More than ever before in our history, we sit a lot…at our computers, in our vehicles, waiting rooms, while we use devices like cells and tablets, and binge-watching television shows. Since most of us don’t grow our own food, we aren’t plowing fields and harvesting. No, we sit as we drive through fast food restaurants or inside restaurants to eat.
This sedentary lifestyle is one of the many reasons our society is getting overweight and out of shape. And with obesity and inactivity comes illness, disease and premature death. I was really hoping COVID-19 would have rattled many out of their deep sleep of denial, but we don’t seem to see much change, especially from our CDC who hasn’t elevated a healthy lifestyle to the number one way to prevent COVID-19!
Every year, some people make the decision to finally work on their health, and I commend them! Perhaps they have considered the cost of a sedentary lifestyle because it is flat-out expensive to be overweight, out of shape and/or sickly! Think about it: frequent doctor visits with insurance covering less, high-price medicines that the government is not capping and higher premiums for not only health insurance but life insurance policies. Some companies are rewarding those who are healthier because illness costs them more money, too.
It costs you in productivity, too. You can’t possibly be as effective and successful when you can hardly move or breath. For each extra pound you are carrying, you are creating pain that you have to endure. Our joints were not meant to handle such weight, and they pay for it by wearing out much sooner than they should. Living with pain will cost you more money in medicines, treatment, special shoes and clothing and more importantly, quality of life. You won’t be able to do things you enjoy.
I encourage you to create a health budget. Look at what you are spending for your sedentary lifestyle and then replace eating right, exercising and living a healthy life and do the math. Yes, you will add some supplements, but they aren’t as expensive nor harmful as medicines. You might have to add a gym membership, but I much rather pay that than a hospital bill!
For those who just hate and despise exercise, let me ask you this: Do you like living? Do you have loved ones you want to spend time with for as long as possible? Do you have a bucket list of things you would like to do someday? A sedentary lifestyle is putting all of this at risk, and you won’t have “someday” if something doesn’t change. It just might be time to put your grown-up pants on and make the shift.
I find it interesting that most people are shocked when they hear on the news how someone died in a car accident because they didn’t have their seat belt on. They say, “It’s proven! It works and saves lives! Why wouldn’t they just put their seat belt on?” YET…these very same people may not be eating right and exercising to create a healthier lifestyle, and it is just as proven to reduce illness and disease. Ask yourself: why aren’t you creating a healthier lifestyle for yourself?
There are plenty of things we do that we don’t enjoy but do because they need to be done. Um, pay taxes for one! I personally don’t mind cleaning my house, but I know many others who don’t like it but do it because they want a clean house. And if you pay someone else to clean your house, then you have more time to exercise! The key is to focus on what you want more (staying alive!) and commit to doing what it takes (exercise and eat healthy). Keep your “why” on the forefront of your mind at all times as it will help keep you accountable.
I got into the healthy lifestyle because I didn’t want to follow the pattern of many family members dying from cancer at a young age. It’s my “why” that keeps me committed to a healthy lifestyle even when I don’t feel like it. And because I lost my parents at such a young age, I have a passion for helping others live long, healthy lives so that their families don’t suffer like I did. If not for yourself, please do it for those you love.
I’ve written plenty on how to exercise in a way that works for you, including my book Finally Fit: Customizing Fitness to Your Personality Type, so I won’t go into great detail about it here. However, it really does matter. You have to find something that works for you, or you won’t stick with it and be consistent. Don’t try to copy someone else. You have to make it fit you.
I also know life is crazy, and just when you decide to make changes, something happens that stresses you out. Bam! You fall right back into old patterns. That is where a coach comes in handy…someone to talk you out of eating that entire box of Oreo cookies! Let me help you with understanding what to do and how to do it based upon your unique personality style. Lots of folks are selling diet and weight-loss products, but they aren’t certified fitness professionals. I am not only a fitness professional but certified advanced personal trainer. I have been taught and continue to learn more about the human body and how to maximize it to live your best life. Combine that with the fact that I am a certified coach and human behaviorist, and I have a lot of tools on my tool belt to help you. Give me a call! Let’s improve the quality of your life and extend the quantity of it!
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