Is it Really Worth It?

Hi my name is, well Slomohusky. That is pretty much all you get from me publicly through this Blog. Which is mine by the way, and not owned/operated by anyone else. So, these are solely my opinions and you can laugh, cry, go Hmm with them; or, eat your computer and/or keyboard, or go run 5 hard miles to get my words and thoughts out of your system if you like. I have always been known to change my mind or opinion. I am secure and educated that way. I don't freak out on myself if someone proves me wrong. So, if I am wrong with my opinion I am going to share - prove it to me please!

 I have a pretty strong opinion about one thing. Being KIND to others as much as I can be. Especially, or even more so, when I see someone doing what I think is wrong, misguided or self destructive in some way or form. A kind word of encouragement or even better yet - a kind example of living is always best to change the behavior.

What am I getting at? Well, this. I run - duh! Yet, I would never in my right my mind think everyone else should do the same. I also have spent parts of my life not eating what is healthy. In fact, I have spent LONG parts of my life not eating healthy. I have also spent long periods of my life eating healthy as well. I tried being a healthy eating Vegetarian more than 5-6 times. Once I actually did it for nearly three years. Yet, have you ever been to Vancouver BC?

Milestones on English Bay. The best - I mean the best Burger made of ground beef I have ever had. Plus, frankly, being from Seattle - Dicks Deluxe and Fries and Spud Fish and Chips - the best.

Okay, back to my point. Yes, we would be a great society if we ate better and were all well within are needed weight and fitness levels. Yet, we are not. I am not sure at any point in my over 43 years of living, we have never heard eat healthy and exercise is best. Nothing new under the Sun on this one.

What is new is the over the top feelings of some who live a healthy lifestyle towards those who do not. I am truly amazed of the almost hateful tone I read or hear people take. I read recently someones comment about being out for dinner (yes while eating for themselves) looking around and seeing so many people 15-50 pounds overweight or more. They were so turned off they couldn't eat! Where is my irony key on the keyboard? I also read comments from some who were "mad" and "irked" personally because some people eat bad food and don't exercise. Then, at times, it is always Americans who are too blame or at least the obese ones. Never, would they think a citizen of France would be obese. I got news for you - they are too.

Anyway, can we just tone it down. Can we try to go on vacation, go to the movies, out to dinner, grocery shopping, to the ballpark, beach or Mall without condemning all around us for being fat! Yes, I use the word fat. Many use obese now, but we all know this is a nice way (yeah right!) of saying we think you are fat. Furthermore, stop acting like anyone who is - is the moral equivalent of Jeffrey Dahlmer.

Let's try to find ways - kinder ways to express how eating healthy and exercise would be better than daily  20 oz bottles or more of your favorite Cola. Or, bi-weekly trips to Fast Food offerings. Examples of living are the best to me.

Just think about it. Fellow runners, by just lacing up your shoes, running down the street in your neighborhoods is pretty powerful stuff! By just this simple thing, you are giving off a very powerful example to every Youth in your neighborhood. Who knows they maybe thinking what a geek at first, but in the back of their minds you maybe inspiring them to greatness. By simply choosing a bottle of water instead of bottle Cola in front of others is also doing more than you think. Just act and be a good example. Don't go down the road of hateful thoughts or words towards others.

Yet, if you do have moments of expressing healthier choices to others - do it with respect. For one, you have really no clue whatsoever the health of anyone around you.

Case in point. I have been lucky to run and finish 5 HM's in the last 8-9 months. Also, number 6 is just weeks away. I am 25 pounds heavier than I want to be I might add as well. My wife does not run. In fact, no exercise. She is on her feet all day though. All over one - two Hospitals daily. She is overweight by so-called medical standards. Yet, the last time we went for Doc visits a few months ago - her cholesterol and BP were better than mine. Plus, everything else is very healthy in her life. I am positive if we were out to dinner, someone might mistake my wife for being the so-called fat unhealthy one compared to me.

So, anyway, is it really worth it. Are you in anyway, shape or form helping people with disrespectful or even hateful thoughts. Are you even accurate in your minds with regards to whom is and isn't obese to begin with? Shunning people who are obese in your mind, or publicly does nothing to help the issue in general. It only makes you, who are leaner and possibly more fit feel better about yourself. Yet, at the same time, you are making someone who is not, feel less about themselves, or even worse.

Runners keep running. Keep living the life. Keep being a great example to everyone. Keep shining your example to those you don't know and especially those close to you whom you love the most. If you are eating healthy as well - keep making all your smart choices. Display them in public respectfully as well.

Don't be like the jack ass I heard at Disneyland once. It was in a Mainstreet Disney clothing store. Looking over some sweatshirts he loudly with an arrogant, almost snotty tone said - "don't hand me that double extra large size, I am not obese." Right next to him was a woman in her late 60's with what looked like her grandkids. She seemed like a nice women and I commented on the sharp looking children she was with. Yes, she appeared heavy for her height. What utter disrespect to this women and her grandkids. I could tell the jack ass comment was meant for her, and quite possibly me as well.

Cheers!