Another college gone crazy.

[sonnyjane]

And what you have in Canada now as far as healthcare, we do not have in the US. So it is immaterial.

Ummm...I might be going crazy here, but I was pretty sure you asked. You said:

So is there a separate gym for those who need to monitor their weight or do they use this one as well....

So I was just telling you what the other options might look like for those poor, sad, downtrodden students who miss their scale.

Plus, if you'd have just voted for Bernie, you could have had universal health care too. Instead you've got cheeto pulling "repeal and not replace" from what I can tell. I'm just saying....

(If I'm being serious for a moment, I have to admit that I feel for people without insurance. It must be terrifying, and I don't understand why so many of you don't rise up and demand better from those you elect to run your country. AFAIK, the US is the only G7 country that doesn't care for the basic health care needs of its citizenry).

Sadly, many Americans want it all without having to pay for it. They want better schools, affordable higher education, health insurance, paid maternity leave, better infrastructure, etc., but are in no way willing to pay more taxes to achieve that as they do in other countries. The math just doesn't work...you can't have your cake and eat it too, but that's another thread topic entirely.

 

[cmd2014]

@sonnyjane,

That's true. Our tax rates are much higher. Sometimes we look to the US with a bit of envy in that regard (or countries with no income tax). But I guess everything comes with a cost.

 

[lyra]

We do more for our people with the tax money though, so everyone can actually feel that in a tangible sense. If we're using diabetes again, I get to see all my doctors and specialists for free. So I have a GP, Endocrinologist, Diabetes Nurse, and Diabetes Dietician/Nutrionist every 3 months to go over my plan of care. That's a lot of professional help for free. Then I have my Neurologist who is very much in demand and completely accessible. I have free MRI scans every year. Unlimited free doctor visits. Unlimited free walk in clinic visits. Free surgery, free ER visits. That's just healthcare. I'm okay with the higher taxes.

 

[Arcadian]

@lyra, I get what you're saying, but I have a problem with the word "free". You're paying in the form of taxes, unlike what folks in the US are currently doing which for some is an after tax expense.

Regardless of how its "paid for", neither are "free", its just a difference of how its paid. Plus, healthcare in this country versus what they're trying to make it be (a government program of sorts) is the ol square peg, round hole conundrum.

ACA didn't pass go in its first draft. It underwent a lot of revisions and changes (some of which citizens are now seeing) that were not exactly for the better. All the stuff that was supposed to be there, like caps on how much insurance co's could charge and raise their prices per year, somehow magically changed because somebodies lobbied hard enough to get them removed.

Just my opinion on healthcare and then I'll shut up, smaller countries CAN make wholly subsidized healthcare work. In the US, I think its impossible. And frankly I don't care what moniker gets put on it or which party sponsors it, it will ALWAYS suck for citizens. It will NOT ever be totally inclusive, and we will have to pay dearly one way or another.

 

[redwood66]

@lyra, I get what you're saying, but I have a problem with the word "free". You're paying in the form of taxes, unlike what folks in the US are currently doing which for some is an after tax expense.

Regardless of how its "paid for", neither are "free", its just a difference of how its paid. Plus, healthcare in this country versus what they're trying to make it be (a government program of sorts) is the ol square peg, round hole conundrum.

ACA didn't pass go in its first draft. It underwent a lot of revisions and changes (some of which citizens are now seeing) that were not exactly for the better. All the stuff that was supposed to be there, like caps on how much insurance co's could charge and raise their prices per year, somehow magically changed because somebodies lobbied hard enough to get them removed.

Just my opinion on healthcare and then I'll shut up, smaller countries CAN make wholly subsidized healthcare work. In the US, I think its impossible. And frankly I don't care what moniker gets put on it or which party sponsors it, it will ALWAYS suck for citizens. It will NOT ever be totally inclusive, and we will have to pay dearly one way or another.

^This. Canada's population is roughly 35 million. US pop. is 324 million. Transparent pricing on services and drugs will help but that is not where the legislators are looking. Lobbyists in this nation really create a mire of a mess for we lowly citizen taxpayers.

