Ryan Lee

Ryan,
Another case study in wants being more powerful than needs in our society. Everyone hears the news, mentally understands the risks associated with lifestyle choices, yet wants everything to cater to their present circumstances. Sad.... are we killing our own customer base??? Ultimately it comes down to each of us taking responsibility for our own health and happiness. Time to take back the reins and stop passing the buck.

Thanks Ryan for putting products out there that can make a difference.

JIM

Ryan,

Of course the real solution is for people to get in better shape, not to make the ride seats better.

But Disney is in the entertainment business, so if very large people are showing up at the parks, Disney is just trying to accomodate them. They're not fat because junk food is served at the park; they were already fat before they got there.

I was just at a Disney park yesterday, and they do offer some healthy food choices like fresh fruit, but I don't see too many people choosing them.

You're a sharp business person, so you know that businesses have to sell people what they want, not what they need.

Chris Lockwood

Just have a posted sign like they do for small kids that have to be "this tall" to ride this ride..
so have a sign that says "you have to wiegh less then this amount to ride this ride" or visit the Dumbo ride

Ryan--
I was a short fat (not to be confused with obesity and political correctness) kid growing up.
I was frequently harrassed and physically beaten up over it, too.
Thank GOD I started working out with weights when I was about 13 or 14 years old, then added serious martial arts training at 17.
My parents had the guts to not allow me to sit inside and watch TV while stuffing my face.
I have a lot of empathy for people struggling with this, but not sympathy.
People must not let themselves be mentally defeated in this. Get started and don't give up!
The most dangerous threat against Americans is not terrorism. It's their own fork!
Fat takes no holiday!

I am a health professional that is very seldom out of my healthy environment. When I visit theme parks such as Disney I just cannot believe how pathetic the rest of the world has become. Being that disgusting is the most weakest of all humans. I refuse to visit those places because I cannot even enjoy myself with all that around me. I choose my own motivating places to be happy at. No one needs to be that helpless.

I beleive that if Disney offered more helathy food choices - with GREAT PUBLICIty/ADVERTISING of their helalthy food options - maybe it would help. If there were reminders as people approached the ordering counters that healthy food choice will give them the energy they need to survivie the rest of the day - or don;t blow your daily caloric intake in one meal ....... some people would choose differently. i certainly do not think that accepting the changing size of sociey and deeming it acceptable by making rides 'larger' is a good idea. but, i also do not think making life impossible for a large person is the right solution either, because they have to feel accounted for and not punished, and should be able to participate in fun family activities. it is just a vey sad situation.
Maybe "The biggest Loser" can make posters for their food choices would be .... and have them posted at amusemsnt parks and fast food chains so people dont have to read carbs and calories and just see what the better choice would be - by their peers. Becasue if anyone has seen tht show, it is a testimonial to how unhappy overweight people are, and that they need compassion and help plus understanding. one step at a time.

Raw Vegan Food...well, lets say 100% raw/vegan about 95% of the time...I do slip now and then...I am human. Anyway, without trying (yes, that is WITHOUT TRYING), I have dumped 50# in 1 year. Focus on health...NOT losing weight! I am off my BP and thyroid medications. I feel energetic and happy on this food. Stop the convenience foods (stands and FF stops every 5 minutes, as you said). That convenience food is our downfall...loaded with salt, fat and chemicals. It is the main way we are being dumbed down and fattened up. Watch your backs out there and take control of your health. No one can do it for you. I know first hand and it took me 20 years to find this one thing that has made all the difference for me. Now, they are trying to take that away. Check it out: http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/index.php
Joy, Peace and Health to you all,
Carol

Dear Americans,

It is clear that global warming is a very real problem, yet you allow yourselves to get that big, you don't walk anywhere, you watch 5 hours of tv every day, you eat shit, and then you pollute our planet by breathing the good air and emmitting lots of CO2 carbons. You should be ashamed of driving that Hummer, or SUV, or car to go to the grocery store. What is wrong with you lazy slack assed people, your government allows you to get fucked over because they want you to get sick and have to go the hospital. What happened to a little self care? Try growing your own vegetables, or going for a nice walk someone soon. The Bush government wants you slovenly and fat - and your destiny is upon you. The photo says it all.

In addition to exercise there are 3 important aspects to successful and sustainable weight loss. They are

1) A really good diet plan that stimulates the fat burning hormones,

2) An effective way to control food cravings, and

3) A way to remove the toxins released during weight loss.

If any of these steps is ignored it can undermine your progress. There is a very powerful 3 step program at http://www.LoseTheFatFast.com that will help you reach your goals very quickly.

Best of Health,
Jonathan Wells
http://WeightLossProductsReview.wordpress.com/
http://HEALTHeFORUM.wordpress.com/

Right on as always. Our-over induldged society does not want to take responsibility for it's actions. The market will respond to what the "people" want. While I think Disney and other businesses should do better, the ultimate responsibility lies with the individual. The computer age is here...everyone sits on their rear-ends all day then they go home and watch tv. How many thought out home made meals are there anymore? Everyone is eating out and then talk about wise choices when they eat out. That is laughable. buy healthy food and eat at home, with your kids up to the dinner table!

