The “Norm” in your city
I’d like to warn folks that when it comes to being fit and losing weight - its not normal. Well, not normal to the world around us. During my process of losing weight I heard a comment everyday, "You’re to skinny", "You look sick", "You need to eat more" and of course "Are you starving yourself?" People just don’t see fit people as being normal. Well, at least not in Houston. Houston was rated the fattest city in America for 4 years straight (Fitness Magazine). That’s sad huh!? So I just want to warn and still encourage people to ignore the comments and if your city is fat, ignore the norm!
I’ve never been to Cali and I finally took the time out to visit in early March. Let me tell you - I didn’t want to come back. The "norm" out there is fit and being active. I saw people running, skating, playing soccer, tennis, surfing (young and old); I even saw a gym at the mall! Too awesome! Then I come back to Houston… the only skating I see is at Sonic; the only walking I see is at the malls which are indoor and air conditioned. This city is fat and being fit just bothers people down here! Ha Ha! To tell you the truth, I really don’t see myself living in H-Town much longer.
Cali… here I come!
April 23, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I can give you a quick South African perspective. South Africa as a whole has many cultures. About 11 different ones each with is own language. I know 2 cultures quite well and am familiar with another 2. The English European culture seems to subscribe to western culture. Skinny model girls and fitness models is what every guy and girl wants to be. The Afrikaans European culture doesn’t put so much pressure on people to attain a certain look. They definitely would judge guys on their size though. They like a big solid guy. My uncles are Afrikaans and they are always encouraging me to eat more and put on weight. Despite the fact that I am probably stronger than all of them. I just don’t look it because my body fat is much lower than theirs. The last 2 are African cultures. I totally stand to be corrected but this is what I understand from chatting to some girls at my church about the issue. African cultures used to think that the bigger the better when it came to girls. That size was an indication of the family’s wealth. Because if you are wealthy you could afford to eat well. Guys found the biggest girls the most attractive. A lot of the different cultures are losing their identity though due to constant exposure to western culture and they are starting to adopt the thin view. This leaves some girls unsure of what to do. Exercise, eat properly and be thin or to put on weight. Either way they will only be accepted by half of the other cultures. This is how I see it in South Africa. I stand to be corrected though