Where to begin: Well, you, like many, give the impression that you must eat celery or other taste-less foods to lose weight. This is a myth. In fact, there are many delicious food items available for dieting and healthy eating.
You ask us to observe ten people we know. The problem with that is we are observing the wrong thing. I am a "professional" observer. Here's what I observe. Most people eat very poorly. We live in a toxic food environment and most people think it's normal. News flash: It's not.
You also give the impression that if you are older, it's hopeless to lose weight. Wrong. People who know how to eat properly and exercise can do it. And, it's not difficult. You just have to want it.
I wouldn't bestow too much praise on Mrs. Obama or any governmental action or agency. People need to take charge of their own lives and make change on their own. The toxic food environment we live in is not changing anytime soon. I, for one, certainly am not going to depend on the government to assist in this area.
You end with a punchline: "I still have my celery and my chocolate days, only now I do celery when the kids are around -- and chocolate cake when they are not."
This implies you're fooling the kids. Also, again you make a false choice between celery and chocolate cake. You don't have to eat celery to eat a healthy diet. In fact, I rarely eat celery. But I do enjoy many delicious food items.
This article just continues the wrong-minded myth about living a healthy lifestyle.