Profile Post

Melting Mama, also known as Beth, is a career blogger. She writes about weightloss, primarily as it relates to bariatric surgery. This site has been well thought out from the design, titles, aesthetics, and advertisers. Melting Mama has about 50 advertisements all related to healthy eating, which is currently supporting her family of 6, as stated Writing this blog has helped my family immensely, allowing me to provide income as an at-home parent, and while "disabled." She does not have any credentials related to her work, nor is she a college graduate. But, her source of research comes from her personal struggles with weight-loss and GI bypass surgery. As she is discovering and coping with low blood sugar, and resulting epilepsy she is trying to develop a career in weight control and health prevention. Melting Mama writes about 3 times a week, and I'm assuming during the times in between carrying out extensive research which she quotes regularly in her posts. Melting Mama's blog provides an extreme and personal perspective of weight management that I cannot relate too. So, I can foresee her experience as assisting me in my personal research and tactics of expressing my thoughts in a more balanced manner. Her posts prove that she is capable of finding and identifying valuable research, but her lack of academia limits her analysis. Most of her research is hearsay or general quotes from renowned scientists. But, by providing contrasting theories made by conflicting scientists' makes her posts and statements strong. What makes her blog appealing is that it provides a safe place for people considering bariatric surgery to learn about the risks and contributions from a detailed and revealing person. From her comments I would assume that a large portion of her audience is from people struggling with the need to loose significant amounts of weight. One post entitled "Who Says Americans Are Too Fat? Overselling the obesity epidemic isn't getting us anywhere. You can be big and healthy at the same time;" is one of her more controversial blogs. The title suggests that Melting Mama is encouraging obesity or "fatness," or at least providing a new theory about how being fat is healthy. The first half of the blog describes evidence of how obesity isn't as much of a health risk as we (Americans) think, then she comments on the other side of the argument about cardiovascular health and statistics. She finishes the statement by revealing her opinions on failed weightloss treatments and diets. But, what she concludes is that it's clear that Americans are getting fatter but weight isn't the issue, unhealthy choices are the issue. So, instead of focusing on weight and obesity as a health risk, we should focus on unhealthy choices as a health risk. To get people off the weight-goal oriented health kicks, and into permanently changing habits. Which I found to be a new and comforting tactic; instead of scaring people into becoming healthy maybe trying to sell them on a lifestyle they are missing out on. Another Melting Mama's blog titled "You're not losing weight, you're losing water and muscle," is a more sarcastic and direct post. She clearly states what is needed to lose weight, "The general rule to follow is 1 gram of weight loss for every reduction of 7 calories needed to maintain existing weight." And she delves into the reasoning of caloric balance without sugar coating anything: PLEASE NOTE: If a person takes in less calories a day than is needed to maintain his or her existing weight, and does not take in adequate protein, the overall weight loss does not mean that only fat is being lost. On the contrary, the body will first lose retained water (about half the total weight lost the first 3 weeks is water), and then the body will lose muscle. Fat loss will be last. Although, her directness is appealing for those who understand the theory, it might be more complicated for someone who is trying to learn this concept. This post is not one of her more active posts, probably for this reason. People don't want to feel stupid, but at least she is stating the facts. http://www.meltingmama.net/wls/2009/08/who-says-americans-are-too-fat-overselling-the-obesity-epidemic-isnt-getting-us-anywhere-you-can-be-.html

Hello

Society in the US has been based on being able to congregate and exercise freedom through communicative contact based forums. As these forums change, via electronic developments, people are able to communicate on a global level. The extensive ability to communicate can encourage or shun productive analysis, and thus leaves the speaker perplexed with the ultimate question of what is the purpose and how does this get accomplished? Blogging has become the solution for many by enabling productive discussion, unless discussion is corrupted by ulterior motives. So, what are the motives that enhance productivity? Some are encouraged by the theory of sharing of ideas to cultivate understanding, while others are driven to blog to expose internal rants and anonymously "eavesdrop" on friends and foes which could eventually lead to something significant. Since there is usually more than one answer to any problem compiling and reviewing a variety of perspectives is necessary for resolution, and thus blogging is the appropriate course of action. Therefor the purpose of my blog is join the investigation of the topic of weight-loss.

The "health care crisis" has encouraged new studies and theories on the topic of health and the criteria for being healthy. While some are arguing that those leading unhealthy lifestyle (as determined by body fat percentages) should be paying more taxes and higher deductibles, others are claiming that obesity isn't a choice and therefore not punishable. These contrasting opinions are forming a segregation between the "fat" and "thin" with little or skewed scientific evidence.

Recently Gary Taubes, writer for the New York Times, wrote an article entitled "Health Warning: Exercise Makes You Fat;" the exact statement those sitting on their couch eating McDonalds want to hear. This article encompasses the ideals, values, and current increasing CVD statics of the future. As seen by new research on obesity in the US, which are now heavily influenced by the predisposition theory; obesity as a genetic disease a biological factor unrelated to lifestyle. Those endorsing this theory are also embracing Taubes's thoughts on exercise as an opposing weight-loss mechanism. Is there some evidence to these arguments on exercise and genetics or are these ideas being embraced in order to support a guilt free conscious while eating a 2,500 Cal snack at Wendy's? Although feeling less guilty about that unhealthy snack might decrease some stress allowing for better digestion, which may or may not effect the caloric intake, it is still apparent that those consistently waiting in line at Jack in the Box tend to have larger girth circumferences than those partaking in a veggie salad. And, the last time I was watching the Olympics I don't think anyone of the medalist had more than 12% body fat.

Working in health care has increased my exposure to the lack of knowledge on health circulating through the general public. After hearing excuse after excuse about family history, environmental issues, or any condition in which nobody seems to have any control over as a reason for their current seek in health care makes one a little insensitive to the fact that people are actually following the advice of Taubes. After 5 years working in physical therapy, I have seen a clear distinction between those that practice proper body awareness and diet and those incapable of performing exercise and how this directly relates to their recovery, future accidents or health problems, and their return rate to physical therapy. It's time to put down the Cheetos, pick up the carrots, and check in with reality.

Instead of tending to my usual work in fitness and physical therapy, I have dedicated time to seeking the disconnect between the fit and the obese. So, I will be spending most of time with obese children; high in risk for type II diabetes, heart disease, and possible fatalities. In attempts to discover: what is so difficult about working out and eating right? And in the meantime, continuing to research studies on the topic of weight-loss, by those positively and actively knowledgeable on the subject as opposed to those encouraging laziness and excuses for the overweight.

Future topics will include: determining body composition (techniques, fat percentages, and theories), health issues related to obesity, scientific and social theories on obesity, the biochemistry of diet and exercise, current events and politics of health and health care, and new discoveries related to obesity and fitness.