Have you noticed that politicians in general, and several in particular, are getting a whole lot more careful about their weight ?

The former governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, unloaded a whole lot of weight, and even campaigns for president on the idea that his single-mindedness on this issue presages an ability to concentrate on what’s really important for the country.

Panting for Power?

Bill Clinton took flak for years about jogging– to Micky D’s. And then there’s Al Gore, who is said not to be planning to run next year because he’s let his weight go up again. Barack Obama is seen on the beach, and his pretty well-developed pecs noted. Governor Richardson is running, but deemed not quite ready for prime time because he’s packing a few too many pounds. A lot of people think Newt Gingrich’s face is too round for a president. Even Hillary, rumor has it, covers up legs that are not as shapely as she might like with those pantsuits. And Dennis Hastert probably lost his position as much because of being super-sized as anything else.

So, what does this mean ? The American people seem to have become down-right tolerant of plus-size people– as long as they aren’t major politicians. No more Wm. Howard Tafts ( http://www.doctorzebra.com/prez/z_x27fat_g.htm ) on the horizon, EVER.

It’s all about body image and self-esteem, isn’t it ? But does that mean we’re shallow ? No, I don’t think so. Perhaps inately we know that people who are to have weighty responsibilities need to have better health to withstand their stresses. We here also understand that the “heroin chic” or “Twiggy” looks of yesteryear are simply unhealthy. No bulemics or anorexics need apply. [Read More . . .] 

The left side of the scale isn’t necessarily the right side

We know what a healthy body image is. Or think we do. But what, in fact, are we looking for in our own quest for our personal “right size?”

I suspect a lot of us are still striving for the perfection of those magazine models and movie stars. That is, after all, the vision of perfection that society offers us. How do we incorporate (literally) those values– or do we ?

Will we recognize our own “Right Size” when we get there, or will we try to sweat past it to an even thinner body, based on what we have seen in the movies, the tv and the magazines ? And will we make ourselves sick, physically or mentally, in the process ?

It can be argued that, yes, you can be too rich AND too thin–even though what you’re trying to accomplish is to look like some famously thin rich person.

It’s all about setting realistic goals, and working towards those goals on a daily basis, folks. In other words, “eat for today” and keep moving, at least 3 times a day for 15 minutes, take those walks, drink your water, don’t take seconds, make sure you get enough fiber. Know what you BMI is, but be aware that, if you are working out or running long miles, your muscles will be better developed and weigh more– so you can be heavier and still healthy.

We have no idea who will end up being president come January 20, 2009, of course, but you can be pretty sure it will be somebody whose BMI is at or close to what we all know it should be. Can we resolve that, by Inauguration Day 2009, we will have reached our own personal goals ? Maybe we can resolve that, as part of our work towards that goal, we will do some old-fashioned door-to-door canvassing for the candidate(s) of our choice — ones who will support true universal health care !