Sports blog: Warrior Nation
Sign up for Breaking News Alerts!

By Edward Jackowski


If I see one more article or watch another news special about how Americans are so overweight due to fast food and all the other foods now available to them, I think I'll be sick to my stomach from the stupidity alone.

I grew up in the 1970s, and if my memory serves me correctly, there were fast-food outlets, diners, TV dinners, doughnuts, desserts, and the same food available to me then as there is now, yet I'm hardly an overweight sloth.

In addition, we had television, video games, and computers, albeit not to the extent we do now.

The difference was that if we did go to a McDonald's or Burger King, we went maybe once or twice a month and mainly because our parents were either too lazy to prepare dinner that evening or just plain exhausted.

The other important factor as to why people like me did not gain weight was because I had a mother who wouldn't let me in the house before dark and I had to do work chores and remain active. I couldn't manipulate my mother like 9 out of 10 kids today are capable of doing, but that's more a function of bad parenting.

Nevertheless, according to the "experts," Americans are overweight and unfit because of three main reasons: they only have fattening foods to choose from when they are hungry; technology is so advanced that they spend countless hours in front of computers and television sets and, they are not active enough.

Well, I've got some bad news for you, and then some more bad news. The bad news is that, yes, as a country, we are 20 pounds heavier today than 20 years ago.

The other bad news is that, as a country, we are doing nothing to stop this epidemic aside from telling ourselves we need to make better eating choices and try and be more active.

In short, we are lazy; we overeat; we don't prioritize what is truly important to us in our lives; and we don't have a clue as to the steps involved in making proper fitness a consistent part of our daily and hectic lifestyles.

Another thing I am tired of hearing about is our poor children and how we need to do something about their sorry state of condition and get them in better shape. How do we rationally expect our children possibly to be in shape when we, their parents, are so out of shape?

There's an expression that goes something like this: Before we can expect great things from others, we first need to expect greatness from ourselves. I can just see a youngster having a guest speaker one day at school, specifically a fitness advocate whom the school has asked to speak to them about the importance of daily exercise.

The child returns home that evening and says, "Mommy, Daddy, I need to start exercising and take better care of myself." A parent may respond: "Hey, son, pass me the potato chips."

We have it backwards. Before we can dream about getting our children in shape, we need to get ourselves in shape. Just as we teach them manners, good study habits, and social skills and hobbies, we must teach fitness by example. If we (the parents) don't exercise and don't spend quality active time with our kids, how can we expect them to develop these skills and be able to carry them over into adulthood?

So, the next time you read or hear about how Americans need to change their eating habits, remember this: A great exercise program can make up for a poor diet, but a great diet can never make up for lack of exercise. There is nothing wrong with occasionally indulging in excessive or calorie-laden food or drink -- we are all human -- but instead of trying to starve yourself and/or feeling guilty about it, be smart and counter the indulgence with regular and proper exercise. By exercising properly and consistently, you will start to make small dietary changes and will be able to maintain this behavior. Starving yourself or "dieting" will not help develop the habit of exercising. Remember, just as it takes time to develop bad habits, it takes time to develop good ones as well. Just as we have earned the right to be good at our jobs, we need to earn the right to look and feel our best!


If you have a question on weight loss and/or exercise, please e-mail Edward at: info@exude.com or visit his Web site: www.exude.com.


Edward Jackowski, Ph.D. is a Lifestyle/Fitness Expert and the author of seven books and has written for a myriad of publications including; N.Y. Daily News., AARP, WebMD and ediets.com. His firm, Exude Fitness is one of America's premier motivational and one-to-one exercise companies headquartered in NYC.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in Wilton Villager community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines. Basically, be civil, smart, on-topic and free from profanity. Don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read! And remember: We may miss some, so we need your help to police these comments. Please identify the comment, the story and why you think it's objectionable.
Read the commenting guidelines

Add a new comment