Another good fact from The Health Institute of Nutrition

[sqbr]

So, on the one hand, I and Cam have been going to weight watchers, and this has on the whole being pretty positive for us both (though admittedly I think it helps that we don't exactly follow the program. Life's too short to count calories). On the other I've been encountering a bunch of blogs etc about how the whole weight loss=healthy thing is a myth. I'm still trying to figure out quite what I think about the whole thing.

But either way I can wholeheartedly recommend The Health Institute of Nutrition, which gives undeniably good advice like "Write your legislators and demand more funding for stigmatizing obesity in inner city schools".

Found indirectly via metafandom.

Comments

[auntpol.livejournal.com]

That website is hilarious. Are you sure it isn't satirical? I mean, they have a go at the Dutch research because they use a measure of mass not weight. Also, they say "First, it is important to understand that the Dutch live in Denmark or some place, which is not even part of America." in order to support their claims. It seems a bit... strange!

[alias_sqbr]

Oh, yes, it's definitely satirical.

In my experience, any site that is so stupid it's funny is satirical. The "so stupid it's scary" ones are more likely to be real :)

[stephiepenguin.livejournal.com]

I have many links to blogs that orbit the fatosphere, if you want them. I'm just saying.

[alias_sqbr]

Are there any that aren't pushing an agenda to the point of ignoring anything that doesn't support it?

I mean I understand the need for blogs dedicated to pointing out the huge gaping flaws in the crazy anti-fat pro-diet culture we live in, but still, they seem less interested in promoting a balanced way of living as pointing out how unbalanced the dieting lifestyle is, and I already know that(*).

(See my comment to nephron below, my brain ran out partway through this comment so I'm not sure it's very clear :))

(*)I may be on a diet, but I'm not on a diet. If that makes any sense.

[nephron.livejournal.com]

I personally don't worry too much about weight, as the research I've seen has only a tenous link between weight and ill health.

Where the links are strong are the lifestyle factors- eating lots of junk and living a sedentary life is bad for you. And if you eat moderately and good food, and get plenty of exercise, you'll probably be a (relatively) "healthy" weight. And if not, you've reduced your lifestyle risk factors anyway.

[alias_sqbr]

See, that makes perfect sense to me. I know I was unhealthier when I was younger, even though my higher metabolism or whatever kept me thinner despite the lack of exercise and unhealthy diet. And I think a lot of "diet" stuff (both the foods and the lifestyle) is clearly very unhealthy.

But some of these sites are all "People are exercising too much" and "Sugar isn't actually bad for you". Which...doesn't make so much sense to me.

Also something I haven't really seen mentioned is whether or not the sorts of people who are naturally overweight even when living healthily get any of the associated health problems caused the physical fact of being heavier/having more fat(*) (ie having bad knees) and if there's much that can be done about it. This interests me since there's some evidence that my natural state is to be 5-10kg over my "ideal" weight (I certainly look nicer that way) but that this extra weight sets off my reflux.

(*)Anti-weightloss sites don't mention any downsides to being overweight, and pro-weightloss sites tend to ignore the "live healthy but still overweight" people all together. It's all a bit polarised.

[nico-wolfwood.livejournal.com]

just about your knees (the whole fat/not-fat thing isn't really my thing): I just got a pair of MBT shoes and my lower back, knees and ankles seem to be in a lot less pain. I'm happy with them.

On the fat thing: I agree with you. but then, you knew tat already. :P

[alias_sqbr]

MBT?

My knees have gotten a zillion times better since I got my orthotics, and no I don't think my weight has anything to do with it :)

[nico-wolfwood.livejournal.com]

Masai Barefoot Technology. I do hear that they don't always work with equal effectiveness for everyone and they're pretty pricey. They also can't be used with orthotics. It is fun to go into a shoe store and try them on though as they completely change the walk when you wear them.

[alias_sqbr]

Hmm, ok. Well, I'll keep an eye out for them for interests sake.