 

[lyra]

My apologies, it wasn't my intention to compare healthcare in Canada vs US. It was more to address the issue in this thread about scales and healthcare as it relates to people with diabetes as brought up by Ruby. The US will never have our system of healthcare. But since we do have it in Canada, yes, I'm willing to pay higher taxes for it. I am also willing to pay higher taxes so that others in my country can benefit too. I fully realize my taxes pay for healthcare among many other programs we may or may not use personally. We also have a much higher cost of living here, higher house prices, lower wages in many instances, etc. Not perfect, but I'm never tempted to go elsewhere.

 

[ruby59]

My apologies, it wasn't my intention to compare healthcare in Canada vs US. It was more to address the issue in this thread about scales and healthcare as it relates to people with diabetes as brought up by Ruby. The US will never have our system of healthcare. But since we do have it in Canada, yes, I'm willing to pay higher taxes for it. I am also willing to pay higher taxes so that others in my country can benefit too. I fully realize my taxes pay for healthcare among many other programs we may or may not use personally. We also have a much higher cost of living here, higher house prices, lower wages in many instances, etc. Not perfect, but I'm never tempted to go elsewhere.

Have you ever thought that many of us do not live in certain areas because we cannot afford it.

 

[Arcadian]

My apologies, it wasn't my intention to compare healthcare in Canada vs US. It was more to address the issue in this thread about scales and healthcare as it relates to people with diabetes as brought up by Ruby. The US will never have our system of healthcare. But since we do have it in Canada, yes, I'm willing to pay higher taxes for it. I am also willing to pay higher taxes so that others in my country can benefit too. I fully realize my taxes pay for healthcare among many other programs we may or may not use personally. We also have a much higher cost of living here, higher house prices, lower wages in many instances, etc. Not perfect, but I'm never tempted to go elsewhere.

Lyra no worries and no need to apologize. The older I get the more sarcastic and bitter I am. Considering what I do daily, not a surprise

But that word "free" word should be struck from the dictionary.

 

[lyra]

Have you ever thought that many of us do not live in certain areas because we cannot afford it.

I don't understand what this has to do with the topic at hand, but yes, I fully understand this concept. All of our family lives on the west coast of canada. We cannot afford to move back there, ever. It will never be an option for us. We lived there for the first 15 years of our marriage, then had to move for a better job, which ended a brief year later. It's a very hard thing for us to accept, even after 20 years living in eastern Canada. When it gets right down to it, real estate is becoming so expensive around us now, we don't think we can even afford to downsize and stay in the same city when we retire. We'll have to move again, who knows where, and be away from our kids. Some things are universal.

 

[ruby59]

Have you ever thought that many of us do not live in certain areas because we cannot afford it.

I don't understand what this has to do with the topic at hand, but yes, I fully understand this concept. All of our family lives on the west coast of canada. We cannot afford to move back there, ever. It will never be an option for us. We lived there for the first 15 years of our marriage, then had to move for a better job, which ended a brief year later. It's a very hard thing for us to accept, even after 20 years living in eastern Canada. When it gets right down to it, real estate is becoming so expensive around us now, we don't think we can even afford to downsize and stay in the same city when we retire. We'll have to move again, who knows where, and be away from our kids. Some things are universal.

You are the one who keeps bringing up what a wonderful job Canada does for its citizens.

And I would have to check, but someone brought up the point that we get what we pay for in the US because we do not pay more in taxes.

So I am stating, that for many of us, we are paying all the taxes we can presently afford.

I would love to live in a country such as yours that provides so much for its people, but could not afford to do so.

I watch some of those housing shows, and to even rent or buy a house in many parts of Canada is prohibitive.

But this summer we will be visiting Canada if we can get all our vacation times to sync and I am so excited.

We will be driving up from Rhode Island to Montreal. And from some of the pictures I have seen of that area, it is gorgeous. I will also get to see the falls from the Canadian side as well.

 

[telephone89]

I disagree with Lyra on one part. I think Canadians generally get paid more, to compensate for the higher cost of living and whatnot.

Ruby, I too am a lover of those home hunting shows, and I see people in Atlanta buying a mansion for like $300k. There are obviously some very expensive places to live in the US, but I think as a whole country it's much more affordable. But generally pay is less, and taxes are less so it kind of balances out.

