When we look back at the visual archives of the 1970s—flipping through weathered photo albums or watching grainy home movies—the most striking observation isn’t the fashion or the hairstyles, but the people themselves. There is a palpable difference in the collective physical baseline; neighbors, coworkers, and relatives generally appeared leaner and more physically balanced. This phenomenon wasn’t the result of a widespread obsession with fitness culture or a societal commitment to rigid dieting. In fact, the multibillion-dollar “wellness” industry we know today was barely in its infancy. Instead, the physical state of the 1970s was a byproduct of how life was fundamentally structured. The environment quietly encouraged movement, moderation, and natural rhythms without requiring anyone to exert significant willpower. Continue reading…
