A growing problem?

Readers of my last months article on romance may be looking forward to, and anticipating “Romance: Part 2”, but perhaps have forgotten that I had said I would spread the romance parts over three months but not consecutively. Hence no romance article from me this month, could be next month or even the one after? In fact my offering for this month is something very different, so could be prudent to cover one eye and just peep?

Indeed this time I’m offering a “light” (sorry) hearted look at our “growing” problem of obesity and “large” amounts of the population being overweight, if all the surveys and reports are correct. But as I usually say in true poetic fashion, “make your own minds up” please. Again of course, I will be having a little dig at myself too, and with that in mind I am going to move quickly (ho ho as I can) onto the first poem from my second book, and the theme is given away by the title of “Front Line Action”.

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Front Line Action

I don’t want a pot belly

They say it comes with age.

Looking at some younger folk,

It seems they’re all the rage!

Is it the booze that causes it,

Or eating fast food take-a ways?

But whatever the reason for it,

Should you get a “pot”, it stays.

It’s said that if you eat too much

The weight goes to your tum.

But I think that’s only half of it,

It’s also sitting idle on your bum!

Few people want to walk much

So they stand at the taxi rank,

Or drive just a few yards or so

In a giant motor, like a tank.

I don’t like my pot that’s there

Just above my trouser line.

But I must admit to feeling smug,

If they’re over twice the size of mine.

And back sides too, are getting big,

In those outsize clothes they pack

Those very large and active cheeks,

Like two pigs playing in a sack!

So it’s food, drink and sitting down

Too much, that all causes growth.

With lots of people waddling round,

Having one big leg the size of both.

But one thing has come to our aid

In the shape of big electric carts,

That carry heavyweights around

With all of their out sized parts!

I will seriously add at this point that whilst this is a tongue in cheek article I do obviously recognise that many people put on weight due to illnesses, medications or various conditions etc and that any weight gain is often out of their hands. In this I’m extremely fortunate and I count my blessings that I don’t suffer from anything like that, thus any weight gain I have is totally down to me!

Most of us will probably be in denial that we are getting bigger, but as I found out recently our clothes are accurate and cruel judges, or unless like mine, seem to have shrunk a bit while in the wardrobe. Also though, I have another excuse in that I am getting older, ha ha ha. Oh alright, that bit older when weight can go on easier then.

As with all of us, beer, wine, fast food, not quite enough exercise, though I do go to the gym most days, will help increase our waistlines, and what an apt description is that, waste on our waist lines? Another poem is now needed but no respite from the theme as it is called Fitness Coach.

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Fitness Coach

A lot of people are getting bigger

Whatever the cause it’s true,

On a train, bus or even a plane

There’s less seating room for you!

Our cars are larger now as well

To carry massive folks about,

For to drive, or get in small cars

Many just wouldn’t have a shout.

So when buying you must think

Of size, as much as the cash deal.

Whilst the money is important

Can you squeeze behind the wheel?

Of course these mini social tanks

Require a lot more traffic room,

And in a country that seems to shrink

It can only spell road doom.

For most people now won’t walk

To get to their chosen destination,

And with bigger diets and less exercise

This is a lethal combination.

For now this vicious circle of life

Will only lead to earlier fates,

For these bigger cars, carry bigger folks

Who are now much heavier weights!

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Well it seems we all have a dilemma then as it is reported that we increasingly go out for big meals, drink larger amounts of alcohol and consume more fast foods, whilst doing less exercise? If this is all true, and from general observations people are getting bigger, how do we deal with this ? Yes a great question, but you’re not really expecting a “mere poet” to answer it are you? Ha ha haaaaaa! However I will pass on my wonderful mothers advice on this and many things when she was alive, “everything in moderation”!

Yes, and I really do think that could be an answer if people went along with it, but I’m not so sure it fits in with our “have it all” philosophy today, but again I am going to stick to my poetic observations, offer another poem called “A Growing Problem”, (same as the aptly chosen article title), and again from my 3^rd book.