[johnmilken]

What, like being proud of your son or proud of a barbecue sauce?

I am happy that I value the life I've been given and look on in amazement and amusement at those who think it's 'cool' to squander their health. I don't seek to force my views upon them - let them smoke and eat what they want and face late middle age with creeping disabilities.

[Gabz]

I smoke, eat what I want, have no blood pressure or cholesterol problems, am in my mid 40s, keep up with an active 6 year old, do my own home improvements including hauling lumber and supplies up ladders and stairs without being winded.........and will probably outlive and with less health problems most of the tofu eating joggers I know.

A "healthy life" means different things to different people depending upon many factors..........not just diet or smoking.

And my term "prideful" was more in regard to your sanctimonious comments regarding others you look at with "amazement and amusement" not about your son or barbecue sauce.

[SamAdams76]

I am happy that I value the life I've been given and look on in amazement and amusement at those who think it's 'cool' to squander their health. I don't seek to force my views upon them - let them smoke and eat what they want and face late middle age with creeping disabilities.

I understand where you are coming from. I used to be on the "other side" of this issue myself. I was one of those who scoffed at the "health nuts" who'd go out jogging everyday and spend extra money on natural and whole foods.

I got to the point where I weighed over 300 pounds and I couldn't climb a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing. My doctor said I was on the road to a certain heart attack and type II diabetes. This was clearly no way to live.

When I started exercising everyday and eating right, I cannot put into words how much better I felt. It was without a doubt the most important thing I ever did in my life.

I lost over 100 pounds, my chronic back pain disappeared, my cholesterol went down to 171 and I have zero signs of heart disease and diabetes. I now have tons and tons of energy and my own kids have trouble keeping up with me.

But like you, I'm not going to be preachy either. I'm not going to force my opinions on anybody and I'm not going to advocate any kind of "nanny" government. But I can say from experience that those who take pride in their unhealthful ways and think they are going to beat the odds are only fooling themselves. Eventually, their unhealthful ways will catch up to them. And then they will become a burden on our already overtaxed society.

I look at people my age (I'm in my early 40s) who are already popping a half-dozen pills a a day and are being treated for chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. They are costing the rest of us a fortune by driving up the cost of health insurance. As well, they are cheating themselves of a well-lived life. But I will maintain my "live and let live" attitude lest I be accused of being a health nazi. I will just be thankful that I was able to see the light.

[SheLion]

I am happy that I value the life I've been given and look on in amazement and amusement at those who think it's 'cool' to squander their health. I don't seek to force my views upon them - let them smoke and eat what they want and face late middle age with creeping disabilities.

Here you go:

[johnb838]

Do you think they deserve to receive medical treatment for these health problems they brought on themselves because they weren't as strong and disciplined as you are?

[Old Professer]

Pardon Moi, Monsieur Coc De Le Roche, my distended gut overlaps my dictionary and the computer seems to be slowing dow...n