Simple vs. Easy

Despite what companies that sell fitness and nutrition programs might lead one to believe, getting adequate exercise and consuming nutritious food is not that complicated. Some might say it is even SIMPLE. The standards for adequate exercise in general are clear. According to the American College of Sports medicine as well as the CDC recommendations state:

• All healthy adults aged 18–65 years should participate in moderate intensity aerobic physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes on five days per week, or vigorous intensity aerobic activity for a minimum of 20 minutes on three days per week.

• Every adult should perform activities that maintain or increase muscular strength and endurance for a minimum of two days per week. A basic functional fitness routine takes @ 30 minutes and includes basic joint actions of the shoulder, hips, knees and spine.

     With respect to our nutrition, Daily Values of Key Nutrients and the number of Sufficient Calories also apply to the general population. You can Google “Daily Values (DV) of Nutrition” for this information or simply look at most food packaging and it will clearly state DV’s for key nutrients. These labels also include the DV for key Macronutrients which are Protein, Carbohydrates and Fats.  These labels even provide what percentage of a given DV the food inside will provide. Of course, there are endless meal plans and exercise routines that cater to very specific goals. However, let’s not make things more complicated than they need to be. Life is complicated enough.

     If all of this is so SIMPLE why do most of us find healthy eating and regular exercise a challenge, and yes even the most fit and trim folks find this a challenge at times. Don’t let us fool you.  Unlimited Chips and Salsa will challenge the self-control of the most diligent among us. SIMPLE is absolutely not the same as EASY, especially with regards to exercise and healthy eating.

      The more complicated hurdles include concepts such as the following:

1) Dealing with sabotage from friends and family

2) Getting back on track after short term family/work emergencies

3) Becoming comfortable and competent with food preparation

4) Dealing with the physical discomfort of exercise

5) Dealing with the boredom some find with the repetition of certain    foods and exercise

6) For some, literally changing what our tastes are familiar

7) For some, finding exercise programs that accommodates certain physical limitations

8) Weak time management skills

9) …………. Etc.

The above mentioned are all challenges to making regular exercise and healthy eating a priority BUT here is the most common hurdle that I have observed in my thirty years as a Health and Fit ness Pro.

10) Prioritizing our own health and wellness over most everything and everybody.  When we make this a priority, we are preparing to offer our best selves to those we love and to the commitments we value.  Yes, there short-term exceptions but when our health and fitness suffer it effects every well-intentioned effort towards important relationship as well as work and volunteer commitments. More importantly, the most important person that it effects every day is ourselves and I believe we are called to care for our temples to the best of our ability. Our efforts may wain on some days but let’s not let our “OFF” days outweigh our “ON” days. You’re your supportive person or tribe of people to encourage you along the way.

“START WHERE YOU ARE, DO WHAT YOU CAN, USE WHAT YOU HAVE” – Arthur Ashe