All About that Bass! '

Hey guys,

So after a long eventful summer and Masters started two weeks ago I have finally had the time to sit down and write a  new piece. With the hope to be posting regularly again.

Summer is a happy-go-lucky time; festivals, holidays, nights out with friends and we always always have that summer anthem to take with us into winter. This year it was "All about that Bass" by Meghan Trainor. Shot to fame by its take home message of "loving your curves," "it doesn't matter what size you are," etc. etc.

Take a look yourself!

Here's the thing. I don't agree with the song at all! I can't! Which is annoying because it's seriously catchy (He says immediately questioning his masculinity)! But bear with me on this, I have taken much thought before writing this post as I am aware talking about women and weight/size is thin ice material.

And for me it's the tip of the iceberg when it comes to political correctness!

I honestly do get the attempt of the song writer when it's making these statements. I really do but their is a fine line when it comes to this kind of thing.

Before I go any further I want to make the following statements!

1. NO ONE SHOULD BE MADE TO FEEL INADEQUATE ABOUT THEIR SIZE/SHAPE!
2. NO ONE SHOULD BE BULLIED, MADE FUN OF OR ABUSED ABOUT THEIR SIZE/SHAPE!
3. JUST BECAUSE A PERSON IS OBESE DOESN'T MAKING THEM LESS OF A HUMAN!
4. IF SOMEONE IS OBESE IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU DONT INCLUDE THEM, INVITE THEM OR TALK TO THEM!
5. IF SOMEONE HAS EXTRA CURVES OR A BIG BUTT YOU DONT LAUGH AND POINT!

So over the past decade there has been a massive move toward political correctness, which I in part do agree with. But it has gotten to the stage were you literally do have to think before you speak or do, before you speak, or do! I think I can actually see society slowing down in front of me because people are stopping to think before they say anything!

"Hmm is it: 'I like your blonde hair, or, I like your fair hair,
or, I like you light hair, or, I like your hair....etc.

But what does this do with health & fitness?

Back to the song again.

The song is correct in principle but going about it's message entirely the wrong way. And we see it everywhere! We can't have generic mannequins now! We have plus sized mannequins. We don't have models anymore because they've been replaced by plus-sized models. We can't say someone is overweight or obese or fat or big or whatever the current PC term is.

It is an objective measure. If someone is has blonde hair, they are blonde. If someone is 6 foot 6 inches, they are tall (compared to the average.) If someone is 22 stone, they are very much obese. That is just how it is. 

In the latter stages of this decade of political correctness we have seen a massive push for the whole:

"love your curves"

"you go gurrrll"

or as the song says "go tell them skinny bitches that"

Hmm bit two faced there I think on that last one?

NOW LOOK BACK AT THE  STATEMENTS I MADE EARLIER! JUST REMIND YOURSELVES I SAID THAT AND I MEANT IT!

My annoyance is that these statements whilst giving out a positive message on one hand, is stabbing you in the back on the other!

These statements we see on shows like loose women and magazines and songs like "I love Bass" are standing up against fakeness and bully's which yes I am 100% behind!

BUT!!

They are advocating that it's ok, or, amazing, or even healthy to be a size 20 or size XXL. In fact they encourage you to embrace your curves, do nothing at all about them. Or as the song says again "don't worry about your size."

But we should worry!

In the EU 400,000 people have died in the last year because of the DIRECT link to obesity. This is not including the secondary link to obesity for diseases such as: diabetes, artherosclerosis, asthma. If we included all these, that 400, 000 would be in the millions, if not, 10's of millions. 

Is it ok now to be the size you are? 

The majority of us have gotten to the size we are through no fault but our own. We eat what we like, when we like. The fast paced, but equally lazy society we live is, is partly to blame for this, but the kebab shop doesn't physically rob you of your money then force feed you the food they have given you!

Instead what we should be doing is facing life with a real-world mentality. We need to address the problem. What we are doing now is asking the problem if it wants wallpaper or paint on the walls of its bedroom because its moving in permanently with you! 

We need to address the problem. That's what the professionals are for. Go and see a personal trainer or join a walking club. Don't have takeaways twice a week, read a nutritious recipe book and you'll find an abundance of healthy recipes.

We have to take responsibility for ourselves.

I finish this post by reinforcing the 5 statements above. Whether a person is a size 8 or a size 18 they are still a human being with feelings and a real life and they should be treated with the respect they deserve and no different from anyone else.

If you are obese don't hide behind statements made by songs like this. If you think there is a problem, talk to someone you can trust will give you an  honest answer, like a personal trainer or your doctor.

Address the problem now before its too late!

Thanks for reading!

Ethan