Who wants to join the "No TV Club"?

[coralewisjr]

Lilyofthevalley:

Coral, I see you like to put down people who don’t want to be in your “country club”. Frankly you sound like an arrogant mean spirited person, and if giving up my T.V means acting like you, I will add 2 more to the one in my house…

I apologize for sounding arrogant and mean. I hope that I am not arrogant and mean; I had no idea that I sounded that way. Please tell me how I can do better. God bless you!

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[coralewisjr]

Edwin1961:

Growing up in the 1960’s, I remember my mother telling me to go outside and play. And WE DID. However the ONLY television viewing we had was either in the Winter months, when we couldn’t go outside or when there was bad weather.
And in the evenings…as late as being 10 years old, we had to go to be no later than 8 or 8:30. AND we couldn’t watch televison until our homework was finished.

So I do believe kids of today have it quite ‘easy’ and thus paying for it in their health and physical activitiy.

Basically it comes down to the parents’ and what they care about television. This will only be carried over to their children and their children.

I agree, Edwin! There is no ‘obesity epidemic’ here in America these days. There is the TV, the remote, and lazy kids with bad examples for parents. (I’m not putting down kids.) It also gets on my nerves when babysitters use the TV to babysit instead of spending quality time with them.

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[coralewisjr]

AdsoOfFunkstown:

You’re too late, but I’ll join anyway.

About 9 months ago, my 15 yr old TV quit. I thought I’d go get a cheap one, but then I remembered what is actually *on *TV, and decided not to.

Now I’ve been watching TV since I was…well, I remember shows like Suspense! and Inner Sanctum. But, you know, I didn’t miss it at all. No withdrawal, nothing. Now, I spend my time, reading and on the net. It’s so much more relaxing, and I’m learning so much more.

I’m also better looking now, and my hair has started to grow back near the bald spot. Best decision I’ve made in a while.

Thanks, AdsoOfFunkstown. You made my night. God bless you and everybody else.

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[coralewisjr]

Princess_Abby:

This is extremely presumptuous.

I’m offended that you think it’s “funny” that America has so many overweight people due to television and that your brilliant solution is for everyone to “go outside and play.” Right, that will solve everything. I think statements like this just contribute to stereotypes about those people who suffer from the obesity epidemic and imply laziness as the sole causation for overweight struggles.

Sure, a sedentary lifestyle doesn’t help anyone and many who are sedentary happen to be obese–as I heard one obese person say to their personal trainer, “YOU try working out with an extra 100lbs on your back.”

There are so many other reasons for obesity that have nothing to do with tv watching. For instance, my weight has rapidly increased over the last two years. I have always been active, I played on sports teams in high school and college, I work out at the gym 4x a week and WE DO NOT HAVE CABLE. However, my bloodwork shows that I have hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, low progesterone and poly-cystic ovarian syndrome. My body weight is too high now, despite my efforts and my healthy eating lifestyle. But my bloodwork tells me that unless and until I am properly medicated, my efforts to maintain a healthy weight will continue to go nowhere. I am constantly fighting doctors who just want to look at me and say, “go to Jenny Craig and your problems will be solved.” Finally they are beginning to listen now that the bloodwork backs up exactly what I’ve been saying all along, but receiving the proper medication is still a long process and prolongs my weight problem.

I noticed another thread of yours that indicated you have trouble gaining weight. I felt compassion for you when reading about that struggle. I would hope that you could empathize with those of us on the other side of the spectrum who, for whatever medical reason, do not have well-working metabolic systems and instead must fight to remain healthy. The last thing any of us wants to hear is that our struggle is all wrapped up in how much TV we watch! Because that is simply not true.

Furthermore, as weight creeps up, depression sets in and it sometimes is difficult to keep one’s motivation up to fight what seems to be a losing battle. Studies show that sedentary lifestyles happen in correllation with weight gain. Meaning that the heavier a person gets, the more discouraged they are and the more difficult it is to physically move around and exercise.

I don’t know why you threw the comment in about beauty, either, but…I guess it makes sense to you, somehow.

Princess_Abby, I apologize. I am sincerely sorry. I’ve had lots of trouble with meds (thought not for your health challenges…I fight depression) so I sympathize. Let me try to explain my comment about beauty.
Take Pope John Paul II, for example. He wasn’t physically beautiful as he lay there dying and praying for all of us. His soul was more beautiful than we can ever know and he is one of my heroes. It’s the same with Blessed Mother Teresa. Have you seen pictures of her from the late 1990s? She wasn’t physically beautiful, either. I want to be more like her. She was a true servant of God and His people. I have at least one friend who is no longer physically beautiful but who continues to be a good friend to me by praying and staying in touch and regaling me with tales from his long life when DH and I visit him. He is beautiful. My goal is to always have my soul more beautiful than how I look. Mom taught me this. God bless you.

