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2008 Fattest and Thinnest States
- Thread starter cycocelica
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BanjoBanker
macrumors 6502
The Blues, Jazz and of course, country music. Lets not forget great Southern rock like The Allman Brothers, Lynard Skynard (sp?) and Marshall Tucker. Also, we produced Truman Capote, Harper Lee (To Kill a Mocking Bird) and William Faulkner amongst others.
Also, the Civil Rights movement started here. Southerners are much less racially biased than we get credit for. Also, we do not have any self righteous, obnoxious atheist who want to foist their lack of belief on us. Thank G*d.
As to poverty, yes we have poverty here, it always makes the news, but we also have the fastest growing economies in the country. Why else would all those "Yankees" keep moving here? Oh yeah, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Choral, one of the best symphony orchestras and THE BEST Choral in the states, possibly the world (Thank you, Robert Shaw!) The largest 10K run in the world will be held tomorrow in Atlanta, The Peachtree Road Race. ( Boulder, CO has a 10K that is catching up in size, but it has day of race sign ups, the Peachtree does not.)
I never failed to be amazed at people who move to the South for the opportunities and then bitch about the South.
Sure, there are a lot of fat people here, many of them are even obese. But that does define the South. We have a rich cultural heritage we are quite proud of. I would much rather live in any Southern state than Ohio, Michigan or any of the other Rust Belt states - bad economies and truly sh*tty weather.
Famous Kentuckians:
Hunter S. Thompson, Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise, Yasmine Bleeth, Tyson Gay (just broke the World Record in 100M Dash), George Clooney, Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis.
Kentucky specialties:
Kentucky Fried Chicken, Bourbon (best in the world), Horses and horseracing, First cheeseburgers, Corvettes manufactured here, Tobacco, Home to world longes cave system, greatest Basketball team in the Nation, home of Fort Knox (nation's gold supply), etc.
See: http://www.50states.com/facts/kentucky.htm
Consultant
macrumors G5
They've allowed the Flying Spaghetti Monster Statue Outside of Tennessee Courthouse
http://laughingsquid.com/flying-spaghetti-monster-statue-outside-of-tennessee-courthouse/
http://laughingsquid.com/flying-spaghetti-monster-statue-outside-of-tennessee-courthouse/
motulist
macrumors 601
Reading comprehension my friend. I specifically said "in the past 30 years." As to some of the items listed that are within 30 years, that's good info.
Freudian slip? 😉
That's right! I forgot about that. I was very shocked and surprised when I heard that because it's so opposite of all the fanatical Christian fundamentalist stuff you hear happening in many southern states.
Roger1
macrumors 65816
Hmph. In Michigan, it's in the mid 70's with a mild breeze blowing right now. Doesn't feel bad to me.
As for the whole fat thing, BMI is a joke. When I was younger and thinner, I had a BMI done, and at 195 pound, and a 13% body fat, I was considered obese using BMI. Oh, I'm over 6', as well. A guy I worked with at the time was a body builder, and BMI said he was obese as well. If this type of rating is going to done, something a little more accurate needs to be used. Perhaps body fat percentage, and measuring the gut with a tape?
GfPQqmcRKUvP
macrumors 68040
But you have the self righteous, obnoxious evangelicals who want to foist their beliefs on us. Thank dog.
Atheists don't want to foist any lack of belief on other people, they just don't want any others foisting their belief on them. It's that simple.
Carry on, we were talking about fat people.
Abstract
macrumors Penryn
One of the problems is juice. Don't constantly give your kids fruit juice, thinking that it's better for them. It doesn't make them feel better. It just makes them fat and restless.
Or the definition of "over-weight" is wrong. I don't think the number of overweight people is 50%. Actually, I think it's believable if you're talking about adults, but not necessarily younger people.
PS: If you want to see a lot of overweight girls, come to Australia. As fit as most of the younger guys are, the girls are quite the opposite.
Or the definition of "over-weight" is wrong. I don't think the number of overweight people is 50%. Actually, I think it's believable if you're talking about adults, but not necessarily younger people.
PS: If you want to see a lot of overweight girls, come to Australia. As fit as most of the younger guys are, the girls are quite the opposite.
true true
(its so hard to avoid high-fructose corn syrup. it is EVERYWHERE)
my state tied for 12th place. 🙁
Iscariot
macrumors 68030
It's not their fault -- I'm hogging up all the awesome.
