Lose Weight in the Name of Love

Phillip C. Lee
English 101
Dr. Beres
March 30, 2007






Love is a difficult subject to be defined. Generally, dictionaries define love as deep fondness or affection; however, the real meaning of love is different for everyone. To some people, love is quite fatal, yet to others, it is just a game. The way love is expressed is also different depending on the person, and love affects each individual differently. Love can bring about all sorts of emotions in people, and those emotions, such as hate, desire, passion, envy, lust, and etcetera, directly correlate with people’s behavior and relationships with others in the real world. Love is also the reason why people live. Why would a delegate fight for human rights? Why would a student be studying until four in the morning? Why would a boy be trying to write a heart aching epiphany? Why would a girl run under the moonlit sky? The answer to all these questions is the same: love. It may seem like they are all fighting for different purposes; however, they are all striving to get what they love.
Many people are fighting battles with fat and heavy body weight. Diet pills are booming, and gyms are full of people who are trying to get in shape. Why are they trying so hard to cut weight? The answer is simple; as conceited as it may sound, people lose weight because of love. Whether individuals are shedding pounds to look better or perform better, the reason why and how they lose weight is love. Love motivates individuals to lose weight and concentrate their energy towards obtaining their targeted looks and appearances. Therefore, it can be said that love affects weight loss in terms of motivating an individual to diet, exercise, and control oneself.
Love affects dieting in the way that people diet in order to increase sexual activeness in relationships. Even though most people say that they diet to satisfy self-goals to feel better and to be healthy, many dieting reasons are rooted beyond that. To say solely that people diet just to have self-satisfaction is obscured beyond reasoning. No matter how much we want to consider human beings pure in general, people are not as pure as we would like to see them. For instance, a primetime poll conducted by TNS, says that seventy percent of men think about sex every day and thirty-four percent of woman think about it every day (ABC News). People diet in order to look better and get the love of the person they love. There would be no one who does not want to look attractively to the person he or she loves. Most people who diet are probably hoping that getting in a perfect shape would make them look better so that they can be more successful in their relationships with their loved one. A study conducted from a sample of white upper-middle-class females concluded, “dating and physical involvement with boyfriends were significantly associated with a greater likelihood of dieting” (Halpern).
People diet for different reasons. For instance, an athlete cuts weight to shave seconds off their sprints, and a person who loves oneself cuts weight for self-satisfaction. Yet, the person who diets for self-satisfaction or for sports is just like the person who is doing it to look better in tighter jeans. They are all motivated by love to lose weight. Love motivated them to strive harder to look and feel better at what they do or want to do. Those people are different from the people who lose weight to look better in only one thing, the subject to whom the one wants to look or be better. However, that difference does not change the fact that they want to obtain what they love, and their love is the reason why they are trying so hard to lose weight.
Dieting, of course, is a way to lose weight and love definitely is an undeniable reason why people partake in dieting. Dieting is a sort of regiment where people partake and follow a strict routine and are careful what and how much to consume. Whether you are an athlete dieting for the love of the game or a workaholic trying to cut back on some weight to look better for your loved one, it is obvious that love uplifts people to lose weight. Yet, exercising is another particular way to lose weight and cut down on the pounds, and it can be also directly affected by love.
Approximately 127 Million adults in the U.S. are overweight (Downey). Not only this but, “currently, 64.5 percent of U.S. adults, age 20 years and older, are overweight and 30.5 percent are obese (Downey). As altruistic as people might want to be viewed, there is a sexual desire in everyone that people would like to fulfill. Is a man who weighs 300 pounds overweight more physically confident than a man who weighs 160 pounds? Presumably, most people would say, “No.” Research has shown, “Exercise can enhance sex and relationships overall” (McCarthy). Love can motivate people to exercise and ultimately lose weight to obtain the wanted appearance. For this reason, love contributes to weight loss because it acts as a motivator for anyone willing to shave pounds off to feel and look better for the significant other. Exercise can be said to be done for inner-beauty as much for outer-beauty. “Working out also releases endorphins – the body’s feel-good chemicals – so that couples who work out together are likely to feel good and enjoy being together” (McCarthy).
Not all obese people are obese because they eat excessively. There is a factor in which people are obese because of inherited or genetic problems. People who are physically impaired cannot control their obesity, but still there are weighs to get around that. People who fall into these problems can solve their overweight issues by researching and prompting themselves into practices of liposuction, stomach tucks, and stomach staples. In these times and ages many alternatives are possible. Hence, the bottom line is anyone can manipulate love as to encourage and inspire them. As the old adage goes, if there is a will there is a way.
Dieting and exercising contributes to losing weight as well. Self-control and self-regulation are totally two different things. People who have self-control are people who regulate themselves through love. The people who self-regulate are people who diet. Glancing at your own life, what can stop you from working at midnight? Could it be a midnight snack? How can you convince yourself to overcome your hunger? Of course as tedious as it sounds, love can do this. Love can remind a person that self-control can retain a person from rummaging through his or her refrigerator. Even though it is easier to give in than to stop yourself from just taking one small morsel of your favorite ice cream, with love it is just as easy to stop yourself too.
Inspired by love, self-control dictates weight loss. A story in the media of a couple who both weighed 307 pounds and both admitted excessive eating and lack of self-control proves the fact that love can develop self-control. Often, many people who have problems with losing weight contribute their problem to their lack of self-control. One might have promised oneself that he or she would try to lose weight by eating right, but when he or she actually sees his/her favorite ice cream sitting in the fridge, it is not easy to just stick to the plan and not to eat the ice cream. One might also have promised oneself that they would exercise everyday for an hour, yet after two or three days, it is easy to become lazy again and not to go to the gym thinking, “I exercised really hard yesterday; I think it is okay to just skip one day.” Then, how can love do this extremely hard job which is to affect and grow self-control? The answer is simple. Without love, there is no encouragement; consequently, there is no support for the particular individual to lose weight. Controlling oneself without any support or help from other people or emotions can be difficult. If an individual implements a kind of love, whether emotional or physical, toward losing weight, anything could be achievable. Idealistic as it seems, the best advice the couple gave after shaving hundreds of pounds amongst both of them was this: “We never come out and say, ‘Should you really be eating that? We just trust each other’” (Hellmich). To rely on another to lose weight sounds ridiculous, but, at the same time, a bond so called love can nurture self-control in an individual.
With love by anyone’s side, a feat, such as losing weight, can be simple as gaining weight. People just need to hold back and remember that love is by their side when the next time they want to go biggie size on their meal at McDonalds or Burger King. Self-reliance, of course, is a big factor, but love always encourages people to strive harder in life.
Most commonly, love refers to strong affection between two people. However, love also includes feelings or fondness toward anything, including an object or oneself. In some way, whether negatively or positively, and at some point in life, if not all the time, everybody is impacted by this love. Love is the reason why one is where he or she is right now. Everyone is fighting to fulfill their ultimate goal which is to obtain their loves. Body weight, among many other behaviors or characteristics of human, is also affected by love. As America being the most obese country in the world, here in the United States, it is common to see individuals overweight all the time. If love can motivate an individual to diet, exercise, and control oneself and make him or her lose weight, is obesity in America due to lack of love and inspiration?

