by Mahtem Shiferraw

If you’re not originally from Southern California, the first thing you notice about LA is the incredible appeal of polished-up appearances, health concerned frenetic people and fashion-obsessed unsettling stores and malls filled with eager customers (but I say this with all the affection Los Angeles has won me over the past few years).

The naturally pleasant weather (with the exception of this year), the landscape, the glorious Hollywood sign plastered on a mountain and the manic billboards and commercials of fast-food restaurants all contribute to the much needed desire to stand out with a healthy eating lifestyle (and that does not mean becoming vegetarian) that attempts courageously to go against the conformity and fear of creating a whole new generation of people at high risk for obesity.

However, with all do respect for those who are devoted enough and honestly concerned about their health-related issues and are able to distinguish between lifestyle and trend, healthy eating and exercising is a trend. It developed in Los Angeles and keeps evolving throughout the city, encouraged by celeb-imposed stereotypes, the increasing weight-loss reality TV shows, the charming cooking talk shows and the desperate need to refashion the general habit of eating of the Angelenos.

As awful as that sounds, it’s obvious that healthy-eating has definitely positive results on the society; when people eat better (and by better I mean for their health, not for their individual cravings) and exercise, they tend to perform well in their professional and filial enclaves, not to mention the ability to live longer and happier, which in the long run would create a much healthier generation.

But here is the catch: healthy eating and exercising is still a trend, not a habit. And the sad truth about trends is, well, let’s just say that after a certain period of time, they tend to fade away. Celeb-imposed stereotypes will always remain in their rightful place – on tabloid magazines and gossip-channels – but other than that, once the trend of a healthy lifestyle fades away and LA becomes overwhelmed by another irresistible craze (I dare not imagine what it could be!), healthy eating is guaranteed to loose its value, allowing fast-food restaurants to regain their power once again.

Of course, we can’t deny the fact that there is some thrill in being part of such trend (and in LA!), and although this one is awfully focused on individualized needs and external appearances, the effect it has on the society as a whole is definitely positive. Yet, without really realizing it, we are doing what we do best when elbowed towards the need to conform to a collective culture: embracing the process, the moment, rather than anticipating the outcomes and consequences. But for once, we should detach ourselves from the healthy-crazed crowd, and make a habit of the trend.