I thought it fitting to write about this considering it has been nothing but rainy here in the Dc area. We all stay inside and watch TV or play video games or pop in the classic movie when the clouds decide to pour upon us. So, it raises the question, Are we fat because of this?
Most baby boomers and older generations will say without a doubt, YES. All of us new kids on the block will say no. Back and forth we go on the seesaw trying to figure out why we are all fat these days. Back in the day, so says your grand parents and parents, they used to play in the rain and the mud until they were dead tired. They didn’t have cell phones to call their friends; they had to walk to the house hoping they were there. Their parents didn’t drive them around to the parks or wherever it is they wanted to go, they had to ride their bikes or walk or even run. So yes, in a sense they kept in great shape as kids and teenagers and maybe even college students. Then what happened to them once they got a job? They got fat, for the most part.
My mother always made sure I was outside playing whenever I could. She bought a basketball hoop so that I could entertain myself. As an only child I had to well come up with games that may be insane to others but fun to me. So I played baseball against the side of the curb. I would pitch it and try to field it. There were home runs in the game too. I had to use my imagination and occasionally I lost to myself, weird! With that, I stayed pretty fit all through my young days. My eye sight didn’t start going blurry until late in high school when I started watching TV more, and I didn’t gain weight until college!
Now, Im not fat or over weight, I am out of shape and not toned. I have a tiny bit of belly fat, which to this day I am ashamed of. I ask myself the question, how did I get this way? With all honesty, it is because TV made me lazy. There are so many good shows and movies to watch that I don’t wan to go to the gym or I don’t want to go outside and play. Also, being a young adult living in an apartment, it is hard to find others that will play basketball with you or throw the ball around. Life is hard!
I do not just blame TV or my car for carrying me around. I blame myself for lack of motivation and drive. That is what I think is our fault today. Yes we are trying to be healthier but at the same time, we do not have any drive left to fully take care of ourselves. We are older now and do not want to run around like Looney bins, well some of us don’t, and it is hard to find activities that aren’t boring like the gym.
In conclusion, find something outside that makes you do some physical activity that will help keep you healthy. There is always tivo to record your favorite shows and movies, so don’t waste your time in front of that TV. Take a walk with your loved one or your dog. Go to the park and play around on the swing. Just because you are an adult doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. What other people think does not matter. It is only what you think of yourself that does. Be confident and motivate yourself to do what you need to do to have fun and stay healthy. That is all you can ever ask of yourself.
Tip of the day: Do one thing fun today
I completely agree with you. There is just some arrangements to your statement I would make. It isn't so much that we are lazy- rather we are easily burned and find ourselves too exhausted after work to go out. I feel the transitions in work ethics and efficiency wear our minds out to the point of wanting mindless activities by the time we are released for the evening.
ReplyDeleteThink about how many times you take part in multiple conversations at once, are required to be working on developing a project- making calls for another- and finalizing details on a third! We get spent. We may not have the same physical attributes as farming or fishing entails, however mental exhaustion is just as difficult to cope with. But... how could we possibly experience a shift at this point with such an acceleration of technology taking place?
~Paige
i like the "new kids on the block" reference.
ReplyDeletethat was pretty clutch.
-rachel
Hey Bill,
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that America is sadly overweight and obesity continues to be an increasing problem, especially among children, I instead look at parents and society. It is the responsibility of parents to teach their children good eating habits and provide them with a nutrional diet. Having two parents that work is very common these days and understandably making dinner becomes more about what is quick and easiest, instead of what is healthy. Swinging by McDonalds after sports practices or Cub/Girl Scouts, or throwing a frozen pizza in the oven is the easy go-to solution, but ultimately not the best. You owe it to your children to provide them with well balanced meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It needs to be a priority for parents, not a last minute thought. It truly saddens me to see how overweight children are these days, but what is worse is that they will fight that battle for the rest of their lives. So again, cooking a good meal and teaching your children how to eat properly is one of the easiest gifts that you can give to your family that will be a life long benefit.
Again, still looking at parents and society, I look at them as being ultimately responsible for not making their kids get outside and play. Build a fort, ride bikes, play in the woods, go swimming...be a KID! Allowing your kids to stay in and sit in front of a computer or video games all day does not promote creativity or human interaction. We are looking at the upcoming generations being obease and lacking any sort of social skills if people don't do something about it. Yes it takes time for parents to drive their kids to and from practice and games, but if you can't find the time to do these things, then you need to take a closer look at your priorities.
Jen Hardee