Are Our Big Larders Contributing to our Lard Asses? (Ass as in donkey!)

lar•der (lärdr)
n.
1. A place, such as a pantry or cellar, where food is stored.
2. A supply of food.

Are our big larders contributing to our lard asses (ass as in donkey!)

I’ve been observing a new culture the past few weeks and one thing that is glaringly apparent to me is the contrast of lean vs. overweight/obese people here (Hong Kong) vs. USA. Now this is not a scientifically conducted observation but merely my own humble opinion. I did research the stats and they indicate that there has been a double digit increase in overweight men in Hong Kong central over the past decade but still statistics reveal the numbers are less than those in the US. The norm in Discovery Bay lends itself to lean and fit and I got to thinking about what might make it easier for people to live healthier lifestyles. I met a woman from the UK the other day and she told me she has lost over 30lbs in the last 6 months since moving here – she is now a healthy weight. This is my non-scientific summation:

1. Walking - I walk about an extra 5 miles a day – walk the dog (because I no longer have a back yard), walk to the store, the bus, the subway, the club house – you get the picture – everywhere.

2. Space - because the kitchens are generally a lot smaller there is a lot less storage space to store miscellaneous food. I shop daily for dinner and have some staples for breakfast but otherwise I keep no snacks or “extra’s” on hand.

3. Cost of food – most junk food is westernized and tends to be more expensive, especially if you buy US/UK/Auz brands. Veggies, fruits and fresh meats and fish are way less. If you’re watching a budget it makes the choices very easy – eat fresh, eat local, eat healthy. Visit your local farmers market.

4. Eating out – most people have help with cooking and tend to eat at home in DB – I have a feeling that may not be the case in HK because their kitchens, in general, are way smaller.

5. Exercise –the kids have mandatory PE in school – sometimes for as much as 3 hours and school sports are included in their curriculum. There are tons of clubs for adults – rugby, multi-sports, kayaking, rowing, hiking etc. It makes working out a fun activity rather than a chore.

6. Planning – I’ve given this a great deal of thought – I always say have a plan. But maybe we need to reconsider what that means – does it mean stocking up on a bunch of food without a specific meal in mind. Since I shop just for a day, I know exactly what I will eat and it’s a different kind of planning.

7. TV – where do I get the extra time to shop and walk? Well I barely watch any TV despite the fact that it was one of the first things we got squared away. And guess what – the world still turns even though I have no idea who won idol. I catch up on the news and other stuff on my iPad (THANKS AGAIN!) on the subway, train or just go out for a coffee and hang out reading.

So these are the top 7 reasons that I believe are fantastic behavioral changes. They’re simple, uncomplicated and fun! When I think about how much food I would toss each week because I “planned” and then went out instead, I’m embarrassed. I do believe that by stocking our larders less we have a great shot at reducing our lard asses. :)

Happy sleep week CEO’s! I have to admit that this week I will not be able to hire myself because I did not get to sleep on time because I was writing the blog! :)