Tuesday 22 March 2011

More hot toast and butter thoughts

I do have a friend with a heart condition who said he was too busy to exercise.  This cartoon must have been drawn specially for him.  How can you not find time for something that might help to save, or at least prolong your life?  Or is refusing to exercise despite 'doctor's orders' no more than a personal lifestyle choice we are all entitled to make?  Of course it is.  And am I any better for occasionally drinking more wine than is sensible for me?  Knowledge of the ill-health that might result from any behaviour is clearly not in itself enough to prevent the behaviour.  Everyone in Western Europe knows that smoking is harmful to your health but millions of people still do it.  There are other far more powerful influences at work when people chose to smoke, eat to excess, refuse to exercise, drink too much, drive too fast, take illegal drugs, and so on.  I was quite taken recently by a consultant from a major teaching hospital in London who kept repeating (in a radio debate about obesity)  that people get fat because they eat too much, that exercise plays a secondary and marginal role in weight loss (although not in general health and fitness).  I like that and it's obvious when you hear it.  Exercise all you like and keep eating too much and you won't lose weight.  Stop eating and take no exercise and still the pounds will fall off you.  Well said, doctor.  Now where is that hot toast and butter?

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