The anti- fitness industry rant!
Wanna eat a Big Mac or doughnut? read on...
This is not an article against health clubs, which offer many benefits, and I recently rejoined my favorite local social gathering. I will circle back to reaffirm the benefits of such memberships.
But this is the time of year where some of us make New Year’s resolutions, and health club memberships tend to sky rocket.
I work all day with people after the fact of life events, accidents, surgeries, some preventable, some assuredly not at all preventable. Discussions frequently turn to the medical and fitness industry discussions of wellness and what we should and shouldn’t do, and blah blah blah…Some of us are gonna lecture others on what to do…
We seem to have a bi-polar relationship with health in this country. Some people practice health and fitness like a religion. Some purposely smoke and drink as much as possible, just because we have the freedom to do so.
But sometimes I circle back to this great book I read years ago called Blue Zones. This great book, which I encourage you to buy, details the longest living societies in the world, and the habits they have. Longest living equates to healthiest. One was an island in Greece, another in Japan. Not surprising examples.
When I think about our crazy way of living, I always reflect back on these societies. Of course we are complaining of first world problems, like traffic. But we seem to stress ourselves out more than others.
Here are some of the common themes that lead these people to be the happiest and healthiest;
Garden their own vegetables on steep mountain sides. Plenty of exercise, but their not thinking about exercise.
Drink wine.
Not much television, social media, electronics.
Take naps in the middle of the day.
Socialize with others, dance and play music.
Many elders live with the families.
Ride bicycles or walk for transportation.
It’s basically the “Old Country”. These people aren’t at fitness clubs. Their not doing planks, or tabatas, or get ups, or aerobics.
Now many of us need this connection to the health club, and there’s nothing wrong with that either. I was getting depressed at home, indoors all winter. Having a place to go to, and meet with others, has really helped my mood. Some like to wear headphones, and get more done, and that’s great also. Maybe they have to talk to people all day, and this is their break from obligations.
Today I ran into three people I hadn't seen in years, and talking with them made me feel better than exercising. Talking and smiling with them probably did more for my heart health than another set of lifting.
Maybe the key to health happiness is moderation in all things.