Classic Doc Joe:
For the next several weeks I will be re-posting some of my original writings. Sadly, the last several months, I lost sight of what I had previously written.
I know what I am going to write is probably going to send some folks over the edge. I wish I could apologize, but I can’t.
Obesity, in my opinion, is not a disease. I understand how much we would like it to be. If it were simply a disease, then we could drop self-responsibility and blame the diseased condition for causing our weight gain and other associated obesity related issues.
Yes, there can be underlying medical and hormonal causes for obesity — of that there is certainly no doubt, and when I write, I am not referring to those cases. But in reality, for most of us, it comes down to not wanting to take responsibility about making healthy choices in both diet and exercise.
I am 6 months into my battle back from recidivism; it is a position many of us are familiar with — because, for whatever reason, those of us who gain weight easily, have a lifetime war keeping our obesity in check. But, no matter the reason, the choices that lead us back up and down are ours — and no one is going to take that away from me. I refuse to allow the excuse makers to take away my self-responsibility or my choices — they are mine, I made them, I live with them, and I own them. That is simply one of the reasons this latest push to classify obesity as a disease is trying to do. The other is simply to give a diagnostic code so that physicians can bill your insurance company to give their patients drugs or perform surgery, to “treat” obesity.
Much of my attitude about self-responsibility for my own health is shaped by Bernarr MacFadden, Charles Atlas and Jack LaLanne. These men, in different ways, try to warn of the impending epidemic that poor choices and lack of self-responsibility can lead to — and our current national and global conditions seems to have proven that they were correct.
I understand the need to blame something, God knows I have wanted to for years. However, in the end, my initial obesity and my recidivism come down to simple causes — lack of self-control, discipline and poor focus.
I maintained a healthy and fit lifestyle for three years on an as close to natural, low carbohydrate diet and doing some type of exercise 7 days a week. I was healthy, not as wealthy as I would like, and I guess wise depends on your particular view. But, the fact that I was healthy cannot be disputed:
The standard medical objective criteria were as close to perfect as possible. My cardiovascular health was fantastic. EKG, echo-cardiogram and stress test were all good. Resting heart rate was 54 beats per minute, blood pressure was 110/65. Before that, when I weighed 340 pounds, those criteria were not so good. On that last exercise stress test it took me over 20 minutes to get my heart rate up into the range necessary, during the first one it took about 3, my blood pressure was 140/90 and resting heart rate hung out at over 90 beats per minute.
My heart goes out to those who have a genuine medical condition, and those individuals need appropriate medical care. For those, who can’t accept the mantra expressed by Bernarr MacFadden, Charles Atlas, Jack LaLanne and yes me too — if some medical option will help you get to your goals, who am I to say you are wrong. But that still doesn’t mean obesity is a disease, and self-responsibility doesn’t play a role.
As stated in the header of this site. “Just remember, even if we disagree, I don’t require you to be wrong, for me to be correct in my thinking!”
Aloha, Ciao, and Stay Healthy
Joe
Life is lived in color, but sometimes the answers remain black and white.
Aloha, Ciao and Stay Healthy,
Joe
Sometimes The Bastard Returns is available on Amazon.com
Paperback: http://astore.amazon.com/fathfinobl-20/detail/1492763365
Kindle: http://astore.amazon.com/fathfinobl-20/detail/B00HGVPCXG
Obesity Undone, is available in both paperback and kindle versions at amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Obesity-Undone-Beyond-Weight-Edition/dp/1477624333
For over three and half years I maintained a 130 pound weight loss, then last year I lost my way and found a relapse in obesity. I am discussing my battle with recidivism.
**************The information, advice and opinions contained herein is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting and videos do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition. I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions No guarantees are made or to be implied.***********
Obesity Undone, is available in both paperback and kindle versions at amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Obesity-Undone-Beyond-Weight-Edition/dp/1477624333
http://www.amazon.com/Obesity-Undone-Beyond-Weight-Edition-ebook/dp/B008R8KA1Q
and on Create Space https://www.createspace.com/3903024
