Modern media does a great job of projecting us as being a culture of fat, lazy and glutinous people. What I saw on that trail told me otherwise. We may, at times, be overindulgent, but we are living in a time where there is a lot of pressure to succeed no matter what the cost. Competition is high. Work hours are long. Sleep is expendable, and there is little time for food preparation. We tend to eat on the run, whether it's in between meetings, or after work trying to get the kids to their next activity.
Yes, fast-food, including pre-cooked, processed, and grab-n-go food has become a way of life for many. Unfortunately, with that type of food comes a lot of preservatives, hydrogenated oils, high fat, high carbohydrate, and high sodium ingredients. These are the demons that contribute to weight gain, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Because we are an adaptable society, food producers have adapted their products to meet the perceived needs of our fast-paced world. The truth is, we can't battle the bulge and not change our eating habits. It doesn't matter if you ride the Bosque, only to find yourself ingesting high calorie foods when you're done.
A year ago, I weighed almost 60 lbs more than I do today. As a result, I feel and look so much better. But regardless, my body mass index BMI is still 31.7, which puts me in the Obese category. I need to lose another 10 lbs before I get to be just "over-weight." I have to lose another 40 lbs. to be considered "healthy." Wow! This sobering data came on the heels of me being "stuck" in my progress for the past two weeks. I know plateauing is a normal phenomenon, but that doesn't make it any less discouraging. I've been working hard to boost my metabolism by increasing my exercise routine. In my head, I know this is a temporary situation that will resolve as long as I continue to follow my lifestyle plan. I can't help but wondering, though, if surgically assisted weight-loss isn't a better way to go for those of us who are, or were once considered morbidly obese.
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