Fitness and Nutrition: How Can We Change the American Mindset?

While I don't expect the rest of the country to be the food and fitness drill sergeant I am, the nutrition and fitness habits of those around me continues to astound me. And I don't foresee it getting any better during the next year. If the country could just be motivated to move their bodies a little bit each day, and stop buying food that comes in boxes loaded with chemicals and preservatives--our country would be so much healthier and happier. Health care costs would go down, companies would be more productive because sick leave would decrease.

I've heard all the arguments--fresh food is too expensive, or I don't have time to fix it. But I can tell you for a fact, if you get rid of all the chips, soda, and boxes in your grocery cart--and just load it with fruits, veggies and lean meat (fish), you can live on a very tight budget. I do it every week. Mind you, I'm not a family four--it's just me, but if I'm careful I can come away from the grocery with a $25 tab.

Start slow. Ditch the sodas and drink water. Skim milk is the typically the only beverage I purchase at the grocery (okay, there's the occasional bottle of wine too). Replace one red meat meal with fish. Replace another with a vegetarian dish. If you're using fresh foods, the taste is fantastic!

As for exercise, I'm not promoting that the whole world become marathoners. I'm just talking about movement. Walk around your building at lunch time. Go for a walk with your kids/spouse/dog/significant other over the weekend. Don't circle the grocery store parking lot looking for that ideal spot. Just take the one that's available at the back and walk through the parking lot! Little bits of movement add up to a healthier person. I'm guilty of it myself. I've run eight marathons, yet still catch myself trying to find the closest parking spot available. Then I remind myself that I'm a healthy individual and walking an extra hundred feet will only do me good, not harm.

If we could just live in a more pure world where we patronize local farmers, strive for purity in our food and life, and sweat a little more the world could be such a nice place in which to live.