Health Nut

Posted on June 5, 2008

It’s official. I am a “health-nut.” I am fully embracing this title and I have no shame in doing so. I love to be called a “health-nut,” so by all means, continue to accuse me of this terrible crime that leads me to exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, and reduce my risk of chronic diseases.

I laugh at the tone with which people accuse me of this “great offense.” It’s like I am wearing the scarlet letter on my chest. If I choose to have a salad instead of a burger and fries I am scorned. If I mention my workout I did earlier in the day I am ridiculed. After all this, the inevitable “health-nut” slur is fired in my direction.

It’s amazing to me how being a “health-nut” is looked down upon by so many people. Why is it such a bad thing to want to take care of yourself? I guess it is just easier to live in today’s world full of sugary snacks, high-calorie sodas and colossal portion sizes. Instead of taking care of ourselves, we want to be entertained by TV, movies and celebrity gossip magazines. With obesity and the prevalence of chronic diseases rising to ridiculously high levels, shouldn’t we all be a little “nutty” about our health?

Too many people die too early in life because of chronic diseases that are in most cases preventable. Usually all seems well on the outside, but inside the body, arteries are slowly becoming clogged, blood pressure is rising, and body fat percentage is heading skyward. You never realize anything is wrong until it kills you. Maybe you will get a second chance. Maybe you won’t. Heart disease, some forms of cancer, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes run rampant today. Regular exercise and healthy eating can combat these diseases, and in some cases, reverse their effects. The time to change our lifestyle is now.

Our bodies would welcome the change. We can reverse our clogged arteries, drop our body fat, and decrease our blood pressure. Simple lifestyle changes, although they can’t give us full immunity from chronic disease, can dramatically decrease the risk of us getting chronic diseases and keep us healthier for longer.

I am not a doctor. I am neither a registered dietician nor an exercise physiologist. What I am is a person who is passionate about preventing chronic diseases. I am passionate about staying healthy and fit and helping others do the same. I recently completed my degree in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University. I’ve studied health and fitness, but more than that, I have put into practice the things I have learned. I’ve been on the unhealthy side and know what it feels like. I’ve made simple lifestyle changes that have made me healthier and happier.

So I guess trying to be healthy and prevent chronic disease in my life makes me a “health-nut.” Forgive me for not wanting to die of a heart attack when I am 40 and please forgive me for not wanting to die early from cancer. Forgive me for wanting to give my body the best chance to live the healthiest for the longest period of time. To all you accusers: I am a guilty “health-nut” as charged. You too should try it someday.