(side note about house hunters) one thing I saw on FB recently that I loved was a pretend caption from the show. It was like: "I'm an umbrella salesman, and my wife knits doggy diapers. Our budget is $5 million." hahah.

 

[ruby59]

In my home state, we have areas like Newport, where homes near the mansions can be $1 million.

We have parts of Providence where you can buy a house for $50,000.

And everything in between.

We are taxed for everything here but our services are awful thanks to the clowns in our State government.

I am just thankful that Stella was a bust because during our last big snow storm we had to shovel ourselves out.

Except for the schools in the richer areas, the rest are failing judging by the annual scores that come out and the fact that many have to take remedial classes in college.

Our roads are practically falling apart, and I look up every time I go under a bridge for falling debris.

We were last out of the recession and still catching up.

If my husband and I were younger, we would have high tailed it out of here.

 

[whitewave]

Scales are important at doctor's offices because many medicines are dosed by amount per pound.


Everyone is starting to realize scales only tell one part of a larger personal story and is not the end all be all everyone thought it was in days gone by.

 

[lyra]

I hope you enjoy your trip Ruby. You will be driving past where I live at some point. Montreal is beautiful and the Falls are magnificent.

 

[ruby59]

Scales are important at doctor's offices because many medicines are dosed by amount per pound.


Everyone is starting to realize scales only tell one part of a larger personal story and is not the end all be all everyone thought it was in days gone by.

Once again, what is the first thing doctors tell people when they are pre diabetes. To lose weight.

When I am not careful with my weight, my glucose numbers go up.

When I keep my weight tight, it stays pretty good.

No one said it was the be all of everything, but what I have at my disposal, along with my glucose monitor to check myself between visits.

And my insurance will only pay for it twice a year. Go even one day early, and I have to pay for it.

So yesterday I exercised and then weighed myself at the gym. Then recorded it for my doctor when I see him next.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Oh, or should I say doh. Scale or no scale, I didn't know Carlton University was a College.

cheers--Sharon

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I'll just leave this here:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/388056-why-do-i-weigh-more-on-the-scale-today-even-after-exercising/

A quote from the article:

"Weighing in immediately following exercise or even the morning after a workout can give you a false sense of the effects of exercise on your weight"

Weighing on a scale post workout is only helpful when monitoring fluid retention and then it is suggested to weigh pre and post workout.

Just thought I'd share!

 

[ruby59]

I'll just leave this here:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/388056-why-do-i-weigh-more-on-the-scale-today-even-after-exercising/

A quote from the article:

"Weighing in immediately following exercise or even the morning after a workout can give you a false sense of the effects of exercise on your weight"

Weighing on a scale post workout is only helpful when monitoring fluid retention and then it is suggested to weigh pre and post workout.

Just thought I'd share!

You mean for someone like me who has edema and takes a diuretic - fuerosemide.

 

[chemgirl]

HI:

Oh, or should I say doh. Scale or no scale, I didn't know Carlton University was a College.

cheers--Sharon

Haha was totally thinking that.

 

[whitewave]

I don't play with argumentative people/posts so I will just say that the first thing the doc told my MIL when she had pre diabetes was to stop eating simple carbs. Weight loss was not mentioned.

Taa daa.

Good bye.

 

[ruby59]

I don't play with argumentative people/posts so I will just say that the first thing the doc told my MIL when she had pre diabetes was to stop eating simple carbs. Weight loss was not mentioned.

Taa daa.

Good bye.

The same here for know its alls.

What does your MIL's doctor have to do with what my endocrinologist told me.

And maybe your MIL needs to see a better doctor or maybe a specialist because even my nutritionist told me how important it was to keep my weight under control.

Even back in the day when I had gestational diabetes, twice, my Ob said to try and not put on a lot of weight.

 

[House Cat]

I'll just leave this here:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/388056-why-do-i-weigh-more-on-the-scale-today-even-after-exercising/

A quote from the article:

"Weighing in immediately following exercise or even the morning after a workout can give you a false sense of the effects of exercise on your weight"

Weighing on a scale post workout is only helpful when monitoring fluid retention and then it is suggested to weigh pre and post workout.

Just thought I'd share!

Thank you for this information . I would imagine that it is relevant to most people.

