WIN Wyoming
Thought Bullets
for
August 1999
Thought bullets for this month come from written and verbal statements from
participants attending "Size It Up!" programs conducted by Betty
Holmes throughout Wyoming. Participants in the program have offered valuable
insights.
- I read an article on dieting many years ago, and I still remember one of the quotes from
the article, "dieting is the disease, obesity is the symptom."
- If the current trends in obesity continue, the entire U.S. adult population will be
obese by the year 2030. This is based on the increase in obesity from 1 in 5 adults in the
1970's to 1 in 3 adults by the late 1990's.
- I really debated whether or not to come to the program today. I am a large, healthy,
happy, competent, attractive and active woman. Even though I read the blurb describing the
program, I really didn’t anticipate the program to align with my beliefs and
realities about body weight and body image. I was pleasantly surprised. As a person who
works with obese elementary children, I feel one of the best things I do for these
children is serve as a role model that clearly demonstrates you don’t have to be thin
to be happy - in fact, you can be large and be very happy.
- I would have shared this during the program, but I’m not past the tearful stage, yet.
About 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with "probable" MS. The resulting
medications, steroids and inability to move easily resulted in a weight gain of about 20
pounds. I’m now back to normal weight for me, feeling healthy and medicine free. If
my body works (or even if I have to deal with it not working as well in the future)
I’m going to love it!
- One man described his wife as a person very dedicated to good health and not a certain
weight. She still maintains at least one societal imposed body concept. The man believes
his wife is just fine with her weight, as long as he weighs more. "It
doesn’t matter if I weigh just 1 pound more, as long as my wife weighs less than I
do." He then described the pressure she often places on him at meal time to eat more
than he really wants.
Compiled by Betty Holmes, MS, RD
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