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[ThornGenX]

mercygate:

Whoa, corale! You pulled my trigger. Don’t get me started. You haven’t HEARD my rant about what people put in the collection plate compared with what they spend on cable TV and lotteries. I mean, really – if you’re spending more on cable than you are giving to God, WHAT does that say about you?

I am trying to give more to God since I do not have TV anymore. I did recently make the mistake of replacing one screen (TV) with another (GameBoy video game), but am once again getting rid of the GameBoy since I am more addicted to it than the TV. Sorry for going off track of the subject line, but the GameBoy is also a mind numbing screen for me that sucks away my time.

Once the GameBoy is gone and I keep it out this time, I can start directing more money and time to my church and the good causes they support. I also have some bills I need to keep up with that make giving as much as I would like really tough.

 

[coralewisjr]

ThornGenX:

I am trying to give more to God since I do not have TV anymore. I did recently make the mistake of replacing one screen (TV) with another (GameBoy video game), but am once again getting rid of the GameBoy since I am more addicted to it than the TV. Sorry for going off track of the subject line, but the GameBoy is also a mind numbing screen for me that sucks away my time.

Once the GameBoy is gone and I keep it out this time, I can start directing more money and time to my church and the good causes they support. I also have some bills I need to keep up with that make giving as much as I would like really tough.

ThornGenX, keep up the good work. God bless you as you work harder for God!

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[coralewisjr]

Princess_Abby,
Please go to consumerfreedom.com/ for a few minutes. You will see what I mean when I say the truth: that there is no obesity epidemic in America. God bless you as you fight depression and excess weight.

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[coralewisjr]

Lilyofthevalley:

Coral, I see you like to put down people who don’t want to be in your “country club”. Frankly you sound like an arrogant mean spirited person, and if giving up my T.V means acting like you, I will add 2 more to the one in my house…

Lily,
Why spend more money on more TVs? You don’t have to act like me. I’d prefer that you act like Jesus. He acts much better than I do. Give the money to people who need it.

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[Princess_Abby]

coralewisjr:

Princess_Abby,
Please go to consumerfreedom.com/ for a few minutes. You will see what I mean when I say the truth: that there is no obesity epidemic in America. God bless you as you fight depression and excess weight.

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

Corinne,

You’ve mentioned in other threads that you don’t get out much. Perhaps if you did, you would notice that the majority of Americans are overweight. No, this does not mean obesity, it means excess weight. Yes, it has reached epidemic proportions. If you would prefer to believe that excess weight is not a problem in our society (beyond those who grip the remote control too often), then that is certainly your perogative.

All the major diseases and afflictions of our lifetime can be routed back to excess weight as a risk factor. Even DEPRESSION has “weight gain” as a symptom. Diabetes, certain cancers, heart disease, stroke–each of these are weight-related.

Given what you replied to Edwin, I think it is impossible to educate you any further on this issue. Clearly my first post demonstrates that there are biochemical reasons for some of us being thin and others being heavier–which has nothing to do with slothful behavior. If you prefer to think that obesity is wrapped up in laziness, then that is both insulting and ignorant.

Furthermore, I am not struggling with depression. Thank you for your concern. I was speaking in generalities about those of us struggling with weight who get continually subjected to the misinformed opinions of those such as yourself.

Abby

 

[coralewisjr]

Princess_Abby:

Corinne,

You’ve mentioned in other threads that you don’t get out much. Perhaps if you did, you would notice that the majority of Americans are overweight. No, this does not mean obesity, it means excess weight. Yes, it has reached epidemic proportions. If you would prefer to believe that excess weight is not a problem in our society (beyond those who grip the remote control too often), then that is certainly your perogative.

All the major diseases and afflictions of our lifetime can be routed back to excess weight as a risk factor. Even DEPRESSION has “weight gain” as a symptom. Diabetes, certain cancers, heart disease, stroke–each of these are weight-related.

Given what you replied to Edwin, I think it is impossible to educate you any further on this issue. Clearly my first post demonstrates that there are biochemical reasons for some of us being thin and others being heavier–which has nothing to do with slothful behavior. If you prefer to think that obesity is wrapped up in laziness, then that is both insulting and ignorant.

