Why do people go on strict diets to make themselves live longer?

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

I'm sure get a lot more joy from being healthy and in shape at the age of 53 by watching what I eat and by exercising, than the self hatred and inevitable long term health problems I'd have if I'd became obese from gobbling junk food. You don't just drop dead a decade early from eating crap, eventually you can develop health problems which seriously reduce your quality of life for decades. Think of your life as a happy one in the long term, not as eating crap while you are young. Also, if you are sensible most of the time, you can still indulge occasionally without risking your health. It just should be a once-a-week treat rather than an every-day thing.

Yeah, I think that's where the problem lies. Many people try to cut that out completely, only to let their urges build up. Then one day, they can't take it anymore and end up going crazy on junk food and give up on their diet.

Thankfully, I have very fast metabolism. So I always remain slim and maintain the same weight regardless if I eat too little or too much. But that means, I get very sloppy with watching what I eat, which is bad. Now that I'm getting older, I'm slowly trying to watch what I eat. I don't think I can ever give up on junk food completely. But I am trying to limit it as best as I can.