tourist area where flabby americans with cameras around their necks can spend their annual 1 week vacation.
Can't you just imagine Janine Johnson and hubby Brad scooping up handmade knicknacks for the Millers next door?

_____________________________

*Unless I cite a source it is MO.


~ ssssh. i think i've just found freedom. ~

(in reply to MsOpal)
Profile   Post #: 10
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 4:37:56 PM   
bludemonn


Posts: 2619
Joined: 9/10/2006
Status: offline 		Actually Tres it was a great example but also an example of contrasting one society to yours, it dosent really work, abit like a Russian trying to translate into English, there is an understanding element missing. Some one from the states would never comprehend life in uzbekistan much the same the other way round a big problem when we see those charity commercials on TV designed to make us feel bad about our own society and it feeds off the basic emotions which is irresponsible to begin with. That expression springs to mind 'when in Rome do as Romans do' not 'when in Rome expect them to understand you cos they are people to arent they'.

If i grew up in the U.S. say in the ghettos and all i knew was how to blast someone for being on my street would you expect me to comprehend another states way of life let alone another countries way of life? I dont think so.

_____________________________

A hopeless dreamer she said, eyes of cloud and feet of lead.

(in reply to cjenny)
Profile   Post #: 11
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 4:51:27 PM   
juliaoceania


Posts: 21383
Joined: 4/19/2006
From: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Status: offline 		It is more complex than that. Most people do not understand that processed foods are killing them and if they ate whole natural foods and walked more they would lose weight

We eat food devoid of nutritional value most of the time in this country. The South Beach diet talks about our addiction to carbs and the vicious cycle that happens because we are eating in an attempt to regulate our blood sugar. Now we as a nation were told not to eat "fat" for over a decade.. eat more carbs! They said... that advice got us nothing but fatter and fatter.

It is not that we have character flaws, it is that we are being poisoned, and we do not even know it

_____________________________

Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Reality has a well known Liberal Bias ~ Stephen Colbert

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

(in reply to TreSwank)
Profile   Post #: 12
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 5:09:30 PM   
HydroMaster


Posts: 4786
Joined: 9/24/2005
Status: offline 		Nope, gonna have to disagree there.  I eat very well.  I do eat organic foods and avoid most anything processed.  My issue is the lack of exercise...which is caused more by long work hours than bad habits. Hmm, new point.  I think each of our arguements is oversimplifying the matter.  It looks like each point has some validity but is only a piece of the pie...excuse the food reference. 

(in reply to juliaoceania)
Profile   Post #: 13
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 5:23:24 PM   
sexyone4you


Posts: 613
Joined: 8/17/2006
Status: offline 		I think poisoned may be too strong a word here.  Added preservatives certainly aren't the same as a healthy dose of arsenic.  Anyone over the age ove 25 was raised with a shit ton of preservatives: mac & cheese, hot dogs, mcdonal's, and the list goes on.  Some people are slender, some are more curvy.  Sure metabolism has a lot to do with it.  What some fail to realize is that many can increase their metabolism through diet & exercise.

What struck me about your post, treswank, was about people taking responsibility for their actions.  As an opinionated, overweight American, I have a hard time with anyone telling me how to live my life.  Isn't that what you are doing here?  And by telling me that I should try to lose weight, aren't you taking the responsibility from me?  You would be my motivation, if I had a stake in what you said.  By allowing you to decide I need to lose weight, then because of your words try to lose weight, I am a mindless drone.   LOL, not a very good idea on your part there.

(in reply to juliaoceania)
Profile   Post #: 14
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 5:37:09 PM   
dcnovice


Posts: 37282
Joined: 8/2/2006
Status: offline 		I was just thinking we really needed a new "fat" thread. It's been hours, at least, since the last one.

They all have the same effect on me, which is to remind me of a bit of Native American wisdom: Walk a mile in someone's shoes before condemning him or her.

When tempted to hold forth on the idiocy of, say, smoking (to pick a not-quite-random example), knowledge of my weight struggles reminds that many of us have demons and mental twists that cloud our decision-making.



< Message edited by dcnovice -- 2/14/2007 5:54:22 PM >

_____________________________

No matter how cynical you become,
it's never enough to keep up.

JANE WAGNER, THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF
INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE

(in reply to sexyone4you)
Profile   Post #: 15
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 5:38:52 PM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		I vote the OP to get a 24 sex marathon!  May his deepest climaxes shake and may he cum like a vulcano.

We are fat due to processed foods and gluttony.

We are fat- due to the fact that we are dehydrated- do not consume 90 oz of water a day.

