Obesity in America is a big problem, which needs a solution. Actually, we know the solution. Despite all the diet fads and bringing back the presidential fitness test and time-change chicanery, we know what the best answer is: eating less and exercising more. It’s that simple. It’s not easy, but it’s simple.
So what’s the problem with our solution here? We need people to know about this and then to do it. So if the government is serious about making a difference, here’s some ideas. (I’m not suggesting it’s the government’s business, but since they try to do something about it, it might as well be more effective. Well, we do need the FDA to protect us from harmful additives, but they shouldn’t legislate our health and fitness. But I digress…) Here’s the idea:
1) To bring awareness to the issue, create a national holiday (or even multiple days, like in the spring and fall). People can have a paid day off work IF they commit to getting physical exercise. There could be events setup to encourage people to do this together, like a 1-mile walk (but make it fun, perhaps without donuts for this one). This would help people get exercise, and hopefully they would realize it can be fun and help them feel better, so perhaps they will continue getting more exercise in the future. Various groups could schedule events on this day, like a free 10-minute introduction to pickleball or tennis or some other sport.
2) Provide a benefit for participating. Just getting a paid day off work is a huge benefit already, so there’s that. Perhaps some fitness-focused groups might want to setup some promotional benefits for people who participate in various exercise events. Maybe there could be a rebate from your health insurance for participating. (Some already do this for things like having a gym membership and going to the doctor for an annual physical checkup, so check your plan — they require you to fill out forms to get the rebate, but some do offer it.) The government could offer corporations a tax break for the day to encourage them to participate.
Do you have any more ideas?
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Howdy. Roughly 40% of American adults are obese, according to reports. That’s pretty sad. Maybe neighborhoods could start walking clubs — one or two mile walks a couple of times each week. People would get exercise and get to know their neighbors better.
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I like the idea of neighborhood walking clubs. There are probably other people who would enjoy it, too. Someone just has to get it started. That’s the thing with these kinds of ideas — it’s a good idea, and people would like it, but people usually wait for someone else to do it. (I’m not pointing that at you. I do this too sometimes. It can be hard to change the status quo.)
The same concept applies to a guys night out or girls night out — a lot of people would be interested in going. I used to initiate them, but then after having children, it’s difficult to schedule and life is busy, and, excuses…
Your idea is also good for getting to know neighbors. It seems like people typically don’t know their neighbors like they used to. We’re all becoming more isolated. Maybe more “connected” online, but in real life, more separate. Most people would like to have more friends, according to studies I’ve seen, so getting people to be together is a great start.
KP
Getting healthy is also a goal I have. It can be hard to keep things going. Life can through you curveballs and before you know it, that healthy routine is not so routine anymore. Some good choices have helped me. Doing the stairs instead of the elevator and even replacing junk food with healthy snacks.
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Yeah, it’s tough. I’ve cut back on how much I eat and I eat healthier foods than I used to, yet the weight isn’t coming off. I miss having a metabolism! 🙂 But even if reasonable efforts aren’t getting it done, it still needs to get done, so no excuses. Easier said than done, I know!
The struggle is real…