Most people aren’t willing to suffer through discomfort, though
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The rewards of a healthy lifestyle are worth the sacrifice both in the short and long term.
Subway Footlong Cookie The Average American
“Most Americans eat fast food 1–3 times a week. ⅓ of Americans are eating fast food on any given day. People ages 20–39 years old eat the most fast food on any given day. Men consume more fast food than women. (The Barbecue Lab)”
My friend told me that Americans act like they have free healthcare by the way they eat and don’t prioritize exercise. Is this far from the truth?
According to a 2016 study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, only 2.7% of American adults meet the study’s criteria for a healthy lifestyle. The study defined a healthy lifestyle as:
Exercise: At least 150 minutes of moderate or vigorous exercise per week, or 30 minutes five times a week
Diet: A diet that aligns with nutritional guidelines and scores in the top 40% on the Healthy Eating Index
Body fat percentage: A body fat percentage under 20% for men and 30% for women
Smoking: Not smoking
Most people do not integrate the following into their lifestyle (at least the top three things) because of the pain, discomfort, and inconvenience involved in initially jumpstarting a healthy lifestyle.
Good health requires sacrifice.
An Entrepreneur’s Thoughts On Health
I recently was chatting with an entrepreneur who told me he can’t afford not to work out, live a healthy lifestyle, and eat clean; the ramifications are too dire.
He’s noticed improvements in his mood, skin, energy, and productivity levels. Over time, he’s learned that not working out only produces negative outcomes in multiple areas of his life.
Five Areas Of Health I Prioritize
Exercise: I put “Lunch (Workout)” on my work calendar daily and use lunch as my workout time. I can get in lunch at any point, but it is best to prioritize exercise earlier in the day to get it done and out of the way (eat the frog). It sets me up to function more optimally and be more productive, and it adds more positive energy to my day, which positively affects the people I interact with.
Nutrition: Eating clean is pure discipline. You must learn to say “no,” or you will consistently deviate from your diet.
Stretching: Our bodies accumulate stress and tension from everyday life. Stretching is a form of healthy release.
Meditation: Taking pauses to breathe, be still, and be present are consequential to healthy emotional and mental states.
Immune System Strengthening: Instead of focusing on medication and pharmaceuticals, I build my immune system with herbs. It’s easy to try to relieve the symptoms of a health issue. However, treating the root causes requires more time and patience. I’ve noticed that building my immune system has prevented many health ailments and kept the pep in my step.
Do I always feel like prioritizing these areas? Definitely not. But the more consistent I am, the better my body, mind, and heart feel.
Sacrifice will be required if you want to promote longevity, higher energy levels, better mental and emotional health, and a better overall body.
You can’t live like most Americans do; you’ll have to embrace discipline and pain. But after a while, it won’t be as painful, and it will be rewarding and feel good most of the time.
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This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical, fitness, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider or certified fitness professional before starting any new exercise or training program, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or injuries.