Being Healthy Too Complicated?

Posted on June 20, 2008

Every day we hear about new products that will help us get healthier. We turn on the TV or open a magazine and find that a new fad diet has come out, “health” supplements promising every kind of health benefit are available for purchase, and a “revolutionary” new exercise contraption will “blast” away all of our unhealthiness. What happened to just the basics of eating less and exercising more?

Why do we need a magical remedy for our unhealthiness? Why is it that we feel that a pill “full” of antioxidants will be better for us than the nutrients in real fruits and vegetables? Why is it that we think a protein supplement will be better for us than eating normal, healthy sources of protein? Most supplements don’t even have to be approved by the FDA so whatever is claimed on the label may not even be accurate.

Today we all want the quick fix for our health. As far as I know, the quick fix does not exist. Getting healthier and reaching our health goals takes patience, determination, courage, and desire. No one can make the changes for us–it comes down to us. We can find all the excuses in the world to not go for a walk or run today, or we can fight those thoughts and get out and do it. We can find tons of reasons for why we ought to start our healthy eating plan next week, or we can fight the excuses and start today.

There are so many little things we can do everyday that will help us reach our health goals, whatever they may be. Whether it’s losing some weight, getting stronger, lowering our blood pressure, or just getting more fit, every day counts. Stick to the proven basics of regular exercise (all kinds) and nutrition and you can reach your goals.

To me it is unfortunate that there are so many companies taking advantage of people that want to be healthy. I am not saying that every health/fitness product is junk, but I think we are getting further and further away from the basics of healthy eating and regular exercise and more towards the “miraculous” wonder-products that solve all of our problems. With all these products claiming to “fix” this, or “cure” that, trying to be healthy does sometimes seem complicated. It doesn’t need to be.

We don’t need fancy-dancy gadgets, gizmos or pills that promise unrealistic things. We need to get back to the basics.