Thoughts on Fitness, Health and Responsibility
"The one who has conquered himself is a far greater man than he who has conquered a thousand times a thousand men.
-Buddha
Human beings are an evolving species with a life expectancy that has never been longer yet whose general level of fitness and health, has never been worse. A major factor in this equation is the level of overweight (two out of three) and obese (one out three Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have declared this current level a national epidemic. Obesity is 100% preventable. This is a paradox with reaching consequences worthy of exploration.
The reality of constantly increasing health care costs has had an impact all Americans and for most, the subject of raising health care and medication costs is a major concern. Nearly a decade ago, in a desperate measure to control health care costs and provide "universal" medical coverage, then president Clinton explored the idea of "national health care", with the federal government taking over medical services for the majority of the population. This would represent the government taking on a new massive department amounting to one seventh of the nations economy. Ultimately, the idea was dismissed but the cost of health care continues its precipitous rise. Why? The answer can be observed at the mall and the county fair and for that matter in the mirror for the 66% of the population that is overweight and the even greater percentage that is out if grossly out of shape. Simply stated fat, de-conditioned people utilize a disproportionate amount of medical services, procedures and medications. This group of the U.S. population has never been greater and it is rising. The higher the level of obesity and the lower the level of physical condition, the greater the medical costs the individual is going to incur. The insurance companies know that and since they rightly are in business to make money (any shareholders out there?) they base their premiums accordingly.
The fact is that most Americans are good, well intended people that just want to live their lives with as little trouble as possible. They don't want to be a burden to society and they certainly don't want to be sick, but the majority of the adult population is in fact failing greatly at taking care of their bodies. Many people suffer from various illnesses including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, mental and emotional imbalances, backaches, chronic fatigue and a whole host of metabolic diseases that could be prevented or be reduced in their profundity with regular exercise. These conditions and many others are bye in large symptoms of a physically diseased society. The answer to this pandemic level of obesity and lack of physical conditioning lays in self-evaluation, discipline and commitment. People regularly give greater attention and effort to possessions and materialistic things then to their own greatest gift, their own vehicle for life, their bodies. Every day we can observe those who invest their valuable time and energy to maintain cars, clothes, lawns and hair styles but what about that machine that houses and transports ones brain to allow for all this activity? This is an important concept to grasp as a great percentage of the population is in fact suffering greatly with depression, anxiety and various character disorders that distance one from reality.
One of the ancillary benefits of regular meaningful exercise is the discipline it develops in conjunction with hard work. Remember that? How often does anyone perform hard physical work? When was the last time that you sprinted as fast as you could the length of a football field? Then turned around and sprinted that same one hundred yards again, nine additional times? For most people the first thing that pops into their head is an excuse like I'm too old for that kind of workout. "I'm not the sprinting type" or " I'll pull a muscle". Well tell that to Hal Smith who runs sprints several times a week and has been doing so since he was ten years old, which by the way, was sixty years ago. Hal is approaching 70 and is not only in tremendous physical condition but also in great health. Hal began sprinting as a football player and decathlete at UCLA in the mid fifties where he was a teammate of Olympian Rafer Johnson. Hal has continued to sprint as a commitment to his physical conditioning program. Nothing about Hal's great health and vitality is a coincidence. He is disciplined in his approach to conditioning and is determined to not be a burden to others or the "health care system". Hal currently holds the world record in the shot put for men his age.
The benefits earned through regular exercise are great both physically and mentally. Countless studies show that even moderate exercise increases the release of "feel good" hormones called endorphins that improve mood and stymie depression. From a metabolic standpoint, regular exercise typically aids in reducing levels of cholesterol and various "bad" hormones that may contribute to heart disease and cancers. The list of benefits is long but only available to the individual willing to make the commitment.
It is only the disciplined individual that will truly commit to a life of physical fitness. That rarified breed willing to suffer while striving to develop and maintain their bodies. That elite group engaged in a quest to improve and prolong life while exploring the boundaries of human potential. This is a noble dedication and one that has the potential to elevate humanity from its increasing levels of pain and suffering.
If you done so haven't already, find a system of exercise that will take you on your own life long journey to physical excellence and commit to it. Explore as many forms of exercise and sports activities as necessary to find the one(s) that you can stick with and embrace it. Do it today.
Comments are encouraged and welcomed at pete@petekoch.com
Yours in Health,
Pete