Dieting and obesity. Although these two words seem to be antonyms at a first glance, they have more correlation to each other after digging a bit deeper. These two words symbolize Americans and the society we surround ourselves with. Although most of Americans are obese, we all seem to be on a diet.

Without any research, it is still obvious to see that most of Americans are overweight, if not obese. We live in a grab-and-go world. Whether we are headed to a drive-thru for our morning coffee, or a drive-thru for our midnight snack, as Americans, we want everything to be faster. Faster is better. At least that is what we have always been taught. With this hunt for fast-paced delivery, we tend to choose unhealthy items such as greasy burgers and fries. Many McDonald’s and Taco Bell fast food chains are open until midnight or later. Why? Why is it that someone would need a meal past midnight? Americans.

Americans feel compelled to get a quick bite as they are driving home from that late night party. However, that quick bite turns into a quick meal. You order a burger, but it does not end there. The cute little worker with the headset coerces you into paying a little more for the value meal. After all, it comes with fries and a drink. But, wait. She then offers you an apple pie. You politely decline, but then realize they are two for the price of one. You might as well get two. That burger and fries might not fill you up. And hey, you can splurge because you got a diet soda. By the time you have paid your six dollars, you have an entire feast of nothing but garbage.

We always hear from the news that the average American size for a woman is a fourteen. We always hear that the majority of America is overweight. We always hear ads for diet pills, exercise equipment, and diet foods. You have probably heard someone say at one point or another that they have tried every diet under the sun. There is the Acai Diet, South Beach Diet, and let us not forget the all cranberry juice diet. If there are so many diets around, and everyone seems to be trying them, why is it that we are all still overweight?

Maybe this is just the way American society is. We all try to pretend that we are being healthy. We eat organic for lunch, have a workout before dinner, but then go and load up on the Chinese buffet down the street for less than five bucks. Maybe it is because we are not committed people. We see an opportunity to get in shape, but just like that, an opportunity for some good cooking comes along, and we forget we were ever really on a diet. Thanksgiving and Christmas have become days surrounded by food. How many times have you heard someone say, “Well it’s a holiday. It’s my cheat day.” Cheat day?! Is that what our diets consist of? Must we look forward to a day to cheat our bodies of healthy, non-fattening foods? If there is no commitment, there are no results.

Whether we are loading up on turkey and gravy or drowning our sorrows with a gallon of ice cream, Americans can be classified as two things: uncommitted and consistent. Hopefully our society can get back on track someday. Until then, stand your ground to the cute little girl with the headset that offers you an apple pie at two in the morning. It is probably not worth it.