to try to explain that its not the ^pounds^ but the ^years^ and ^miles^

[TalkinPeace]

When people say they want to lose weight they are initially fixated on clothes sizes and the number on the scales.

But the reason for staying with a healthily low level of fat is not about that.

Its about living into old age able to walk and run and not need medication and be able to holiday where you like.

So how should it be presented to avoid "going on a diet" ...

I get accused of fat shaming ( hence this comment being on AIBU ) but what method will turn the light on better in people's heads ?

It's not for you to present to someone else though.

It's their body.

I agree that for most dieters it's about looks rather than long term health.

But there are no guarantees of a long healthy life even with the best diet and exercise habits.

I mostly agree with TIP surprise!!. Although I fully accept the retort we should have free will to make other decisions.

I was risk adverse about bad health & loss of mobility when I was a teen, loss of mobility still worries me. I was always the slowest & weakest at school games. Now they say I'm one of the healthiest, fittest & fastest. . The raw materials haven't changed, the others could easily be faster & fitter, but I prioritised mobility & good health over so many other things, so at this point (almost 50) I am in much better shape than average. There's nothing morally superior about it, I don't understand how other people tick, either. It probably helps that I was bullied so badly as a kid, so I gave up on looking good 40+ yrs ago.

But Put a cookie on the other side of a swamp and the jungle celebs will go crazy with desire.
It takes far more than logic to motivate most people.