Wally Re: OA Program

[Guest guest]

Hi Wally

Youre thinking of the Arizona Pima - and again the " experts " talk

bullshit, analysing the problem in terms of genetics instead of

culture. The Arizona Pima are pretty well identical genetically to

the

Mexican Pima, but the Mexican Pima have almost no obesity at all,

because they continue to live their traditional lifestyle which is

not

only low calorie but involves lots of exercise. The Arizona Pima

have

problems for the same reason that Native Americans and Eskimos have

drink problems - and the latter have real problems with tooth decay

too - thru sudden exposure to the indulgences of the Europeans -

alcohol, and sweet and fatty foods that is too rapid for the culture

ot develop moderate using habits as largely practised by the culture

that introduced them. Obesity is soaring all over the world,

including in China, as everybody starts adopting a western diet but

too rapidly - and the genetics of the world will not change a wit in

a

few decades, but still the genetics bullshit is trotted out again.

The solution for the Arizona Pima is to try to adopt the cultural

limitations of mainstream American culture, but the problem here of

cours is that the Arizona Pima suffer the same problems of poor

minorities all over Amercia and obesity is still climbing in all

these

groups.

As for excercise myself - well, Im getting a fair lot as Im walking a

great deal and it isnt making much difference. However, when I

restricted my diet when I joined OA the weight tumbled off without

increasing exercise at all. When I felt fitter I took to bike riding

and got even fitter still. I really need to get back on that bike,

and that and eating sensibly will do the trick.

As for ideological problems in OA - well, I read this list and a bit

of Peele and think how sad the whoile XA scene is, and unnecesary for

someone who takes responsibility to meet their needs,including for

companionship. even so, dare I say this? I read a bit of the 12 & 12

the other day and actually appreciated it!

I think I can see the mustard seed trapped in the horsehit, maybe,

and

I can work with that. Anyway, I still havent gone back yet!

P.

> Hi Pete,

>

> Yes, I do know that people differ. Seems I read somewhere last year

about a

> tribe of Native Americans in our Southwest who are almost all obese.

> Anthropologists were speculating that they were genetically adapted

to an

> extremely sparse diet (cactus needles and the odd desert rat, or

whatever)

> and that there was really nothing they could do about it, short of

reverting

> to a lifestyle of eating cactus needles and trying to chase down

desert rats

> on foot.

>

> However, I'd like to suggest that you don't know whether you would

continue

> to generally eat too much when you were getting a great deal of

exercise

> until you have tried it. I have discovered that when I am in good

shape my

> appetite changes drastically, and on the average I am less hungry

and rarely

> feel the urge to pig out. The difference is quite marked, and I

think it

> must somehow involve metabolic processes. It even leads me to

speculate that

> appetite disorders may sometimes represent the body's rebellion

against

> inactivity.

>

> On the other subject, I too recognize the attractions of XA. In AA

I

had

> lots of fun, met lots of interesting people, had my ego boosted by

speaking

> at big meetings, often drew compliments on my " really really

profound "

> understanding of the Steps blah blah etc., and needless to say met

women. My

> " only " problems with AA were (a) that it didn't work, in the sense

that I

> kept getting drunk and winding up in hospitals, and ( going

around

saying

> things I don't believe turns my stomach, and I simply can't

tolerate

it for

> any length of time. Based on the things you've posted here, I think

you

> might have somewhat similar " minor " difficulties with The Program,

no?

>

> --wally

>

>

> Wally Re: OA Program

>

>

> >Hi Wally

> >

> >In general I think you are right, but it isnt always true. Ppl do

> >sometimes generally eat too much. Even with little money for binge

> >foods and having to walk a lot I still havent got back under 300lb,

> >tho I have lost some weight Im sure.

> >

> >I am lonely yes, and Im frightened of my money and other problems.

> >

> >Now my own bit of XA apologism I guess. I think most ppl will agree

> >that social support for giving up a bad habit ought to help. Also,

it

> >was amazing when I was the golden boy of OA - dolly birds wanting

me

> >to sponsor them ( I generally refused as I knew it was a bad idea)

> >and

> >I was asked to give chairs over increasingly remote parts of

Southern

> >England. Because of the gender aspect ascending the OA pyramid is

> >even

> >more alluring than escending the AA one.

> >

> >P.

> >

> [snip]