francene--blog. Year 2013
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Nov 7th

11/7/2013

 
Picturethehoopla.com.au
Men see themselves as the prefect weight, even when they are carrying too many pounds. On the other hand, women are unhappy with a bloated body image. The World Health Organization says sixty eight per cent of men in their early 40s are either overweight or obese, compared to half of women in the same age group.

For some reason, carrying excess weight is far more socially acceptable for men than for women. Personally, I dislike the look of a fat person—man or woman. That is my fatal flaw. I'll deal with it. I know it's hard to cut down on eating. At the age of 71 years, I don't need to eat as much as I did when fit and active. I've cut back drastically, while still eating nutritious food. My arms and legs are slim, and yet I can't shift a rounded stomach.
But back to the figures.

A study, carried out by the University of London, measured the body mass index of almost 10,000 people in their early forties. But 30 per cent of obese men believed they were ‘about the right weight’, while only nine per cent of women were happy with their size.


Picturewww.dailymail.co.uk
Although those in early middle age face a much higher chance of health problems connected to their weight, men will not respond to health messages about weight and obesity if they do not recognize that they are overweight.

The researchers also found that men and women born in 1970 are more likely to be obese at 42 than those born in 1958 were at the same age because of the rise of high-calorie ready meals, frozen foods and takeaways.

At the same time, nearly a third of women and a quarter of men do no vigorous exercise in a typical week. The fact that men exercise more than women in their normal daily lives suggests that poor diet is a key factor affecting men’s weight in particular.


Picturewww.livescience.com
One of the main morphological differences between men and women is the greater amount of fat that women carry, which softens the outline of the muscles and rounds out the surfaces while creating characteristic folds and grooves.

Fat in normal women represents between 18% and 20% of body weight, whereas in men it represents only 10% to 15%. The reason for this difference is that women, at some point in their lives, may nourish a fetus and then a baby from their own reserves, so women have to stock energy in the form of fat in anticipation of future pregnancies.

It looks as if fast, convenient food causes obesity. Most people know this, and yet those with busy lives and tired minds can't work up the energy to cook proper meals. Jamie Oliver, a London chef who has toured America, has shown how to cook a meal in 15 minutes on numerous television programs. Taking inspiration from around the world, Jamie produces delicious, nutritious, super-fast food that's perfect for busy people.
See link here.


The Great Gordino link
11/6/2013 06:59:15 pm

Oh, it's a real problem here in the UK. The cost to our national health service rivals that of alcohol or smoking related diseases, and yet recently it was in the media that doctors have been told they can't use the word 'fat' as it may upset patients! Some of these people *need* to be upset! A real cutlural issue that will take a long time to turn around I fear!
Sport is a great helper, but less and less people seem interested in active sport, which is a shame.
Regards,
Gordon

Francene Stanley link
11/6/2013 09:32:43 pm

Personally, the word 'obese' is just as repugnant as 'fat'. Let's face facts. If you're carrying too much weight, you're lowering your survival rate.

Amy link
11/6/2013 08:55:56 pm

One of the things that I'm always trying to emphasize in my blog is that it is possible to cook delicious foods in not much time, especially if you are using fresh ingredients. I've always been amused by this fact, Francene, that women and men have such different body images. Women feel shame at carrying extra weight generally, and men: "lookin' goooood!"

Francene Stanley link
11/6/2013 09:31:19 pm

I love the granola recipe I collected from your blog last month, Amy. I'm preparing to make another batch. I know it does me a lot more good than 'packaged' cereals.

Catherine link
11/6/2013 09:20:20 pm

Thanks for sharing this. I'm a personal trainer and one of the biggest issues I see with potential clients is their fear of starting a routine because they don't know what to do or think they need to spend hours in the gym. Obviously, I will tell you a trainer can help with the first (even if you just get one session you can learn how to get started safely). As for the time issue, you can get a great workout in less than 30 minutes and see health benefits even from walking in smaller 10 min sessions throughout the day. Every little bits helps. Once you start a routine, you will love the way you feel :) Here's to hoping we can use the statistics cited in your article in a positive way to help get people moving.

Francene Stanley link
11/6/2013 09:29:57 pm

Catherine, you're so right about small snatches of activity adding to the whole. For me, routine is everything. I hate it when I can't take my 15 min walk every day.

Amina link
11/6/2013 10:05:04 pm

Love this post! It is harder to lose the weight at my age and I do appreciate the information you included. When I don't work out, pounds creep up slowly until I go back to my routine. I wish there was a magic want that removes the weight and make us feel wonderful once and for all!

Francene Stanley link
11/7/2013 02:07:04 am

I love routine. My body anticipates activity and feels good afterward. I guess everyone would like to eat what they want and wave a magic wand.

