Why is everybody so FAT???

[RECHRGD]

I don't think anybody reads my articles anyway, but whatever.

http://www.sciencecodex.com/huntergatherers_westerners_use_same_amount_of_energy_contrary_to_theory-95568

Interesting.  I'd also wager that the artificial sweeteners and other garbage in our food is equally at fault.

[Vainglory, Esq.]

I don't think anybody reads my articles anyway, but whatever.

http://www.sciencecodex.com/huntergatherers_westerners_use_same_amount_of_energy_contrary_to_theory-95568

Interesting.  I'd also wager that the artificial sweeteners and other garbage in our food is equally at fault.

Yay! A reader. I think you're right about the artificial sweeteners. They're often as glycemic as sugar, but they don't leave you feeling full. I'd also have my eyes on endocrine disruptors, especially phytoestrogens.

[Paul G]

I was in great shape before I blew 2 discs out working my ass off... There wasn't anything I couldn't or wouldn't do... Count your lucky stars.....

It is a reality check when something happens and you get plenty of time to re-appraise your situation.  No more 6'6" and bulletproof for me... just 6'6"

This is one of the reasons I get SO hacked at people who think everybody on welfare/disability is just lazy.  Some of my neighbors are disabled vets who can't work AT ALL and have to rely on our social programs to pay rent and eat.  

Saw a bumper sticker: "Work harder, millions on welfare need you too" or some BS like that.  Just plain IGNORANT.  That attitude shows you either don't know people who need help or have never had an issue yourself.  HOPE to hell somebody like that gets to EXPERIENCE what those with serious medical issues have.

Amen. Amen....

There is a huge difference between welfare and disability. Disability insurance is just that. Insurance that gets collected when someone is no longer able to work. It is totally different than the welfare programs we have. Welfare was designed to help people who are down and really need the help to get back on there feet. The problem with the welfare system is how people have been abusing it. Entire generations of family's are surviving on welfare. It sickening to see them do it. I used to live and work in a region where abuse of the public system was running rampant, and still is. It is just sickening.

To get back on the side topic, people who have legitimate cause to use the disability system or even the handicap parking are thrown in with the abusers of the system. It is hard for the rest of us to tell the difference.

[Paul G]

And that bumper sticker. It is humor designed to jab at the abusers. And may be a wake up call for the rest of us to start paying attention to how much we are willing to give away, and to who we give it.

I really am sorry for those who have been less fortunate in life. You never know what tomorrow brings for any of us.

[Steve P.]

Paul G, you make great points.. The problem I have with all of this is that many people AUTOMATICALLY look at us like useless shits that take advantage of the system. NOT , Gee, let me help you grab that!! 

Even other handicaps are asses about putting carts IN the way. I don't care that someone puts a cart OUT of the boundaries of the parking spot, but very often I have to get out. Move a cart and get back in just to park.. You would really think another handicapped person would be considerate of others in the same boat!!!!

Good read Vain... 

[Cooter]

I was in great shape before I blew 2 discs out working my ass off... There wasn't anything I couldn't or wouldn't do... Count your lucky stars.....

It is a reality check when something happens and you get plenty of time to re-appraise your situation.  No more 6'6" and bulletproof for me... just 6'6"

This is one of the reasons I get SO hacked at people who think everybody on welfare/disability is just lazy.  Some of my neighbors are disabled vets who can't work AT ALL and have to rely on our social programs to pay rent and eat.  

Saw a bumper sticker: "Work harder, millions on welfare need you too" or some BS like that.  Just plain IGNORANT.  That attitude shows you either don't know people who need help or have never had an issue yourself.  HOPE to hell somebody like that gets to EXPERIENCE what those with serious medical issues have.

Amen. Amen....

There is a huge difference between welfare and disability.

Well, Lemme see.....


Disibility pay. I got a wife with four (4) blown out discs in her lower back and two blown out knees. She was forced to work 60 plus hours/week because she was turned down 13 times for disibility. Yet, I see there's more and more people on disibility payments that go on vacations right here where I live that can actually stand for hours. She hasn't had a weeks vacation in 14 years.


