Lots of people use words sloppily – a word can be used for completely different purposes and hold different meanings, yet people will insist that it is the same ‘word’. This is particularly common among people that have a ‘Humanities-like’ background (as opposed to a ‘Sciences-like’ background) and is the source of deep confusion in many areas of everyday life. The most abused word that I know of is the word ‘Diet’.

Social influences change and shape your life,.. literally your shape will change with the people around you – for example if your friends become overweight then odds are you will too (article, paper).  This really is a matter of common sense, your friends and family have a lasting effect on your habits by changing what you perceive as ‘normal’.  Often this effect is reported in the media by focusing on the spread of negative habits, but there is also comforting evidence that this works in both directions.

Living healthily is important, I know I have always wanted to lead a healthy life, but I don’t have a clear idea of what it means to be ‘healthy’ … what does it mean to eat healthily?  Which foods are healthy? – and why?  There is a lot of contradictory information on topics related to health out there.  Some things are simple – don’t drink cyanide – easy enough, the relationship between cyanide and death is clear and straightforward; but what about diet? supplements? vitamins? vision? movement? exercise? … basically everything that I do (or don’t do) every day … what … continue