[The Gaijin]

The Aussies are correct.

It is our crap diets and societal norms catching up with us. Show up to a High School 25th or 30th reunion being the same size as 12th grade and you will be the odd man out... Also, arthritis and many other age-related physical problems are a direct result of what we eat and lack of physical activity.

I have spent my adult life as a typically 10 - 25 pound overweight adult. I ate "well" by usual standards, did a lot of walking and very active on weekends. But if I wanted to lose weight - I had to concisely eat less than I wanted too..

A year and a half ago I joined a great gym. (Mid 40's) Lots of body-weight exercises, running (no stupid jogging), and free weights (no dumb-asz machines). And yes, it took a long time to get in shape (age does make a difference), and it has been a lot of work.

This new year I started eating "paleo". No bread, no pasta, no rice - no grains at all. That eliminates most processed and junk food as well. All good veggies, meats, nuts and fruit. All dense foods that give you the energy you need. Eating this way is wonderfully self adjusting. You eat what you want and as much as you want. No cravings, and I rarely if ever feel "starving".

So yup, I am pretty fit. And have lost weight (and moved it out of my gut!), so no - it is not inevitable.