Bibliography

ABC News: Primetime Live Poll: American Sex Survey. Gary Langer, Cheryl Arnedt, & Dalia Sussman. 21 Oct. 2004. ABC News , New York, NY. 22 Mar. 2007 .


American Obesity Association - AOA Fact Sheets. Morgan Downey. 2 May 2005. American Obesity Association, Washington, DC. 2 Apr. 2007 .


Halpern, Carolyn T. et al. "Body Mass Index, Dieting, Romance, and Sexual Activity in Adolescent Girls: Relationships over Time." Journal of Research on Adolescence 15.4 (2005): 535-559.


Hellmich, Nanci. "A Running Love Story." USA Today 14 Feb. 2007: 07d.


McCarthy, Laura F. "Sex, Love, and Working Out." Family Life (2000): 24.

Jennifer Slocum
Mrs. Rogers
English 101
24 March 2007
Dogs are an Antidote

Dating back to the dawn of human civilization, the idea that animals have healing powers is an idea that has often been raised. “Dogs are an antidote to depression and an easy pill to take,” says Steve Reiman, president of Therapy Dogs in Vermont, about his belief in the importance of therapy dogs. (Vermont therapy dogs). Reiman adds that dogs divert a person’s attention from the pressure of everyday stress, and help people endure emotional issues. They have a therapeutic and calmative effect. (Vermont therapy dogs). Today Americans are living longer, and sometimes alone. Due to this, a pet may help with the loneliness in a household. One source states dogs can add a new meaning to life, giving one the sense of responsibility. (Pets help people). In an Internet article called “Paws for healing” it states, “A dog’s unconditional love and willingness to please translates into almost countless benefits for patients, family members, students, and caretakers.” (Healing paws). Given these testimonials, and research it has been proven that the advantages of owning a dog outweigh the disadvantages. In fact, dogs improve physical and mental health so much that they are now being trained as therapy dogs to help those in need.
Before everyone goes out and buys a puppy, there are a lot of safety facts that must be considered. Though the benefits of having a pet outweigh the risks, there are some unhealthy side effects which most of the time can be prevented. For instance, allergies are a side effect that may lead people to believe that they are not able to own a pet. However, a person who is allergic to a pet, often prevent outbreaks by taking an allergy prescribed medicine. Also, another issue concerning the disadvantages of having an animal present in the household is the effect the pet may have on younger children. An article entitled “The Health Benefits of Pets” states:
There has been some concern that children who establish too intense of a relationship with a pet may suffer in the development of sophisticated and meaningful relationships with other people. (Health benefits of pets).
It is important to remember that choosing to have an animal is something that must be done according to the lifestyles of those who chose to make the purchase. One source stated that more than half of American households have chosen to incorporate a pet into their life. (Health Benefits of pets). This statistic proves that many households are aware of the disadvantages of having a pet, but chose to welcome them into their families.
According to a study by Geoff Davis, contact with animals can literally improve human health. Along with the mental aspects of owning a pet, a lot of the physical health is poured out while keeping and maintaining one. (Therapy on four). In an article about “How Pets Help Health”, it states that in 1990, the study of one thousand medical patients found that dog owners visit their doctors sixteen percent less. (How Pets Help Health). For instance, a pet like a dog can help regain strength after an injury or surgery by taking it for walks, playing ball, or brushing its coat. All physical aspects of taking care of the animal ultimately help improve your recovery time and overall fitness. One Internet article said that pet owners reduce the risk of heart disease because people with pets have shown lower cholesterol and blood pressure. (Mate or Mutt). An Internet article about stockbrokers stated when considering personal professions of people’s lives, a stockbroker is usually considered a stressful job. However, research shows that stockbrokers without pets are said to have a higher blood pressure than those who own pets. This may be because of the comfort an animal can give to someone after a hard day at work. (Mate or Mutt).
Aside from the physical advantages of having a pet, there are three important mental aspects that prove to be beneficial to pet owners, as stated by “Mate or Mutt”. These three aspects are: Stimulating good behavior, relieving stress, and heightening esteem. With these three roles that pets play in their owners lives, the mental advantages they bring is more than enough to create a happy environment.
