by Mark P. Behar, PA-C
I do not wish to portray myself as a "body nazi" or piss off bears and bear lovers, but I do have an issue with your having photographs of grossly overweight guys as somehow reflecting good health on your otherwise sensational LifeLube and LifeLube.blogspot.
As a long time gay health activist since the mid-1970s and volunteer primary care provider at a gay clinic and a long time family practice provider, it is remarkable to me how many of our gay brothers succumb at a young age not of HIV, but of heart and lung diseases and complications of diabetes and other related coronary diseases.
Most of these conditions are very much in our control to prevent-- by avoiding tobacco, excessive alcohol and other drugs, by eating healthier, by exercising more and losing weight. Almost every moribundly obese guy, except perhaps for a small subset of highly conditioned Sumo wrestlers, will have a combination of one or more problems that will most assuredly affect the quality and length of life by increasing the chance of cardiovascular events: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, chronic lung diseases. And many of us as we get older, we just get fatter!
Now I know there are always exceptions to everything medical people believe to be true. Genetics and environment play important roles in health and well being, as does attitude. And, of course, everyone regardless of appearance, size, age, etc., deserves to be loved and have a relationship with someone.
But it would sure be great to accompany photos of extremely obese guys with information about why their obesity is not something to be emulated, but something to try to manage through exercise and nutrition.
Everything else about Lifelube and Lifelube.blogspot are outstanding. The information is thought provocative, the photos (even of the overweight guys!) is extraordinary, and the videos fun.
Yours in brotherhood,.
Mark
