Editor's corner/ Over a cup of tea
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
| Getting fit and healthy |
In the U.S., it’s so easy to gain weight, be barrel-shaped, and look unpleasantly plump. Obesity has
characterized a big part of our society — 33 percent to date! The Center for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) says so. CDC adds that obesity in adult Americans has increased by 60 percent in the
last 20 years, and obesity in our children has tripled in the last 30 years. The CDC’s report also stresses
that obesity-related deaths in America have climbed to more than 300,000 a year. The reason: Obesity
has been linked to various illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Fellow Americans, why are we in this grave situation?
We only have to look at our diets and our lifestyles. What kinds of food do we eat, and how do we eat
them? I learned a lot from my interview of Ng Kum, a master chef, whose personal view on this was so
enlightening. He said, and I agreed, that Americans — in general — love anything sweet, in big
quantities, and are cheap. And considering the fast-paced life we all have, we do not have time to cook
fresh and healthy food at home anymore. Americans rely on fast food, take-outs, microwavables, canned
foods, and all kinds of processed foods to fill their stomachs, not necessarily to keep themselves
healthy. As we know, packaged, processed foods lose a lot of their nutritive value during processing
and at the same time, they contain other unknown ingredients to keep them longer in the shelves. Tasty
meals that Americans get very quickly while waiting a minute or two at drive-thrus are also contributing
negatively to one’s well-being while “saving time.” We have forgotten the values of sit-down meals
especially with our families.
characterized a big part of our society — 33 percent to date! The Center for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) says so. CDC adds that obesity in adult Americans has increased by 60 percent in the
last 20 years, and obesity in our children has tripled in the last 30 years. The CDC’s report also stresses
that obesity-related deaths in America have climbed to more than 300,000 a year. The reason: Obesity
has been linked to various illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Fellow Americans, why are we in this grave situation?
We only have to look at our diets and our lifestyles. What kinds of food do we eat, and how do we eat
them? I learned a lot from my interview of Ng Kum, a master chef, whose personal view on this was so
enlightening. He said, and I agreed, that Americans — in general — love anything sweet, in big
quantities, and are cheap. And considering the fast-paced life we all have, we do not have time to cook
fresh and healthy food at home anymore. Americans rely on fast food, take-outs, microwavables, canned
foods, and all kinds of processed foods to fill their stomachs, not necessarily to keep themselves
healthy. As we know, packaged, processed foods lose a lot of their nutritive value during processing
and at the same time, they contain other unknown ingredients to keep them longer in the shelves. Tasty
meals that Americans get very quickly while waiting a minute or two at drive-thrus are also contributing
negatively to one’s well-being while “saving time.” We have forgotten the values of sit-down meals
especially with our families.
After more than 10 years in the U.S., I myself have gained pounds that I could no longer wear my medium-sized blue jeans! I
remember Ng Kum telling me, “Look in the mirror every day and decide whether you like what you see.” Asians, in general,
regardless of where they may be, are beauty-conscious, in terms of body shape and size, skin, face, hair and posture. Some people
might say it’s just about vanity, but in this highly competitive world, the thing that creates the first impression is how one looks on
the outside. In my original country (the Philippines), although not publicly abhorred, obesity, especially in women, is a no-no. Many
Filipino men are usually attracted to slim, young women with smooth skin, that’s why. Personality traits and brain power tend to be
considered afterwards. (Pardon my personal observation.)
Let me get back to my topic before I get lost into an entirely separate but equally important women’s issue in the Philippines.
As I was saying, I myself have gained weight while in the U.S. because of the American way of life. Since I started getting sick
more frequently than ever before, getting depressed for a lot of things happening in America, and looking at the mirror every day (as
Ng Kum suggested), I began planning to change my life toward getting fit and healthy. Also, after a visit to my grandchildren last
year, I told myself I would “watch them grow.” I couldn’t do that if I were “fat and sickly.”
The change is happening now in my life. I have refrained from eating fast-and-processed foods in nearly two months. I have
been eating “60 percent vegetables and fruits and 40 percent ‘other’ food requirements” in accordance with Ng Kum’s suggestion,
and drinking lots of water. I have been exercising (using a popular software) almost everyday for 30 minutes and doing yoga at
night. I have also switched to acupuncture versus drugs for minor pains and stress. It’s quite amazing to note that my asthma hasn’
t been a visitor in a while! I sincerely hope it goes away forever.
The result after two months of hard work and determination? I lost five pounds already and I feel stronger and more energetic
than ever before.
When I look at the mirror nowadays, I surely like what I see. Not bad at all for a 58-year old grandmother!
remember Ng Kum telling me, “Look in the mirror every day and decide whether you like what you see.” Asians, in general,
regardless of where they may be, are beauty-conscious, in terms of body shape and size, skin, face, hair and posture. Some people
might say it’s just about vanity, but in this highly competitive world, the thing that creates the first impression is how one looks on
the outside. In my original country (the Philippines), although not publicly abhorred, obesity, especially in women, is a no-no. Many
Filipino men are usually attracted to slim, young women with smooth skin, that’s why. Personality traits and brain power tend to be
considered afterwards. (Pardon my personal observation.)
Let me get back to my topic before I get lost into an entirely separate but equally important women’s issue in the Philippines.
As I was saying, I myself have gained weight while in the U.S. because of the American way of life. Since I started getting sick
more frequently than ever before, getting depressed for a lot of things happening in America, and looking at the mirror every day (as
Ng Kum suggested), I began planning to change my life toward getting fit and healthy. Also, after a visit to my grandchildren last
year, I told myself I would “watch them grow.” I couldn’t do that if I were “fat and sickly.”
The change is happening now in my life. I have refrained from eating fast-and-processed foods in nearly two months. I have
been eating “60 percent vegetables and fruits and 40 percent ‘other’ food requirements” in accordance with Ng Kum’s suggestion,
and drinking lots of water. I have been exercising (using a popular software) almost everyday for 30 minutes and doing yoga at
night. I have also switched to acupuncture versus drugs for minor pains and stress. It’s quite amazing to note that my asthma hasn’
t been a visitor in a while! I sincerely hope it goes away forever.
The result after two months of hard work and determination? I lost five pounds already and I feel stronger and more energetic
than ever before.
When I look at the mirror nowadays, I surely like what I see. Not bad at all for a 58-year old grandmother!
