Health Network News

There is a growing problem in society today. And that thing that is growing, is us. To put it bluntly, we are a nation of fat people. And unfortunately, we are getting fatter. If you simply take a look around next time you are out and about, you’ll see what I mean. Most people today are overweight. A recent government study shows that up to sixty percent of us are overweight, or clinically obese. That is not good news. But with so many available exercise routines and diet plans, why do we keep getting fatter and fatter?

One of the major reasons is a paradox of civilization. The more current our society becomes, the more industrially advanced we progress, the quicker we can get things done. Immediate movie downloads, email, text messages, even food delivery is accessible at the touch of a button. Virtually anything we want we can get fairly quickly. Of course food, is the biggest culprit in this respect. It is nearly impossible to drive anywhere without passing numerous fast food restaurants. Even in the supermarket, they have a number of ready made, or microwave prepared meals that are lacking in healthy ingredients.

So it makes sense then, that when you browse the book store, or investigate the Internet, the most admired diet and nutrition books as well as the numerous exercise programs you run across are designed to pledge rapid results with little, or no effort. Lose weight while you sleep. Get slim and never be hungry. Lose twenty pounds in twenty four hours.

Unfortunately, even if you tried to get fat that quick, it wouldn’t work. The human body is vast collection of complex and shocking chemical reactions, and changing your metabolism, your weight, and your physical appearance takes time. Just as it takes a while to gain weight, it also takes a while, usually longer, to get skinny. Unluckily, if you were to develop a weight loss program called “lose weight gradually,” you wouldn’t likely sell very many copies.

Yet if you ask anybody who is in good shape, they’ll tell you it takes consistent effort over a long period of time. In particular if you are past your teenage years, when you could eat everything and not gain a solitary ounce. The trick then, is to accept the idea that a slow, continuing weight loss is the best way. It’s the simplest to start, and the simplest to keep going.

And by far, without question, the best exercise for weight loss is easy walking. One foot in front of other, for twenty minutes a day or so. Of course, the more you walk the better, but if you are just starting out, twenty minutes a day is fine. Leave out the fad diets, pass over the hundred dollar a month gym membership, and go for a walk. You’ll be shocked at the benefits you’ll receive.