Welfare payments (Food stamps).....Payments made to people that could and refuse to work for money, and call it "Helping them with a hand up, not a hand out"..

Hmmm, BOTH get "Free" money for not working, when they could.



Welfare and disibility payments to those who actually need it? Well, in a perfect world, it would work that way on both counts.

Sorry, but where's the difference again?

[Vainglory, Esq.]

Yep, in a perfect world.

The way things are set up, welfare, workers' comp, and disability are all different, with different standards, different payments, different time periods, etc. They are all abused to certain extents, but in theory they're all different.

As regards your wife, have you consulted a lawyer who specializes in the area? SSDI lawyers often take something like 3 or 4 hours to win a case like that. I hate to say it, but SSDI cases are like taking money from a baby.

By the way, how did we get so off topic?

[Steve P.]

That may be true with a lawyer, Vain, but in my wife's case, she could not get SSDI in NY. Even after the SSDI Doctors went over her records and checked her out themselves.. The courts in some areas are slammed with these cases. She was turned down 3 times in Rochester. We moved to Florida on the recommendation of her doctors and went to court here in Tampa. The judge saw the size of the medical records and looked at what hospitals had seen her and their recommendations and gave it to her in about 30 minutes.. He even said out loud: What the hell is wrong with these judges?

In my case, I was turned down twice. This is very normal from what everyone we spoke with had told us.. Even the lawyers said that they do this regularly as they feel it weeds out those trying to scam the system! Trouble is, hiring a lawyer means you losing a pile of money. But, like Cooter's wife, you can end up killing yourself trying to make ends meet.

Something I'd like all of you to understand. These checks from the government are nowhere near the money that either of us made working.. Why anyone would WANT to scam the system rather than make real money I will never understand.. My check is about 1/10 NOW what it was working before overtime.  Not to mention side jobs and vacations and just plain being capable of doing anything without pain!!

I am not looking for anyone to feel sorry for me. I am simply pointing out that though it is needed by people, it is NOT anything that will give more than you could have flipping burgers at McDonalds.... Hell, our garbage men make 3 times what I do to start....

[nvrbdn]

i think that all recipients of food stamps and welfare, social security disability, should have to drug test. period. they make me drug test to make the money. there are alot of people who deserve what they get. then there are the users and takers that learn how to play the system.

[lloyd3]

In the middle of the 1980s, Japanese chemists and biologists came up with a way to get bacteria to alter corn liquor into "high fructose corn syrup".  This became the hands-down cheapest way to sweeten any food or drink.  Within just a few years, cane sugar became an expensive luxury and was replaced in almost every form of processed food.  At about that same period, wheat was genetically modified "gene-spliced", to resist bacteria and insects and to produce ever-larger seed heads, so-much-so that the stalk of the plant was "engineered" to become shorter to support the the now-massive head. Dwarf wheat is now a world-wide phenomenon.  The combination of these two highly-engineered, primary food sources has been linked to worldwide obesity in a number of studies.  

Also, for an ever-increasing number of folks (myself included), wheat and wheat-laced products (baked goods, beer, fried-foods, booze, etc.) became essentially indigestible.  My symptoms were ever increasing problems with seasonal allergies, sinus infections, a perpetually upset stomach, headaches, and fatigue.  Most of the medical professionals I was seeing seemed to be ignorant (almost wilfully?) of gluten intolerance and were very happy to just treat the symptoms.  By finally stripping-out almost everything from my diet, I started to feel better. I also lost a fair-amount of weight.  And, I only found the problem with wheat when I started adding different foods back in to my diet.  Most folks with gluten and wheat sensitivity (not celiacs!) do not even realize they have a problem and it goes undiagnosed for years.  The resulting inflammation in their system causes all sorts of problems, and eventually for some, death.

No more fast-food for me (which does suck a bit), and I now have to read the contents of everything I buy to eat, but....the pay-offs are worth it in every way.  

[Vainglory, Esq.]