 

[t-c]

We do more for our people with the tax money though, so everyone can actually feel that in a tangible sense. If we're using diabetes again, I get to see all my doctors and specialists for free. So I have a GP, Endocrinologist, Diabetes Nurse, and Diabetes Dietician/Nutrionist every 3 months to go over my plan of care. That's a lot of professional help for free. Then I have my Neurologist who is very much in demand and completely accessible. I have free MRI scans every year. Unlimited free doctor visits. Unlimited free walk in clinic visits. Free surgery, free ER visits. That's just healthcare. I'm okay with the higher taxes.

That's certainly true. I'm in the US and my tax rate is almost 40% -- hundreds of thousands of dollars to the government every year and not a whole lot in return. I wouldn't mind paying a little more to get "free" healthcare, "free" education, and a better social safety net in general.

To return to the original topic: I was a competitive athlete in high school and college and never paid much attention to weight besides those I lifted. I probably got dunked (had to monitor body fat percentage because it was too low) more often than I got on a scale. But one day, I used the one in the locker room and was floored at how little I weighed. Turned out I had been sick; I thought I was just unmotivated. It took a few more years to get diagnosed. That said, I don't think it's a big deal that a school took their scale out, specially one that had been broken for a while. And I don't understand why some folks are making a big deal out of it.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I'll just leave this here:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/388056-why-do-i-weigh-more-on-the-scale-today-even-after-exercising/

A quote from the article:

"Weighing in immediately following exercise or even the morning after a workout can give you a false sense of the effects of exercise on your weight"

Weighing on a scale post workout is only helpful when monitoring fluid retention and then it is suggested to weigh pre and post workout.

Just thought I'd share!

You mean for someone like me who has edema and takes a diuretic - fuerosemide.

Yes, so then you would have gotten a picture on the scale before AND after your workout so you can show them to your doctor. You only mentioned taking a picture after.

 

[lovedogs]

I don't play with argumentative people/posts so I will just say that the first thing the doc told my MIL when she had pre diabetes was to stop eating simple carbs. Weight loss was not mentioned.

Taa daa.

Good bye.

The same here for know its alls.

What does your MIL's doctor have to do with what my endocrinologist told me.

And maybe your MIL needs to see a better doctor or maybe a specialist because even my nutritionist told me how important it was to keep my weight under control.

Even back in the day when I had gestational diabetes, twice, my Ob said to try and not put on a lot of weight.

The irony here is GLORIOUS. Pot, meet Kettle.

 

[soxfan]

I don't play with argumentative people/posts so I will just say that the first thing the doc told my MIL when she had pre diabetes was to stop eating simple carbs. Weight loss was not mentioned.

Taa daa.

Good bye.

The same here for know its alls.

What does your MIL's doctor have to do with what my endocrinologist told me.

And maybe your MIL needs to see a better doctor or maybe a specialist because even my nutritionist told me how important it was to keep my weight under control.

Even back in the day when I had gestational diabetes, twice, my Ob said to try and not put on a lot of weight.

The irony here is GLORIOUS. Pot, meet Kettle.

 

[ruby59]

I don't play with argumentative people/posts so I will just say that the first thing the doc told my MIL when she had pre diabetes was to stop eating simple carbs. Weight loss was not mentioned.

Taa daa.

Good bye.

The same here for know its alls.

What does your MIL's doctor have to do with what my endocrinologist told me.

And maybe your MIL needs to see a better doctor or maybe a specialist because even my nutritionist told me how important it was to keep my weight under control.

Even back in the day when I had gestational diabetes, twice, my Ob said to try and not put on a lot of weight.

The irony here is GLORIOUS. Pot, meet Kettle.

http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/specialtopic/weight-management/print.html

Lovecdogs, my last post to you because I find you beyond obnoxious. I am dealing with a serious health condition, so unless you have an MD degree, your input is useless.

You can read the above about how important it is to keep your BMI in check or not.

But I will continue to follow the advice of a professional not some arm chair know nothing as yourself.

 

[cmd2014]

^This. Canada's population is roughly 35 million. US pop. is 324 million. Transparent pricing on services and drugs will help but that is not where the legislators are looking. Lobbyists in this nation really create a mire of a mess for we lowly citizen taxpayers.

