According to the Centers for Disease Control, almost two of every three American adults are overweight. This number has grown from about one in two about twenty years ago and continues to increase. It is obvious that the American lifestyle has become more sedentary and the rates of diabetes and heart disease have increased proportionally. Our generation needs to be the ones to change this trend or we may become the first generation to have a lower life-expectancy than the one before it.
When I was in middle school, I was headed down this road. I was five feet, two inches and weighed 160 pounds. I was nearly clinically obese.
However, like many people I had no idea where to start to get healthy.
Watching television, you are bombarded by ads for weight-loss programs and diet drugs that promise drastic weight loss in a short amount of time. While these programs do work for some people, most people will not achieve the results promised. The reason for this is that you can’t lose weight only working out for twenty minutes three times a week. Many people expect to lose weight and become healthy only giving the bare minimum of effort.
This entire idea contradicts itself; maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires great effort. It’s easy to be unhealthy in our society. Unhealthy food is often cheaper and better tasting than healthier alternatives. Exercise is neglected by most people.
The root of the entire problem is that getting healthy requires true self-commitment. The effort has to come from within; no one can control what you eat or exercise for you. Another issue is that many people believe that they are so unhealthy that there is no way they will ever get back to where they should be. However, the truth is that anyone who is willing to put in the effort can lose weight. The first step is the most difficult. However, you will find that once you get into a routine, you will stick to it and actually enjoy getting out and exercising.
When it comes to eating right, moderation is the key. It is near impossible to eat healthy all the time because temptation is everywhere. Therefore, self-control when eating is crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Just taking smaller portions will go a long way.
I believe that it is possible for everyone to get healthier. Finishing my sophomore year of college, I am five feet, eleven inches and weigh 160 pounds which is right where I should be. The biggest thing I did in getting myself healthy was to just get up and exercise. I started running in high school and as I started having success, eating healthy and maintaining my exercise routine has become second nature.
The benefits go beyond reducing health risks. I feel better about myself and I love being able to get up and exercise.
Getting healthy is possible for everyone. Once you get yourself in shape, you’ll wonder how you lived being unhealthy.
500 words.
