I'm excited about this opportunity to communicate weekly through GoodHealth.com, discussing both my ideas and the growing body of scientific evidence related to better fitness, physical and mental performance and overall well-being.
Over the last 20 years, I have had the privilege of working with so many great people from all walks of life. I have seen them transform themselves from unconditioned to powerful. They learned how to get back in shape and tap into the inner strength with which we were born. They have become individuals with the confidence to conquer anything. I have seen their health improve and their body weight drop. They have built endurance that carried them to their first 5K or their first marathon. Did they take a pill? No. Did they go back to school? Yes…. to RunTex University.
We work very hard every day around the clock. But instead of working hard physically, we now get paid to think, create, teach, etc. As our nation transformed into an information society, we became less active. We now work mostly in air-conditioned space and eat food that is highly processed and low in nutrition.
This current lifestyle is leading to a poor health epidemic and a national healthcare crisis. The good news is that this trend is reversible. By adding leisurely physical activity and making better food choices, we can all be healthy, feel better and be more productive.
You may be asking: So how do you get moving? Does this exercise have to be strenuous? Does it have to be everyday? Is there something you should do before you try to build endurance? The answers are what this column is going to be about.