Day 3.83 Sugar-coated hog wash

A recent article suggests that diets for obesity don't work. Neither does exercise. Further the author says that the 61 billion dollar weight-loss industry are thieves in cheap disguise. On THAT point I agree! Lastly the article (sent to my in-box as a service) says that being clinically overweight is OK, and does nowhere near the financial damage currently cited as catastrophic. They say that it is time to stop telling the fat to thin out.

Hummm.

There are other reasons why we exercise, eat healthy and invest wisely in ourselves, dear author. Foremost being imho.......

BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

Let's face it, when you look and feel good, when you have worked hard to better yourself, when you enjoy the healthy satisfaction of effort and reward an altogether different level of confidence is available. I (and please excuse my Type AA-ness) feel horribly slothful if I miss one workout or pack on two pounds as a result of a weekend with the binge brigade. This isn't admitting guilt, it is dedication to discipline. Those who fail chronically usually give up. We need to encourage and support not excuse and justify.

It could all come down to self image. How do you feel? How do you want to feel? Are you content with your current status? Are you in this for improvement and self realization? Do you think that the physical plays a part in all that? Can you run a 10 minute mile or hoist 50 pounds overhead? These are life, not merely athletic, skills. In an emergency you may need them to save the life of an innocent ten-year old, not simply to meet the current societal directive of beauty.

Do you read? Do you pray? Are you a good neighbor?

The same way that you read to increase your knowledge base, take quiet meditative time to de-brief and contribute to society rather than steal from it is just as 'right' as taking care of yourself.

IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

So let me be clear. I don't care how you spin the financial effects. I don't care about the impact to social security or the GNP, and I certainly won't swallow a hallow and sensationalistic twist on the state of obesity in America.

We (the we that assemble here) train and strive for continual improvement. Saying that it is OK to do otherwise is not only wrong it is enabling an already reeling demographic. 

IT IS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

Give me a plan. A cause. A reason. A reward.

Not more sugar-coated hog wash to dummy-down my discipline, please.