I'm Abnormal and Loving It!

I do a lot more observing of people now than I ever had earlier in my life.  Some may call it judging but I feel I am just observing.  Oh well, that's not an argument I will win or even care to have.  Anyways, I have been outside the proverbial box for a while now.  To use a better metaphor, I have been standing outside the forest for the last four years.  My vision is no longer obstructed because I am not amongst the trees.  I see things that others don't because these things are so common and "normal" they go unnoticed by the forest dwellers.

Here is the definition of the word "normal":

conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal

OK, so being common or usual is "normal".  Let's look at some the common traits of health and diet in America. 

1. About two thirds of Americans are overweight.
2. Most people believe weight control is as simple as calories in, calories out.
3. The most common cause of death is heart disease.
4. The second most common cause of death is cancer.
5. The major source of calories in the Standard American Diet come from processed, grain based foods.
6. Carbohydrates are considered to be a healthy foundation of anyone's diet.
7. Americans try to avoid fat except for supposedly healthy vegetables oils.
8. Animal fats are widely accepted as unhealthy.
9. The average American consumes 142 pounds of sugar per year.
10. About half of Americans take at least 1 prescription drug per day.

That is a brief list of what it is to be "normal" in America.  I often observe what people eat, what they buy at grocery stores, how they look, and their health status.  All the above traits are usually confirmed.  Please observe for yourself.  You will see being unhealthy and supposedly eating healthy is the norm not the exception.

So as the definition of "normal" reads, I am striving to be abnormal in many ways.  I am happy to say I have been successful thus far.  Unfortunately it is going to take big changes by millions of people for healthy to again become "normal".  I write about this stuff because I want everyone to be healthy.  It's not up to me though.  It's up to each individual to decide they no longer want to be "normal".  They must embrace abnormal.


CP