It’s Time to Cure America’s Big Problem!

It’s amazing how despite the sheer bulk of extensive research and information we have available today on health, many still remain grossly obese and inactive. One would think that America would be at the peak of good health; truth is, it’s dead opposite. America is larger and lazier than ever.

The obesity rates are climbing and it doesn’t look like they will be dropping any time soon. In fact, obesity is now the second leading cause of preventable death ¹, following close behind tobacco usage. What’s worse, approximately 62 percent of females and 67 percent of males are obese ². That’s approaching three quarters of America! Absolutely pathetic.

So what exactly is causing this epidemic? Poor dietary habits and physical inactivity. Weight problems are hardly attributed to genetics, and even in the unlikely case that genetics is to blame, the advances today allow for much control over these inherited genetic problems. America is also known for its’ quick-fix mentality, another huge contributor to our staggering numbers. Take a drive down any American town or city and you’ll see what I mean- a fast food restaurant or ice cream shop on every street corner.

I pulled into the Kroger’s Grocery Store parking lot yesterday and along the way, this car pulls into a handicap spot going ninety to nothing. Out comes this rather large woman; she rolls out of her car and waddles up to the store entrance. I walked by the front of the car and sure enough, she had a handicap parking permit. It’s sort of a habit of mine- anytime I see a car pull into one of those spots, I want to know if the person is really physically capable. Anyway, she had one hanging from her mirror. What I want to know is, by what criteria was she qualified as a handicap? When has obesity ever been defined as a disability? To my knowledge, never! She had no wheelchair or walker and no problem walking to the front. She walked in just fine. She was clearly not a handicap, and let me just say this, obesity IS NOT a handicap. Paralysis, immobility, the lack of limbs- these are handicaps. Do you think diet and exercise will fix them? Nope. But will diet and exercise fix obesity? You bet. If anything, the lady should have parked further away to offset her lack of exercise and burn some calories before she buys more Oreos and Whole Milk in the grocery store. What if she had taken the last handicap spot and some poor old crippled guy had to roll his wheelchair half a football field’s distance to reach the store? That’s my point.

What can be done about this? Here’s some tips I’d give to the overweight American with “little time” or a lack of motivation for exercise and clean eating:

1. Go into your kitchen. What you have in your pantry will define your health. If you have cookies, doughnuts, and other assorted trash foods, dump ‘em. They are useless for your health, they do not satiate your hunger, and they waste your money. If your great-grandma hasn’t heard of it, don’t eat or buy it!
2. Make time for exercise. You’re telling me you don’t have thirty minutes out of your day where you can squeeze in some exercise? Total bull! You need to do some serious restructuring of your time. Go to Zen Habits and learn how to “Get Things Done” and be more productive.
3. If you plan on “marathoning” your favorite TV shows, at least move around every once in a while. If you are a 24/7 blogger, become a 23.5/7 blogger (that other half hour for exercise, obviously) and you’ll not only look better, but you’ll think better and write better. Israel at Fat Man Unleashed has the perfect solution for bloggers. Hell, if you have to, hop on the floor and do some push-ups or crunches. Do some barrel rolls on your couch. Do something.
4. Befriend someone with a flawless physique and great habits. Hang around with them for a little while and I guarantee you will pick up some of their better habits. Make them a gym partner and have them push you. Maybe you’ll eventually do the same for another.
5. Hire a personal trainer. A good one. Not one of those that has the gut-hanging-over-the-belt-buckle syndrome, but someone that looks good. After all, why would you hire a fat trainer? The best ones practice what they preach and look it.
6. Take a look around. Do you want to be like everyone else? Do you want to be a follower? Or would you rather take control, become a leader, and possess a figure that places you in the top percentile of Americans? The choice is yours.

Evidently, America’s attitude is unwavering. It does not matter how many times dietitians, nutritionists, personal trainers, and doctors tell you. The only way you (and many others) can change the ugly, fat statistic is to make the decision to lose it (fat), take action upon it, and help others do the same by sharing your successes. Start a weight loss blog and publish your daily milestones. Tell your neighbor about your new progress. Show yourself that you have control, because only you can shape your reality.

References:

1. Ali H. Mokdad, et. al, “Actual Causes of Death in the United States, 2000,” JAMA. 2004;291:1238-1245
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Center for Health Statistics. “National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.” 2002. (Table 70).