In a society where weight loss follows the latest trends, a new view point has emerged from science journalist, Gary Taubes, who has a different opinion in his book, Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It. His ideas are highlighted in a recent New York Times article, written by Abigail Zuger, M.D.
Mr. Taubes argues that we’ve got this whole weight loss thing backwards. He says the overweight are not lazy people who eat too much and exercise too little. The thin are not virtuous and disciplined.
Rather, all of us are fulfilling a fixed biological mandate, just as growing children are. In simple terms, our bodies have an agenda and are sticking to it- it is our behavior that evolves to make that agenda happen, Tabues says. In this case, our bodies would be winning the war against our mind. Therefore, if you are motivating yourself to get off the couch and go to the gym, that’s the sign of a body programmed to remain lean.
“Those who get fat do so because of the way their fat happens to be regulated,” Mr. Taubes writes. “A conspicuous consequence of this regulation is to cause the eating behavior (gluttony) and the physical inactivity (sloth) that we so readily assume are the actual causes.”
Mr. Taubes believes that the actual causes are the array of regulatory enzymes and hormones that move fuel, in the form of fat and sugar molecules, in and out of the storage depots around the body. Mr. Taubes goes so far as to argue that if a body is programmed to be fat, even a piece of fruit will make you that much fatter. (This could be bad news for those following the new Weight Watchers “Points Plus” program, which puts all fruit at 0 points.)
There may never be a clear answer when it comes to the “right” diet or weight loss plan, though we do find Mr. Taubes theories inherently questionable. Taken to the extreme, his philosophy could be relied upon by those struggling with an unhealthy weight and poor eating habits to “give up” and say they can’t change those habits because they are pre-destined! We agree that every person is different in terms of what works best for them. At Shane Weight Loss Camps & Resorts, the most important lesson is that of a healthy lifestyle. Regardless of each person being different, eating healthy and exercising is always a positive experience, in our opinion. Plus, it does get results!
What are your thoughts on Mr. Taubes’ unique view point? Do you agree that each body is set to an agenda and you’re programmed to accommodate it? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this very interesting topic.
