A new report has found that it was easier to stay slim in the 80’s compared to now. Personally I think it’s because the music was better so we danced more!

Apparently, even if you consume exactly the same amount of calories, and go to the gym as much as you did 30 years ago, you are still likely to be significantly fatter. The journal of Obesity Research and Clinical Practice has found that it is significantly harder for individuals to maintain their weight, even with same diet and exercise regimes than it was 20-30 years ago.
As fascinating as this data is what we want to know is WHY? Researchers hypothesised that increased exposure to chemicals; the increased use of antidepressant medication and changes in gut bacteria attributed to dietary changes may all explain our increased propensity to gain weight.

That may be the scientific explanantion, but here’s my own hypothesis of why I think this is so:

1) NETFLIX
With so many channels to choose from why would anyone want to move from the couch? Whether it’s reruns of Sex and the City or Orange is the New Black marathons, I personally think cable TV has a LOT to answer for!

2) SMART PHONES
Sure they may be called smart phones because we have everything at our fingertips but unfortunately that’s all we’re working out while we scroll!

3) HIPSTERS
With their tattoos and beards and awesome coffee making skills, they entice us to have a zillion coffees (accompanied by salted caramel cookies) every damn day!

4) FAT FREE FOOD
Anything that is labelled FAT FREE is straight from Satan himself. That’s because if it’s fat free you can bet it’s pretty much 100% sugar! Stay away from anything that calls itself fat free and just eat less of the real stuff. Put those gluten free, fat free, preservative free marshmallows away. You may as well eat sugar with a spoon!

Remember the 80’s were known for leg warmers, lycra leotards and headbands. It was all about fitness. Burning calories by doing aerobics. Preferably using one of those step things to increase your cardio. There was a lot of sweating and a lot of Richard Simmons motivational talk!

Now it’s all about yoga and pilates where girls go in full make up and walk out without a single bead of sweat on them. That’s because there’s no pumping the air, side kicking or lunging action going on. No neon lycra, g-string wearing instructors to motivate you!

I say let’s bring back the Jane Fonda-esque workouts and let’s all start drinking Tab again!

Photos courtesy of Google Images