Now is the Time

by
Don Foxe, M.Ed.

anuary health and fitness resolutions fading in your rear view mirror? Speaking of rear views, did that butt-blaster, thigh-master, 6-second ab miracle machine you got for Christmas deliver on its promise to make you into a swimsuit model in just 10 ( 7 . . . 3 . . . 1) days?

No? Really? Every year the American Marketing Machine gears up to provide you the latest, greatest, newest, bestest (?), quickest way to lose weight, get six-pack abs, and look like a life-long dancer. Every year a few BILLION dollars are spent, and two things happen. First, the income increases for those people who market to your hopes and dreams, and, second, waistlines increase for those who “fail” even with the latest invention in their living room.

Do you really think those testimonials on television are real? Do you think a product that is being promoted for the first time will have dozens (hundreds) of satisfied customers? How the heck did they find it?

Health is a science. Losing weight and maintaining a health weight is a science. Getting into better physical shape is a science.

Science says eat four servings of veggies and fruits every day. Eat whole grain for fiber, not enriched breads. A serving of protein (meat) about the size of your hand once or twice a day, and make sure it is lean, and you bake, broil, or grill it, not fried. One dessert, and a small sweet to satisfy a craving are both fine. Do not drink lots of calorie-filled drinks, and do add water and healthy tea into you system. Don’t over eat and don’t starve. Moderation.

Fitness, while still based in science, has to become fun. You have to find ways to enjoy physical activity that makes you breath harder, sweat some, and feel great. Go for walks, and take along music or friends. Join a health club, and then join some classes – you don’t have to be in great shape, or have great coordination for most of the group classes offered today.

Enjoy the fact that you live in a beautiful area, with water, trails, small towns, and lots of places where you can combine exercise with expansion of your mind – not your belly.

Let February be your start. A lot of people in the world do not even begin their “healthy” new year until after Carnival (Meat) season, which ends on Mardi Gras. You haven’t lost your resolve, you have just gotten your second wind. Now, every day for the rest of the year, do something healthy, and for goodness sake, start enjoying life instead of enjoying food – there is a difference.