Fat Tax Could Curb Nation's Obesity Problem

[Stargazer]

Originally Posted by Richard

I did my graduate studies at IU - it's a big job trying to keep you 'Boilermakers' honest!

Richard

LOL.... Perfect! ~set myself up for that one. Makes note, Richard is a WHOoser~

[BOfH]

Meh, BS! I work in the wellness industry(albeit in InfoSec, but being surrounded by RD, PT, ES types all day, you learn a thing or two ). Granted eating right definitely has a major impact on weight management, but thats only %35-40 of it all. There is a movement within the wellness industry at the moment which espouses the fact that you can lose weight by eating right but more or less remaining sedentary. Again, BS. If you want to lose weight, you need to MOVE! Changing eating habits is one thing, getting people off their posterior and moving is whole 'nother story.

My somewhat informed .002

Originally Posted by BOfH

Meh, BS! I work in the wellness industry(albeit in InfoSec, but being surrounded by RD, PT, ES types all day, you learn a thing or two ). Granted eating right definitely has a major impact on weight management, but thats only %35-40 of it all. There is a movement within the wellness industry at the moment which espouses the fact that you can lose weight by eating right but more or less remaining sedentary. Again, BS. If you want to lose weight, you need to MOVE! Changing eating habits is one thing, getting people off their posterior and moving is whole 'nother story.

My somewhat informed .002

Right, on, BOfH, maybe the current admin can administer a tax credit for those that add 20 minutes or 60 minutes of movement to their day....thouhh I doubt it in their current "seek to punish all mentality."

[1stindoor]

My .02 cents...
Last August I was diagnosed as a Type II Diabetic. My blood sugar had been creeping up for the last several years. Though fairly fit, by civilian standards, I was falling victim to age, and being deskbound more often than less. When my doctor said my I had developed diabetes (A1C was 7.3, I was 6'1, 245 lbs, and approx 24% BF)...I decided right then and there to make major changes. In three months I dropped my A1C to 5.8, dropped 25 lbs, and brought my BF down to 17.5%.

My exercise plan never changed...no meds either.

I changed my total carb intake to less than 65 grams per meal. Less than 15 grams for a snack between meals. No more sweet tea either. Snacks which used to be pretzals or gummy bears were replaced with almonds, cashews, and peanuts.

My opinion only...it all boils down to what changes you're willing to make.

The tax issue is the same as it has been with alcohol and tobacco. Raise taxes on unhealthy foods and sodas...when the consumption goes down and the tax revenue falls...tax something else to make up the difference.

[BOfH]

Originally Posted by 1stindoor

Entire post.

QP 1stindoor,
Sorry to hear that, from what you have posted, you are managing it well IMHO.
That said, you raise an excellent point about intake. I sit at a desk for most of the day, and unfortunately my exercise schedule isn't as routine as it should be, however, I have adjusted my overall calorie intake to match (for the most part) my activity level. Sure it's hard, however, like you so accurately stated, it's about what your willing to change, and having the self discipline to maintain it. I dropped about %5 BF this way, and my energy level is roughly the same(though I could use more sleep ).

The difference between taxing alcohol, cigarettes and taxing junk food is that you can get fat eating healthy foods as well. Everyone has their "food kryptonite", mine is carbs, for others it might be dairy, sugar etc. Taxing the junk isn't going to fix the obesity epidemic, not by a long shot...

My .02