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> It’s this shift to processed foods, taking place all over the world, that’s contributing to a rising epidemic of obesity and related diseases. If most of the

> It’s this shift to processed foods, taking place all over the world, that’s contributing to a rising epidemic of obesity and related diseases. If most of the world ate more local fruits and vegetables, a little meat, fish, and some whole grains (as in the highly touted Mediterranean diet), and exercised an hour a day, that would be good news for our health—and for the planet. I believe this is accurate, but the cynic in me says the obvious solutions by in large aren't going to be adopted. 1. The idea that a balanced diet that largely avoids processed foods is likely to be most healthy is logical, but it's not very sexy. More extreme Diets (note the captial "D") gain mainstream popularity because they are usually based on a seemingly compelling narrative. Paleo, while hardly the worst Diet that has been popularized in the last decade, is a good example of this. 2. The reality is that most people aren't going to exercise an hour a day and maintain a healthy diet[1]. There's also the issue of how the average person exercises. While I wouldn't suggest that everybody jump into HIIT or train like a professional athlete, a lot of what you see in a typical big box gym is the fitness world's equivalent of processed foods: people aren't getting a whole lot out of what they're doing. There's not enough intensity, far too much emphasis is placed on isolated/non-functional exercises, etc. [1] http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/05/15/take-off-that-fitbit-exercise-alone-wont-make-you-lose-weight/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/05/15/t...

omegaham 11y ago
This is a great point. My poison of choice is the rowing machine. A good erg piece is hard. The correct pace makes you think, "Shit, I don't know if I can do this" at the halfway point and makes you beg for a quick death at the 3/4 point. I get weird stares from the folks who flounce around on the elliptical on the lowest resistance setting for twenty minutes and wonder why they aren't losing any weight. Like, I get "baby steps" and all that, and I get the fact that doing anything is better than nothing at all, but for me, the entire point of getting in better shape is to push myself even harder. If you're not pushing yourself to improve, why are you even showing up at the gym to begin with? I joke that I'm not even getting any fitter; I'm just increasing my capacity for suffering.
- 7Figures2Commas 11y ago
  To elaborate on your comment: part of the challenge is that without professional assistance, it can be difficult for the average person to develop a fitness plan that will produce meaningful results in a safe fashion. Lots of people are limited by existing injuries, and others create injury by jumping in and pushing themselves too hard too fast. Another challenge is that true fitness requires you to push yourself in different ways. Far too many people work out in a one-dimensional fashion. It's easy to jump on a treadmill or do the same free weight exercises day in and day out. But there are real limits to what most people can achieve without a well-rounded plan. One-dimensional workouts are why, for instance, you have guys walking around with impressive biceps, pot belly stomachs and chicken legs, and who can't do 10 minutes of moderate intensity steady state cardio without huffing and puffing.

omegaham 11y ago

This is a great point. My poison of choice is the rowing machine. A good erg piece is hard. The correct pace makes you think, "Shit, I don't know if I can do this" at the halfway point and makes you beg for a quick death at the 3/4 point. I get weird stares from the folks who flounce around on the elliptical on the lowest resistance setting for twenty minutes and wonder why they aren't losing any weight. Like, I get "baby steps" and all that, and I get the fact that doing anything is better than nothing at all, but for me, the entire point of getting in better shape is to push myself even harder. If you're not pushing yourself to improve, why are you even showing up at the gym to begin with? I joke that I'm not even getting any fitter; I'm just increasing my capacity for suffering.

7Figures2Commas 11y ago
To elaborate on your comment: part of the challenge is that without professional assistance, it can be difficult for the average person to develop a fitness plan that will produce meaningful results in a safe fashion. Lots of people are limited by existing injuries, and others create injury by jumping in and pushing themselves too hard too fast. Another challenge is that true fitness requires you to push yourself in different ways. Far too many people work out in a one-dimensional fashion. It's easy to jump on a treadmill or do the same free weight exercises day in and day out. But there are real limits to what most people can achieve without a well-rounded plan. One-dimensional workouts are why, for instance, you have guys walking around with impressive biceps, pot belly stomachs and chicken legs, and who can't do 10 minutes of moderate intensity steady state cardio without huffing and puffing.