Actually, a larger population means a larger tax base (income tax, property tax, school taxes, gas taxes, goods and services taxes, etc.), so each individual ends up paying less for their share of infrastructure, schools, government, and health care that tax dollars go to. It's why your roads are better than ours, even in North Dakota where the population is minuscule (Around 750,000, right? Less than a small city). Plus, it means more people paying for services that less people might need (like health care, as a good proportion of the population will be healthy at any given time, particularly if given access to mental health care services, primary care, and preventative care). The fact that smaller countries can make it a priority for their citizens should give more hope, rather than less, that larger ones can too.

The problem is that people in the US enjoy much lower taxes (you are taxed less on income, housing, school taxes, gas, and other commercial products than we are here, plus we have a goods and services tax that was originally earmarked to go towards education and healthcare, but later got morphed into the general federal tax base), and selling people on the types of tax increases that would be needed to fund the kinds of social programming that we have here (including universal health care) would be next to impossible. Culturally, there are differences in the US too then there are here. Those who are employed and have coverage through work are likely to feel resentful about having to pay for the needs of those who can't afford care or who are not employed full time. You also have a strong for-profit pharmaceutical system (and lobby), a for-profit hospital system (and lobby), and a for-profit health care insurance system (and lobby) that would all kick and scream at moving towards a universal health care system.

 

[cmd2014]

Ruby, I too am a lover of those home hunting shows, and I see people in Atlanta buying a mansion for like $300k.

I know, right? Or they buy a house for $150,000 and it's NICE (not the scary basement former grow-op 'condo' that we'd get for the same price around here). Personally I want to move to Waco and have the Gaines' renovate a house for me! It looks beautiful there. (I lived in Houston for a while which I really enjoyed, but Waco always looks so green on the show).

Ruby, I hope you enjoy your trip to Montreal. Niagara Falls is really worth seeing from the Canadian side despite how touristy it is and old Montreal is beautiful. Good food too. Also, I'm pretty sure that you can apply to have any GST and PST you pay on your purchases (which is about 13%) reimbursed since you don't live here (IIRK, you submit your receipts to the government of Canada after you get home). http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/gst-tps/rbts/vstrs/fctp-eng.html. That plus the 74 cent dollar should make it a bit more affordable.

Edit: oops, sorry, they discontinued the tax rebate program a while ago. That's only if you are on a formal tour (or a tour operator). But our low dollar still buys you more here.

 

[redwood66]

^This. Canada's population is roughly 35 million. US pop. is 324 million. Transparent pricing on services and drugs will help but that is not where the legislators are looking. Lobbyists in this nation really create a mire of a mess for we lowly citizen taxpayers.

Actually, a larger population means a larger tax base (income tax, property tax, school taxes, gas taxes, goods and services taxes, etc.), so each individual ends up paying less for their share of infrastructure, schools, government, and health care that tax dollars go to. It's why your roads are better than ours, even in North Dakota where the population is minuscule (Around 750,000, right? Less than a small city). Plus, it means more people paying for services that less people might need (like health care, as a good proportion of the population will be healthy at any given time, particularly if given access to mental health care services, primary care, and preventative care). The fact that smaller countries can make it a priority for their citizens should give more hope, rather than less, that larger ones can too.

The problem is that people in the US enjoy much lower taxes (you are taxed less on income, housing, school taxes, gas, and other commercial products than we are here, plus we have a goods and services tax that was originally earmarked to go towards education and healthcare, but later got morphed into the general federal tax base), and selling people on the types of tax increases that would be needed to fund the kinds of social programming that we have here (including universal health care) would be next to impossible. Culturally, there are differences in the US too then there are here. Those who are employed and have coverage through work are likely to feel resentful about having to pay for the needs of those who can't afford care or who are not employed full time. You also have a strong for-profit pharmaceutical system (and lobby), a for-profit hospital system (and lobby), and a for-profit health care insurance system (and lobby) that would all kick and scream at moving towards a universal health care system.

That is not a problem in my eyes. All the bennies you have in Canada are not what conservatives want in the US. We are not a socialistic country but we do have systems in place for those who cannot take care of themselves. If you are able to work you should be working and not receiving benefits provided by the rest of the people who do. I am against lobbying and agree it is against the best interest of taxpayers.