PHYSICALLY TWEAKED by Cat Smiley, ISSA

For anyone who has ever been in public transport, squashed up against the sweaty guy in a belly-hugging t-shirt, you’ll likely agree with the new policy strictly enforced by Southwest Airlines. All passengers of above average size, including extra tall people, will be charged for two seats.

Yet if you’re one of the 51 percent of Canadians who are overweight or obese, you’ll likely feel like this new policy is the last straw. From a sociological point of view, there is still severe discrimination and bias in the workforce, education, public accommodations, transport, and access to medical care.

Warren Everson of the Air Transportation Association of Canada says that potential complaints, from both sides, may cost $25 million per year, a cost that will have to be passed on to all passengers if larger people continue to be billed for just one seat. Despite an estimated three million Canadians who are obese, the past few years have seen airline seats become progressively smaller, presumably to pack more people into airplanes and increase profit. Other countries are looking at the dilemma of whether obesity should be ruled by itself as a disability, and Canada may be the first country to seal the deal.

Recent findings from the Canadian National Obesity Survey, conducted for pharmaceutical manufacturer Hoffman La Roche Canada, found that obese and overweight people were twice as likely as thin people to fill doctors’ waiting rooms. Medical conditions include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, hypertension and chance of a stroke. Regardless, a shocking 70 percent of clinically overweight people in Canada are still satisfied with their body weight.

Being fat does not indicate an unhealthy lifestyle. People of all sizes can get regular medical checkups, follow a sensible exercise and dietary plan. The difficult part is squeezing into the profit-hunting world of corporations and of judgment. It can be difficult for people of normal weight to remember that being fat is not always the fault of the individual. Obese people are not sucking lard off bacon and eating a tub of double chocolate ice cream for breakfast. In fact many are more fitness conscious than their thinner friends.

No matter how many wonder diets flash across your television screen, the best way to lose weight is the same as it was a century ago. Eat less, incorporating moderate portions of nutrient-dense foods and increase your energy expenditure.

Things you already know. Make sure that you are in the care of a physician and registered dietician and that you have been medically cleared to begin exercising. Never be ashamed or embarrassed of your ability, people are generally too wrapped up in what they’re doing to really notice.

Walking around town is a great start, as there are plenty of benches if you need a rest. Just don’t stop for ice cream.

Water exercise is even better than walking. If you feel insecure in a bathing suit, call the local pool to find out the quietest time. You will love the freedom of movement in water that allows the joints to move naturally. The weightlessness makes water non-injurious and therapeutic to the joints. Range of motion and flexibility will also benefit. Avoid joint trauma by staying away from any activities that may jar your joints, such as running.

Strength training is key. Combined with a low fat diet, lean tissue is preserved and enhances your metabolic rate through building muscle and burning extra calories, both during the workout and after. Try to use your own body weight wherever possible such as lunges, squats, modified pushups, rubber tubing and medicine balls, and use a partner for encouragement and stretching whenever you can.

Ultimately, overweight people deserve respect and non-judgmental blending into society, with the right to travel, work and live in comfort. But don’t convince yourself that being overweight is not a health risk for you. Change your mindset and start losing weight today.

And in the meantime, perhaps the government should look at taking care of the overweight Canadians who need special societal benefits, instead of lumping the tab on the backs of shareholders and taxpayers.

Cat Smiley is a pro skier, journalist and personal trainer living in Whistler. www.catsmiley.com 1 604 902-0698

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