Don’t Let Them Scare You

September 2nd, 2007 · 1 Comment

This woe-is-us article from The NY Times leaves you with the impression that 66% of Americans are doomed to obesity, and if you’re unlucky enough to be one of them, you may as well cancel the gym and unwrap your next pack of Twinkies.

Maybe. But I doubt it. My guess is that if 66% of Americans tried eating slightly less sugar and eating only mostly when they were hungry, a good percentage of them would lose weight. Maybe their “set point” won’t land them in a size 4, but are they programmed to be obese?

This type of article, of which there have been a rash in recent weeks, frustrate me, because they are so on the verge of being helpful. They’re right to question the efficacy of “diets.” Diets don’t work; lifestyle changes do. But they don’t focus on what does work, they just push the dismal headline.

Don’t let articles like the above get you down. You can love your body. You can gradually shift to healthier habits. You can be mindful of your hunger and be reasonably active. And you can make a difference in your health and fitness.

Tags: Health News

1 response so far ↓

1 Saskia // Sep 10, 2007 at 5:21 am

I agree about lifestyle changes. The only problem is that too many folks look to food-changes that they have been brainwashed by advertizing into thinking are healthier. I disagree with this Dr. Glassner guy who pooh-poohs the nostalgia for traditional diet as a ‘fix’ for the obesity problem; I really do think it can help–as long as people eat the “right” kind of traditional diet–without chemicals and mostly organic. People look to cut sugar, but are still ingesting junk-food in zero-calorie soft drinks and other ‘goodies’, low-fat products… processed cheeses etc. I’m convinced the chemicals, perservatives, colorants and anything man-made that goes into foods contribute to obesity. The traditional diet does not contain these chemicals….burgers back in the day were not laced as they are now with hormone residue, flavorants, artificial smells, etc. There was even a recent study that proved all that junk actually increases children’s hyperactivity, and lessens their ability to concentrate. Just think how it’s probably messing with our hormones and glands. It’s already been proven many soft drinks contribute to bone loss…….Instead I think folks should eat pure foods. There is absolutely nothing wrong with olive oil or a little butter if you’re tolerant–please look at the mediterranean and french diets…we need fat to absorb vitamins and minerals in our veggies!! Organic, unprocessed, normal portions…avoid stuff in packaging…
Also, the article doesn’t mention some new research that has been showing the possibility that once fat, the cells remember it and it’s even harder to loose weight again. Like it’s programmed in (now that is depressing). Especially if you are overweight when you’re young. And of course the studies on genetic pre-determination are very interesting. That is why I love this website because it stresses everyone is different, and as long as you feel healthy and are taking care of yourself –while you might not be a size four–you’re beautiful! It’s a pity that while our culture is stressing healthful living the only image attached to that is a a rail thin model, which as science is showing is not the only model available in size Healthy.