Hi Seniors, do you think the obsession with perfection and statistics has gone too far?

Question

I had an eccles (sort of) cake this morning and one thought led to another, about recent media coverage and how we are told not to eat this or that because we'll die if we do, have to be a specified weight and size because we'll die if we're not, must achieve certain goals, grades or statistics etc. because...
All of this adds up to STRESS and depression, which makes us eat and do all the 'don'ts' - forbidden fruit is so tempting!

Shouldn't we be able to live, eat and do what makes us happy, providing it doesn't adversely affect other peoples health and well being?

I think without all the stress most of us would settle down and be healthier and happier.

BTW my 'sort of' eccles cake was home made, no added sugar or fat, just apple and sultanas in some bread dough (wholemeal). Now I'm off to finish making my bread.

Answer 1

My grandmother lived to be over 100 years old. When she died, there was nothing physically wrong with her. Her mind was also in tact. She was sharp as a tack mentally. She never had a mammogram in her life, or a dexa, never went on a diet. Her only exercise was gardening. She ate what she wanted, drank what she wanted. Did what she wanted. She always looked nice when she went out, even every day. She paid no attention to studies and research. She also didn't care what people thought of her. That kept her going. My dad felt the same way.
If we worry about every thing we hear on the media about diet, exercise, what we eat, etc.,we'd be nervous wrecks. This only adds to stress. I agree with you.

Answer 2

Statistics are a nice thing for a world where everything has to be calculated. It give you the feeling of assurance, doing right (sort of). Everything has its place or its box, is classified.
But where it is based on?
If you look to the Gaussian curve, there is always something on the right and on the left which is simply neglected. But it counts!
My thing is: I am an individual and I don't bother where my place on this curve is as long as I am happy with me. I don't mind what other people think, they must do.
That's much more stress-less and I don't need a psy.

Answer 3

I have been very healthy all my life; yet was diagnosed 4 yrs ago with Diabetes II...I lost weight and had been fine since, until recently when I contracted bronhitis. Now I'm on antibiotics; hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes meds and although feeling better re: bronchitis, I have been experienced allergic reactions to all the rest! lol

Seems my body prefers no meds and like 'inthedark' said, moderation in all things...[harder to do than say, but I believe it works!]

Also the CYA mode of today has all venues trying to stay out of court/suits!...ever really read all the contraindications on pharmacy literature handed to you in concert with your 'script? Enough to give you a stroke right there on the spot!!!

Answer 4

I personally do not believe any of the crap spouted by these so called experts.

Years ago - it was stated by scientists that if you eat a cheese roll and drink a cup coffee with it - you increase the risk of getting cancer.

My doctor, who had known me since birth, smoked 40 ciggies a day until he retired 15 yrs ago - he then stopped smoking and within weeks was dead.

It is all propoganda bullshite and I for one will eat a piece of steak or a cake or a cheese roll when I damn well please.

Life is for living not being a reclusive vegetable dictated to by morons out to make names for themselves.

Answer 5

What is eccles? I am , sorry, I don't think I ever have eaten or saw one.

My great grandparent and aunts lived to be quite old 102 and 95 eating Swiss cheese, drinking beer and smoking camel cigarettes, so i think much is genetic predisposition

Answer 6

Before I entered the senior ages, I chose to live the life I want. If I hear something which sounds disagreeable, I will research about it; not everything, of course. I no longer suffer from depression and anxiety or even stress. Mostly, I ignore the "news" and media propaganda; they give you "worst case" data anyway; we do not live in a "worst case" society. Choose what YOU want, live how YOU want. You'll see!

Answer 7

Isn't that why the media is bombarding the public with all of this overreporting? To make borderline OCD people crack & send them running into the nearest clinic to get their meds? It's all just one big experiement on the public in mind control, as far as I can see! We ALL have some type of an addiction/obsession disorder. I doubt the media can SHAME people into being thin. Yet, they just won't give it up? I wonder why?!

Has it gone too far?...most definately!...IMHO

Answer 8

Live, Laugh, Love & Eat as much as you want!
But just make sure you get plently of Rest & Exercise in between. We're all gonna die one day, so enjoy the time you have.

Answer 9

this bloody government is turning every one into self obsessed spiritual islands......most of my family were all fat eating salt mad beer swilling fat gutted smokers. but they were allways laughting allways healthy and all lived to ripe old ages. matter of fact my daughter and i were walking through the victorian half of our local cemetary not so long ago. and we were amased by the LACK!!! of difference between the ages people died.....(they were about the same) go check your own out. then compare.....the government are killing us all with too much information with questionable results. use the right criterea and you can state that exercise is bad for you too. just live! and enjoy your time.

Answer 10

Way too many folks buy into all that hipe. And that's just what it is: Hipe!
We are flooded every minute with all that crap.
I made it my personal endeavor to not listen to it all. I cook & eat what I wish- Love that gut cloggin' country cookin.
Life is way too short so why not enjoy what you can?