You like a challenge?

A few months ago I said I’d start including Fitness into my “To Your Health” column topics. My reason: The top causes of Health concerns in the U.S. are cardiovascular disease and stroke, cancer, obesity (more than 1/3 of adults), Type 2 diabetes (which was formerly called adult-onset diabetes but the significant increase in our children’s diagnoses prompted the change) and mental health/substance abuse.

Fitness, either directly or indirectly, addresses most of those Health issues, and I think it’ll be helpful to focus on how simple (not easy) it is to have a positive effect on most of the serious conditions in the previous paragraph. Rather than suggest the ideal approach to fitness, I’m just going to keep it very simple. I know how difficult it is for someone who has not been concerned with his or her fitness for most of the decades in life to turn that around and become a fitness nut.

At the same time, I don’t want to send the message that it’s effortless or that it doesn’t require any self-discipline, because meaningful sustainable change does require that. So, if you can’t commit to any new effort and want to save yourself about five minutes, that IS easy. See you next month. Stop reading this column.

Hi! Glad you’re still here. Because what needs to happen for you to just make your way to the path of better Fitness and Health, is for you to open your mind to the goal of your self-improvement. Believe in yourself. Two states of mind are required and you’ll find you’re better at one than the other. When you read the term self-discipline, you either think of what you will have to deny yourself or what you’ll have to start doing. We’re all different. There’s no right or wrong here. Only you know what that term inspired you to first consider. Whichever it was/is, usually will be something you can more naturally add to your daily life. The other will take a bit more focus and effort.

Now, here’s your assignment: Stop eating and drinking everything you already know isn’t good for you. If everything sounds pretty dramatic, remember I said simple (not easy) and remember this is about building, improving, developing your self-discipline. Accept the challenge. Also Start going for a walk every day. Preferably outside, in the morning before the day surfaces and brings you convenient reasons to not walk. What about indoors? Much better than not walking. What about on a treadmill? If that’s the best you can do and you’ll stick with it, sure. Outside early is best for a combination of reasons but consistency is the priority.

OK, what else? That’s it. There’s nothing else. Simple (but not easy). So, if after 30 days you’ve met the challenge, email me and I’ll give you some additional steps to take. We’ll talk about that because we’ll have to agree on what is realistic. No charge. This isn’t about business. We’re plenty busy. This is about helping folks who are helping themselves to improve.

You can do this. You will benefit in more ways than you know.