The United States is experiencing an unprecedented period in our history. Every day new machines and electrical equipment are replacing manual tasks previously performed by human muscle. The less manual labor we perform the less fit we become.Not even a century ago there were very few if any neighborhood health and fitness centers.Every day life required us to use our physical strength to do things such as chopping wood,lugging ice, working the soil, planting, plowing,and harvesting our own fields in order to feed our selves and our families.
Was life better then? In many respects no, but one indisputable difference is that there were very few "couch potatoes" one hundred years ago. We are becoming a nation of obesity and sloth, mainly due to two major factors. One factor where we have been derelict is our 21st century diet. We are eating foods laced with salt, palm oils, trans fatty acids and more sugar then ever. Add to that, the fact that we are "super sizing" every portion at every meal and topping them off with unhealthy in between snacks, and you have set the stage for the battle of the "bulge". The second and equally important factor besides diet is fitness.
Every person is different,has different physical attributes,strengths, weaknesses,genes etc. so I am going to generalize my fitness recommendations. Every individual should receive a go ahead from his physician as to the degree of strenuous activity he is comfortable with. Once that is defined, feel free and even self obligated to reach your physical potential. In other words,Go for it!!!! No pain no gain!!!! Use it or lose it!!!!
There are a million phony miracle, diet and fitness plans, some use secret herbs, pills, elixirs, rubber gadgets that "melt away fat and cellulite" while you sleep. Don't believe them. The only thing that works, is to eat sensible portions of healthy foods at meal times and exercising your entire body as often as you can. Walking is a great start. Don't fight to get the closest parking spot at the grocery store, park in a well lit area, grab a carriage and walk the extra 100 feet. If you are in a safe public building, walk up as many flights as you feel comfortable with before taking the elevator. Go for a walk after each meal when you can. Push yourself to go further, faster, longer, and get your pulse up as high as you are comfortable with.
I try to go to the gym 3 times a week and the only excuses I allow myself not to go are emergencies at work, or an unbreakable appointment, otherwise I would never go. I try to keep a schedule of Tuesday, Thursday and one weekend day each week. With out some kind of pre-planned schedule I found I would always say manana, and put off going. Four years after my throat cancer surgery I am twice as fit at 52 as I was at 48. My wife Lesley the nurse made sure I started physical therapy and exercise and my friend Ronnie pushed me to exceed ALL of what I thought were my physical limits. I run 5k races, bicycle hundreds of miles, climbed a mountain and even lifted patients far heavier than myself. No matter how far out of shape you are its almost never too late to reverse that trend. In the coming weeks and months this portion of the web site will be adding pictures of our physical exploits, articles, stories and maybe even a healthy recipe or two.
Bob Herbst
