Really? The Flemish?! We were there last March.. it was all lace and posh chocolate! Not a chip in sight! haha!

On the portion size thing.. OH went to our bakers.. bought 2 lamingtons.. they are huge.. not just huge.. massive.. have cut one in half for our kids.. they still have a massive portion... me and OH have taken to sharing cakes now whilst out for a coffee.. a situation I would have never to have dared consider previously! (I love me cake, I do!)

Em x

Agreed, eating habits are lousy in both countries. But your nationmaster figures are very out-of-date - 2002 survey, based on 1999 data. Slightly more up-to-date figures are here and they state that in Australia:

• overall 16.4% of adults were reported as obese in 2004–05
• 17.8% of males and 15.1% of females were obese.

It's not a myth here any more than it is in the yookay. If you prefer to sit on the couch watching 103 on the Austar, then that's fine. Doesn't mean that everyone else is the same.

That is incredibly high.. not just overweight either.. obese...

Em x

Belgian frites - double fried and served with mayo. Yum.

I'll repeat what I've said on this and other forums - I think we Brits see Australians as fit, toned outdoorsy people, and we get a shock at the reality. The fit are fit and the fat are fat; we don't really notice those in between.

It's much the same in the US, and from what I've seen it's become much the same in the UK. Anywhere remotely developed and prosperous, I think. Yes, anywhere the fast food chains move in. Look at Asia where it's cool to go to Starbucks and drink cups full of sugary shite. edited to add - Asia, where diabetes is on the increase at an alarming rate, as people turn away from the local diet.

(Before anybody comments I'm a hypocrite - yes I'm fat, but you'd be surprised at my diet.)

Besides poor diets peoples general immobility adds to a rather unhealthy life style here.
When living in France one thing we used to do was walk after a meal especially after a weekend lunch...promenade in the hills or along the river for an hour or so often with friends..A big portion of the locals appeared to be doing the same.In Paris we would walk through the streets at night after a meal..always a lot to see and movement all around.Perhaps a coffee in a different cafe or area to take in the ambiance.
In Central London i was able to follow a slightly different but similar procedure in the evenings.
Here in Perth even with the best intentions and living inner city can no way pursue any thing remotely similar to the above mentioned and have put on weight accordingly.(although still reasonably fit)
Even though i cycle to work and back most days,a total of close on three hours in the saddle still find it hard to loose those additional kilos.
Walking bores me here being few others about and does not feel conjusive to do so, besides walking should be a pleasure not a chore.I do not know people that walk here uness it is taking the dog out..staying in with the telly or computer seems to be how most pass their evenings.
As European friends visiting have noted going out here seems to involve a lot of sitting in cafes eating..all very passive.

I must admit that I was shocked that Australia has a problem with weight as you think they are all sports mad before you live here.My oldest daughter is in year 11 this year and has told me that she is not doing any sport as not enough people wanted to do it!She is very sporty but not into basketball or soccer so unless you are tough it seems!

I reckon Perth is brilliant for keeping you fit! Yep, loads of cafes and good restaurants but:

1. An hour in the ocean with the kids....
2. An hour in the swimming pool.
3. Fantastic cycle paths for getting to and from work
4. Little suburban traffic so cycling to and from the shops is doable.
5. Great parks for the kids
6. Cycling tracks in teh hills.
7. Beautiful sunsets for an evening stroll

Now, whether you can be arsed getting off your arse (note how long I've been on BE today) is a different issue....
I've put on 5kgs over xmas but I'm pretty confident(!) that I'll lose it once I get back to cycling to work.

Bear with me. Just trying this on for size.

1) Yea, assuming you don't get eaten by a shark.
2) With 50+ sunscreen, rash vest and hat on, of course.
3) Crammed full of yobs on skateboards wanting to mug you.
4) Yea, but what suburban traffic there is, is hoons in souped up Holdens doing doughnuts at traffic lights.
5) Until the mossies descend, quickly followed by the flies.
6) Full of outback murderers.
7) An evening stroll through blandsville, to nowhere?

Blimey. It's quite easy this.

Well what have I missed here this morning?

Whose toys are these, all over the floor?

Love avatar... haha!

Em x

One does one's best

G

I wonder if any of these fod "snobs" drink alcohol? And, of all these people who do drink alcohol, do you make your own from scratch? If not shame on you!!!
Doesnt take much time and effort you know.... bit of patience thrown in and you're sorted. No nasty chemicals and fake alcohol you eh? I bet you never drink beers from a can eh? Or wine and spirits made from a mass producers with god knows what chemicals in it just for your convenience

Well of course to all this but I would add that it is also preferable to try and do all of the above in the company of other other like-minded Englishmen.
Wouldn't want to assciate with the detritus.

I was going to say a new avatar for an old tartar, but I wouldnt be so rude to you Mr G !

Em x