I’m a fitness fanatic, so the subject comes up a lot around me, and 100% of the obese people I’ve talked to blame their genes and/or age. This gives them the excuse they need to not make the lifestyle changes that would enable them to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Of course they always say I’m lucky to have gotten the “good” genes. When I point out that I control my caloric intake and exercise, they dismiss it with a wave of their hand and quickly move away, so they won’t have to face the idea that they might have to do some actual work.
If someone doesn’t correlate taking in 4,000 calories of fast food and beer every day (while getting no exercise whatsoever) with their ever-increasing waistline, that’s sheer laziness and stupidity – not the evil food industry. God forbid they get their heart rate up and pay attention to what they’re shoveling in their mouth. When they finally do, what do you know – the fat falls off. There’s no way around the math.
Case in point – my wife’s dad weighs 550 (not a typo), while she looks great in a swimsuit after two kids. Same “fat” genes, same love of food. The difference? She exercises and has a little self-control. It doesn’t take much.
Obviously we need some regulation – the kind where they make manufacturers and restaurants publish the content of food. What we don’t need is someone telling Ben and Jerry’s they’re not allowed to cram 1,200 calories into a pint.
