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Overweight people are not okay
Veteran (you always have to mention that in the US) John Burke tells us nothing new about overweight. He merely strips the message of all political correctness. He lowers the Oprah level in the way we talk about overweight. Straightforward, unnuanced, and agitated, speaking out of frustration due to acceptance of obesity. I already responded quite extensively yesterday when I shared the post on my Facebook page and later saw that apparently there’s already been extensive global reactions [1].“Actually, I agree with him”
Many will (substantively) think: “You’re absolutely right! Finally someone who dares to say what it is.” I’ve also written articles of the same tenor, but with a bit more consideration for the other side. “Losing weight is simple, eat less.” I too have to admit that sometimes I have to restrain my nose from metaphorically wrinkling in disapproval when I see someone with obesity devouring a fatty snack. It’s particularly painful when I then see that the obesity has been passed on to the next generation.Remove the beam from your eyes…
And then I force myself to look normal again when I realize that I’m not flawless either. My main point in yesterday’s response was that everyone has weaknesses. Negative habits that we seem unable to break. One may think smoking is so 2015, another may have a sex addiction. John rightly says that it’s usually a lack of discipline. The problem with overweight people is that their lack of discipline is visible to the whole world. A sex addict doesn’t walk around with his recent browser history printed on a T-shirt.Some start with a disadvantage
Although initially I may react the same as John, I quickly try to tell myself that I shouldn’t judge. Blessed with the “permanently-six-pack” gene, I also have it easy when it comes to staying slim. Admittedly; you won’t find videos on Facebook of me frying chickens in bed. Of course, behavior and personal responsibility are important factors. However, some people are born with a disadvantage. But yes, even if that’s the case, it doesn’t change the solution. Eventually, you really have to do it yourself.Does it work for overweight people?
Even if you agree with what he says, you can wonder what he achieves with it. He vented his heart and then? Is this the method? Will people with obesity suddenly say: “You’re right, John, I’m a fat person and I’m disgusting”, throw 200 kilos of fast food out of the kitchen and lose 50 kilos? Should you fight against “acceptance of obesity” or should you accept that some people are not mentally capable of breaking certain patterns without psychological guidance? Or can you come up with an excuse for every weakness in this way? As always, that will vary from case to case. Some may truly be to blame for living less healthily than desired, others may have had circumstances so heavily against them that it was very difficult to rise above them mentally and physically.Conclusion
John Burke is essentially the Geert Wilders of the fitness industry. He says what many people think but don’t say and kicks against the shins. He locates the cause of the problems in one corner while there are multiple variables at play and reality is complex. He simplifies the solution because it’s easy and clear. “Just get off your lazy butt and lose weight”. His intention seems genuine, but you can question the effectiveness of his method. I ultimately can’t blame him, drill sergeant John Burke. Giving positive feedback is not part of basic training in the US army as far as I know.References
- buzzfeed.com/rachelzarrell/a-drill-sergeant-has-sparked-a-debate-over-his-viral-rant-ca
