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 I was recently in Europe traveling and was struck by the number of people I saw smoking--in particular, young, thin women who were smoking.   During my travels, I also had a hard time feeling like going for my daily running workout because of how far we were walking everyday.  My point in mentioning this is that I think our american lifestyle is a huge component of the problem.  We have too much convenience in our lives.  We can hop in a car and get places too easily.

I think we live in a society of instant gratification.  I grew up in a family in which we were tought discipline and self control.  The problem with instant gratification gets in the way of learning these key things.  This undermines our ability to make good lifestyle and consumer choices.  Also, I think this is closely related to the problem of people spending beyond their means.   I get upset when people cant control their spending-I don't go out to eat in order to save money.  I like to cook my food and avoid convenience foods that typically have a lot of calories.

I think that the world is full of temptation, and the popular media is responsible for many of the ills of society.   Regulating communication, regulating advertising--I'm just not sure this is the answer.  Dopamine responses--I have them too--but I have enough self control to make good choices. 

And I get a mountwatering response to some of the food images on TV, but I have enough self control to not succumb to these sales pitches.

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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