Before really getting into this blog I would like to say that I realize many of you may not like what I have to say. I also realize that the environment does lead to health and obesity problems, I just don’t believe that it is the full cause of the obesity epidemic in our country.
Recently I was talking with a co-worker, who is morbidly obese, about weight. She was telling me how she grew up eating fast food and that all of her family is overweight… This story sounds pretty similar to my own. The difference is that I decided to change my body, she let her “circumstances” dictate hers. She is now suffering from many health ailments including hair loss at only the age of 33. She said she doesn’t know what to eat to help lose weight, but as soon as I started giving her suggestions her response was “that sounds too hard” or “that is too time consuming.”
Come on people… We have to be responsible for ourselves. We will not be able to change our bodies, our health, or our minds until we can hold ourselves accountable. So much of our society likes to blame everyone but themselves. They also tend to forget that we are in control of what we eat, no one is forcing us to eat anything. Do fast food restaurants make it easier to eat thousands of unhealthy calories? Yes. Are junk foods cheaper and easier to find than the healthier options? Yes; But if you truly want a healthy body, a body that works the way it is meant to, a body that will be strong for many many more years to come, then you will make the sacrifices necessary. Society may make empty, non nutritive calories cheaper and more accessible, but at the end of the day, we are the people that choose to eat the doughnut instead of the banana.
It doesn’t mean you have to eat all organic, or even 100% natural; It means that you find ways (like buying at Costco) to afford the foods that will be good for your body. It means you cut out as much processed food and sugars as you can. In a lot of situations, a healthy alternative is very close– It just takes a little willpower and knowledge to choose the correct option.
We only get one body, a healthy body not only makes us feel more attractive and healthier but it helps us to live a fuller life.
Let’s learn to take responsibility. Let’s chose to make healthier choices. . . And let’s not forget what most bodybuilders and fitness experts will tell you: Genetics don’t determine your health or body composition– They only determine how easy or difficult it will be to stay healthy and achieve your fitness goals. You are the master of your own destiny.