Originally Posted by
linberl
Lolz. I guess I should have said my "choice" of calories is always unplanned. I eat a very healthy diet, lotsa veggies, no red meat, wild caught fish only, fresh fruit. Living in Northern California, I am lucky to have access to incredible food markets. I cut out sodas a long time ago, went to black coffee as well. But I allow myself one goodie each week, whether that's an ice cream or a pastry or whatever. I'm 68....depriving myself completely doesn't make a lot of sense. I want to die with a smile on my face, lol. Heck, when I hit 75 (assuming I do) I am going full-on Julie Child (butter, butter butter). I don't have enough money to live well past 80 anway, so might as well go out happy =). Now my adult son, who wasn't obese (6 feet tall 210 lbs) is now 165 lbs due to his cycling and his much improved diet (cut out greasy, fried, processed foods and drinks ice tea instead of soda now). At 30, it's really important as it will set up his health for the rest of his life.
At least you have a plan for your future. There are many who don't plan because they don't know how hard it can be as they get older. There are may that don't realize how much medical will cost when their job isn't picking up the tab. Like many here I discovered cycling allows you to consume more if you wish but even a 20 mile ride at 20 mph 3 or 4 days a week will not burn off the average burger and beer. It takes diet and dedication, way more than the magic of commuting five days a week 2 miles at 12 MPH avoiding sweat.
In fact it seems programs like we see advertised on TV for meal replacement work as well if not better than commuting. At least looking at the posted results. And still genetics can jump out and bite you in the bottom. Having a good retirement plan helps there as well. Cutting out Cheese, bread, Beer, many nuts, Pasta, soda, Shellfish, the skin on Chicken, Ham and ice cream makes losing weight pretty easy, and boring. But it works.
To a degree I understand Anthony Bourdain and yes Julia Child's outlook on living a full life by experiencing people, places, good food and adventures. Having spent 8 years working in a SNF unit and some Hospice work I know people don't want to talk about their long days of doing nothing and waiting for the end. They want to talk about what they have done, where they have gone, where they wish they had gone. And yes the people they love. Maybe even the great bike rides they took. But very few have shared with me how much they enjoyed denying themselves. But that is just from my experiences and how they effected me.