Taking Responsibility

So on the front page of SparkPeople today, one of the headlines was about how many say the food industry is to blame for the obesity epidemic, and they shouldn't be allowed to get off scot-free for making us all fat and diabetic.

Oh, brother.

So I will say this on the side of the "many who say": Yes, the food industry could make more healthy food and less cruddy food.

That's it.

And here is the logical conclusion to that statement: ... but would you buy it?

And there's the rub, isn't it? Yes, the entire food industry could "go organic". Yes, the grocery stores could stock purely healthy, nutritious food. Yes, McDonald's could find many, many ways of cutting back the calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium.

But what, then, would the average consumer of calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium do?

In fact, the government could step in and shut down the fast-food industry, in favour of healthier options. Wal-Mart could refuse to sell sweets to anyone who appears to have an unhealthy BMI. In fact, skip the "appears to;" you could just weigh in and get your BMI as you come in the store, so everyone knows for sure.

Perhaps employers should deny parking spaces to overweight employees, insisting that they get exercise by parking several blocks away and walking. Or, let's just do away with "near" parking spaces altogether, and surround all public buildings with a zone of grass and trees, putting the parking spaces as far away as possible. (Actually, I like that idea.) Car salesmen could become bus ticket salesmen, only selling automobiles to customers who can prove their good health.

We can become an communist nation, united by our loyalty to the Health Party and watched over like children to be sure we don't cause undo stress to the nation's already overtaxed medical system.

How stupid is that? (Apart from the aforementioned "green zones" around public buildings.)

Here's an idea: Let's all stop blaming other people for our bad choices. Don't sue McDonald's for spilling your hot coffee on your lap. Don't blame Little Debbie for your weight gained after munching through a box of Swiss Rolls. And don't think that your jeans being a bit tight is because the cable TV execs are so darned clever that you can't get off your couch!

As someone who has to fight for every ounce that comes off of my weight, I sympathise with those who have a rough time of it. But that's no reason to wring one's hands, saying, "Woe is me! A plague upon Hostess!" Fact is, if you are currently doing nothing about your own health, a few small changes will give you big results that will motivate you to keep going. You don't have to be a contestant on Biggest Loser to make good choices.

Okay, rant over. Let's all be grownups, eh?