How did we get here?
How did America (and the rest of the world) become so darn unhealthy so fast? Over ⅓ of adult americans are considered obese! And that data is a few years old - it is not getting any better.
This is obese too, not just fat. The threshold for obesity is when your Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeds 30 kg/square meter. On no, a math problem! No worries, you can check out your BMI right here.
Don’t get too hung up on your BMI number. It is just a number and can be somewhat inaccurate if you have a muscular or athletic build. For example, my BMI is over 26 using the calculator just cited and that corresponds to being overweight. I don’t think anyone would describe me as being overweight.
So BMI is a useless number to me but when over ⅓ of all adults have a BMI of over 30, you know something bad is happening.
So back to basic question.
Why are so many of us becoming unhealthy as the evidence of increasing weight gain shows?
“It’s complicated” is certainly an understatement but in fact it is a bit complicated.
But I like simple so I break it down to the really important components:
Nutrition
Movement and exercise
Lifestyle
All of us are individuals with different genetics and lifestyles but there are some common factors that likely apply to all of us. Maybe not to the same degree for all of us but there really is just a handful of things to focus on that really matters.
My weight loss protocol is basically about
Starting. Yes you have to start and it’s best to start strong so you see some early results which will help to keep you going in the early, difficult days.
Systems. Yeah you need to develop some new systems and habits to make this work long term. Planning (knowing what you’re gonna eat ahead of time), Preparation (having it on hand and ready), Food Prep certainly can help, Recovery (How to get back on the program quickly after the unavoidable slip ups that will occur. Don’t go into it haphazardly. Shit happens. Be ready.
Personalization. Eventually you gotta make it work in your life, with your unique circumstances. This takes some trial and error, give and take and really just being relentless and tough. You can do it.
It is about weeding out the BS (which is most of the advice you have already heard and probably tried) and just focusing on a few things are really important. Simple is always better.
Nobody cares about you!
That hurts, I know. I don’t mean your family, kids, friends and acquaintances don’t care. Of course they do. I mean that the organizations and institutions that should really care about the health and wellbeing of all of us don’t give a rats ass about you or me.
Yes I am talking about the government and big business and all the political hacks that make their living off these behemoths. Which unfortunately adds up to a lot of momentum working against us.
Now am I advocating you rise up against the system and correct all the evils? Not really but a well intended activist is always needed in a society like ours.
I just want you to understand what you are up against.
Nobody has your back so you better cover it yourself. No one is looking out for you or your family so it is up to you to figure it out.
Don’t take my word for it.
Do your own research. Ask a lot of questions. And don’t believe all the hype and misinformation that is part of our everyday life.
Yes you are on your own in this world. But don’t worry, there are many others like you who are on the same path and figuring it out for themselves. There is a bit of a movement underway.
Join the tribe.