Friday Mythbustin': There's Nothing Wrong With Being Overweight

Myth: All this obesity and BMI stuff is way overblown. Being fat isn't nearly as big a deal as they say it is.

Fact: While much of the obesity epidemic is overstated, and BMI may be a gross oversimplification, that doesn't mean we can ignore our weight.

In case you hadn't noticed, the media are terribly hypocritical. The new big thing in the media? Headlines like "Is The Obesity Epidemic Overblown?" "Being Fat: Is It As Bad As They Thought?"

And here's the thing: It's not. A lot of the scientific data right now is reinforcing the idea that the obesity myth is just that--largely a myth.

Here's the problem, though. Who was it who overblew it?

The media themselves. They took valid scientific data and blew it out of all proportion in order to get you to "Tune in at 11."

And now, they're making the same mistake the other way. They're taking more valid scientific data and blowing it out of proportion again in order to get you to tune right back in. Only now, it's turned around--they're lulling everyone back into apathy.

Here's the thing--it's not the data that's wrong. It's the hype.

I don't need a scientific study to tell me that being overweight is bad for me. I didn't start this diet because of any scientific study. I did it because I was getting winded too easy. I did it because my knees were aching constantly, a pain I couldn't bear any more. I did it because I never had any energy.

Clearly, being overweight hurts. The "data" still supports this. Sure, some of the numbers may have been overblown. But even the true data, while it may not be "Tune in at 11" kind of exciting, well--let's just say it brings a smile to my face when I can walk three miles without noticing my knees.

So don't believe the hype. And don't believe the anti-hype. Do what's best for you.