Trio of interesting NYT's articles on diet, fitness and health

[indysteel]

This past Sunday's New York Time's Magazine had a very interesting set of articles which I've linked to below:

What is the single best exercise:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/ma...l?ref=magazine

Is Sugar Toxic:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/ma...l?ref=magazine

Is Sitting a Lethal Activity:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/ma...l?ref=magazine

P.S. I would be most appreciative if somebody could tell me how I could make the title of the story itself a link to the story. I see others doing that in their threads, and I can't figure out how to do it. Thanks!

[Pax]

Indy - After you type in the title, you just highlight it and click the little icon above the text box that looks like a little planet earth. Paste in the link there.

[indysteel]

Thanks, Pax. I never would have figured that out.

[Pax]

BTW - cool articles.

[indysteel]

The one about sugar scares me. I have a bad sweet tooth, so while all my vitals--blood glucose, weight, BP, cholesterol, liver function, etc.--are normal, I wonder if my love of ice cream, cookies and candy will still kill me. Certainly, the article suggests that the more you can limit your sugar intake, the better. Something to think about.....

[Pax]

I'm lucky that my sweet tooth seems to have gone away since menopause. I can eat one cookie and be done now.

[SadieKate]

What is the single best exercise:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/ma...l?ref=magazine

So aggravating! Best exercise for what? What are her criteria?

For me, the best exercise is the one that makes me smile and feel strong physically and mentally. At the end, have I thought about work, bills, chores, family problems, etc., etc., etc.? No? Then that was the best exercise because I'll keep repeating it, at least until the seasons change. Mountain biking in 4 ft of snow is a bit hard, and pisses off the skiers.

Off now to read the one about sitting . . .

[indysteel]

I didn't read the article as actually reaching any conclusion as to what is the single best exercise. Rather, several other points stuck out for me: (1) the "best" exercise is one that you enjoy and stick with; (2) that you don't have to engage in that activity for hours on end to get the primary health benefit from it; and (3) that interval training appears to be particularly beneficial. I also like the emphasis on walking as a good exercise. For people who can't do or afford more than that, I think that's important. Certainly, a good portion of the population can't afford many of the toys that most of us on TE have.

[SadieKate]

I guess the criteria of "single" is just odd to me. And her questions and examples were so, um, singularly urban.

[indysteel]

I guess the criteria of "single" is just odd to me. And her questions and examples were so, um, singularly urban.

It is the New York Times. I assume it was written for a largely urban audience. I also read the title and premise less literally.

[Melalvai]

I quit eating sugar a year ago. I don't eat refined sugar, HFCS, or any corn syrup. The first week is the worst for the cravings. When I do have a moment of weakness, the real reasons I quit eating it come back: it makes me feel bad. When I eat sugar, I have an afternoon slump (no matter what time of day I had the sugar). Traveling (ie airports) exhausts me. When I don't eat sugar, none of that happens.

That article makes a lot of sense in light of my experience with sugar.

I'm also trying to reduce my overall GI, so I do limit refined flour, white potatoes, and white rice.