It’s 2013, and although we’re not teleporting from one place to another, there have definitely been huge advances in technology and comfort. We now have the ability to track our steps, calories and heart rate on our watch. We can wirelessly upload this data to our online account and keep track of fitness trends over a period of time. Wondering how many calories that meal contains? Open up the app on your phone and the answer is right there. It’s even affordable to have quality exercise equipment or your own gym in your home now. But despite these conveniences, our society is heavier and less fit today than we’ve ever been.
In fact, it could be argued that it’s because of convenience that we’re less healthy. When was the last time you actually got up to change the channel on your television? Do you ever walk to the store to pick up a few items? As you read this, are you standing or sitting? Technological advances have also allowed manufactures to mass-produce food but we sacrifice health in the process. These things and so many others contribute to a culture that moves less and weighs more.
Not everyone realizes that there are real dangers to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. In fact, most don’t even realize that they are obese or sedentary. You are obese if your body mass index (BMI) is above 30. (Quickly calculate your BMI here.) You are considered sedentary if you are sitting for most of the day (like most desk jobs) or if you do not participate in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least three days a week.
Obesity is recognized as a leading contributing factor to death. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. If you’re fortunate enough to live with obesity, it still carries a host of other problems with it:
- Greater risk of heart disease (the #1 killer in America)
- Increased blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Higher risk for diabetes
The bottom line is that your body works harder with each additional pound you carry. Compare the sound of your engine when it’s running at idle and when it’s being used to tow a 2,000-pound trailer. It works harder and so does your heart when you carry extra weight. Your internal organs and joints are under more stress and your muscles must work harder to move around.
Amplifying the effects of obesity is its typical association with a sedentary lifestyle, or very little movement and exercise. Because obese individuals have a harder time moving around, most tend to move less and THAT is the double whammy. Weaker muscles, poor circulation, aches, pains, and a weak heart are just some of the effects.
I am passionate about this because I see people, many of whom are very close to me, go through life with more pain than they have to. In many cases, just a few simple changes can make a world of difference. Perhaps the simplest change is to move more. It doesn’t have to be a full-blown fitness routine. It could start with parking farther from the door at work, or at the grocery store. Moving more will start to counter those extreme negative effects of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
TD Fitness is committed to helping you live a healthier life. Use our online resources, or use other sites for ideas to move more and become healthier. Start small, incorporate manageable changes, and improve your lifestyle. Here are some resources that may help:
- Fitness for those with a desk job
- One small fitness change each month this year
- Ways to add in or mix up daily activity (fitness.gov)
- Adult guide to being active (health.gov)
- Fitness for kids (letsmove.gov)
The Secret Recipe for a Successful Diet