Furthermore, I am not struggling with depression. Thank you for your concern. I was speaking in generalities about those of us struggling with weight who get continually subjected to the misinformed opinions of those such as yourself.

Abby

When I said that I don’t get out much, I didn’t mean that I don’t have friends and I don’t see lots of people. I am friends and/or family members with at least two overweight people. They are wonderful people. One of them started an exercise program a while ago and I would help the other exercise if I could (he is blind). I agree that there are biochemical reasons for some of us being heavier than others. I call that metabolism. It’s why I didn’t really gain weight until I was on an antidepressant. My brothers are the same way. They are athletes and they both have jobs and they watch TV and love to sit with their faces in their Gameboys instead of reading a good book or something better. They’re skinny.
Abby, exercise is hard for skinny people, too. I’m sure that it must be hard to exercise with an extra 100 pounds but sometimes I’m just too lazy (yes, I just called myself lazy) to get up and exercise, or I have random aches and pains that prevent me from exercising as much as I would like to. Exercise hurts but it is good for us. God bless you!

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[Princess_Abby]

coralewisjr:

When I said that I don’t get out much, I didn’t mean that I don’t have friends and I don’t see lots of people. I am friends and/or family members with at least two overweight people. They are wonderful people. One of them started an exercise program a while ago and I would help the other exercise if I could (he is blind). I agree that there are biochemical reasons for some of us being heavier than others. I call that metabolism. It’s why I didn’t really gain weight until I was on an antidepressant. My brothers are the same way. They are athletes and they both have jobs and they watch TV and love to sit with their faces in their Gameboys instead of reading a good book or something better. They’re skinny.
Abby, exercise is hard for skinny people, too. I’m sure that it must be hard to exercise with an extra 100 pounds but sometimes I’m just too lazy (yes, I just called myself lazy) to get up and exercise, or I have random aches and pains that prevent me from exercising as much as I would like to. Exercise hurts but it is good for us. God bless you!

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

I can agree with what you just said. I simply have a problem with individuals who blame everyone’s weight issues on laziness or too much television.

I am not 100lbs overweight, but I assume you are referencing the example I gave about the obese person speaking with his personal trainer. My frustration is exercising and eating healthy without any results. Trying and trying without any reward is difficult, but it’s something we all do in different areas of our life. I don’t like it when people make assumptions about my lack of effort, when I try very hard, but don’t lose weight. I saw some of that judgement displayed in your other posts about overweight people in general, so that’s why I commented upon it.

Abby

 

[coralewisjr]

Princess_Abby:

I can agree with what you just said. I simply have a problem with individuals who blame everyone’s weight issues on laziness or too much television.

I am not 100lbs overweight, but I assume you are referencing the example I gave about the obese person speaking with his personal trainer. My frustration is exercising and eating healthy without any results. Trying and trying without any reward is difficult, but it’s something we all do in different areas of our life. I don’t like it when people make assumptions about my lack of effort, when I try very hard, but don’t lose weight. I saw some of that judgement displayed in your other posts about overweight people in general, so that’s why I commented upon it.

Abby

Abby, I am so glad that we are in agreement!! Yes, your assumption is correct - I was referencing the example you gave. I know exactly what you mean about trying and trying with no reward. You didn’t ask for advice, and I give you some anyway: don’t give up! Perseverance and determination are virtues. I hope that you’re having a great day.

I hope that I didn’t drive all the “No TV Club” members away with my talk about laziness and obesity (which aren’t always related)…God bless you!!

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[coralewisjr]

bogeyjlg:

Can I join as long as I watch just EWTN? I love watching Bishop Sheen’s “Life Is Worth Living” and the show “G.K. Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense”.

Sure! EWTN is the only exception (if you can’t watch it over the Internet).

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[Luke-Jr]

JW10631:

As a further note - I waste more time on the Internet than on TV.

“the Internet” is a location. It doesn’t say what you are actually doing. In general, it would be bad to equate internet to TV. Watching TV often requires very little to no mental activity (relative to most activities, including sleep). The internet, however, is designed to be interactive. Many things that can be done in the physical world have an equivalance on the internet.

JW10631:

If TV really has little other redeeming value, I would not give it up - just to watch EWTN. I enjoy Fr. Groeschel and Fr. Pacwa immensely.

EWTN is more of the exception than the standard for TV these days. Obviously, this entire thread may very well be unapplicable outside of the US or places where TV has different standards.

