Fitness=Longevity. We all know that. But scary obesity numbers proves we’re ignoring the wake up call. Why will there be a 33 % increase in obesity and a 130% in severe obesity in the next 20 years? (Institute of Medicine)
There’s an atmosphere of over indulgence created by the people who want to sell us stuff. More is better. Bigger is a sign of your success. It’s UPSCALE and we’re taking it quite literally. Hey I like stuff, but it’s gone too far. And it’s gotten uncomfortable.
Between the human cost in quality of life and the astronomical predictions for health care costs, a realistic approach to sustainable wellness has to be the next trend.
It’s like global warming. If we don’t do something about it, we’re done for.
OBESITY NUMBERS RISING:
The Institute of Medicine recognizes this cultural trend and has come up with some pretty stiff recommendations for government, corporations and individuals. They want to establish guidelines for healthy meals in schools, restaurants and public events. They want corporations to start marketing healthier food to children, and they want us all to exercise daily.
Exercise more, sure. Eat healthier, a no brainer but to actually find the sustainable way to keep doing it and then to instill the people you love around you to do it too goes much deeper.
Here are a couple of things you can start with. Fresh produce, organic if you can afford it. It can get pricey. Read labels. I remember going to the grocery store with my mom a few years before she died. She thought of herself as a gourmet but in the store,
I realized she never read labels. She ate stuff that had high sugar, fat and preservatives in it. I said “Hey Ma, take a look at this tomato sauce you just put in your cart”; it’s got a lot of sugar in it. Empty calories for what? Haven’t you noticed that when you eat stuff with sugar you just want more and more of it. Break the chain of craving. To her credit, she listened and changed about half the things she was eating. Better late than never!
Then there’s exercise.If you are going to exercise be active in a way that brings some joy into your life.
Find a few physical activities that you can do consistently. Just mix it up, walk with a friend and gossip, play a game, dance to music you like, and keep on doing it for the rest of your life.