This is for you, the person who is sitting on the couch, not taking care of themselves, and driving themselves further away from a state of health. An American Psychological Association “Stress in America survey conducted in late February 2021 found 42% of U.S. adults reported undesired weight gain since the start of the pandemic, with an average gain of 29 pounds.” A Harvard health article this October revealed only slightly more optimistic data. “Specifically, they looked at 15 million patients’ weight changes the year prior to the start of the pandemic, and then weight change for one year over the course of the pandemic. As it turns out, 39% of patients gained weight during the pandemic, with weight gain defined as above the normal fluctuation of 2.5 pounds. Approximately 27% gained less than 12.5 pounds and about 10% gained more than 12.5 pounds, with 2% gaining over 27.5 pounds.”
Pre-pandemic, over 42% of adults in the US were obese. In all, more than two thirds of the US population is overweight or obese. My gut feeling is that it is even higher here in San Antonio. Per the CDC, having Obesity may TRIPLE the risk of COVID hospitalization.
We’ve been fighting this Pandemic locally for 20 months now. Almost 2 years. It’s time to look in the mirror and ask yourself a few questions:
Are you healthier?
Have you lost the extra fluff?
Are you in a good position to roll into the holidays and come out as healthy or healthier?
Are you stronger? Have you added more muscle mass and strengthened your bones?
Have you improved your cardiovascular fitness? Improved your eating habits?
If the answer is yes, I’m giving you a big high five. If the answer is no, then I’m giving you a “Let’s Freaking Go!” and then a big high five. The best day to act was 20 months ago. The second-best day is today!
Some of the managers and staff here have heard (or are sick of) me saying DIN. This stands for DO IT NOW. If it’s important, and there is nothing more important than your health, then DO IT NOW. Many of you like to play the martyr, and sacrifice you own wellness while taking care of others. This is especially hard for working parents with young children. We get it. But COVID doesn’t care. Neither does heart disease. Or Diabetes. Or Cancer. Or that swimsuit in the drawer waiting for next summer 😊. And If you are not healthy, how are you going to take care of those who depend on you? I have good friends who have really tight schedules. I’ll tell you the same thing I tell them. Get the Video on Demand. It’s $20 a month. Once you have gone through all one hundred videos, then tell me you need more. We will make more. Lisa P was editing a new video yesterday. Is $20 too expensive? Then do a lunge (or squat) and push-up challenge. On day one, do one of each. Seriously, just do one! On day two, do 2. On day three hundred you will do three hundred reps of each. Do you not think that if you are doing three hundred lunges and push-ups in a day you would be fit? I mean, really, really, fit? If you need accountability, grab a friend, or loved one. Especially the ones who need it the most. If you need me, I’ll do it with you. The reality is most people won't do it at home. This is why the Union exists. So meet an unhealthy friend at class. Do it for them and do it for yourself. Your single action is now helping two people. Plus, their loved ones. You’ve heard of a vicious cycle; well, this is a virtuous cycle. One step begets positive change that cascades positive effects downstream to multiple people and families.
If you need to lose weight, then make small sustainable changes. Push away the processed food. Drink less alcohol and reduce the desserts. Eat lean protein, veggies, and fruit at each meal. It’s simple but it’s not easy. But take the first step. DIN!