Childhood Obesity

I went swimming at a local city pool this afternoon and had a very eye-opening experience concerning obesity. The number of people I saw today who clearly do not care about their body, nor the shape that it is in, was quite disturbing. It is one thing to be slightly overweight, or curvy (after all, curvy is much more healthy than being stick-thin in my opinion), or have low metabolism that makes staying fit harder, or to have health problems that prevent you from being in shape. However, it is another if you simple do not take care of the one body you have been given, as was clearly seen today. Do most people not understand that you are given ONE body your whole life? You never get a chance to have another one... not even through plastic surgery (which, in my opinion does more damage).

Anyhow, it was not mainly the number of obese people that confounded me, but more specifically the number of obese children. What has gotten into parents heads that its okay to allow your twelve year old daughter to look like she is pregnant, and in a bikini strutting it no less (I saw this several times this afternoon in a matter of minutes)? What parent in their right mind would allow this? Every time I looked up I saw yet another child who was very much so overweight or obese. Georgia (my state) has one of the highest rates for childhood obesity... that fact is terrible. American families need to work together to get rid of the high statistics of childhood obesity and obesity in general.

During a pageant interview a few months ago I was asked, "who's fault is the high obesity rates in children: schools or parents?" My answer? The parents, hands down. It is the parents job to raise their children. It is the parents job to make sure their children are making good choices, or at least train them to make the right choices and when they are old enough pray they do just that. It is the parents duty to make sure their children eat healthy - and not snack on junk food, soda drinks, carb-loaded, high-sugar foods 24/7, or better yet, to not have fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is the parents job to make sure their child is having a lifestyle that promotes being active to stay healthy. It is the parents job, not the government. Sure, school needs to help out by not putting vending machines packed with junk food and sodas in the cafeteria or teaching them of ways to stay healthy, but ultimately mom and dad need to show Tommy and Suzy how to make and live out healthy choices. Unfortunately, Americans have not done a good job with this at all. I love my state, but I am ashamed that it is completely acceptable to be obese... actually, that it is perfectly normal to be obese.

Please keep in mind that I am not seeking to offend anyone by saying all this, although someone will always be offended no matter what I say. I am merely speaking my thoughts (or rather, venting) on a topic that needs to be addressed. It is okay to occasionally enjoy a coke, or to occasionally enjoy a yummy food. While I love eating healthy and trying to stay fit, I will on occasion indulge in dessert or one of those awesome foods you see on Culinary Porn. The key words to the two statements above is occasion. And it is combined with having an active lifestyle. Try walking every day at least. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Park just a little further away from the entrance. You've heard all these simple things for a while.... so put them into action. There is SO much more I could say about this topic but I guess I will end my venting on that note.

xoxo, SLR

Thanksgiving

 This Thanksgiving was quite different and very interesting from any other Thanksgiving I've had in my life. First off, I wore shorts for the first Thanksgiving yet. As silly as that sounds it actually was upsetting. Judge me for being cheesy or whatever you'd like, but wearing cold weather clothes (at least long sleeves, long pants, boots, and a scarf) for Thanksgiving is important to me. Its like a mark of the season or something. Unfortunately the southern United States seems to be wanting to bask in warm weather. I honestly hope this changes before December rolls around.

  Secondly, my family and I celebrated the holiday at some of our friends' house instead of our own. This can be accredited to our glass cooktop being shattered and our oven fan going out. It would only happen to us right before Thanksgiving. Actually the cooktop has been out since April, but that is another story for another time. It is what comes with living in a family of 12...haha. While it was highly enjoyable not having to do so many dishes or cleaning (lol) and spending time with them I still slightly missed my home.

 Thirdly, my two older sisters, both of whom are married, were unable to be here this year. One lives in OK and is not visiting until Christmas, the other was at the hospital with her husband who was diagnosed with Susac Syndrome recently. I know people get older, move out, get married, and the like, but sometimes it is hard to accept change.

 So you see, it was not "normal" as I would have liked it to be. In spite of all of the above, however, it was an amazing Thanksgiving. I think more than anything else all the "abnormality" of this Thanksgiving helped me to see things in a different perspective and gave me more appreciation of things we all, me especially, take advantage of. Change really is alright. I am SLOWLY, and I do mean slowly, coming to realize this. The change that has taken place so far this past year has been really good in the long run. Sure there are many days, such as today, and events that happen where the good that is coming out of the change can only seen once you step back. Yet even when you have to step back it almost takes your breath away to see what intense and beautiful work is going on... and that it is all for the better. I would have never guessed that the year would have turned out like it has so far; I would have never expected to be where I am at, doing what I am doing, or be who I am. I have so many plans and goals for my life... when I step back occasionally to look at them I can see that they have been changed so many times; but that's great. If I would have wished for the same things or longed to do the same things I would be such a different person. And really, that would not be a good thing. Now do not get me wrong, there are several things God has directed me to do in life and to accomplish. I will strive my hardest to put everything in what He has called me to do. At the same time I shall do my best to keep in mind that change is okay... not just change that I am willing to accept, but all change. I look forward to the future with much anticipation for the glorious, wonderful things in store.

 In light of the holiday spirit and the different perspective I had the chance of gaining today let me list a few things I am incredibly and deeply grateful for. While some are obvious they are all very important to me:

* God and Jesus Christ

* My parents

* My siblings

* My best friends Jessi, Woody, Megan, Emily, Jonathan, Lindy, Megan, Hayley, Joe

* My health

* The ability to run  - as far and as long as I wish

* My bosses

* My job 

* My circumstance, house, school

* My opportunities

* My everything

* The Miss America Organization

xoxo, SLR

Two of my bestest friends and I... so excited they have won preliminary titles and will be going to state!!