If you’re anywhere in Maine where a lot of people gather, you might notice that quite a few are fat. Why are there so many fat people in Maine?
Well, first of all, let’s not forget that Maine is Vacationland. Many of the fat people don’t even live here. They’re from away.
Next, let’s consider the CDC states that 35% of the adult population in the U.S. (people 20 and older) are obese.
That means that the overweight people who actually do live in Maine are reflective of the general overweight population. There are not a lot more fat people in Maine percentage-wise than there are in the whole nation.
In fact, in a study ranking states by fattest to leanest, Maine ranked right in the middle. Maine has the oldest population in the country. The average age of Maine people is 43.5. States with younger populations could have an advantage to ranking higher on the lean side than Maine, because people tend to gain weight as they age. Thus, as the oldest state in the nation, we could also be the fattest state, but we’re not.
Why does it matter if there are a lot of fat people in Maine? As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter.
Weight is a personal issue. I very much disagree with anybody who says, “We need to end obesity to improve health and lower health care costs.” It’s a statement trying to justify bigotry and prejudice.
If I don’t care about making fat people in Maine lose weight, then why am I writing this blog?
I’m writing it because I know that some fat people have personal reasons for wanting to lose weight. Battling weight can be a stressful, painful experience that can negatively affect every aspect of life.
I know that it is discouraging to want to lose weight and to make one or many unsuccessful attempts. I know because I’ve experienced it myself.
I know that when I tried to lose weight and wasn’t getting anywhere it didn’t help to feel like everybody around me was fat too. It made me feel as though there was no hope for me to slim down. I reinforced my bad attitude with negative self-talk. I was powerless to change because of the many limiting beliefs I held.
Noticing how many people were fat told me that losing weight was not going to happen. It also made me think I felt better about my weight since I was, by no means, the only fat woman in Maine. I wasn’t even one of the very few fat women in Maine. I had lots of company and though being overweight got in the way of my comfort and mobility, at least I wasn’t alone.
So, yes there are a lot of fat people in Maine, but I suspect some of them stay fat because they don’t believe they have a choice. If you don’t want to be one of them you don’t have to be.
Your fate and certainly your weight isn’t determined by how many overweight people there are in Maine. It’s determined by your determination! If you want to lose weight you can do it!
Resources:
Retraining Yourself to Eat for Weight Loss Success
5 Signs you’re succeeding at weight loss even if the scale doesn’t say so
Why it helps to be a Jerk when it comes to losing weight
Guaranteed Weight Loss Success