That may be true with a lawyer, Vain, but in my wife's case, she could not get SSDI in NY. Even after the SSDI Doctors went over her records and checked her out themselves.. The courts in some areas are slammed with these cases. She was turned down 3 times in Rochester. We moved to Florida on the recommendation of her doctors and went to court here in Tampa. The judge saw the size of the medical records and looked at what hospitals had seen her and their recommendations and gave it to her in about 30 minutes.. He even said out loud: What the hell is wrong with these judges?

In my case, I was turned down twice. This is very normal from what everyone we spoke with had told us.. Even the lawyers said that they do this regularly as they feel it weeds out those trying to scam the system! Trouble is, hiring a lawyer means you losing a pile of money. But, like Cooter's wife, you can end up killing yourself trying to make ends meet.

Something I'd like all of you to understand. These checks from the government are nowhere near the money that either of us made working.. Why anyone would WANT to scam the system rather than make real money I will never understand.. My check is about 1/10 NOW what it was working before overtime.  Not to mention side jobs and vacations and just plain being capable of doing anything without pain!!

I am not looking for anyone to feel sorry for me. I am simply pointing out that though it is needed by people, it is NOT anything that will give more than you could have flipping burgers at McDonalds.... Hell, our garbage men make 3 times what I do to start....

Want SSDI, get your own doctor. The statute says that the patient's own doctor takes precedence in any proceeding for determination of disability. In other words, any doctor that the Social Security administration hires to give a second opinion takes a back seat to the patient's own doctor.

Granted, there are issues in finding such a doctor. Many assume that those looking for SSDI are trying to scam the system. Second, many know that, given the low wage replacement rate and the fact that SSDI recipients are transitioned to Medicaid, these patients are not lucrative. (No doctor in his right mind wants a Medicaid patient.) But it can be done. Especially if you don't bring it up in the beginning.

As for the cost of the lawyer, their recovery is statutorily limited. I believe it's $3000. In the long run, that's not a lot. After all, SSDI lasts until you qualify for Social Security.

I'm probably not telling you anything you don't know, and the system doesn't work exactly how it should when the boots hit the ground. But people who do this for a living can really help. (Disclosure: I know someone who does this for a living.)

[Vainglory, Esq.]

Also, for an ever-increasing number of folks (myself included), wheat and wheat-laced products (baked goods, beer, fried-foods, booze, etc.) became essentially indigestible.  My symptoms were ever increasing problems with seasonal allergies, sinus infections, a perpetually upset stomach, headaches, and fatigue.  Most of the medical professionals I was seeing seemed to be ignorant (almost wilfully?) of gluten intolerance and were very happy to just treat the symptoms.  By finally stripping-out almost everything from my diet, I started to feel better. I also lost a fair-amount of weight.  And, I only found the problem with wheat when I started adding different foods back in to my diet.  Most folks with gluten and wheat sensitivity (not celiacs!) do not even realize they have a problem and it goes undiagnosed for years.  The resulting inflammation in their system causes all sorts of problems, and eventually for some, death.

Hugely important, and mostly ignored. If you read the Gary Taubes articles/books, this will make a ton of sense to everyone.

[Steve P.]

i think that all recipients of food stamps and welfare, social security disability, should have to drug test. period. they make me drug test to make the money. there are alot of people who deserve what they get. then there are the users and takers that learn how to play the system.

The wife and I are both tested 4 times per year minimum and randomly.. They have beaten you to it.. Not only do I think it is unnecessary, as many people that are on SSDI are pretty much passed the days of doing drugs for something to do and wouldn't know anyone to sell them to, but something most don't know is that THEY CHARGE US TO PISS TEST US. I have been on some class drugs that many are looking for. If they DO NOT find it in my system they cut me off... You would think that after nearly 15 years for me and 21 years for my wife, they would come to the conclusion that WE ARE NOT SELLING OUR DRUGS!!!!!


Before wrecking my back I was very often (RANDOMLY) sent for a drug test.. I believe it is because they knew I would pass it!!

[Budnicks]

i think that all recipients of food stamps and welfare, social security disability, should have to drug test. period. they make me drug test to make the money. there are alot of people who deserve what they get. then there are the users and takers that learn how to play the system.

well said, amen brother  too many abusers of the system, getting a hand out, free govt.money, some even for life , anyone that is truly clean & drug free, will take a drug test willfully, with no arguments... 

