It’s funny how often I hear that or read it. I almost hate titling this blog entry that because it is so overused. oh well. It is also very true. I would say 90% of people that I have seen go on a diet use it as a four letter word. They are "dieting" instead of changing their "diet". It’s a shame because they are destined to fail on their programs. Who knew that if you started a diet that had you only eating 3 types of food, you were eventually going to stop.
That is what is so great about the "real" diet books. Men’s Health’s "Abs Diet" was probably my first read. It was so obvious. I had already thought about the program because it’s pretty much common sense. The reason not everyone will adapt it is because it is a very big change. They have grown up eating the way they do and to change it is very difficult. Now, personally, it’s not that big of a change for me. I love cooking fresh healthy food. I love eating it. But what if you don’t cook? That alone makes things a lot harder. What if you can’t afford to have fish and fresh everything all the time? It’s easy to resort back to driving through for dinner to feed your family for $25 in 5 minutes.
Working out is the same way. I can admit to having periods of "working out" instead of just simply "being active". It’s also a shame that this is the practice but it is the truth. Very very few people can keep a workout program for more than even…6 months. Much less a lifetime. Why not? Who wouldn’t agree that working out or being active is healthy, feels good, and has hundreds of benefits? Everyone would agree. So why doesn’t everyone do it? Because it’s hard. Because they don’t have to. The excuses go on and on. But they make a point. How many of us would go to work if we didn’t have to make money? Now some will argue that you do have to workout. This is an arguable point that I don’t really want to debate. The truth is, this is how most people feel. Why do you think every weight loss "gimmick" is marketed this way. "Easy to do", "5 minutes a day", "6 pack abs". Now, do you think their customers really think they are going to get the results they want by simply taking a pill and eating junk? Or rolling your abs for 5 minutes a day and eating junk? I bet most don’t believe it. But they don’t want to work. They want a shortcut.
That’s why some people will hire a personal trainer. Now, I have a lot of respect for the profession but I believe at some level they are there for mainly motivation. If I was going to hire a Personal trainer right now that is why I would do it. They would make me come to the gym. Suddenly, instead of it being an option; I’m paying for it and someone is waiting for me. Now, it’s easier to go rather than sit on my ass (at least for me).
So what is the secret to getting Americans (or anyone) outside and eating/living healthy? I don’t believe there is one. In our current lifestyle, sedentary rules. For the entire existence of humans on earth, you had to be active to survive. You had to hunt, gather, fight, etc. But suddenly in the past 100 years or so, most of the modernized countries don’t require you to do any active work. You can live at home, never leave, and make millions online. You can have a family and everything else without being active. This is a giant change for the human race. Do you think anyone "went to the gym" or "went jogging" 100 years ago? No. In Back to the future, when he goes back in time to the 1800s, people laugh at him when he says people will "run for fun" in the future. (nice movie quote huh?)
It’s an interesting world we live in today. One where eating right and being active are simply fads. Who or what will save us from our sedentary future?
-carsondude
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