Simply go back to the thought of when you were a kid running around the playground and fighting for your spot on the monkey bars (this type of play has been coined, Functional Fitness now). We have to move our bodies more. The human body was not designed to sit and surf television channels and feed on nothing but packaged and processed foods. We were meant to be hunters and gatherers. Lucky for us, we can gather and hunt at our local grocery stores now.
Okay back to the subject, our ancestors had to search for their food and ate what was available and actually use their physically prowess to find the food themselves. There was no added sugar and salt, it was good ole' nature at its finest. No leader said, "We will just order a pizza tonight because I don't feel like cooking and besides America's Got Talent is on the tube tonight." Could you imagine? Where did we go wrong in society? When did we let others change our way of thinking about food and exercise.
We have become more sedentary than ever, with desk bound jobs, sitting in school for the better part of the day, and then run home to watch more television and eating our processed dinners. Very few families have home cooked meals anymore, and those that do, have no idea what home cooked really consists of. Where's the vegetables from the garden, the fruit without the pesticides, why so many desserts? What happy to desserts on Sundays as a treat? We have family gatherings now that are solely focused on the dinner table instead of running around at a park playing a great game of football or tag. We are a society begging for our health back.
Companies are creating wellness programs that seriously are a joke. I see discount cards with companies offering chicken wings, free cookies at Subway, free large soda with any pizza, this isn't healthy food. We have lost touch with our sense of what is right and wrong when it comes to nutrition. I like to look at food as Fun-trition instead of the four letter word, D-I-E-T. I love food and I think proper nutrition is FUN. I have fun in the kitchen making up new recipes, making over high fat ones; I have fun experimenting and trying new dishes. I have fun planting a fresh organic garden, free of pesticides, chemicals, and toxins. I love the way fresh food tastes! Trust me there is a difference between food fresh out of the garden and food bused in from hundreds of miles away.
I like being active and challenging my mind and body every day. I enjoy seeing how far I can push myself. I don't believe we have to have a gym membership to be active and maintain a great physique. Remember, back to the basics! I like moving my own bodyweight. Besides, if you can't push your own body weight in a proper push up, you have no business with a 45 + lb barbell over your head. We were born with the best equipment around, our own bodyweight. Remember, good old calisthenics back in elementary school; jumping jacks, cartwheels, handstands, pushups, sit-ups, running laps, etc. What else do you need, yes there are a few pieces of equipment that I really enjoy adding into my workout routines and that is okay. Did you know that one of the most common back injuries occurs just by standing from a seated position? Come on people, this is absurd. We only have one body and one mind, take care of it.
The reason this injury occurs is because our core muscles are too weak, our hip flexors and hamstrings are too dang tight. Lack of use!! Sure and simple from lack of use!!! Don't just shuffle your children outside while you sit inside and please don't be one of those parents that sits on the bench while your children plays on the playground equipment at the park. Be the active role model for your children, other children, and their parents. Take it upon yourself to change this behavior. No one can take away your health but you. This is the one thing we can control! We can control what types of food we put into our bodies, how much we move our bodies, and how stressful and healthy we are.
Control what you can and let go of the things you cannot! I believe we would have less stress in the world if we became a healthier nation! When I am feeding my body Funtrition and exercising, I am more productive at work, around the house, I communicate better with my family and friends, I have more self confidence to try new things, and I feel like I can conquer the world. Let's stop all the confusing nonsense and rely on our instincts about food and exercise. Let's get up and play more and eat only foods we recognize and can pronounce the ingredients of. Let's spend more time in our own kitchens instead of some restaurant's. Together we can make a difference to our families, our neighbors, and our friends. I challenge you to put your health back on your daily to do list and together we will conquer the world.
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