I agree.  More and more people are adrift and disconnected from the true Faith.  But they are still religious by nature.  Religion has been defined as a "system of beliefs." So today we have people who worship at the altar of physical fitness, miracle diets, animal rights or "mother earth."

I agree.  More and more people are adrift and disconnected from the true Faith.  But they are still religious by nature.  Religion has been defined as a "system of beliefs." So today we have people who worship at the altar of physical fitness, miracle diets, animal rights or "mother earth."

 :applause:
I have noticed this for years!  There are many affluent people whose only form of personal discipline is an organic diet, recycling, pet rescues, indigenous plants and bicycling.

They would make such good Catholics if they only knew!  A number of them are seriously ignorant and mis-informed.

I'm kind of hoping I die in my 60s.  I've had a good innings, my children will be adults by then, my wife will get a decent life insurance payout and a good night's sleep and I'll get off this crazy ride, which as the days pass I find less and less enjoyable.

Last thing I want to do is spend my late 80s and 90s in some nursing home wasting away while Pope gαylord III consecrates North Korea to the Universal Architect formally known as .Ω

3 score years is enough for me.  4 score a little too much.

Give me another sirloin steak and some fried onions.

I had a friend in perfect shape die of cancer at 39. He never drank, smoked, or ate unhealthy foods. He ran seven miles a day. He is still dead. I had a great uncle that recently died at 80. He drank too much, smoked a pack a day, and ate fried foods. He walked with vigor; until, he dropped dead due to a heart attack. Genetics and family lineage play a great deal with how long someone will live. God has the ultimate voice in that.

I had a friend in perfect shape die of cancer at 39. He never drank, smoked, or ate unhealthy foods. He ran seven miles a day. He is still dead. I had a great uncle that recently died at 80. He drank too much, smoked a pack a day, and ate fried foods. He walked with vigor; until, he dropped dead due to a heart attack. Genetics and family lineage play a great deal with how long someone will live. God has the ultimate voice in that.

I have seen the same.

I knew who ran everyday and kept in terrific shape. She was a great woman, loving wife and mother who unexpectedly came down with cancer in her late thirties and died rather quickly, it was horrible, especially for her family.

My little Irish grandmother had thirteen children, ate what she want, smoked and drank like a fish until the day she died.......at 98.

Go figure.

There are many factors that go into whether someone is healthy or not.  Sometimes people have undiagnosed heart problems.  I have a pet theory about those who are on strict vegan diets and then run a marathon.  I think that pure vegetarianism puts a strain on our hearts, and also affects our muscle and tissue strength and replacement.  Plus, many runners eat "nutrition bars" and special sports drinks..both often loaded with sugar and highly refined carbs.  

Then there's the issue of genetics, a big one.  Plus, sometimes these folks have hidden bad habits that no one knows about (bulimia, smoking...) you never know.  And sometimes there's a lot of stress in their lives.  Most secular folks are heavily burdened by the weight of living lives out of touch with their consciences.

For me, hitting middle age now...I've lost interest in doing much running.  And I sure don't care very much about speed!  So I run a little, walk a lot and try to focus on a well rounded diet ... not restricting an entire food group for example.  And finally, I decided it was better to spend time praying every day rather than doing crunches, if I had to choose between the two due to time constraints.

There are many factors that go into whether someone is healthy or not.  Sometimes people have undiagnosed heart problems.  I have a pet theory about those who are on strict vegan diets and then run a marathon.

A lot of people who run and cycle seem to be very slight figured.  

 

I think that pure vegetarianism puts a strain on our hearts, and also affects our muscle and tissue strength and replacement.

Yes, it has to wear them down over time.

Plus, many runners eat "nutrition bars" and special sports drinks..both often loaded with sugar and highly refined carbs.  

Those sorts of things are a waste of money and a scam.  I feel very sorry for heavier people who follow much of the advice that's given by these sorts of companies - telling people they should eat often to keep their metabolism up - and selling things like "nutrition bars" and "shakes" - things that are liable to cause them to gain weight.  I mean it's common sense - if you're eating that junk it's liable to be in addition to what you would normally eat.  Dietetic quackery is a big problem.  That's not to say there aren't interesting alternative ideas about diet - but really tried and true simple ideas that go way back are best.

Then there's the issue of genetics, a big one.  Plus, sometimes these folks have hidden bad habits that no one knows about (bulimia, smoking...) you never know.  

Smoking is really helpful in losing weight - not that Im doing it right now - but it really is very effective in suppressing appetite.

For me, hitting middle age now...I've lost interest in doing much running.

My mother has never run in her entire life.  I've never seen her run at full speed.  I've seen her ride a bicycle once - just to show she could do it - that was nearly 30 years ago.  She's always been around 115 lbs and she's the same size she's always been.

And I sure don't care very much about speed!  So I run a little, walk a lot and try to focus on a well rounded diet ... not restricting an entire food group for example.  And finally, I decided it was better to spend time praying every day rather than doing crunches, if I had to choose between the two due to time constraints.

Walking is best.