WV Ranks 6 in obesity (Charleston, Wheeling: live in, statistics, to move)

[Threerun]

Agreed. I have friends that have lived Gaithersburg in the same spot for 15 years and they know maybe 1 neighbor?

What's the point of being 'connected' if you choose to stay disconnected from the things that matter most? No real sense of pride in the community, no community involvement..

Before spring hit I rented a lawn aerator to try revive the lawn in my new-older house. I saw my neighbor, a spry 82 year old gentleman and stopped to chat a bit. Told him I had this plugger rented for the whole weekend and I'd be more than happy to hit his lawn for him..

Before I started on his lawn he made come in to his house, sit down and have a couple cold ones.

That's connecting.

[citybilly]

Since the subject is WV ranking high in obesity, let me point out that in the north central area, there are a surprising number of mighty fine looking ladies. Sure, obesity is not that uncommon, but you never hear the other side. It seems like the studies always point to WV for negatives, like poor health and education, and it's not usually the 9s or 10s that end up on TV. Perhaps you guys are trying to keep these lovely ladies a secret..??

[snorpus]

Shhhhh.... don't say that too loud.

[Future Trooper]

my homestate indiana came in at 21st place.

If everyone walked a mile atleast twice a week the problem of obesity wouldnt be so bad.


i weighed 226lbs in April and i got a little alarmed because i was getting to where i would have to buy 2XLS. so i decided that i would start walking more and unfortunately cut out lunch.

even though i didnt enjoy cutting out lunch it certainly helped me loose weight. + i also walked 5km ( 3 miles) everyday and now Tuesday August 8th,2008 i now weigh 194 lbs! my goal is to get back down to 180lbs before the end of the year.

this is the first summer in 3 years that i weigh less than 200lbs.


so if i can do it anyone can!

[NOVAmtneer82]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

People are walking everywhere, rail trails, parks, malls, high school and college tracks...workout in the spas...and we have several...where are you getting this opinion?

My opinion as to being 'uneducated to the world around us...that is a blessing if their ever was one. I certainly don't want the 'bums from Portland hitting me up for money on every street corner...the plastic, insincere world of California, the 'money chase of New York City...the dope from Cleveland...
It seems that the 'world around us has very little to offer in honesty and values...we have that now..and are losing it...we still are able to live in safety here...how would becoming that be a help?

I'm getting this opinion from when I visit public places in my hometown of Charleston (along with other places in WV) and there is hardly a skinny person to be found. I get this opinion when I read publications like this all the time that rank WV as being near the top in terms of obesity and unhealthy living.

And I never said being disconnected from the outside world was bad in every single way. Believe me, I'd like to have some occasional WVa friendliness up here in the DC area, god knows we need it. I just said when it came to healthy living options, West Virginia was somewhat disconnected from the trends.

You guys get so worked up on here when people make basic and true observations about WV. But then you never hesitate to bash any major metro area outside of WV as being completely out of touch with regard to honesty, values, safety, sense of community, etc.

It's basic facts, you can sugarcoat it all you want but it doesn't change things. Saying that WV is encouraging healthy lifestyles when most of the state is obese would be like me saying "Oh the crime isn't bad in DC" when it has one of the highest murder rates in the nation. Or saying "the traffic in this area isn't bad at all" when it is constantly ranked as 2nd worst behind LA.

These are just things you happen to notice. I'm not some forum troll that has never been to WV and gets on here spewing hateful things about the state. I spent 22 years of my life in WV, I like to think I know a little bit about how things are in the state...

[Threerun]

When I lived in Adelphi MD back in the 70's (when I was in early elementary school) we knew darned near EVERYBODY on the block. True blue collar neighborhood, groups of dads sitting around picnic tables drinking Miller Light and chatting until the sun went down.

When I moved back to MD around High School years we lived in Laurel MD. Nobody in the development knew each other. I don't think my mother ever spoke to any of the neighbors with the exception of one or two. She's still there to this day.

It's like that in Gaithersburg, Frederick, now even in Charles Town, especially around the new developments. This is not a stretch by anymeans, it's a normal occurance in the life a suburban family. Seems you meet people at soccer games, not neighborhood events.

When my wife and moved to Kearneysville WV, my neighbor across the road came over to introduce himself. He noticed I was wearing an old boy scout t-shirt or something and asked if I was in Scouting. I said no, not currently but I was an Eagle. He stuck out his left hand and we shook, then he told me to meet him at the church on Wednesday night so he could introduce me to the Troop.

We had neighbors popping from all over the street to introduce themselves, bring cookies, etc.. It was like Adelphi from the 70's. It was GREAT.

Several years after we lived there, a neighbor moved out and a new younger(ish) couple moved in. We walked across the yards to bring them some brownies on their move in day (and offer to help) when lo and behold it was girl we had gone to High School with almost 10 years prior! She was thankful to leave the inner Beltway too becuase of how rude and obnoxious it had become.

Every place we lived in, including our new home in Bridgeport, we've had neighbors stop in and introduce themselves and offer to have us over. My wife and I NEVER had anybody come over and introduce themselves when we lived in Gaithersburg, Frederick and Hagerstown MD.

I guess I'd rather have fat and friendly neighbors rather than skinny house bound hermits.

/rant/

[David Kennedy]

mountaineeratheart; You're right...observation....at the hospital check-up yesterday, I mentionted to the Doctor...New furniture?...he called it a love seat but it was too small about 36" wide...I said...'for fat people? he said...'Yeah...everything is New and improved...

Three-run lives in West Virginia...I wish everyone did... Well, the trains pulling out for DC...be back Thursday...the lap top may speak, if it gets a connection....

[vec101]

Why is it that people who don't live in the state seem to know what is going on in the state but those of us who live here evidently don't.

Again I state: Hiking, walking, exercise, wholesome eating, weight control, etc. ARE promoted. That doesn't mean people do it, but it is promoted.

[AliceT]

Originally Posted by GottaHerdOn

We have addressed the Southern thing before though. While to some WV may be "southern" to others its not.

I nearly became sick to my stomach when someone tried to convince me that WV is part of the south - and here I had done all I could to move out of the south when I left FL. I mean, if Ohio is in the midwest, how exactly can WV be in the south? I mean, Ohio is on one of our borders. WV can't be so much farther south that it is considered south. It just can't be. Must be mid-atlantic. Yeah, that's it.

[citybilly]

Originally Posted by vec101

Why is it that people who don't live in the state seem to know what is going on in the state but those of us who live here evidently don't.

Again I state: Hiking, walking, exercise, wholesome eating, weight control, etc. ARE promoted. That doesn't mean people do it, but it is promoted.

That sounds right to me. I see Fairmont General has built a new sportsplex health/medical/gym complex of some sort. Probably cutting edge. (not finished yet) and there are rail trails everywhere, but I don't see lots of users. I notice the bball and tennis courts in the parks aren't used much, either. I do see bicyclists frequently, riding along roads and streets that, ironically, can't be considered healthy since they are not even safe for cars.

But on the other hand, if everyone was obsessed with total fitness, we would become California, and I'd have to move again. Maybe there's a happy medium someplace. But for now, it's a happy XXL.