I’m Fat. Is it My Fault, or the Culture’s?
Snack-Food Stores, Insulin Resistance, Health and Weight
I have lost 40 pounds in 4 years in retirement. Yup, that’s really darn slow. I had resolved, when I retired, to eat better and exercise more. The near elimination of stress was a major factor that supported my focus, as was available time. I can look at the line in my Fitbit chart, and see where my weight loss spiked up to weight gain during a stressful six months. I knew that stress was a factor in overeating, but the Fitbit chart proves it.
I moved when I retired to Portland, Oregon, which has more vegetarians and more natural food stores, and more foodie culture — emphasizing fresh ingredients, whole foods, independent restaurants. There also is an emphasis on the outdoors, which includes walking and hiking. My son, who lived in the Midwest in his young adult years, said that his physique was more like an “Oregon” physique than a mid-western physique. He is lean, buys his clothes at REI, and embraces healthy foods and an outdoor lifestyle.
When I first moved here, I was put off by the extensive organic sections of grocery produce and the somewhat higher prices at the farmers’ market. Now I embrace both, and my purchase of processed foods is minimal. The growing season here is longer, and the Willamette Valley is filled with…
