If you’re like me, and you live in the Western part of the world, you’re probably familiar with a little–no pun intended– term we all like to refer to as obesity; it basically means you’re carrying an abundance of excess body fat around and it could lead to a wide range of deadly diseases. The one thing I have to say is that these junk food manufacturers make it incredibly hard to for us to stay completely clear from them. They have some of the best, and most enticing, advertising , that it almost makes it next to impossible to just say no to what they’re pushing upon us. Even in their commercials, they portray it that if you consume their food-like products, you’ll feel as happy and lively as the people in them appear to be.
Growing up, I can remember turning on the tube for a little Saturday morning Saved by The Bell marathon session, and within seconds, being bombarded with an array of kids frolicking around with candy, or some high-fat burger. The crazy thing about it was that all these children, or even some of the adults, all looked like the most vibrant and healthy of people; this was all taking place while they were devouring all this toxic “food.” As I got older, I started to understand two important reasons why people would continue to go back, even though these kinds of products have been documented to not be beneficial to our overall health: convenience and low cost! Not only that, but we all seem to be locked in front of the TV, and aren’t getting the proper levels of exercise our bodies truly need!
This deadly weight issue had a stranglehold over me all throughout my teenage years; luckily, I got to a point where enough was enough and I got up and did something about it. The saving grace is that there are a number of ways to get up and get that body burning fat, and these are a few of the physical activities that get me going:
First things first, if you’ve got a family or a boyfriend/girlfriend, try and find a local hiking/park area because next thing you know, after all that walking and talking, an hour or two just went by!!
If you’re looking to throw some money down for a great investment, and you’re not into joining a gym, The Exerpeutic Elliptical Machine
You can also look into the local yoga or martial arts schools nearest you, and change your life–from the inside out:)
Another great option you can look into is running; just grab some shoes and set right out into the open roads…
If you’re open to getting in the water, surfing and kayaking are always great in the warmer months as well…
So, all in all, there is a litany of ways to get your body in motion, and to start eating more foods from nature. What kind of physical activities get you up and motivated???
I had been doing a class at the YMCA and had to quit for 6 months due to a rotator cuff injury in the left arm. I started back on a treadmill this month.
Good to hear you’re back and feeling better, Tammy; you’ll be back there in no time:))
Training for 5K runs gets me motivated, the feeling of completing a race and crossing that finish line is amazing. I’m doing my 3rd 5k this April.
Jessica D. recently posted…Facial Changes
Good for you Jessica, because I know that can’t be an easy to task to accomplish, but the third time’s a charm and I know you’ve got it in you:)
I bellydance! Exercise is work and I dislike anything that isn’t fun. But dancing is fun and I can bob, shake and have all the fun I need and work up the sweat to burn the calories. All your suggestions are fun and enjoyable, more important than work!
I agree with you about tv, and it’s one of the reasons I cancelled all tv in my home years ago. No tv = no commercials = no bad desires!
That is what moving the body is all about–having fun while burning fat:)) That is why I’m on a Netflix kick when I want to watch something, because they cut out those advertisements:)
Responses to Jon Water’s Blog Posts
February 26, 2013
Being overweight is no laughing matter either; just ask your body mass index (BMI). The BMI categories are as follows:
• Underweight= <18.5
• Normal weight= 18.5-24.9
• Overweight= 25-29.9
• Obesity= BMI of 30 or greater
Calculating your BMI is as simple as googling “body mass index calculator” and several will pop up in the search. You plug in your height and weight and click on the compute button and it will tell you what your BMI number is.
In addition to the creative and persuasive advertising, there is a science behind why people become addictive to the junk food and can sit and eat a whole bag of potato chips or an entire pizza in one sitting. High fat, high sugar, high calorie foods work on the morphine or heroin center of the brain and can be just as addictive. Dr. Daniel Amen has done some great research and has written several books on the connection between our brain and weight.
In 2008, The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services issued its first-ever Physical Guidelines for Americans. The Physical Activity Guidelines are based on major research findings on the health benefits of physical activity. The recommended physical activity guidelines for adults are as follows:
• All adults should avoid inactivity. Some physical activity is better than none, and adults who participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits.
• For substantial health benefits, adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous intensity aerobic activity. Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes, and preferably, it should be spread throughout the week.
• For additional and more extensive health benefits, adults should increase their aerobic physical activity to 300 minutes (5 hours) a week of moderate intensity, or 150 minutes a week of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity. Additional health benefits are gained by engaging in physical activity beyond this amount.
• Adults should also do muscle-strengthening activities that are moderate or high intensity and involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week, as these activities provide additional health benefits.
I love the first bullet point that indicates that some is better than none! So, take one of Jon’s suggestions and get your body in motion!
Thanks for adding this up for everyone to see, Pamela, because this is the type of information people need to be seeing more of:))
I have a nice indoor gym at home with a treadmill, spinning bike, and rowing machine; great for when it’s too hot or cold outside. I love plyometric workouts because no equipment is needed, and I’ll combine plyometrics with weight/resistance circuits for a great total body workout.
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When I used to hit the gym, back in the day, those were some of my favorite pieces of equipment to use:)
Great post, Jon. I remember those Saved by the Bell burger ladened ads. It still happens to this very day. Honey Boo Boo was rated as one of the most popular reality shows, where an obese family is in the spotlight. It’s time to “shed” not only pounds, but the light on how destructive these foods can be.
bezzymates recently posted…Kick Those Cravings to the Curb
I couldn’t agree more Bezzy because eating constant garbage isn’t cute at all, and it has slowly become well out of hand, especially in the Western part of the world!
Good suggestions on how to get your body moving w/o the “exercise” or “workout” label.
I love softball & have been playing for years now. I look forward to it every week & feel better knowing that I’m getting exercise in the process. Join a league sport that you enjoy.
Another calorie & fat burner – skiing. I was amazed to find out ,after the fact, that it burns like 400 cal an hour. It didn’t even feel like I broke a sweat & it’s fun!
You read my mind, Nina; I’ve been skiing since I was little ,and there is no better way to get outside and burn in the winter than that:)
Hey Jon, I learned how to do TRX at the gym and then bought the system for home. It’s easy to do, lightweight and portable so I can even take it with me when I travel. And man, is that a full body workout!
The other thing I wanted to mention was the NYT article last week on addictive junk food – the food industry is PURPOSEFULLY filling our kids mouths with addictive junk food that is making them rich and our kids sick… now that’s something to get militant about.
That is the best way to go , Deb; having something you can bring along, wherever you might be headed, is always a bonus:) I agree with you wholeheartedly because it has to stop now, because our kids’ lives are at stake, and everyone else as well!!