Well, the (actual) logical problems are the ballooning healthcare costs that affect every tax payer, and the additional carbon/energy/land/animal life costs that come with a diet of excess. Not that any of that is really being brought up for discussion here...
On a personal level, I'd just like 'em to get out of the way. Sure you walk slow, just think like you're driving; keep right so I can pass.
skunk
macrumors G4
And just why do you suppose the Civil Rights Movement began in the South? Hmm?
I nominate this for Ludicrous Stance of the Week.
You are right.
Mord
macrumors G4
The last time someone from the south tried to argue this point with me then tried to convince me that it was ok to call black people n****** because that's what his fathers generation always called them and that my "lifestyle choice" was invalid due to it being apparently sinful.
localoid
macrumors 68020
The states you mentioned are in Appalachia, a section of the country you'd only begin to understand if you studied its history and the nation's history going back much more than just "30 years"... Go back 150 yrs. and you start to get a very brief picture of the (vital) role the region played during the American Industrial Revolution.
Your comment, "They're whole states!", bring up an often missed historical point -- many of states in Appalachia functioned more like a colony than as a "real" state during their periods of industrial expansion, which began after the American Civil War. The primary industries were extractive industries, exporting raw resources to the US population and industrial centers, or exported overseas. You can't make real money (that stays in the local economy) or build a diverse economy simply by exporting raw materials.
Huge tracts of lands in Appalachia were owned by industrialists who lived in population centers far from Appalachia. Most often the lands were broken up into "leases" by the owners, on maybe a 20 or 30 year lease. So, when the towns built as "company towns" were built they were built a cheaply as possible since the owners/lessors never intended to waste money building anything of "permanence".
Extractive industries in the late 1800s required huge numbers of workers. So ten of thousands of workers flocked to the region for work. Unfortunately, extractive industries seldom last more than 50 years, so when the resources "dried up" the people were left with little options for work in another industry (typically there were no other local industries.)
Meanwhile, the country's industrial and manufacturing centers thrived, largely due to the availability of very inexpensive forms of energy (coal, oil, natural gas) and building supplies such as timber, with huge quantities of such resources coming from Appalachia. The region literally fueled the nation's military machine through two war worlds. Without the coal, timber and other vital resources extracted from Appalachia the outcome of those wars might have been somewhat different.
So, I've given you a brief background regarding some the "bad" things you mentioned, i.e., the poverty, etc. If you want to place blame for most of the "bad things" on some <person, group, place or thing> for the ills of Appalachia, the blame lies largely with way in which the region was developed (or as some might argue, exploited) by northeastern industrialists. Huge tracts of land in Appalachia are still owned and controlled by "outside interests" which typically means the owners have no interest in the region other than the raw resources that can be extracted sometime in the future (for fun and profit). Coal from the region powers much of the Northeast, and the hardwood forest still go to build fine homes in the cities. Thus, the saga of exportation of raw resources that benefit the populated regions of country continues yet today.
All of that said, there were many towns and cities throughout the region where industrial, educational, and cultural growth flourished, often exceeding what was found in the more populated cities of the North and Midwest. That and religion are both one of the many "chapters" on Appalachian history that you'd have to study before being able (to begin to) understand the region and its people or begin to compile a comprehensive list of the "good things" that you requested.
I will mention one "good thing" about Appalachia that numerous "outsiders" seem to enjoy -- the natural beauty and the abundance of (natural) recreation opportunities found throughout the region. In the (rather small) county of Appalachia I live in more than a million tourists flock to the area each year to enjoy outdoor recreation, ranging from mild (hiking, bird watching, etc.) to extreme (whitewater rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing). But its not just this area, the recreational opportunities available throughout Appalachia are diverse and plentiful. Most are visitors from the metro areas of the Eastern US who are seeking a brief escape from the noise, congestion, pollution, crime and manic pace of "civilization" common in the metro areas.
localoid
macrumors 68020
Never-the-less, you can easily find such idiots, almost anywhere in the country... Seems like this country isn't exactly overflowing with tolerance for anyone or any group (other than their own) these days... 😉
0098386
Suspended
I agree on all the above. Though I'm desperately trying to gain weight and none of the above are working for me.
It's easy enough to lose weight. Cut down on what you eat (though it's deeper than that) and exercise. That's it. Harder to gain weight unless you don't have to move.
