In a choice between laziness and dying, dying is winning

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Sep 20th 2007 9:11AM

Categories: HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

People in Britain would rather die than make healthy changes to their life, a new study shows. The majority of overweight and obese people are unwilling to become healthy, even face with certain death. In a poll, only 38% said they would exercise more if their life depended on it. And believe me -- their lives do depend on it. Exercise and a healthy diet are essential for longevity.

I think these statistics are shocking -- don't you? I'm appalled that people would choose laziness over life.

Only 4% said that they found exercise fun -- perhaps that's the reason why they're so unwilling to do it? But I'm the opposite -- I don't think laziness is fun; I'd much rather go for a run or a yoga session than lounge on the couch all day. Would you?

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Comments (100)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

Richard Day Gore 9-19-2007 @ 9:37PM

It's important to recognize that the results of this (or any) poll reflect not the attitudes of an entire population, but the responses of the 2,100 people who participated.

It is sobering, though, to realize that we live in a world where health is increasingly vanity-driven, and where illness, and the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle, are still viewed by so many as a remote concept--except by those touched by them.

Regards,
Richard Day Gore

ESK 9-20-2007 @ 3:54PM

aren't we all facing certain death?

BETH 9-22-2007 @ 2:12PM

In the total absence of insurance or savings, living paycheck to paycheck, my husband and I have a "retirement plan"--smoking and drinking as fast as we can (and nor exercising) so we will be dead before we have to face being old, sick and eventually homeless

Kiki 9-22-2007 @ 2:25PM

Martha Edwards, the writer of this piece, sounds so smug! She would rather go for a run or a yoga session than lounge on the couch. Well, goody for her hyperactive self! This is what so many people despise about exercisers...you guys are condescending and frankly, annoying to be around because you are so tunnel-visioned on exercise, which is probably why you run--you're naturally hyperactive. Do you have any idea HOW to sit still, Martha? Ask the Buddhists how wise your approach is, that you can't tolerate sitting on a couch.... I seem to remember they live longer than anyone on the planet. And they're not running their tushies off. Yoga, maybe, but babe, they sit still. A LOT.

Don 9-22-2007 @ 2:26PM

I suspose there is some vanity involved. However, the feeling better far exceeds the "vanity factor". When a person can do more enjoyable activites, life is much richer. As we get older, we will be able to do more enjoyable activities than what we otherwise could do. Myself, I much preferre felling good. Look into the Senior games that take place through out the country and you will see a lot of happy people.

DomatUNR 9-22-2007 @ 2:30PM

Let them be fat, ugly, and unhealthy
I have no need for these pigs and slugs in society
i just say anyone who doesnt exercise and eat well should just not have health care
i hope health and life insurance companies start screening for BMI, make these people pay for their waste and gluttony.

Jane 9-22-2007 @ 2:34PM

I don't believe any statistics presented by the media because like Richard said, they're only based on a very small handful of people, and are not the result of true scientific surveys which take months if not years to organize. So not only do these polls not reflect an entire society, the media furthers the problem by exaggerating and sensationalizing the results in order to gain attention. This poll is a slap in the face to the millions struggling to lower their weight and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Dee 9-22-2007 @ 2:37PM

Tombstone: "Everything in Moderation...and still died."

Tara 9-22-2007 @ 2:39PM

Well said Kiki. The best way to relax for many people is to lay back and watch some TV. There's no reason to look down on people who do so. And great point about the Buddhists. Training yourself to sit still and meditate is one the most relaxing and rewarding experiences any of us can have. Learning how to truly calm down can actually benefit your health.

F.S. 9-22-2007 @ 2:42PM

No I would not rather go for a run. There's a time to exercise, and there's a time to unwind. Life is stressful enough, so lounging on a couch is the best way to clear my mind.

trica 9-22-2007 @ 2:48PM

Martha appears to be one of the many who can only see things from her own perspective. The problem with that is that there are as many different perspectives as there are people on the planet. I find it so boring to continually listen to people who think in tiny boxes and can't look out at the expansive real world. I bet Martha will have a totally different take on things when her knees are shot or she damages part of her body permanently.
I agree with Richard Day Gore that the vanity-driven lifestyle is prevalent everywhere.
It's amazing......society creates a situation then condemns people for buying into it...............I wonder what will happen when they discover excercise is bad for you too.
Are we living in a country full of brainless wonders who can't think for themselves??????? This is terrifying!

Terri A. 9-22-2007 @ 3:17PM

I believe in exercise for health and have read a number of books by homeopathic doctors stating it is necessary for heart health. No, I do not enjoy it but I feel it must be done as a preventive measure. Some of my neighbors who have heart problems and have experienced unpleasant heart surgery are required by their cardiologists to walk daily for their survival. It is no longer an option. Of course, they could decide not to walk and to die a painful, possibly prolonged death
These people are also required to take strong heart medication that has unpleasant side effects.