Pets in a lot of ways have the ability to create and stimulate good behavior in their owners. “Healing Paws”, an Internet article reports, that the psychological benefits may include increased socialization and interaction with others. This starts at a young age with children, as dogs begin to help develop nurturing skills. (Healing paws). One Internet article says both of these benefits help bring out good behavior and add to the idea that pets are more than just something to take for a walk and feed. Also, pets are now being incorporated into workplaces, where they are said to be reducing stress and improving mental and physical health of employees. (Mate or Mutt).
Pets are the last thing on people’s mind when it comes to kicking back and being relieved of the day’s frustration. However it’s known that animal contact appears to remarkably increase relaxation and reduce stress. By having a pet, it allows owners to get their minds off of their daily issue, and gives them something to do rather than dwell on their problems. Believe it or not, a new study published in the issue of “The journal of Psychosomatic Medicine”, suggests, “A few minutes alone with a pet might do even more to reduce someone’s stress than talking about troubles with a best friend or spouse.” (Mate or Mutt). This quote intertwines with the idea that no matter what the abilities or disabilities a person may have, dogs or pets do not treat people any different, therefore posing and serving as a positive role model, suggests one source. (Mending Hearts with Loving Paws). A positive role model is a key factor in a child’s life, and now parents and older siblings are not home as much, therefore a pet can assume the important position in a child’s development.
“Love is the primary need in an animal’s life,” according to the British Veterinary Association. (Pet Health). It is important for owners’ health and pet’s health to establish this love with their pets. The happier and healthier the pet is, the happier and healthierthe pet owner will be. A pet has a big impact on the mood of a human. I believe it is very hard to turn down a pet when it wants to spend time with one by a yelp or a request for a walk. One source states that, it is proven that while walking a pet much of the daily stress is relieved. (Pets Stressed Out). So, Americans should be more aware of their pet’s happiness. One Internet article said that somewhere between 30% and 60% of pets are overweight due to too many treats and not enough exercise. (Pets Stressed Out). The pets that have happier and longer lives tend to stay at their ideal weight just like humans, states Sage Holloway. (Pet Health). The more fit and healthy a dog is, the longer it is able to live and be a companion to a person. Persons and pets emotions are linked together as if a team. If a dog is unhappy then he is not capable of relieving its owner’s stress. So, just as much as a pet has an impact on people, people have an impact on their pets.
How is the stress that people are carrying effect your pet? Americans today seem to have more stressful lives, and it has effects on your animal. In an Internet article about “Are your pets stressed out?”, Sage Holloway states, “When we allow our emotions and mental state to be affected by the stressful factors in our world, we become sick, and our animals become sick with us.” (Pets Stressed Out). Animals are very sensitive to their environment, one source states. (Pet Health). Animals do not adapt to change very well, such as a new home. Pets often become confused and worried under these circumstances. A new member in the family, for instance, a baby or another animal might also affect the mood of the pet. Other changes in environment such as weather and seasonal changes can upset a pet, says one Internet source. (Pet Health). Pets, like humans, seem to get upset about the changes that occur in their life. It is very important to make sure your pet is not too stressed out, because pets do not have the ability to express their feelings.
Another attribute of having an animal is its ability to heighten ones esteem. Dogs serve as a positive impact on a young child’s life; they make the child feel as though they are important in the animal’s life, and also offer’s a sense of achievement. One Internet source mentioned, that the psychological benefits may include increased socialization and interaction with others. (Healing paws).
More and more people are starting to notice all the positive effects of having a pet. Therapy dogs are now in nursing homes, and in hospitals. It has been proven by one internet article that a patient who normally would not get dressed willingly, would quickly get out of bed on their own the days they knew that the pets would be visiting. (Vermont therapy dogs). Therapy dogs provide people who have disabilities, mentally and physically with a sense of independence. (How Pets Help Health). These dogs also serve as their partner’s ears, and eyes. I believe therapy dogs serve an important role in the people’s lives that have disabilities, and they need to become more recognized and available in our society.