And yes, put PE back in school and make the teachers participate as well. How many fat coaches are there out there anyway?

I hear ya bro.. I went last year, and at 235 lbs, I looked like a monkey riding a football, taking up 2 seats at a time... but...

it's all muscle baby, all muscle ;-)

To Fit in Orlando:

Do you really think weight limits would do it? Large muscular people would be left out of all the fun :(

I don't know the name of the ride, but it was one of those that killed a few people w. excess g-forces, I could barely fit in the seat... not to mention I think my blood pressure shot through the roof for a good 20 minutes afterwards... I thought I was gonna be the next victim. Maybe I'll stay away from that one next time.

I know, I know, this post is about unhealthy, overweight people... but if you were to do MY BMI, with 12% bodyfat, I'm still pushing the line on being morbidly obese.... and I'm sure I'd be left out if they put weight limits on the rides... so, I don't think that's the solution.

people are too big...true...

...but the boats are old and made of fiberglass and it is time to make new ones...that's all...

everything gets refurbished sooner or later...

It does make for some nice spinnable copy though...

I like the message but the original ariticle is just speculation...I'm just sayin'...

Put PE back in school. Require at LEAST 45 minutes, 3 times a week in elementary, 55min per day in Middle and require 4 years (not the 2 years standard now) in High school. Allow for Pe teachers to become fitness professionals as well, offer "fit camp" programs on public school sites and allow teachers (and or fitness profesionals) to offer incentive programs to familys who want to learn and live life long fitness!

Man it is soooo hard to lose weight. I went on a high fiber, high protein, "diet" and was really doing well until I started craving the foods that I wasn't allowing myself to have. So I went back to old habits and now the weight is back. I wish I could just get motivated and stick to it. I don't want to be overweight. I don't want to be fat. I wear a size 14 and people are always saying, "if I was your size I'd be happy" and I think I'm too fat!

Sigh. I am just going to keep on my own fitness/strength/health/stamina/mobility/meditation journey and just hope my example speaks for itself. Many people are just too far gone. Now....how can I avoid paying more for health insurance ....when people like this will do nothing except drive the costs up? Hey! Gives me a great reason to come up with an idea, implement it and earn lots more $! There is motivation here after all!

Ryan,

Pretty disgusting that we have become this type of society. I wouldn't blame Disney just because they sell what makes them money. After all, that is what they are in existence for, just like you.

I am a Disney fan and I am in very good shape. At 46 I can outperform many 20 year olds physically. Including military people. I would like to go back in the military but they will not let me becasue I am "too old". Anyway, I digress.

If more people want fruits and other healthy snacks, Disney would make more available. You had mentioned in another newsletter about your trip here and how there were only a few stands. Did you go back at the end of the day and see how much was still left? I have and it is a lot. If it doesn't sell it will go bad.

America needs to wake up. People need to be better educated. We need to start in the schools at all age levels and make it a priority to teach health just like we do reading, writing and math.

I think Disney should start having weight limits on rides. I actually saw someone not be able to ride the new Mount everst ride in Animal Kingdom. The bar would not lock in place becasue they were too big. Then I saw them drive away in their rented scooter! Now that is really sad because they obviously do not get it.

Well I can go on and on about this. I have plenty on views of fast food chains and how I congratulate them on a job well done. But I will not get into it this time.

Scratching my head in Orlando.

Well, I guess the answer to Disney would be that since you have to be THIS tall to ride this ride, then if you are THIS WIDE or weigh over THIS amount (include scale) then well you cannot ride. That way the incentive to loose is smacking that person in the face. I read blogs about people who were either too fat to fit on the ride, or couldn't go because they were too embarrassed to ride with their children. What a sad situation to miss this chance of a lifetime with your own kids! For God's sake loose the weight for THEM not just for yourself. I know what it is like to be fat, I used to weigh 220, and was 5'3" tall! I have lost 93 lbs from February 2007 to present! AND we are going to Disney World at the end of this month. I cannot tell you how exciting that is, to be able share the rides, and the enjoyment without being tired, AND not thinking about what to eat, but how I am going to work in my workout while on vacation. Thank goodness for the great health club inside our hotel! And for all the running trails around it! I am so happy for you on the birth of your daughter! Enjoy them, the grow quickly!

I guess our priorities are off wack, People are becoming more focused on things other then their health. One thing I think people are trying to focus on is trying to be the best looking body and little do they know that takes a long time to accomplish. And when they are not getting the results the want the give up, Well I believe if they focused on being healthy and living that type of lifestyle they will get to their goal alot easier. I have developed a Website that will be launched this December, Trigeia.com "iTS UR LiFE" Our mission is to give our clients a unique and efficient way to purchase personal training. Giving them the opportunity to access that healthy life style we all want.

For more information go to www.trigeia.com or email me at twin@trigeia.com Business line 1.800.515.5670