Healthcare Directory

2014-2015 Medical & Dental Directory | 41 nutrition T he Combi- nation of overeating and lack of physical exercise has led to an increase in obesity of epidemic propor- tion. Studies show only 18% of Americans meet the weekly recommendations for cardiovascular and muscle-strengthening activity. is has resulted in the in- creasing number of persons who are overweight or obese to reach 50% in the last decade. e rise in obesity is not only associated with a multitude of health complications, but it has also been shown to negatively impact individuals on an emotional and social level. It has become virtually impos- sible to sort through an abundance of information on diet and exercise, making it difficult to determine what works best for us. In most cases the solution is simple, eat less and move more. e problem is incorporating that concept into a lifestyle you can maintain. Movement is the very foundation on which we survive. For humans, there is no driing with the tide, gliding on the currents of air, or hitching a free ride on another ani- mal. Either we move or we perish over time. We were given muscles, sturdy bones, and pliable joints in order to grow, to walk, to run, to move, and thereby endure. e more we move, the more we are capable of moving. Today, it appears that movement is optional, or at least we may choose to move when it is desirable, unlike our ancestors where movement was vital. Making simple, present day observations can help us see the big picture. Cell phones have replaced dial up phones requiring effort and movement to answer. Elevators By LiLa WaGGoNer allow us to get to the 5th floor with the ease of stepping in and out in- stead of up and down. Remote controls have replaced countless tasks that previ- ously required some form of physical exertion. is growing lack of movement in our daily lives is affecting us all, young and old. Understanding the need for exercise is imperative to creating a lifestyle of healthy living, but realizing this takes time is vital. Technology has turned us into a society of instant gratification. e use of snail mail, trains, and phones are now highly disregarded. Instead we use e-mail, airplanes, and texting respectively. e days of waiting are over, and we have been programmed to expect our needs and desires to be met immediately, with little or no effort. In many circumstances this remains true, but in the case of weight management, this unfortunately, is far from real- ity. Consistent reprogramming of your daily physical habits thus experiencing their positive effects will take time. Turns out, if you want to change your schedule to accom- modate exercise, you must feel a need to do it, thus make time for it. e most highly used excuse for exercise or any unpleasant task is, "I don't have time." Just as we find time for other things like doctor's appointments, working late, watching TV, playing computer games or running errands, we must schedule exercise as part of our day. Getting some insight into why we do what we do (or don't do) is the only avenue of long-term change. If exercise isn't a priority for you and you'd like it to be, take the time to go through some simple steps and answer a few questions: got health?

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