- Health effects. It's much worse to lose weight and regain it than
to remain lean or to remain fat.
- I'd have to buy new clothes. (I gave all my fat clothes to
charity.)
- I couldn't bike to
work, at least not as comfortably. And trying
to get to work via bus and/or subway is a nightmare. (One day I got
a flat tire, and had to walk the final three miles home and install a
new tube (the old one wasn't patchable) -- and it still cost me less
money and took less time than bus and subway would have!) Another
alternative to a bike would be a car, but those are very expensive, and
require a driver's license -- and that kind of "internal passport" is
extremely offensive to me. (Papers please? (said with German accent))
Also, I prefer not to be at all responsible for oil shortages which
motivate wars, or for air pollution. Also, as an opponent to most
"environmentalists," I prefer to have the moral high ground in
discussions with them, which is easy if they drive a car, eat meat
every day, etc. (Similarly, taking no drugs gives me the moral high
ground in debating with drug warriors who use nicotine, alcohol,
caffeine, etc.) (Please note I am not condemning anyone for driving
a car, using drugs (hopefully not while driving, or I would
condemn them!), or eating meat. I simply abhor hypocrisy.)
- When I was fat I needed to spend $100 a month on air conditioning,
or I'd be uncomfortably hot. Now I don't need air conditioning at all.
Fortunately, heat is free in my apartment. (I often run the heat even
in July, at least at night.)
- It's nice being able to quickly run up or down 40 flights of stairs
at SF conventions, which are well known for poor elevator service.
- Recent research has shown that fat intake correlates strongly
with heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke, regardless of one's
weight. Thus I would continue low-fat eating even if I didn't care
about my weight.
- Recent research has shown that lack of aerobic exercise correlates
strongly with heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke, regardless
of one's weight. (There's little doubt that the beneficial effects of
bicycling far outweigh the risks.) Thus I would
continue to be active even if I didn't care about my weight.
- There's some evidence that the fewer calories you eat, the longer
you'll live, so long as you aren't short on any essential nutrients.
At least, it works for rats. I'm unwilling to go on a full Walford
"120 year diet" without better proof, but doing what I'm doing now is
a good compromise. I know my metabolism is drastically slowed, which
is a good sign, I think.
Last updated July 4th, 1995.