Now more than ever, Britain is bursting at the seams with people struggling to control their weight, many of whom know nothing about how to eat healthily and have little or no enthusiasm for exercise. Yet at the time of year that people do find the resolve to lose weight and get fit, the help that people need is just not forthcoming.
Can we blame the diet industry for cashing in on our desire for quick fix weight loss products? Even though we know that diets alone rarely work?
Is it the fault of the shareholders of our fabulously equipped gymnasiums that they make money from people who sign up for 365 days and use the gym on average, less than one tenth of those days before they give up?
The truth is that we human animals are programmed to eat food when we find it so that the ‘spare’ food energy can be converted to fat for the lean times that, in our modern comfortable world, rarely if ever come along. And unless a dieter can recognise this and make changes a little more in depth than the standard line: “don’t eat fat, do eat fruit”, the old eating patterns will soon re-emerge and the weight is piled on again.
It is also true that most people only consider exercise as a kind of last resort to shed the pounds and yet how many of us have found that going to the gym makes little or no difference to our weight? Hardly surprising when you consider that the average person will use only 200 – 300 kcal of energy at the gym, the equivalent of two or three chocolate biscuits, a cream cake or doughnut.
……and what about all those people who fall below average for exercise?
Doesn’t it make sense that the people who are the most overweight are going to be the ones who exercise the least because they cannot even contemplate “30 minutes of exercise of moderate intensity” every day?
At some level, we all know that we need to eat less and exercise more. We recognise that an employee who is constantly off work sick, is likely to be the first choice for cut backs during times of ‘difficulty’ over her colleague with a better attendance record. At work, those who monitor performance know that the healthy employee is up to 18% more efficient at their work.
What then is the answer? Well perhaps we should address the questions?
How will I know if I am overweight?
It’s no good comparing yourself with others, there is always someone heavier than you but it does not mean that you do not have a weight problem! A simple test is the belt test; take off your belt and measure it against your height. If two lengths of your belt is less than your height then you are either overweight or just not tall enough
How will I know if I am unfit?
Are you someone who “used to” play (football, hockey, netball, rugby) but cannot now manage to walk the stairs at work? Do you find yourself saying “I’m too old for this”? Are your body parts heading south? These are pretty good indications that your fitness is slipping away.
I am a busy person, how will I find the time?
Well the one thing we all have in common is the number of hours in a day, choose to use them well. Get up earlier, exercise from work, join an evening activity group. You need to be ready to change – and you will.
I get bored so easy, who will help me?
Well, you will help yourself mostly! Let us be honest, unless you are ready to make a change you are wasting your time and money. But setting clear and obtainable goals will help. Starting at a level that you can cope with and a clear progression will help. The encouragement and support of family, friends and work colleagues will help. Having fun will help. Some expert coaching with a Personal Trainer perhaps, will help with motivation and accountability, education and inspiration.
How will I know if this is working?
Because you will feel better, look better, perform better and people will notice. Or of course you could be more scientific and apply “test and measure”
• Start with Health Screening and decide upon your priorities
• Agree where you are at now and set some goals with check points along the way
• Work with someone who will aid you with motivation and accountability
• Get the support of family and friends
• Measure results against goals and make any necessary adjustments
• Apply the changes until they become routine then test and measure again
Whatever you decide to do, do something and do it now! Get some help and you will make it more easily.
Good Luck …… and Good Health
About Peter Moorhead