Amina link
11/7/2013 02:40:46 am

True Francene, routines are great. What frustrates me the most is that I'm like you in cutting back on what I used to eat when I was younger but the difference is in the exercise. It makes a big difference with me. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with a busy schedule and all the deadlines one must respect. Maybe I need to reevaluate my routine and sift through my priorities. Thank you

Catherine link
11/7/2013 07:29:00 am

Amina-

As we get older we start to lose muscle mass. This is why resistance training is SO important (one of the many reasons). Muscles need more energy (calories) when you are resting than other body tissues. If you increase your lean muscle tissue with strength training, you can increase your metabolism (total calories you burn in a day to run your body). This can help. Aim for 2-3 days a week with one day of rest in between to start. Good luck :)

Catherine link
11/7/2013 07:36:37 am

Amina-

As we get older we start to lose muscle mass. This is why resistance training is SO important (one of the many reasons). Muscles need more energy (calories) when you are resting than other body tissues. If you increase your lean muscle tissue with strength training, you can increase your metabolism (total calories you burn in a day to run your body). This can help. Aim for 2-3 days a week with one day of rest in between to start. Good luck :)

Catherine link
11/7/2013 07:36:49 am

Amina-

As we get older we start to lose muscle mass. This is why resistance training is SO important (one of the many reasons). Muscles need more energy (calories) when you are resting than other body tissues. If you increase your lean muscle tissue with strength training, you can increase your metabolism (total calories you burn in a day to run your body). This can help. Aim for 2-3 days a week with one day of rest in between to start. Good luck :)

Catherine link
11/7/2013 07:40:04 am

Amina-

As we get older we start to lose muscle mass. This is why resistance training is SO important (one of the many reasons). Muscles need more energy (calories) when you are resting than other body tissues. If you increase your lean muscle tissue with strength training, you can increase your metabolism (total calories you burn in a day to run your body). This can help. Aim for 2-3 days a week with one day of rest in between to start. Good luck :)

Catherine link
11/7/2013 07:42:05 am

Amina-

As we get older we start to lose muscle mass. This is why resistance training is SO important (one of the many reasons). Muscles need more energy (calories) when you are resting than other body tissues. If you increase your lean muscle tissue with strength training, you can increase your metabolism (total calories you burn in a day to run your body). This can help. Aim for 2-3 days a week with one day of rest in between to start. Good luck :)

Rick Bylina
11/7/2013 04:12:27 am

Stop shaming me. Waaaaaaah! I'll lose the weight. I will. Waaaah! I'm planking as I write this via dictating it to Sydney. He's such a good and smart and brilliant and handsome and right-weighted cockatiel.

Hey, I didn't say any of that.

Sydney just smiles and eats his grain and berries.

Francene Stanley link
11/7/2013 05:37:53 pm

I often wonder what an overweight bird looks like. ;-)

Alana link
11/7/2013 06:21:38 am

In one of the moments where I distracted myself from writing for NaNoWriMo, I came across the story of someone from my childhood neighborhood in New York City. At one point in adulthood, he weighed 508 lb. (about 36 stone) He now is of normal weight, and is living an athletic lifestyle, helping others who have weight issues. But I saw what happened when my elderly mother in law stopped moving around, and it was scary.

Francene Stanley link
11/7/2013 05:39:29 pm

It would be so easy to stop moving around when you're disabled, trapped in a chair or bed. That's the point when you realize you must stop eating so much.

Suerae Stein link
11/7/2013 07:46:14 am

Genetics also plays a role, I believe. My parents are both thin without having to exercise much and their diets aren't great. As a kid I was horribly embarrassed by how skinny I was. I actually TRIED to put weight on (in all the wrong ways). But there has been a shift since turning 37 or so. I've noticed that I have gained at least a pound a year quite steadily over 10 years - 10 pounds! Suddenly I had to start turning things around. Now I do exercise regularly and try to eat right, but I completely understand how gaining weight can sneak up on people as their metabolism changes with age. Great post!

Francene Stanley link
11/7/2013 05:41:54 pm

I worked in a physically demanding catering job until the age of 62, when osteoporosis demanded other actions. Always slim, I maintained normal shape until 70. Definately genetics helped with my metabolism.

Amina link
11/7/2013 08:25:46 am

Catherine, thank you so much for the 5 strength training tips :) Five reps each side and work it up to 12 :) (LOL)
I'm sure there was some kind of glitch in the system :)

Catherine link
11/7/2013 10:49:01 am

Oh my goodness! You are welcome, but I am sorry for this. It still hasn't posted my note to our blog leader or my apology when all these posted :( haha Well, now you will never forget it-right?!

Francene Stanley link
11/7/2013 05:42:55 pm

You certainly raised the comments count. Haha.


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    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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