Did you know that nearly 50% of Americans are on a diet? The fact is that Americans are widely considered to be among the least healthy people in the world, yet we come up with more fad diets than other place in the world. The problem is that the idea of a diet is to temporarily change the way we eat in order to lose weight and improve our health.
What we really need is to get off diets and change our “diet”. The difference between a diet versus “diet” is that one will fade once a goal has been reached. However, changing your diet, effectively changing your lifestyle, leads to the permanent improvement that more and more Americans need.
The Obesity Epidemic
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 35.7% of American adults are obese. Further, one in seven low-income, preschool-aged children are considered obese. When you take those numbers together, it is clear to see that the United States is in the midst of an obesity epidemic.
Of course, there are many factors that go into obesity. For women, obesity and education have a significant relationship. Women with college degrees are less likely to become obese than their less educated counterparts. Men show no correlation between education and obesity rates.
Other factors contributing to obesity are quite prevalent. For instance, poorer Americans are more likely to be obese. Further, those suffering from major mental illnesses, like schizophrenia, are 50% more likely to be obese or overweight than others.
How to Change Your Life
Making the decision to change your diet and get in shape is an important one that should not be made lightly. If you are serious about this change, then you need to take the following steps.
- Consult with Your Physician
- Exercise
- Find Health Food
Before you begin eating health foods and exercising regularly, you need to consult with your doctor. They can tell you how to get started and give you a general idea of the activities and foods you should be avoiding. After all, you do not want to start your new life with injury or illness.
Next, you need to start exercising. The CDC recommends different minimums based on your age. However, they generally recommend 2.5 hours of aerobic activity every week. Aerobic activities include walking, running, and jumping rope. Find something you love and stick with it.
Many healthcare professionals say that fitness is 20% exercise and 80% about nutrition. You have got to start thinking about alkaline drinks, sunbreeze oil, and other healthy foods that are readily available through online health food stores. If you have no idea how to form a diet, get in contact with a nutritionist who can talk you through your shopping list for online health food stores. Remember, this is not a diet but a way of life.
If you want to improve your life and avoid becoming a casualty of the obesity epidemic, then keep this information in mind. First, consult your doctor. Once they give you the go ahead, gradually ease into an exercise regime you love. Lastly, change your diet using online health food stores. Good luck with your new life! Read more about this topic at this link.