Not to worry- we are spreading our fatness around the world, so others can make mmoney for the pharma industry.

(in reply to TreSwank)
Profile   Post #: 16
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 5:46:38 PM   
bludemonn


Posts: 2619
Joined: 9/10/2006
Status: offline 		Also to be honest the U.S, is WAY too diverse to generalise, on one end of the scale you have the fat, lazy, un-motivated, un-educated, ignorant, self-opinionated, useless sack of shit (no offence to anyone out there) and at the opposite end you have the university grad, Marine type, industry growing, all sports, win win win ultra self motivated money orientated self-preserving, multi talented but all consuming character, its not fair to say say that the autonomous American cant get their shit together, perhaps having too much freedom will always allow this to happen, without regime you can 'choose' to be or do what you wish, you are taught to be proud of what you want and answer to no one, this will always be the type of philosophy that will produce the generation which you detest so much.   

_____________________________

A hopeless dreamer she said, eyes of cloud and feet of lead.

(in reply to dcnovice)
Profile   Post #: 17
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 6:11:35 PM   
petdave


Posts: 2479
Status: offline 		Again... medical degree, refund 
If someone has been tested for an obesity-related medical disorder, found to be "clean", and still insists that they have a medical disorder, they are not rationalizing, they are in denial. If they are diagnosed, then they have a problem.
Having seen my wife gaining weight on roughly 700 calories and an hour of aerobic exercise per day (becoming slower and slower, because she was actually shaking from the exertion) before she finally went to the doctor and went on medication, i'm not impressed by your casual dismissal of thyroid problems.

HERE is a rationalization for you.
i've had it with getting shit over being fat. i'm a submissive male fetishist, so obviously 99% of my life is spent in a state of sexual frustration. i work 50-odd hours a week behind a desk, and ALL of the responsibility of home, land, vehicles, and pets are mine and mine alone, so i've got a "to-do" list from here to the end of the world. FOOD is the only simple pleasure i get, i despise exercise, and to hell with anyone that thinks i'm less of a person for it. Anyone who thinks i should panic over heart disease and whatnot obviously hasn't seen my retirement account or the way i ride my Suzuki, and if my pendulous gut offends thee, then feel free to pluck out thine eyes.

Skinny bastids.

...dave

P.S. And if Shebani had REAL work ethic, he'd get his skinny native-boy ass to Thailand or the States, rent it out to some older pervs, and buy himself a Playstation and some indoor plumbing.

(in reply to bludemonn)
Profile   Post #: 18
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/14/2007 6:18:12 PM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: juliaoceania

It is more complex than that. Most people do not understand that processed foods are killing them and if they ate whole natural foods and walked more they would lose weight

We eat food devoid of nutritional value most of the time in this country. The South Beach diet talks about our addiction to carbs and the vicious cycle that happens because we are eating in an attempt to regulate our blood sugar. Now we as a nation were told not to eat "fat" for over a decade.. eat more carbs! They said... that advice got us nothing but fatter and fatter.

It is not that we have character flaws, it is that we are being poisoned, and we do not even know it


Processed foods are in fact -- bad. When possible eat fresher foods. Most of all CHUG WATER all day long- and flush the toxins.

The food industry wants you to reach for a coke-pepsi.

70% of ppl are dehydrated.

5-40 lbs of you is crud in the colon.  shtt.  a colon clense 2x a year is a must.

Jesus Christ did not eat at McDonalds nor did he drink Pepsi.

Case proved.

(in reply to juliaoceania)
Profile   Post #: 19
RE: Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization - 2/15/2007 4:53:46 AM   
MsStick


Posts: 80
Joined: 5/4/2006
From: Ireland
Status: offline 		Don't feckin kid yourself - if Shebani was handed the twinkies and fizzies and McRot that Jeanine  consumes on an hourly basis he'd be lapping it up in no time.

It's not just America, obesity in Irish kids is an ever growing problem: though US citizens are truly leading the world in phenomenal-fat-assed-over-indulgence-with-blind-justification-blinkers-on tendencies.  Isn't it just giggly great how Ireland, UK, Europe, Japan, and far too many more are dropping their traditional cultures, diets, and even languages and fast following suit into the hamburger fuelled highway that is American life?!

_____________________________

Ms. Stick

Is Minic a bhris béal duine a shrón!
It's often that people's mouths break their noses!

(in reply to pahunkboy)
Profile   Post #: 20
Page:   [1] 2 3   next >   >>
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Polls and Other Random Stupidity >> Overweight Americans: Masters of Rationalization Page: [1] 2 3   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy

0.109