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.

[terp_fan99]

One of the doctors I work with is constantly bragging about how healthy he eats and how much he walks and how good his lab work is...he just had a heart attack and he's in his 50s.

[Cinema84]

This thread reminds me of the Jim Jupiter episode of Married...With Children, where the exercise nut drops dead because Peggy gets him to indulge in bon bons and smoking. Al then points to a cockroach and tells the family they'll be around longer than man because cockroaches eat crap, which kind of makes sense. If a very fit, very healthy person suddenly were to start eating junk food they would probably keel over after a few days because they've purified their bodies so completely that they wouldn't be able to handle grease and sugar. Look, I'm not saying people shouldn't eat healthy - I'm trying to restrict everyday junk food from my own diet - but I really hate when people turn their noses up whenever someone mentions pizza or McDonald's. I just think people have taken health a bit too seriously. Live a little.

[MorrisJay]

i don't believe in the theory that diets make us to live longer, only fools believe in this sh1t

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by MorrisJay

i don't believe in the theory that diets make us to live longer, only fools believe in this sh1t

Fad diets probably don't help much but true life style changes that include proper eating and exercise absolutely help you live longer.

[MorrisJay]

well without junk food some may live longer but it will be boring

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by MorrisJay

well without junk food some may live longer but it will be boring

Healthy food can be tasty, just gotta use some imagination.

[Michael1989]

Originally Posted by terp_fan99

One of the doctors I work with is constantly bragging about how healthy he eats and how much he walks and how good his lab work is...he just had a heart attack and he's in his 50s.

Did you find out what caused it?

[Dubstar]

I was noting that Steve Gonsalves (Ghost Hunters) has lost a lot of weight on this season's 'Ghost Nation' he was saying he's on a strict diet of 18 grams carbs a day, nothing 'white' (except diary) and 10 glasses of water - all power to him.

[Michael1989]

18 grams of carbs? Now thats meticulous lol. Definitely agree with drinking all the water though

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Michael1989

18 grams of carbs? Now thats meticulous lol. Definitely agree with drinking all the water though

too much water, and I'd be living in the bathroom all day long

[Wingman1977]

Perhaps they feel they have something to live for?

[LordSummerIsle]

You answered your own question. To live longer.