Ever since being a fat kid (hot pocket diet as a child), I have always been curious about physical exercise, diet, and health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But when people talk about “health” — things\/foods\/lifestyles which are “healthy” versus “unhealthy” — what do people really mean to say?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
I honestly haven’t been able to find an ample definition for the notion of ‘health’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, when people are talking about “health” — talking about “healthy” versus “unhealthy” — are they talking about…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have no idea– but my critique about health is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Health is generally a moralistic critique. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
For example, everyone loves to tell you NOT to do something because it is ‘unhealthy’ — because it conflicts with their world-view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be skeptical of the critiques of others<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
For example, when people say that eating a lot of meat is ‘unhealthy’, are they telling you this because they genuinely care for your health and want you to maximize your personal lifespan? Or because they are anti-meat eating? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or when someone tells you that drinking a lot of coffee is ‘unhealthy’, is it because they don’t like drinking coffee, and thus they don’t think you should drink “too much” coffee?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nObvious things<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I think it is obvious to say that injecting yourself with lots of heroin is “bad” for you, as it gives you a high likelihood of death. Similarly, doing certain “hard drugs” seem to be “unhealthy” because an overdose can actually lead to death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAre we trying to maximize our own personal lifespan?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Let us assume the maximum human lifespan is around 120 years. Is the point of ‘heath’ to ensure the highest potential for you to live those 120 years? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHealthcare (society)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The practical reason why the state\/society wants you to be ‘healthy’ is because you have an effect on the state-wide healthcare system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, let us assume that I drink 10 diet cokes a day, and subsist mostly on Twinkies, white bread, cheeseburgers, organic potato chips, and cheesecake. I will probably have a higher risk of getting a heart attack, and if I get admitted to the hospital for a (triple) bypass surgery, this will cost the state a lot of money (and be taxing on the healthcare system).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDefine health for yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
For myself, I want to feel the maximum amount of physical and mental vigor\/energy everyday. To me, that is my definition of ‘health’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I want the supreme “healthiness” — in which I am sharp, aware, keen, and have a spirit of overflowing thriving (all day, everyday). I want a strong sense of gratitude, a strong sense of self-confidence, and a strong sense of hope\/optimism for today and the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n