Wow, what a title… too bad the writer of this book review on fitness myths went with a limp title like Don’t blame beer for that belly. Of course using a title like this is risking the chance that it may be the most enjoyable part of the whole post, kind of like using the only good parts of a movie in its trailer- but hopefully that’s not the case here.
Obviously I latched on the story first because of the obvious mention of beer bellies figuring I might be able to write a light hearted piece for the weekend. As I read into it though, I discovered a more serious issue I would like to discuss. The book separates fitness fact from myths including how drinking beer is not necessarily the cause of a beer belly. I had a good idea of what bingo wings might be, however I checked my guess on Wikipedia anyway. The book suggests exercise can be effective in eliminating these unappealing features, but those who have abused steroids and hormones will probably just have to live with the shrunken testicles. Ouch.
The serious issue I mentioned relates to the reason why beer is not necessarily the cause of a beer belly. The true cause of this condition involves more than just beer; it’s caused by a lifestyle choice of eating too much, exercising too little, and physical predispositions. It’s the same with alcoholism and addiction. Yes the beer is a problem, but it is the entire lifestyle of an alcoholic which is dangerous and the reason why even sober an alcoholic continues to have problems. Clean and sober, but still thinking and acting in an addictive manner means that relapse is inevitable. It’s why recovery is some important, its not only about living sober, its about learning to live healthy again both mentally and physically.
(and with healthy testicles)
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I feel like I have some of the basic fundamentals of how to be mentally healthy down but it’s the physical stuff that I’m still struggling with.
Sure, I don’t stumble into the convenience store at 2 in the morning for triangle sandwiches anymore but I’m still having a hard time staying on track with stuff like always eating healthy and going to the gym. You know… all the stuff that I should be doing in life!
But hey – I’m working on it. I feel good that at least I have acknowledged the fact that I’m lacking in this area and that I’m ready to start working on it.
I guess for me, being physically fit and as healthy as I can be is one of those things that couldn’t happen until I had some other things fall into place first. But…those things are in place so now it is time to DO WORK.
of gym sessions yet. But it’s not just the physical I am talking about, its all aspects of our lives- all. Everything I did when I was a practicing alcoholic revolved around drinking, I had conditioned myself to operate in this manner.
Decision making, relationships, work ethic, punctuality, health, dependability… If I don’t work on all these things, reverting back to to the way I use to do things could be the first step on the path of relapse.