Lilyofthevalley:

Coral, I see you like to put down people who don’t want to be in your “country club”. Frankly you sound like an arrogant mean spirited person, and if giving up my T.V means acting like you, I will add 2 more to the one in my house…

Where do you see that? There may be a few assumptions (generalising; US-specific), but ignorance or lack of stating assumptions does not make someone arrogant or mean.

Princess_Abby:

You’ve mentioned in other threads that you don’t get out much. Perhaps if you did, you would notice that the majority of Americans are overweight.

You might notice that the majority of Americans are TV-zombies, also. Hmm, maybe there’s a connection!

Princess_Abby:

No, this does not mean obesity, it means excess weight. Yes, it has reached epidemic proportions. If you would prefer to believe that excess weight is not a problem in our society (beyond those who grip the remote control too often), then that is certainly your perogative.

The problem is that in “our” society, “people who grip the remote control too often” are the norm.

Princess_Abby:

Even DEPRESSION has “weight gain” as a symptom.

I wonder if that has anything to do with how “our” society stresses the “importance” of being a normal weight.

Princess_Abby:

Given what you replied to Edwin, I think it is impossible to educate you any further on this issue.

The only people hopeless in this way are those who deny the existence of logic or believe in “logic relativism”. By becoming ignorant of the sole basis of argument, they have made themselves incapable of being taught anything. Nothing said in this thread suggests anyone posting on it is a logical relativist.

Princess_Abby:

Clearly my first post demonstrates that there are biochemical reasons for some of us being thin and others being heavier–which has nothing to do with slothful behavior.

Certainly, there are additional factors that affect weight. There may even be the rare exceptions where slothful behaviour has no effect at all. This is certainly not the norm, though.

Princess_Abby:

If you prefer to think that obesity is wrapped up in laziness, then that is both insulting and ignorant.

Prove that this isn’t the case most of the time. You’ll likely have a hard time since the vast majority in the US are disqualified from the testing needed.

Princess_Abby:

I was speaking in generalities about those of us struggling with weight who get continually subjected to the misinformed opinions of those such as yourself.

You flame my wife for speaking in generalities and yet you defend your own statements as a generality?
Sounds like a personal attack at the end there, BTW…

 

[springbreeze]

“the Internet” is a location. It doesn’t say what you are actually doing. In general, it would be bad to equate internet to TV. Watching TV often requires very little to no mental activity (relative to most activities, including sleep). The internet, however, is designed to be interactive. Many things that can be done in the physical world have an equivalance on the internet.

EWTN is more of the exception than the standard for TV these days. Obviously, this entire thread may very well be unapplicable outside of the US or places where TV has different standards.

Where do you see that? There may be a few assumptions (generalising; US-specific), but ignorance or lack of stating assumptions does not make someone arrogant or mean.

You might notice that the majority of Americans are TV-zombies, also. Hmm, maybe there’s a connection!

The problem is that in “our” society, “people who grip the remote control too often” are the norm.

I wonder if that has anything to do with how “our” society stresses the “importance” of being a normal weight.

The only people hopeless in this way are those who deny the existence of logic or believe in “logic relativism”. By becoming ignorant of the sole basis of argument, they have made themselves incapable of being taught anything. Nothing said in this thread suggests anyone posting on it is a logical relativist.

Certainly, there are additional factors that affect weight. There may even be the rare exceptions where slothful behaviour has no effect at all. This is certainly not the norm, though.

Prove that this isn’t the case most of the time. You’ll likely have a hard time since the vast majority in the US are disqualified from the testing needed.

You flame my wife for speaking in generalities and yet you defend your own statements as a generality?
Sounds like a personal attack at the end there, BTW…

Dear friend

I am sure you will agree that we should remain peaceful. If someone has been offended they have a right to rebuff an argument and you also have made your feelings clear as well. I’m not leaping into someone’s arguement here, but as someone who is not overweight I found the comments about beauty and obesity offensive and can see why they may, even if not intended to be, come across as offensive. It did imply that all people who are over-weight are lazy and this is just not true!

Being over-weight has risen in society, but there are many other factors for that, not just the watching of TV. Also on the rise are health problems such as bulimia and anorexia, so much so that children are suffering from these awful diseases. This is mostly due to pressure from society to be ‘thin’ not taking into account the natural physique of a person or other factors such as disability, depression etc etc. Not all slim people are fit, I’m not fit, I know I am not, I have a disability, I cannot exercise, but I am definitely not lazy!! If I was over-wight and did not exercise would that be because I am lazy?

