North Americans are getting heavier, and so are their children. That's a fact that can't be avoided. Therefore, the need to lose weight has now become the latest human activity to be proclaimed far and wide by the media as an important requirement to ensure a long and healthy life. With the potential health problems caused by obesity, it's no wonder that losing weight has now become so important. If the trend towards obesity continues, there will likely be a major impact on health care costs as people struggle to deal with their need to feed in ways that that are unhealthy and downright dangerous at times.
What is clear is that all the publicity about weight has created a strong desire for a thin and fit body in the minds of many people. Thin is "in" — as they say — and advertising and images in the media seem to imply that a thin body is the only acceptable body — particularly for women and girls. It's no surprise that what we now have is a situation in which more and more people are very unhappy about their weight.
So why are North Americans so overweight today, which is quite different than most other societies? One clue comes from a popular book that explains why French women don't gain weight, despite a diet that is rich in meat and dairy fat. So what's their secret? And why are most Europeans and Asians 'naturally' thinner and fitter than North Americans?
There are two simple answers. First, the food that people eat in these other societies is usually of better quality than the 'instant' or packaged food that North Americans tend to eat. Unfortunately, this habit of eating less healthy food is beginning to gain ground outside of North America and in another generation or so, people all around the world will likely end up with the same weight problems that we are experiencing. The secret for their success, up to now, has been their custom of consumption of food that's been prepared in a traditional way — that is, as close to its natural form as possible.
Another reason is that people in more traditional societies tend to be more physically active. This may come as a surprise, given the obsession North Americans now have with fitness and exercise. However, it's true — because we spend so much time sitting in our cars, we simply don't get as much exercise as we should. Exercising vigorously a couple of times a week is still not as effective as the constant exercise that you get if walking or biking is your regular means of transportation.
And so, quite simply, these are the two easiest ways to lose weight over time: First, eat foods that are in their natural state, or as close to it as possible. And second, reduce the amount of time you use your car. Why not make a rule that you will not drive if you're traveling less than ten or fifteen blocks. Walk or ride a bike instead. It can only help.
These suggestions certainly aren't the fastest ways to lose weight, but they are easy to accomplish and will provide the best long term results. That's because, unlike a diet, these are lifestyle changes that will make you healthier in the long run. Once you start enjoying regular exercise and better quality food, chances are you'll never want to go back to your old habits. So unlike diets, which might offer more impressive results in the short term, you're unlikely to gain back the weight that you lose from these simple suggestions.
So how do you make these adjustments? Here's a couple of ways to get started:
When you've at the supermarket, avoid the center aisles as much as possible. In most markets, the meat, milk, eggs, fruits and vegetables are located at either end of the store and in the back. The center aisles, on the other hand, are where all the packaged food is shelved. That's the danger zone. If you avoid the middle, then your middle will reap the benefits. By following this plan, when you leave the store, you'll have a cart full of natural protein and produce, the perfect ingredients for losing weight.
Here's another idea: try not to let yourself get hungry. Eat regular meals so that you don't feel get that empty feeling. For most people, once they feel hungry they are more likely to eat whatever happens to be available, whether it's healthy or not. If you have regular, healthy meals and snacks, it follows that you won't be tempted by all the junk food that's all too readily available.
Finally, avoid using your car as much as you can. It's not only better for the environment, it's much better for you as well. Walking for a few hours every day is actually a better way to lose weight than exercising vigorously a couple of times a week. You can start by walking to work, if possible, and making that part of your daily routine. To tell you the truth, with gas prices climbing, and this pattern not likely to change any time soon, you may find it a necessity to find alternative means of transportation and by walking more, think of all the money you'll save while you're losing weight!
Following these simple, life changing suggestions for lifelong health and fitness may not show immediate results. However, over time, your body will settle at a healthy weight, and you'll probably wonder why you didn't make these changes a lot sooner.
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Glenn Cutforth is a writer, eBook publisher and graphic designer.
Visit his websites at: Conquer Anxiety and Depression.com and HowToClassics.com
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Published by Glenn Cutforth on May 24, 2006 09:52 AM
