Last week I started my rant on the duality of this new Internet society we now all live in. I know there are many examples and I bet you can think of some I have missed. Last week I used our seniors, well here's another. Today, our kids can socialize through chat rooms and web cams, globally. It has opened up a whole new world of diversity, exchange and communication, this is a good thing. It has also given birth to a whole new type of child predator, a very bad thing.
Everybody and everything has become totally reliant on computers and an Internet connection. Everything, business, banking. telephone communications. A simple cash register connects thru a modem when the clerk swipes your card. Our new digital world has replaced the film camera, killed the record store. Email has been a wounding blow to the post office (though the Internet was a boom to the shipping companies).
High speed connections coupled with high end graphics have allowed for the creation of whole new co-existing worlds. Some extremely real and some not so real but all of them virtual. And, when it comes to virtual worlds and interactive games the ?cloud' is alive. Entire new worlds have been created and exist. In many instances people are starting to use these to replace their real lives. This could be a bad thing . It's just that everything we do, everything we touch one way or another connects to this thing we call "the cloud", the Internet.
A scary result of this is how complacent people have become to computers being around them and how much power they give to it. A simple dumb box that only displays information that another person had put in. Ever notice how compliant people have become when they hear "I'm sorry, but that is what the computer said". It doesn't matter why. Credit card denied, club membership has expired, can't get your license renewed (my other story). When you get to the point of "I'm sorry, but that is what the computer said". The conversation is over. Neither you nor the other person is going to get much further.
In our minds, this ?Cloud' has become an all knowing, all connecting abstract thing where the universe is stored. Something so big so complicated that we can only search it with Google. This ?Cloud', to us, is probably better off just being known as the ?Cloud' and all our computers and devices connect us to this Cloud' and some all knowing data base hidden somewhere deep inside, so if the computer says so, it must be true right? This is a really a bad thing.
This is where the Real world and Virtual world collide and mix and we start to hand off control to the virtual and this is where our heads get lost in the cloud.
What is Weight Watchers and what are its benefits and consequences? The Weight Watchers system was initially started in the 60's by Jean Nidetch as a discussion group covering the best ways to go about losing weight. Since then, the Weight Watchers name has become internationally recognized as a hallmark of dieting approaches.
The Weight Watchers plan has two different programs depending on the location. The most common program is the POINTS program. This approach is characterized by one assigning points to various foods and physical activities that, in order to achieve the desired results, can't exceed the weekly point limit. The more grams of fat, the higher the point value, the more grams of fiber, the lower the point value. The weekly point requirement is simply dictated by the client's current weight and weight loss goals. The only acceptable reason one could eat more points than the weekly requirement is if regular exercise is to be had.
By approaching dieting this way, one learns not to restrict any one kind of food like every other diet on the block, but to develop a sense of balance. This approach leaves the client accountable and this accountability is what makes the diet admirable in it's real world application and undesirable for those without willpower. In their case, eating too of the wrong things would leave their points in the red with not much else being able to be consumed without eating too many calories.
Another program utilized by Weight Watchers is what they call the Core Plan. This approach is Weight Watchers' answer to Atkins and South Beach but with more freedom. This plan labels certain foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fat free dairy, and whole grains as being "core" foods and these are recommended as long as they are not had in excessive amounts. Eat until satisfied, no more. Foods that fall outside of this are still given point values and clients are still allowed to eat as much as 35 non-core food points a week.
So, does Weight Watchers work. Yes, it does actually. The only problem is how quickly do you need it to work. According to a study conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association, people who followed Weight Watchers' POINTS program for two years only lost 6 pounds on average. Even those that attended regular meetings shared similar results.
So, if one needs to only lose a few, then try it, but if the doctor is ordering you to lose the weight as soon as possible, don't go calling Weight Watchers. The good thing is that nutritional deficiencies are really almost unheard of for close adherents to the Weight Watchers program. Most other diets come up short nutritionally since they are so restrictive.
One final detraction from the diet is its tedious nature. One must almost obsess over points in order for any leeway to be made, so, that can be a bit bothersome. All in all, I would recommend this diet, but only for those that have a little bit left to go and want to lose the weight right. Otherwise, results seem to come a bit slower in respect to the amount of effort that goes in.
Both Chris Kaminski & John Smith are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Chris Kaminski has sinced written about articles on various topics from Software, Online Security and Home Security. Chris Kaminski has been working in computer repair and web development for the last 20 years. Kaminski is CEO and head technician for Computerguyslive.com, an online computer repair company based in Asheville, NC. Visit. Chris Kaminski's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.
John Smith has sinced written about articles on various topics from Programming, Health Insurance and Site Promotion. Don't be discouraged about your weight loss. There is hope at http://phenforum.com, an online community offering free weight loss info, diet diaries, info, fitn. John Smith's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.