The Problem Of Health Nags
Being overly concerned about health is an unhealthy thing. These are the "worried well," which includes anyone from a perfectly healthy person who demands a full medical exam, to the many who seek a medical check up as a result of the exaggerated perceived risk for getting an illness.
Health has assumed a high priority in our lives. Much of this is good, but we now worry about anything and everything, from sunbathing to sex to butter. Promoting a healthier lifestyle is generally good, but can turn on us when overstated.
Of all the health initiatives broadcast by government, the only health campaign that will help us is quitting smoking.
"Oooh - don't eat that!" "What's that - you actually enjoy what?!" "You have to start exercising!" Conventional wisdom may lead may people to believe that going to the gym, eat fruit and vegetables, plus oily fish and skim milk plus all-bran equals health and well-being. But are these things truly going to help? Knowing many of us, I would say probably not.
So many of us hate exercise. And simple fat reducing diets can produce only marginal reductions in blood cholesterol concentrations. With even the best willpower in the world, and much more extreme diets, it would be impossible for most of us to sustain.
The fact is, there have been some major claims that overall diet alteration will help us live longer, but there is no proof that this is so. The fact that government and everyone has jumped on this low-fat diet thing and gotten us to believe that if we do that we're going to cause a major change in our health.... sory.... the evidence is just not there.
How about everyone eating a 30% fat diet? Forget it! It's never going to happen. Even if you could pull it off, you might enjoy 2-3 more months. And those measly extra months may come in a nursing home.... in diapers. That may not be a happy thing.
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For people who enjoy a lower fat diet, that's fine. I don't particularly like lard and greasy food either. I do like eating lots of fruits and vegetables. I enjoy a more Mediterranean diet with some fish and olive oil. But if I'm going to be driving myself crazy trying to stay on it, forget it! There are other ways of doing it. Try to have more fun. Try to have more sex. Drink a little red wine here. Eat more berries. Go out to concerts. Try relaxing and de-stressing a little bit more. Enjoy some great friendships or social activities. These things also increase longevity. Try getting a little exercise by finding some activities that you actually enjoy doing.