Works Cited

Becker, Marty. The Healing Power of Pets : Harnessing the Amazing Ability of Pets to Make and Keep People Happy and Healthy. 1st Ed. 1954.
Dee, Donna. “Mate or Mutt: who gives the best stress relief?” 1999: Teoma. Carlisle High School Library. 10 Mar 2005 <http://www.fitstuff.com/articles/pets.html>.
Healing, Paws for. “Mending Hearts with Loving Paws and Guiding Hands.” 2005. Paws
for Healing. 10 Mar 2007 <http://www.pawsforhealing.org>.
“Health Benefits of Pets.” 10 September 1987. National Institutes of Health. Office of Medical Applications of Research. 10 Mar 2007 <http://consensus.nih.gov/ta/003/003_statement.htm>.
“How Pets Help People.” 2004 The Humane Society of the United States. 10 Mar 2007 <http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/how_pets_help_people/>.
Howie, Ann. “Presence of Pets Affects People.” 1995. Delta Society. 10 Mar 2007 <http://www.deltasociety.org>.
“Pet Health Council.” Nov 2004. The British Veterinary Association. 10 Mar 2007 <http://pethealthcouncil.co.uk>.
Reiman, Steve. “Therapy Dogs in the Longs-Term Health Care Environment.” Therapy Dogs of Vermont. 10 Mar 2007 <http://www.therapydogs.org>.

Test

This is a test...