One can't help but be inspired while watching the Olympics. It doesn't matter if the athlete wins or loses, is from the United States or not, or is young or old. They're all champions before they take that first step or swim a first stroke or make that first pitch. Watching them inspires us to follow them--do as they do-- and to learn from them. Let's hope that we move down that road as a nation. Otherwise, we may find ourselves living in a world where almost everyone is overweight. It's hard to imagine, but, if current trends play out, it could very well happen. Consider that recent research indicates that most Americans (86%) will be overweight or obese by the year 2030.
Don't let it happen.
There are a number of forces we must each contend with. Adults have busier-than-ever work schedules with technologies that work fingers and the brain but little else of the body. Busy, haphazard schedules may result in the closest fast food restaurant providing most meals, but nutrtional value can definitely suffer. When work, technology and schedules become the priority, exercise and nutrition often get put on hold. And, as exercise becomes secondary in schools across the country, parents are now responsible for getting kids off the couch and into sports programs that keep obesity at bay.
Slow down. Think about your food. Schedule some time each day to move your body.
Some people are obsessed with their weight and they make a daily assessment in front of the mirror or on top of the scale. They adjust their diet to take in fewer calories or enhance their exercise routine to increase caloric expenditure. Others tend to buy bigger clothes until that tipping point occurs forcing them to take a good look at themselves. As a society we all tend to do that on January 1 of each year. A new year is a time to start over. More people join health clubs at this time compared to any other time of the year. Cooler weather makes people get outside more and seeing others riding their bikes, walking or jogging makes us think we can do the same.
Start moving your body today.
Self assessments don't just happen in January, though. Birthdays and reunions also trigger similar thoughts, including how we're all getting older. When your birthday comes around, do you feel older than your years? Younger? Reunions, in particular, often lead us to compare ourselves with others our age. Did you age more gracefully than others? Less? It doesn't help that television shows are filled with pharmaceutical ads making us think we need pills to make us look and feel good.
You're as young as you feel.
So .. back to the Olympics. We get to see the best athletes on the planet running, jumping, swimming and doing so much more on our screen. It's very powerful imagery. We want to be like them. We want to look fit, to be able to eat what we want and have others cheer us on. We don't have to spend eight hours a day in the pool or grow Michael Phelps-like-fins to succeed. We just need a little inspiration, to eat a little better and to move our bodies a little more. Even great athletes had to start from the beginning at one point in their lives. You can too.
Obesity rates of 86% by 2030? Then again, maybe not. There's too much to inspire us to do better.