So today (10/26/06) the federal government decided to show that they are right on top of this obesity issue. Mike Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services, announced that his department will “develop comprehensive guidelines, drawn from science, to help Americans fit physical activity into their lives.” I don’t know about you, but I’m having a hard time to keep my feet from dancing. I really thought they outdid themselves and that nothing would be able to top that nifty new Food Pyramid, but I guess I was wrong.
Yes, for those of you who haven’t figured it out, the sarcasm here is intended.
Where do I start? How about with the fact that these will be guidelines “to help Americans fit physical activity into their lives.” How about reading “Time Management for Dummies”? Use Outlook to manage your schedule? Get a DayPlanner? Or maybe stop watching Oprah and reality tv for 45 minutes and exercise. Do we really need guidelines, drawn from science of course, to tell us how to fit exercise into our lives? No, we don’t. People need to stop using the lame excuse of “I don’t have time to exercise” and get off their butts. Hey Mike, put out a press release saying that and call it a day.
I have had plenty of people tell me that they do not have time to exercise, but I have never seen a case where that was actually ever true. People who say they do not have time to exercise are either 1) just too lazy to exercise, 2) are intimidated or scared to start because they do not know where to begin, or 3) are not confident enough to walk into a gym. Thus, they use lack of time as a convenient excuse. If you really think you do not have time to exercise, email me and we’ll go over your schedule. I’m pretty sure we can squeeze 30 minutes out of your nose-to-the-grindstone day. But I digress…
Leavitt said he would begin meeting with the beverage and snack industry, as well as marketing and media groups, about how to create a “culture of wellness.” Ah, a culture of wellness. Makes you feel fit just saying it, don’t you think? Can’t have a good press release without the latest buzzwords. And Mikey, I think it is a great idea to sit down with the guys who make soda and potato chips, as well as the people whose job it is to keep you glued to the tv. Who better to brainstorm with on ways to get America fit?
Now, I know you are probably on the edge of your seat in anticipation of these historic guidelines (did I mention that they will be drawn from science? wow.) But, of course, this is our federal government and tax dollars at work, so it will be late 2008 before these guidelines are released. No, I’m not making that up. According to Leavitt, it will take your federal government TWO YEARS to develop guidelines on how to fit physical activity into your life. Excuse me? Who hired this guy? Oh, right. Never mind.
I’ll tell you what Mike, give me a call. I’m in the phone book. We’ll set up a time to talk and we could probably come up with something better in two hours than your bloated agency will come up with in two years.
About the Author
Dave Soucy is a coach, trainer, motivator, husband, dad, and former fat guy. His goal is to teach as many people as possible how to achieve a life of health, fitness, and wellness through simply eating right and exercising. Click here to learn more about Dave.
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