Letter from Jess Meyers

Rich S. wrote:

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...

I still don't buy it. If it is a medical problem, why did it just occur
in the last 20-30 years and not 500 or 1000 years ago? I believe it is
our sedentary lifestyle combined with simply eating for recreation
rather than sustenance.


Well Matt, you must have some definitive evidence for your firmly held
belief. I would be glad to read about it. Perhaps you could give us some
reference, assuming it is not a divine revelation. :-)

Nope, simply observation over time, knowing from labor statistics the
kinds of jobs we have now compared to 30 or 40 years ago. We have fewer
farm, manufacturing, heavy labor, etc., jobs and more desk jobs, service
jobs, etc. Also, I've yet to see any evidence that humans have evolved
genetically in a dramatic way in such a short period of time.

Also, our society in general seems to be much less inclined to take
personal responsibility for anything and wants to blame someone else for
all of their ills. Look at the proliferation of law suits regarding
insane things like spilling coffee in your lap, getting fat on Oreos,
smoking cigarettes, etc. I think obesity is the same way. People
simply are eating too much (myself included) and exercising too little
(again, myself included) and that is why we are fat. However, few want
to admit that and take the action required to address it. It is much
easier to blame something or someone else.

I'm trying to address it and having some success. I joined a health
club 6 months ago and began a weight and cardio routine. I have been
slacking a little now that it is summer, however, I've been adding
bicycling. I rode 25 miles yesterday over hilly PA roads (took nearly
two hours). I've lost about 14 lbs. in 6 months, which is painfully
slow to me, but my doctor suggested that 2 lbs. a month is about right
and lets your body slowly adapt to the new weight. Like he said, "You
didn't gain the weight in 6 months so you shouldn't expect to lose it in
6 months."

Matt