Why people were fitter looking a few decades ago...even though most people didn't go to gyms and didn't pursue "fitness."

In 1975 the average American ate about 2000 calories per day. There was no maltodextran or other new-fangled ingredients in the food. Sodas were small and they were consumed as special treats...not as a staple liquid with lunch and dinner. More people did physical jobs because there was less automation. Many people routinely lifted and carried things as a part of their work. And yes, people smoked cigarettes.

In 2025 the average American eats 3600 calories per day. Many of those calories come from highly processed foods that are super calorie dense, not filling, and not particularly nutritious. Many people work sitting down in front of computer screens. And when they have free time they spend it in front of computer screens. These days we might go to the gym in an effort to get fit...but very few of us can work off the surplus calories we consume. In reality that gym time just doesn't amount to much actual work in terms of calories burned.

This is why we are where we are now. While I don't want to go back to eating canned green beans and smoking Camels. But I do think that I want to emulate some of the lifestyle traits of people from a few decades back. Modern living just isn't working out well I'm afraid. See y'all at the gym.