[Budnicks]

Also, for an ever-increasing number of folks (myself included), wheat and wheat-laced products (baked goods, beer, fried-foods, booze, etc.) became essentially indigestible.  My symptoms were ever increasing problems with seasonal allergies, sinus infections, a perpetually upset stomach, headaches, and fatigue.  Most of the medical professionals I was seeing seemed to be ignorant (almost wilfully?) of gluten intolerance and were very happy to just treat the symptoms.  By finally stripping-out almost everything from my diet, I started to feel better. I also lost a fair-amount of weight.  And, I only found the problem with wheat when I started adding different foods back in to my diet.  Most folks with gluten and wheat sensitivity (not celiacs!) do not even realize they have a problem and it goes undiagnosed for years.  The resulting inflammation in their system causes all sorts of problems, and eventually for some, death.

No more fast-food for me (which does suck a bit), and I now have to read the contents of everything I buy to eat, but....the pay-offs are worth it in every way.  

I need to look into that, I eat allot of products with wheat products or wheat gluten in them, I have been having allergies issues that I never had before & with my feet even swelling from time to time   ... Thanks for the information... I hope it's not in my beer/micro brews & Samuel Adams....

[lloyd3]

The book to read on the subject is "Wheatbelly".  The author is a heart doctor in Ohio. The bottom line here is that the food we're eating now is not the food we grew up on.  Exercise is still a critical component in controlling one's weight, but what you eat is just as important. 

[Brock Lee]

SSDI is insurance. Collecting it is just as much "free money" as collecting any other insurance payment.

However, there are people that have not paid enough into that system and cannot collect enough to live from. This is where SSI comes in. That means "Supplimental Security Income". That is the assistance type handout for those deemed disabled, but that didn't pay into the SS system an appropriate amount of time of their working years. They kick in what SSDI wont cover.

[Vainglory, Esq.]

Here is an easy infographic, and very worth the look: http://blog.massivehealth.com/post/16530905873/carbs-are-killing-you

[Charger_Fan]

 At about that same period, wheat was genetically modified "gene-spliced", to resist bacteria and insects and to produce ever-larger seed heads, so-much-so that the stalk of the plant was "engineered" to become shorter to support the the now-massive head. Dwarf wheat is now a world-wide phenomenon.  The combination of these two highly-engineered, primary food sources has been linked to worldwide obesity in a number of studies.  

Also, for an ever-increasing number of folks (myself included), wheat and wheat-laced products (baked goods, beer, fried-foods, booze, etc.) became essentially indigestible.  My symptoms were ever increasing problems with seasonal allergies, sinus infections, a perpetually upset stomach, headaches, and fatigue.  Most of the medical professionals I was seeing seemed to be ignorant (almost wilfully?) of gluten intolerance and were very happy to just treat the symptoms.  By finally stripping-out almost everything from my diet, I started to feel better. I also lost a fair-amount of weight.  And, I only found the problem with wheat when I started adding different foods back in to my diet.  Most folks with gluten and wheat sensitivity (not celiacs!) do not even realize they have a problem and it goes undiagnosed for years.  The resulting inflammation in their system causes all sorts of problems, and eventually for some, death.

I don't intend to pick on you, Lloyd3, I'm just quoting your topic here for a general reference.
I don't wholeheartedly buy into this opinion.
I admit that for many people wheat products are strictly taboo. Raquel Welch is one who immediately comes to mind, she can only handle miniscule amounts of wheat products. However, I also know that for many folks, the blame lies in dairy products...myself included to a point. I don't consider myself lactose intolerant...I have no true opinion of lactose intolerance other than it's my guess that much of it is self perceived.
It's my opinion that an individual's own digestive metabolism determines what the individual needs. We can't all be painted with such a broad brush.

