Calling Upon Couch Potatoes to Become Fit

In Monday’s blog, I focused on the recent CDC survey that highlighted the number of inactive Americans. According to the survey, 80% of Americans can be labeled as “couch potatoes.”  Under most circumstances, people would prefer to fall within the norm. In this instance, it certainly is nothing to brag about. It’s time to make a choice.

Which type of lifestyle is your ideal? Couch potato or fit?

Sedentary or Active-Your Choice

If you’ve become comfortable with a sedentary lifestyle, what will make you want to step outside of your comfort zone and engage in a more active lifestyle?

• Are you going to wait until a doctor tells you that you have diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or some other medical condition related to a poor lifestyle?
• Look in the mirror. Make an honest appraisal. Wouldn’t your clothes look better if you lost a few extra pounds?
• When you try moderate exercise such as walking in a mall, do you tire easily?
• Do you purposely take an elevator or an escalator knowing that you will huff and puff  when you lumber up the stairs?
• Can you ever say “no” to a sweet treat?
• Do you eat moderate portions or tend to eat more than you need?

It is a definite challenge to alter poor habits and to step out of one’s comfort zone. It’s so easy to avoid change. Excuse after excuse will go a long way to convincing yourself that nothing needs to change. But is that the type of life you want to lead?

What type of example are you demonstrating to your children and/or grandchildren?

If medical research show the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, why do you continue to do the opposite?

There are no simple answers to any of these questions. Poor habits beget more poor habits and perpetual excuses.

I’ve been there. I know. I make excuses like everyone else.

First Steps to Change

Last week, I made the decision to change my behavior.

1st– acknowledged my lifestyle deficits

2nd– created a 3 step game plan

• To stop making excuses and to make a commitment to healthy choices.
• To engage in some form of physical activity at least five times a week.
• To take moderate portions of everything that I eat and say “no” to most sugary treats.

3rd– follow through on my commitment and periodically evaluate progress

Everyone has to start somewhere. I know from experience that if I make abrupt changes, my efforts will be doomed. I need to start slowly and then add more as I gain confidence in my ability to put aside poor choices.

Can you follow this simple plan?

Do you have an alternative plan that you’d like to share?

It is never too late to turn your back on an unfit lifestyle. I am calling upon couch potatoes and those who have don’t exercise on a regular basis to unite by becoming virtual fit buddies.  Yes, by sharing our stories- positive and negative- we can learn from one another.

Send me an email if you’re interested in being a guest blogger. Leave a comment if you have something to share. I’m counting on you to stand up and say, “I don’t want to be a couch potato anymore or someone who is not fully committed to a healthy lifestyle. I want to become fit.”

Giveaway

Anyone who leaves a comment on Choices- Being Fit or this blog by May 12th will be eligible for a random drawing. One lucky person will receive a copy of May This Be the Best Year of Your Life: A Memoir.

Sandra Bornstein is the author of MAY THIS BE THE BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE. It is available on Amazon.

If you enjoyed reading my memoir, consider posting a review on Amazon, Goodreads, LibraryThing and/or AskDavid.com.