The Weight Conversation: Let's Stop Talking

Besides the media overflow of beautiful, Photoshopped women and men, is the counter movement discussed in morning talk shows, documentaries and table talk throughout America. The conversation ranges from obesity in a third of Americans to dangerous teen "dieting" habits. The scale is so large. Thin, fat, skinny, obese, ribs, rolls. Much is being said and awareness should be increasing, but results are slowly produced, if any at all. Why does it seem that Americans are ignoring the warnings? Why are so many of us stuck on the extreme sides of the weight scale?

If you've ever watched one of those weight documentaries, either about obesity or eating disorders, it tends to show the drastic effects and stories about people, the government, and other organizations dealing with the issue. Turn on the TV to one of the multiple morning talk shows and there will be discussions about this issue with ranging opinions, (The View, for instance.) Even Good Morning America has a comment or two about looks and weight every day, some empowering, some not so much. These mixed messages aren't helping the issue. Especially the "healthy" wording now put onto many food products that truly are not healthy. Just because a cereal box has listed a couple of vitamins on the cover, doesn't mean that it is a "Gggggrrrreat" start to your day. Even Tony the Tiger's catch phrase is a tricky marketing ploy.

Well, this little twenty-one year old is sick of all the talking. Because that's all it is. Talk.

(I'm not saying words don't matter. As a English major and someone who has studied language, I know it is powerful and important. But watching this issue over the years has led me to some conclusions. TV talk is cheap. National reporting is not hitting people at home. Local movements are the key to a successful, cultural change.)

As a personal note, I have been studying nutrition and healthy habits since I was a young girl, even though I've never had a weight issue. For that though, I have my parents to thank. Almost all vegetables were grown at home, along with apples. No pesticides and no preservatives. They never bought beef as we only ate venison, which was extremely lean. We had local  fish once a week. Soda was not common along with candy, besides what we could gather around Halloween. Physical activity was a constant as my childhood home was in the country with daily chores and outside room to play. Even now I shop at Farmer's Markets, eat well, and regularly exercise. I'm physically strong and have a clean bill of health all around.

I'm not perfect, but continually working hard!

You would think I would love my healthy body and feel great about myself. No siree!
Why? Because there is not enough emphasis on being healthy. Let me say it again. Being healthy is not emphasized. Being a certain weight is. Looking a certain way is. (I still feel bad about myself though I'm 125. The battle will never end unless we start changing.) There is nothing out there for those who are striving for a healthy lifestyle without the double-edged sword of being too fat or too thin. So let's stop using "fat" or "thin." Just stick to healthy. A scale means nothing when it comes to pure health. Healthy comes in all shapes and sizes. If we keep fighting at the edges of the weight scale, we will never come together in the middle.

Turn off the TV.

Let's stop talking. Let's start supporting and change the way we view health, because it's our turn to be HEALTHY.

#itsmyturntobehealthy

Please share this post or Pin an image with someone who wants to stop talking and take action. I want to start a support group for anyone who feels like the media talk, corporate marketing, and all those weight-changing campaigns are counter-productive to being a healthy individual. If you want to be healthy, let's chat! Join the new Facebook Page! #itsmyturntobehealthy






Share a picture of yourself with the hashtag #itsmyturntobehealth. All our shapes and sizes are beautiful!