When you are young and healthy (and lazy), it is easy to adopt a cavalier attitude that you prefer death over exercise. When you start feeling the physical effects of a heart attack and other obesity related ailments, many people change their minds.

Devoting one half hour per day to exercise is IMO preferable to a miserably painful old age spent visiting your cardiologist and possibly needing bypass surgery. It isn't necessary to run or engage in vigorous activity - walking will fill the bill - and I'm on my way to a walk right now.

Leslie 9-22-2007 @ 2:54PM

I was a couch potato for many years - gained a lot of weight in my 30s and 40s, but about five years ago I decided I was heading for some serious health problems and decided to make some changes. I began exercising and trying to make healthier choices in my diet. I lots 116 pounds, and have kept the weight off since November of 2003. I still exercise every day - an hour in the mornings at the gym and an hour walking everyu afternoon. I have to say that at first the exercise was quite unappealing, but now that it is a part of my life, I enjoy it and I know I would miss it if I were not able to do it each day. I am not passing judgment on anyone else's choices, but just wanted to make the point that it's really hard (and even scary) to get started on a lifestyle change - but in my case, worth it.

k-dog 9-22-2007 @ 3:02PM

Everyone that responds should post their weight first. That way we know if only the fat people are dismissing the importance of exercise vs. sitting on a coach.

Dwight Mehring 9-22-2007 @ 3:04PM

Look around you at any restaurant thee days- I do- most of the people are in TERRIBLE shape- very fat, men and women. It is very sad. I was one of those 3 years ago at 6 foot, 245 pounds and a 45 inch waist. It was disgusting. Now, at 174 pounds and a 32 inch waist and exersising everyday and watching what I eat, I feel great and my blood sugar, cholesteol, etc are all in the excellent category. No more fast foods, etc. It ain't that hard, most of it mental discipline. Yes, I know, most people have zero of that along with common sense.

luqe110 9-22-2007 @ 3:15PM

life is made up of many different choices, why are you so shocked that some people feel differently than you.
It is their life, why should your personal opinion be better than theirs. You don't have to agree, just mind your own business. People are getting fed up with those who think that their way is the only way.

Sparklle 9-22-2007 @ 3:15PM

Well, I agree with them. I'd rather be a big, beautiful zaftig cherub anyday. We're gonna die anyway. I personally think both thin and "fit" look ugly (no offense to anyone who is, I just think its ugly.) I don't even think its that all they want is to be lazy...If they're like me...they just don't want to be a preachy-about-excersize ugly skinny person. You have to realize that not everyone wants to be thin (or even regular for that matter) and maybe they're happy with being overweight. I know I am.

Justa 9-22-2007 @ 3:18PM

And people wonder why agri businesses like landscape construction had so many immigrant workers, and when those workers became unavailable, these businesses shut down. There is not one labor heavy job that a majority of Americans would do, for any amount of money, or try to do but then have a heart attack due to body stress.

tana green 9-22-2007 @ 3:17PM

Oh, Dee, so funny.

Polls can be written to produce any desired result so don't take them too seriously. And just wondering: how many polls have you ever responded to?
I am couch potato by circumstance, not by choice. So I say if you want to run around, no problem, if you want to sit still, no problem. Just let everybody live their own life - are you so unfulfilled that you feel a need to live someone else's as well as your own?

KMF 9-22-2007 @ 3:25PM

I was a skinny child, until I hit about ten and packed the pounds on. I'd yo-yo dieted and all that lose, gain, lose and gain it all back. But not any more. It's coming off and staying off, because I made permanent changes in my eating habits, and made room for exercise in my life.

I exercise twice a day, and I have so much energy. Yeah sometimes I just have to get up and move, do a little mini workout in the middle of the day. But I also like to chillout in the evenings after dinner, and after I've done my evening workout and watch telly or read a novel.

All those negative commenters are case in point as to why exercise is so needed. Exercise floods the brain with endorphins and man does that feel great! I'm all smiles after a good workout!

Yes, I'm not going to live forever. It's the QUALITY of life I'm getting! I'll certainly outlive you! As for the gal with the 'retirement plan', I don't have health insurance or savings, my retirement plan is to to stay healthy and so I won't need the insurance! I haven't been to the doctor in over three years! Haven't gotten sick! I get the sniffles, the ocassional cold or flu, but it last a couple days and I'm back up and at it. By exercising, eating right, I have avoided the painful old age, and life shortening diseases, they've proved a seditary life causes.