For me, I have never had a problem with wheat based products of any kind. Yes, this includes beer & what has lately become my own favorite study into ample loads of a certain whiskey. (probably best admitted in a whole 'nuther thread)
However, up until 4~6 years ago, sometime in my early 40's, I started having problems with "acid reflux". I swear this is a made-up TV doctors name, but the symptoms sounded correct for me. This crap came on usually within the first three hours of bedtime sleep. Anyone who has experienced this knows that this really sucks! I think I went through a couple years of this crap before I dialed it down to too much dairy (especially ANY ice cream) X-amounts of hours before bedtime.
Yes, this came down to ice cream...with any other combination of dairy along with some acidic foods. Beer & pizza followed by ice cream were especially potent. Although, I later ruled out the beer as a whole, but I still have a hunch on the carbonation part of beer as being a detriment. I've never been a big soda drinker & rarely touch the stuff. Maybe a couple times a month. However, I do drink a lot of juices & water.

For much of my younger adult life, I (we, my family & I) relished ice cream treats. Whether it was in front of the tube at home, at a drive-in (yes, we still have a couple), or at a cool local ice cream hop 50's style.

Anyway, this came to a screeching halt for me around '07, when I realized that somewhere in me, a switch had been flipped. I can still handle copious amounts of ice cream in the daytime, as long as it's at least 4~5 hours prior to bed time. Keep in mind, the ice cream today is not really "cream" at all. Pour some of that crap in a clear glass/bowl & leave it for a few hours on the counter, then go back for a "home schooling science" class of what the hell IS that crap??
As a kid on our farm, we used to make our own ice cream & trust me, if any of it was ever left in a 1/2 empty bowl, it NEVER looked like what a 1/2 empty bowl looks like these days! Creepy.

So anyway...I rarely eat ice cream these days & I consciously limit my dairy intake substantially. I no longer have that pesky acid reflux problem. My stomach feels fine 95% of the time...that 5% is totally based on untimely unmeasured whiskey intake issues ( a whole 'nuther thread). And I have lost weight, not enough to write to Guinness about, but when my kids say "Dad, you look skinny", it makes me smile for a while. Today I am within 10 lbs of my max weight in high school...now if I only had the physique & cranial follicular growth to go with it...

What's that saying? Youth is wasted on the young...yep, that's probably not far off the mark.

[68pplcharger]

Luckily I started eating healthy years ago, before any problems started. I am currently at the same % body fat i was in college 10%. Took a while to get there, but weights and eating seven times a day helps a lot. I don't like to look at the weight, because it is only weight. If you gain muscle, while lifting, then your total weight will increase. I'm much heavier than the college days but still have the same low body fat. While still getting an occasional beer and pizza on Friday's to celebrate the end of the workweek.   

[lloyd3]

Charger_Fan:

Lactose intolerance is what I thought I was suffering from as-well.  But when I ate quality dairy products, I didn't have any issues.   Inexpensive ice creams (and cheeses!) now use all of the low-cost processed food ingredients (wheat-derived malto-dextrose, HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup), guar gum, etc.) and they do produce a very wierd-looking melted product.  You could argue that it isn't a dairy product at all.  Good ice cream and other dairy products use only natural ingredients (milk, cream, eggs, sugar, etc).  If the label reads like a chemistry set, don't eat it.  Good ice cream will still make you fat, and eating it late at night is pushing your digestive system into overdrive in order to process it while you sleep.  

FWIW, acid reflux was a big issue for me until I stopped consuming wheat and wheat-derived products.  I miss the hell out of good German Pilsners, English ales, single-malts, good bourbon, etc., but I don't miss eating antacids like candy on a daily basis.  I have finally found some decent gluten-free beers (Budweiser's Red Bridge is darn good) and I now choose good rums and Tequilas for my evening, adult beverages. Potato-derived vodka is on that list as well.

[Mike DC]

             
                     
"Eggs . . milk . . wheat . . are in chocolate cake!  That's nutrition!"

[Cooter]

Only saving grace I got is the fact that I more or less look bout the same as I did back in the day. "Big Boned"
However, I marvel at the ones that picked on everybody back in the day, and how perfect they were, only to see them getting older and fatter. Karma's a great thing. My 20 year HS reunion was actually uplifting. I had reservations, but after I was there for a while and heard all the grey hair jokes, I pretty much left with the satifaction that all thos "perfect people" are old, getting fat, and basically miserable today. Perfect.