I just wanted to say thank you for this article. I have realized that the weight and health issues I struggle with are more than just the calories I consume. I was focused on the physical, not realizing the emotional factors. All the reading I have done and it was your article that helped me make the connection. Thank you so much, Andrew. Understanding "nature abhors a pleasure vacuum" versus what I grew up with (not adding the word pleasure to the quote) makes more sense to me now. And it helps me understand the world a bit better. And yes I do read the letters- in between the growing collection of books I read. Currently reading Heidegger's Being and Time, and re-learning German so I can understand him in his native tongue. Cheers.
In 3 years, I lost 100+ lbs. I’m in a plateau now, and creeping into my thoughts are adding ‘pleasures’ I missed out on. This article helps; I’m trying to fill the void with something else.
Nice job! Ya, maintenance is always the hardest. If the only reason for maintenance is utility, the thrill of "getting there," isn't as much of a driver as it once was, you need to find ways to find pleasure and satisfaction is something else, preferably in the very virtues that provide the good result but which are valuable even without the good result.
Looking forward to your next piece! As someone that has always valued movement and fitness, but enamored with food/pleasure that has kept my far away from my fitness goals, this is a great angle for me to go down.
The pain/pleasure split has been inverted in modern times - we aren’t built for this much convenience and pleasure and that’s why even though so many things about life are easier than ever, we are so unhappy.
I just wanted to say thank you for this article. I have realized that the weight and health issues I struggle with are more than just the calories I consume. I was focused on the physical, not realizing the emotional factors. All the reading I have done and it was your article that helped me make the connection. Thank you so much, Andrew. Understanding "nature abhors a pleasure vacuum" versus what I grew up with (not adding the word pleasure to the quote) makes more sense to me now. And it helps me understand the world a bit better. And yes I do read the letters- in between the growing collection of books I read. Currently reading Heidegger's Being and Time, and re-learning German so I can understand him in his native tongue. Cheers.
So great to hear. I'm glad this article helped! Good luck.
In 3 years, I lost 100+ lbs. I’m in a plateau now, and creeping into my thoughts are adding ‘pleasures’ I missed out on. This article helps; I’m trying to fill the void with something else.
Nice job! Ya, maintenance is always the hardest. If the only reason for maintenance is utility, the thrill of "getting there," isn't as much of a driver as it once was, you need to find ways to find pleasure and satisfaction is something else, preferably in the very virtues that provide the good result but which are valuable even without the good result.
I know this is about diet and eating, but this can easily be expanded to any activity we undertake. Really like your insight into the Stoic approach!
Thanks! Ya, virtue applies to everything, which is why its such a great universal thing to base your life around.
I couldn’t agree more!
Looking forward to your next piece! As someone that has always valued movement and fitness, but enamored with food/pleasure that has kept my far away from my fitness goals, this is a great angle for me to go down.
The pain/pleasure split has been inverted in modern times - we aren’t built for this much convenience and pleasure and that’s why even though so many things about life are easier than ever, we are so unhappy.