MacDawg
Moderator emeritus
Love ya Jimmi 😉... but don't over simplify things too much
You struggle with gaining weight, so you see it as harder
Others have the same struggles to lose
Metabolism differs within people... and changes as they age
There are a lot of factors involved
Yes, the golden rule is "consistency over time" with less calories and exercise, but to say it is "easy" is not a fair assessment
Take it from one who has lost 70 pounds and regained it 5 times 😉
Woof, Woof - Dawg
Mord
macrumors G4
True but there is definitely a higher incidence of such behaviour in the southern states.
I'm in no way saying that every southerner is a racist, just that lots are and to deny it is spacktarded.
0098386
Suspended
I know it's never that simple, lifestyles make a huge difference. My lifestyle, since I don't drive, involves a lot of walking. Also having a pet kept me going (otherwise I'd have to be mopping up an awful lot 😛). And of course you have health problems that can increase or decrease weight.
I've tried doing little though. I've eaten 3 large meals in a day, snacks, fizzy drinks and cordials whilst doing nothing but computer work. I just can't put it on 😱 and it's not good for my health either. I'm underweight and fighting to put back on a stone in weight that I lost in a week (from health things).
It's never simple 😱
I've tried doing little though. I've eaten 3 large meals in a day, snacks, fizzy drinks and cordials whilst doing nothing but computer work. I just can't put it on 😱 and it's not good for my health either. I'm underweight and fighting to put back on a stone in weight that I lost in a week (from health things).
It's never simple 😱
Interesting.. Kind of what I figured, except for Hawaii. Did not expect to see them as one of the thinnest...
MacDawg
Moderator emeritus
Lack of tolerance for others (race, gender, weight, religion, sexual preference, et. al.) knows no geographical bounds and defies stereotypes
For someone to stereotype southerners as racist is no more accurate than to stereotype northerners as rude and arrogant sobs. Are there racists southerners... yep. We have our share of homophobes, bigots and misogynists too. So does every other part of the country and the world.
Woof, Woof - Dawg
I think one thing that needs to be said here is that not all fat people are alike. Just because you see a heavy person walking down the street doesn't mean they aren't trying to change things.
I started out this year by losing 10 pounds, but since I am a big girl, if you had never seen me before you might just call me a lazy fat slob. Little do you know though that I would count eat calorie meticulously and consider every bit of food that went in my mouth.
Also, don't assume that we all just want to call it a "lifestyle" and be done with it. I have severe ocd and a pretty bad eating disorder. I obsess about food until I HAVE to eat it and when I do I eat too much and then go through a couple of hours of pure self hatred. Not one bite of food goes into my mouth without me thinking about it and usually hating myself for it. I want desperately to enjoy food the way everyone else does, and the medication I am on for my OCD helps a little, but it's not perfect.
Now, this is just me. I can't speak for everyone. But is it really fair for someone to come up to me and tell me how fat I am and that I need to "just lose weight"? I don't personally believe so, but I may be wrong.
Unless you have really experienced weight issues, you have no room to judge. Because, and trust me on this, you really don't know what it's like.
I started out this year by losing 10 pounds, but since I am a big girl, if you had never seen me before you might just call me a lazy fat slob. Little do you know though that I would count eat calorie meticulously and consider every bit of food that went in my mouth.
Also, don't assume that we all just want to call it a "lifestyle" and be done with it. I have severe ocd and a pretty bad eating disorder. I obsess about food until I HAVE to eat it and when I do I eat too much and then go through a couple of hours of pure self hatred. Not one bite of food goes into my mouth without me thinking about it and usually hating myself for it. I want desperately to enjoy food the way everyone else does, and the medication I am on for my OCD helps a little, but it's not perfect.
Now, this is just me. I can't speak for everyone. But is it really fair for someone to come up to me and tell me how fat I am and that I need to "just lose weight"? I don't personally believe so, but I may be wrong.
Unless you have really experienced weight issues, you have no room to judge. Because, and trust me on this, you really don't know what it's like.
MacDawg
Moderator emeritus
GfPQqmcRKUvP
macrumors 68040
Work out (with weights) and have a couple whey protein shakes per day. That should do it. I put on 15 pounds of muscle doing that.
Even in Washington you see a lot of really obese people.
We're in trouble if we get invaded ala Red Dawn!
We're in trouble if we get invaded ala Red Dawn!