Politics

This is the most political post I will probably ever write. I learned long ago to NOT discuss politics and religion with anyone! I do not like confrontation, I do not like to defend my views (after all, they are MY views) and I really do not like it when someone badgers me constantly to try and change my views. And trust me, out of the handful of people that know where I stand, there are still 2 or 3 of them that try to change me all the time. It's annoying. Therefore, politics and religion are off the table for me.

In October of 2008, I made a seemingly innocent joke to a friend of mine. I was under the impression by the bumper sticker on her car that she was definitely on one end of the spectrum, politically speaking. Apparently, she had changed her mind without telling us. When I joked saying I was going to vote in the direction of her bumper sticker in the upcoming election, she went off the deep end. I mean, this girl already talks very loudly...everyone in the restaurant (and it was a loud restaurant) were turning their heads in our direction while she screamed and ranted and raved. She basically called me an idiot in no uncertain terms.

Thank goodness our other friends came in shortly after and saved me from further humiliation.

That day reiterated the point to myself that I should never discuss these two topics. Because, even when you are positive about what someone thinks, they up and change their position on you. I can honestly say that since a very young age (think 12 or 13), both my political and my theological stance has not changed. Yes, I still do my research and yes, I do still learn. But I am solid in what I believe and that probably won't change.

Anyway, none of the above is even my point today. This article is. Think (and say) what you will about the Obama's. But one thing you can't deny is that they are raising those girls very well. Malia and Sasha are both beautiful, grounded girls who are extremely graceful and well-behaved. More than likely, we will not be seeing these girls in tabloids in the near future.

So, what do we think about the fact that Michelle Obama told the world that the girls' pediatrician told her they were starting to gain a little weight? Do people seriously think that she did something wrong? Do people really believe these girls are going to develop eating disorders because their mom put them on a "diet"?

I was put on a diet in the fourth grade. I needed it. I was getting chubby. My mom was always an avid healthy food cook and worked out like a maniac back in those days. Seriously. My mom was ripped! My mom never forced me to go on a diet, but when I came to her and said that I was getting chubby and I wanted her to show me how to lose a couple of pounds, she helped me. She and I sat down and decided on what a good goal weight would be and what my body should look like. She taught me how to count calories and read and understand nutrition facts on boxes. She showed me how to work out.

And I lost weight.* Also? I didn't develop an eating disorder from it. So, was my mom in the wrong for encouraging me to lose weight? I don't think so. I think she created a very self-aware child that knows what to do and how to do it. Now, whether or not I actually do it is another story. I've had my ups and downs and I yo-yo around, but I've never once in my almost 29 years have ever been considered overweight. Nor have I ever been considered underweight. I'm happy with who I am and yes, I would like to shed a few pounds for the wedding because I've been inching back up on that scale. But in the grand scheme of things, I'm happy with the way I look and if I stay like this for the rest of my life, no harm has been done, really. Even if I do bitch about it on my blog from time to time. :)

So, is Michelle Obama really doing a disservice to her children because she is encouraging healthy eating habits and being transparent with their family? I say no, she isn't. She's being honest and she used the story of her daughters to connect with people. The fact that she said, "I had no idea!" shows that oftentimes, parents overlook the little things that when put together, can lead to a much bigger issue. Just look at the show Desperate Housewives. Gabby and Carlos have 2 severely overweight young children in the show and they think they are fine. Just something to think about, even if it is a TV show. I think it's very indicitive of today's standards and the way more and more parents do not encourage healthy eating habits.

My PawPaw always told me when I was little, "It's very interesting to look in people's grocery carts. Fat people always have fat people food in their cart and skinny people always have skinny people food in their cart." Next time you are at the grocery store, start looking at people's carts. You'd be surprised how logical PawPaw's statement was.

*I feel the need the clarify (because who knows if I'm going to get a tacky comment that my mom treated me horribly) that I grew very fast up until the 5th grade. I am now at the same exact height as I was in the 5th grade and not because I went on a diet the year before. I'm taller than my mom and my biological father was short, too. I had no chance! Also, in 4th grade I was definitely in the full swing of puberty. My mom knew this and my goal weight loss wasn't 20 or 30 pounds...it was more like 7 or 8 pounds. Things were kept into perspective as to my height, my developmental stage and pediatrician recommendations.