I just didn’t like the parallels drawn or implied and I can sympathise why others have taken offence at your wife’s posting. I am sure no-one was making a personal attack, I am sure they are rebuffing a post that has caused offense and that is simply all that it is. Just because your wife has posted something that has offended people’s feelings does not mean we do not like or love her, I respect her even if I do not like her views or agree with them as stated in previous posts of mine in this thread.

How do you account for all those people in history who were obese before the TV was invented?

Still best of luck with the no TV club and no it would be silly to let it affect your wife’s club, there are plenty of people on this forum who support her views on getting rid of the TV. I hope this thread can return to peaceful discussion again.

God Bless you and much love and peace to you

Teresa

 

[Luke-Jr]

springbreeze:

If someone has been offended they have a right to rebuff an argument and you also have made your feelings clear as well. I’m not leaping into someone’s arguement here, but as someone who is not overweight I found the comments about beauty and obesity offensive and can see why they may, even if not intended to be, come across as offensive. It did imply that all people who are over-weight are lazy and this is just not true!

It was a generalisation and there are always exceptions to such statements.

springbreeze:

Also on the rise are health problems such as bulimia and anorexia, so much so that children are suffering from these awful diseases. This is mostly due to pressure from society to be ‘thin’ not taking into account the natural physique of a person or other factors such as disability, depression etc etc.

Hence my comments on how being overweight isn’t quite as bad as people like to make it seem.

springbreeze:

Not all slim people are fit, I’m not fit, I know I am not, I have a disability, I cannot exercise, but I am definitely not lazy!! If I was over-wight and did not exercise would that be because I am lazy?

Obviously not, but would you claim that disability is more common than exercise-able? Or that every statement generalising society should be appended with the obvious fact that there are exceptions?

springbreeze:

How do you account for all those people in history who were obese before the TV was invented?

I never liked history, so I have no idea what exactly you might be referring to, but I don’t imagine the norms were the same as they are today.

 

[springbreeze]

Luke-Jr:

It was a generalisation and there are always exceptions to such statements.

Hence my comments on how being overweight isn’t quite as bad as people like to make it seem.

Obviously not, but would you claim that disability is more common than exercise-able? Or that every statement generalising society should be appended with the obvious fact that there are exceptions?

I never liked history, so I have no idea what exactly you might be referring to, but I don’t imagine the norms were the same as they are today.

Dear friend

I didn’t make my previous post to start a debate and start arguing with you. I posted in an attempt to bring about peace in this thread.

I see you are offended someone has disagreed with your wife’s views, of course your duty is to your wife, but her views have offended people, including myself. An apology from her wouldn’t go amiss and would go along way to restoring peace.

This would have been a good thread had it not taken this unfortunate turn.

In that light I apologise if anything I have said has upset you or your wife.

Bury the hatchet, it just isn’t worth it.

‘see those Christians, how they love each other’

God Bless you and much love and peace to you

Teresa

 

[coralewisjr]

I don’t know much about history, but I think that the overweight people who were around before TV (may they rest in peace) were considered rich. The poor people had a harder time buying food and they had to work harder. It’s interesting that the tables have turned: fat people are now looked down upon (though certainly not by me). springbreeze, you are offended too easily. God bless you!

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[Giannawannabe]

It seems this so-called “fun” Water Cooler thread has turned ugly.

Coral, I don’t think springbreeze gets offended “too easily”. She was merely responding to your husband, in what I would call a very calm and kind manner. From what I have read here (correct me if I’m wrong), YOU are the one that got offended, told your husband about it, and he felt the need to come on a defend you. I’m not trying to be confrontational, but I’ve been keeping up on this thread as a casual observer because I thought it was cute and funny—at first. Now, it’s getting quite uncharitable.

Let’s get back to who wants to join the No TV Club. That was great!!!

God Bless
Giannawannabe

 

[coralewisjr]

Giannawannabe:

It seems this so-called “fun” Water Cooler thread has turned ugly.

Coral, I don’t think springbreeze gets offended “too easily”. She was merely responding to your husband, in what I would call a very calm and kind manner. From what I have read here (correct me if I’m wrong), YOU are the one that got offended, told your husband about it, and he felt the need to come on a defend you. I’m not trying to be confrontational, but I’ve been keeping up on this thread as a casual observer because I thought it was cute and funny—at first. Now, it’s getting quite uncharitable.

Let’s get back to who wants to join the No TV Club. That was great!!!

God Bless
Giannawannabe

I agree that this thread has turned ugly. By the way, my name is Corinne. I also agree that we should get back to the No TV Club. I was thinking that but I didn’t have a clue how to change the subject back to it after what’s been going on. God bless you!

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne