tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post2929510046354442491..comments2024-03-15T04:01:53.036-04:00Comments on Cranky Fitness: It's a Big CountryCrabby McSlackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12108791388350253344noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-81592266928149903472008-12-05T22:54:00.000-05:002008-12-05T22:54:00.000-05:00I lived in western North Dakota for two years... i...I lived in western North Dakota for two years... in all that time, I NEVER had a single checker recognize a zucchini! Not once.<BR/><BR/>And restaurants would serve either canned peas or canned corn as a vegetable with an entree. It was pretty bad.<BR/><BR/>Tough finding half decent produce up there, I can tell you! So it's definitely different in different places. Yet, we still had a half decent health club... run by the local hospital. <BR/><BR/>It was surely different from the Bay Area, CA where I used to live!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-56969744824042723592008-11-30T13:39:00.000-05:002008-11-30T13:39:00.000-05:00I drive 50 miles to Whole Foods, of course, spewin...I drive 50 miles to Whole Foods, of course, spewing hydrocarbons all the way. We Texans do love us our cars.Kelly Hudginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12236835357270869744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-87682681229205037782008-11-28T10:54:00.000-05:002008-11-28T10:54:00.000-05:00nolafwug--after a disaster like Katrina, I can't i...nolafwug--after a disaster like Katrina, I can't imagine having any kind of "normal" life!<BR/><BR/>We were shocked at the extent of the devastation even this many years later. (Outside the French Quarter, that is, which seemed to be humming along pretty nicely). And we noticed that approaching the city, we couldn't find any grocery stores along the route, even now! <BR/><BR/>So glad things have gotten better for you.Crabby McSlackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12108791388350253344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-75923432251731208922008-11-28T10:11:00.000-05:002008-11-28T10:11:00.000-05:00Great post! After Hurricane Katrina we were ousted...Great post! After Hurricane Katrina we were ousted from New Orleans and we set up in rural Louisiana in an old plantation house. Sounds picturesque and it was but our (relatively) healthy lifestyle certainly suffered - if not went out the window.<BR/><BR/>I had to drive over 30 minutes to get to a decent grocery store - or anywhere else for that matter. There were no sidewalks and our street was a highway on which cars drove 65 mph. There weren't many other streets, just fields. Outside, the smell from the nearby chemical plants made you feel kinda sick a lot of the time. Our futures were uncertain so we were anxious and stressed. To conserve money we ate ramen and saved the fruits and veg for the kids.<BR/><BR/>Knowing what I know now, I think I would get an all-terrain stroller for the baby and get out and walk on the levee and make better cheap-food choices. But it wasn't until we moved out of that environment that I was able to even begin to think about changing my lifestyle to a healthier one. It was like a weight had been lifted when we moved back that I hadn't even known was there.<BR/><BR/>I'm not saying it's impossible for people to make changes. But based on your income level...it can be difficult to even contemplate changes.nolafwughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05657418424788752053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-5673343609591093402008-11-25T17:24:00.000-05:002008-11-25T17:24:00.000-05:00Good point Nicole! And thanks Merry!I agree that e...Good point Nicole! And thanks Merry!<BR/><BR/>I agree that economics makes some choices really difficult. I totally understand why someone struggling to feed their family would not spend extra $$ on organic produce or gym memberships! Healthy food is getting more and more expensive, and I didn't mean to be insensitive about that.<BR/> <BR/>However, a lot of the choices I saw were not about choosing cheaper items. Does nonfat milk cost significantly more than whole milk? Do whole foods bought in bulk like beans and cabbage and brown rice and potatoes cost that much more than burgers and fries and milkshakes and hot fudge sudays?<BR/><BR/>While I think income has a lot to do with it, I also know lots of folks with very little money who prioritize their health and make a lot smarter choices than the kinds I was seeing. <BR/><BR/>Education is a big factor, but I think a lot of people KNOW that a ten pound bag of apples would make a better snack for their families than potato chips or candy bars, but the junky snacks taste better! Even I think so. <BR/><BR/>I'm not sure what the answer is, but I think part of the problem is a culture of instant gratification and short-term thinking, about our bodies, our material desires, our planet, and all kinds of things. Perhaps coastal elitists are worse about material indulgences red-state southern folks reach for the Doritos, I don't know. Anyway, I'm hoping we're on the way to changing that!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your comment, and hope I didn't offend you too much.Crabby McSlackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12108791388350253344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-97336173918976142008-11-25T17:08:00.000-05:002008-11-25T17:08:00.000-05:00Nicole -- that's not a rant, it's a good point. No...Nicole -- that's not a rant, it's a good point. Not to speak for Crabby here, but that's the part that puzzled me. These people live in a climate where they could grow their own vegetables most of the year rather than buying them at a store. Plus, it's cheaper!<BR/><BR/>I could understand it if people eat badly in Northern Manitoba from November to March, but according to Newsweek, the bad eating is more prevalent in the southern United States.<BR/>http://www.newsweek.com/id/76929The Merryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09660495393832517684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-7541721171746871512008-11-25T16:50:00.000-05:002008-11-25T16:50:00.000-05:00Hi! First time commenting here and first just want...Hi! First time commenting here and first just wanted to say you kick some butt! However I was somewhat put off by your rant, I know you meant it in the best way possible and it wasn't offending but felt a little "elitest" (oh god do I hate that word but its the jist of what I'm after). Most of these people don't have a choice to live like they do, I grew up in a town with a population of 400 in Arkansas and the nearest grocery store that had a produce section was 25 miles away, the people who you are shocked to see pile "junk" into their cart arn't thinking about how many calories they are eating, they are thinking about how much they can get for their money. If you are working for $6 an hour and feeding a family of four, what are you going to choose: a prepared dinner from whole foods that will cost $8 or 8 crappy tv dinners that will last much longer for $1 a piece. When you are just trying to survive (as most of these people in rural places are) nutrition gets put pretty low on the priority list. <BR/><BR/>Well with my rant done, you are doing a great job by educating people about exercis but just don't forget that not everyone is as fortunate as you are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-12073275831824984102008-11-25T12:28:00.000-05:002008-11-25T12:28:00.000-05:00ok, now I totally want to move to Austin! I am al...ok, now I totally want to move to Austin! <BR/><BR/>I am always amazed when people honestly believe that some of the junk they eat is good for them. I think we need to focus on more PE and nutrition education in the schools. If we don't, we are going to have a nation of unhealthy, overweight people. :(<BR/><BR/>glad to hear you made it home safe and sound!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-7645211773033559892008-11-25T04:15:00.000-05:002008-11-25T04:15:00.000-05:00Great Post! Being from Houston, I totally agree w...Great Post! Being from Houston, I totally agree with Liz Turtle that given the lack of transportation options, you inevitably end up in your car to get EVERYWHERE. Whats more, in the suburb my family is from in, the gyms are aw-ful, and the classes they offer worse. Little motivation for those less inclined to be addicted to exercise to get off their butts.<BR/><BR/>On the flip side, living in austin is awesome. Great running/biking trails, frisbie golf, and tons of options to be healthy.<BR/><BR/>Good Stuff!Rupalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17285486911041238851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-71640657522901442662008-11-25T00:42:00.000-05:002008-11-25T00:42:00.000-05:00Welcome back!(Is it bad that I was hoping you woul...Welcome back!<BR/>(Is it bad that I was hoping you would snatch a picture of some of these places?)<BR/><BR/>I feel somewhere in the middle. One the one hand I have a mountain in my backyard. Which is awesome. It's just sooo easy to get up there and enjoy beauty and have a great workout. Lots of trails, tons of healthy joggers, bikers, skiers, walkers, nature lovers, etc. On the other hand, fresh (as in FRESH) fruit of all seasons is really hard to come by. We tend to gobble it up when it's in season (strawberries I <I>miss</I> you). I DO get jealous of the people who live super close to WHole Foods and TJ's...and have a greater organics/fresh fruit selection for cheaper pricees.<BR/><BR/>But you know, that mountain really does make up for a lot. <BR/><BR/>(Although really, what do I care? I haven't eaten anything fresh in over three months. My diet consists of sausage, popsicles, cereal, and candy. I think my baby might be made out of corn syrup. As for exercise? [pffft])katieohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08339475353059389950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-69152356900075836442008-11-24T23:33:00.000-05:002008-11-24T23:33:00.000-05:00welcome back, crabby!i think a lot of it depends o...welcome back, crabby!<BR/><BR/>i think a lot of it depends on socio-economic factors and location. i'm currently living in a fairly well-off neighborhood where there are things within relative walking distance (mile or so) as well as lots of produce at the grocery stores. i'm also in the middle of affluent suburbia, where you see people running all the time and bike racks on all their cars.<BR/><BR/>other parts of town? not so much.<BR/><BR/>however, no matter where you live, regardless of the demographics of the area, there will be the health fanatics who find a way and (for lack of a better, more kinder term since i'm TIREDPANTS) the overweight ones who just don't (seem to) care one way or another.Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03808070327493365276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-30054236470619383142008-11-24T23:25:00.000-05:002008-11-24T23:25:00.000-05:00The difference between the grocery stores, restaur...The difference between the grocery stores, restaurants & obesity levels between South Dakota & Portland are crazy - it's so hard to go out to eat or to the grocery store when I visit my parents - there are so few healthy options (especially if you're mostly veg).Amy - the gazellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06290343648184416057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-11671717665425066142008-11-24T19:49:00.000-05:002008-11-24T19:49:00.000-05:00Thanks for your really nice comment - I read your ...Thanks for your really nice comment - I read your blog all the time and (odd, for this non-tech-literate person)am looking into twitter - Do you use this? Keep videoing and writing - So down-to-earth and so very HUMAN! Thanks so much!LastJourneyDownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-34817698692027833632008-11-24T19:38:00.000-05:002008-11-24T19:38:00.000-05:00welcome back!! The fitness level varies so much j...welcome back!! <BR/><BR/>The fitness level varies so much just in my little neck of the woods. my neighborhood is one of the healthiest in Washington- you can walk down the street without getting hit by a biker, or runner or unicycler (im not kidding) but 10 miles in any direction and everyone balloons. and its definately due to the economic difference.<BR/><BR/>Kelly Turner<BR/>www.groundedfitness.comGroundedFitnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12263915889567957950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-36340083035233248832008-11-24T19:18:00.000-05:002008-11-24T19:18:00.000-05:00Welcome back!!! Loved this post. Whenever I'm in t...Welcome back!!! <BR/><BR/>Loved this post. Whenever I'm in the south I'm just amazed by how different it is. I'm in the true Midwest and sure we have our issues, but I still have good access to parks, trails, clubs and Whole Foods. <BR/><BR/>And, I really, really, wanna visit Austin soon!Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12985152906442560096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-50403860643452401092008-11-24T19:05:00.000-05:002008-11-24T19:05:00.000-05:00Welcome back, Crabby!I live in inner-loop Houston,...Welcome back, Crabby!<BR/><BR/>I live in inner-loop Houston, which is much like Austin in terms of availability of healthy food choices, gyms, and running trails. But when Dan and I take road trips west, I have to stock up before we leave because it's a wasteland once you get west of San Antonio. <BR/><BR/>Fort Stockton? San Angelo? Those are the biggest towns on our route to New Mexico, and we have to overnight in one or the other because you can't cross Texas in a single day. If I didn't have food with me, I'd starve.<BR/><BR/>Okay, I'm exaggerating ever so slightly. There's a chain restaurant called K-Bob's, and they have locations in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico (I don't know where else they might be). They have a fantastic soup and salad bar, so if you can make a town with a K-Bob's before they close, you're in luck. <BR/><BR/>Many parts of New Mexico are pretty bleak, too, when it comes to healthy food and lifestyle choices, but Albuquerque and Santa Fe are just fine, as are Taos and Silver City. I remember one year coming down out of the Black range into Silver City, debating with my husband over what we would find there. It was a small New Mexico town, which didn't bode well, but it was also a college town, which suggested options. Not only did we find a great coffee bar, a river trail, and some cute cafes, but we found an organic co-op that stocked all my favorite brands! I nearly wept with joy.<BR/><BR/>You can find the good stuff when you travel, but it's not easy. Take a cooler and a grocery bag of dry goods, just in case.Ann (bunnygirl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04938134750150653386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-88689192289652219462008-11-24T18:05:00.000-05:002008-11-24T18:05:00.000-05:00Welcome back, Crabby. We're pretty fortunate up he...Welcome back, Crabby. We're pretty fortunate up here as far as food options and walking areas are concerned. I have no excuses.. darn! ;)Hilaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12787493532006658679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-48448244279314453042008-11-24T18:03:00.000-05:002008-11-24T18:03:00.000-05:00It's so great to be back and reading all these com...It's so great to be back and reading all these comments--I really did miss everybody while I was offline. <BR/><BR/>And I agree that the lifestyle micro-climate thing is fascinating. In the Bay Area you totally see a different approach to health and fitness, neighborhood by neighborhood.<BR/><BR/>I really feel lucky to have lived places that have a lot of healthy choices. I really don't know how some of you folks do it!Crabby McSlackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12108791388350253344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-45548112873931532102008-11-24T15:10:00.000-05:002008-11-24T15:10:00.000-05:00Utah is a fairly thin, healthy state. We have a fa...Utah is a fairly thin, healthy state. We have a fair number of options for trails, we can ski, rock climb, it's a greta place for mountain biking, so yes, I would be feeling as shocked as you I guess. Even here, traveling to Southern Utah, I have been through little town where eat options were grease, grease or grease...Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00425148037615520256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-78603451942141659232008-11-24T14:39:00.000-05:002008-11-24T14:39:00.000-05:00I want to write a comment on this but I can't seem...I want to write a comment on this but I can't seem to get my thoughts together...So short and sweet - I would love to see one of these Whole Foods stores one day, as I keep hearing (reading) about them! I am forever reading about lots of options that don't exist where I'm from, but at least we do have decent grocery stores and public transportation. Yeah, in the winter, the fresh produce can look kind of sad (and not very fresh at all), but the frozen stuff has really improved in recent years. So I have no excuse not to eat my veggies. :)JavaChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06816858010039395389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-26012853073715191202008-11-24T14:28:00.000-05:002008-11-24T14:28:00.000-05:00My family is in Oklahoma, so I totally understand ...My family is in Oklahoma, so I totally understand where you are coming from. I wander around in amazment at how fat some of the people there are, and how poorly they dress. I have seen changes in the last five years though, and the grocery stores are offering more.<BR/><BR/>I'm also amazed at the difference between the New York and Houston based crews at my airline. You can usually tell right away, of course the accents help.noahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05523876233442902676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-33478723253399844552008-11-24T14:11:00.000-05:002008-11-24T14:11:00.000-05:00Welcome back Crabby!! It sounds like you had a gr...Welcome back Crabby!! It sounds like you had a great trip. I know what you mean about the culture shock in regards to food. Moving from Seattle where the farmer's markets are open year round and you can choose from a variety of Asian pears, to the Midwest where everyone's fave food is "hotdish" (a.k.a. casserole obv. made with some kind of cream of whatever) and the produce section is a mere aisle has been disturbing. But yes, there are ways to live healthy even here! My number one suggestion is learn to love what is local. Everything is always in season on the west coast. Here the seasons are too harsh for things like grapes and peaches so we are learning to love root veggies, squash, kale and lots of apples!Charlottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04339643338071382257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-67894722354427773962008-11-24T13:58:00.000-05:002008-11-24T13:58:00.000-05:00Change...what a 4 letter word that is. Being invo...Change...what a 4 letter word that is. Being involved in the Lutheran church, it's a joke that's just not funny anymore. Same is true for the health of Americans (as a whole, not individual people). I agree that it's personal responsibility, but it's also parental responsibility. For me personally, it's teacher responsibility too. I've realized that this year while I talk to my students about being healthy, I need to set a good example as well (something I haven't done in previous years, much to my chagrin). There are some huge hurdles to get over I think in order to make our nation healthier. The mindset has become : Give it to me when I want it, however much I want it, and for as little effort on my part as possible. I hope that once I teach myself to go against these, I will be able to teach my children the healthy way to live and it will be much easier for them than it was for me.Simplymoihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03247995065336437126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-57159572793283051882008-11-24T12:51:00.000-05:002008-11-24T12:51:00.000-05:00Love the post, Crabby.As someone who travels for a...Love the post, Crabby.<BR/>As someone who travels for a living, I see this all over the place. Most of the places I wind up aren't nearly as health conscious as I have been blessed with in the northeast. But that said, as you pointed out, it really is about personal responsibility. You can be unhealthy any place you want to be and conversely you can be just as healthy as you want wherever you are. No matter where I wind up, I wind up running there. Sometimes there aren't sidewalks or gyms or the healthiest options, but you can always go outside and run. or walk. or do stairs. or play tag. its just a matter of wanting to do it. and that kind of energy is contagious. It may have taken off on the periphery of the country first, but I have faith its spreading inwards. Why, just look at things like the Biggest Loser. That to me marks a noticeable shift in the country's attitude to fat. I think it just needs more time to get a little more viral. But I believe that change is beginning.JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00340304500835382964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-1861579149907617502008-11-24T12:43:00.000-05:002008-11-24T12:43:00.000-05:00Welcome back to the Bay Area, Crabby. Of course yo...Welcome back to the Bay Area, Crabby. <BR/><BR/>Of course you know about our micro-climates. Well, here in the North Bay city of Santa Rosa, we even have micro-demographics.<BR/><BR/>Go to Trader Joe's in central SR, and the folks are generally fit and trim.<BR/><BR/>Go to Food Maxx on the west end of town, and I can often scan the lines to see that I'm the only person in sight (cashiers included) who isn't at least a hundred pounds overweight. <BR/><BR/>It's not because of lack of choice--I make special trips to Food Maxx because they have the biggest selection of apple varieties in town, as well as many "ethnic" vegetables such as jicama, plantains and exotic squashes.<BR/><BR/>West SR is primarily low-income and Hispanic, with a fairly high percentage of illegal immigrants, so whether the issue is genetic, economic or educational would require further study.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com