| Dilemma | | | | follow the directions to a "T" and get there as |
| According to the American Heart Association, 65 | | | | planned. But what would happen if we got bogged |
| % of Americans are classified as overweight or | | | | down in traffic, got frustrated, and decided to |
| obese; with African American numbers being even | | | | turn off the suggested path to avoid traffic. It's |
| higher. Obesity leads to conditions such as heart | | | | likely that we will get turned around, only to have |
| disease, stroke, hypertension, and diabetes. All of | | | | to get directions back to the path so we may |
| these conditions lead to a less than optimal | | | | continue on our journey. |
| lifestyle and, for many, premature death. The | | | | This is what happens to most people. They get |
| unfortunate thing is that they are PREVENTABLE. | | | | this great plan (exercise regimen, meal plans, |
| That's right; these medical conditions that are | | | | equipment - the whole nine) and get started. Then |
| plaguing our community can be stopped. How? A | | | | comes this traffic jam called life and they veer |
| reasonable diet and exercise. I know, we've all | | | | off the path, only to have to get directions back |
| heard that before, but somehow most people still | | | | to moving toward their goal. They do this for |
| battle with being unhealthy and significantly out of | | | | months, years, even decades for some, |
| shape. | | | | expecting that this time it's going to work. They |
| Over the past thirteen years of training in the | | | | never realize that it's their pattern of thinking that |
| fitness industry, I found that the "what's" are | | | | leads to wrong turns. |
| easy - the "what to do's "and "what to eats." The | | | | Action Plan |
| difficult part for most people is the "how." And I | | | | So now what do I do? Let's start with small |
| don't necessarily mean how to exercise or eat | | | | steps. Forget the days of setting unrealistic goals, |
| right; I mean how to Think right. "Fitness is about | | | | then following Nike's advice - "Just do it!" It sells |
| how you think, not how you look or what you | | | | gym shoes, but it doesn't do much for getting |
| do." How we exercise, how healthy we are, even | | | | you healthier and fit. Today, "Just Do Something!" |
| how we feel is only a reflection of what we think | | | | Decide to go for a walk, ride a bike, go roller |
| about. | | | | skating; anything to get your body moving. To |
| As many of us have heard before, "as a man | | | | start out, try 2 maybe 3 times per week. But |
| thinketh, so is he." So let's all hear it again for the | | | | consistency is key. It's better to do a little |
| very first time. In order for us to be successful | | | | consistently, than a lot every now and then. We |
| with our health or any other endeavor in our lives, | | | | want to establish the habit of exercise. |
| we must work on our thinking. The mind is | | | | In terms of nutrition, pick one new habit to work |
| supposed to command the body, not the other | | | | on. Drink more water; eat more fruits and |
| way around. Too often we let our lower desires | | | | veggies, eat less fat; any thing that is a positive |
| steer us off in a direction that we don't want to | | | | eating change. As you work on this action plan for |
| go in. | | | | the next 30 days, you'll notice that you feel |
| It's just like following directions to a destination in | | | | stronger and confident. Then you may, step by |
| an area that is unfamiliar. We'll get directions from | | | | step, add more to your exercise and eating |
| someone who knows not only that area, but the | | | | regimen and move that much closer to your |
| area we are currently in. If we are smart, we'll | | | | optimal health. |