Keeping Fit in a Fast Food Society

Who doesn't love fried chicken, burgers, and ice cream? Well, Jack LaLanne maybe, but there are few Americans who can live up to such a paragon of fitness (I mean, how many 70 year olds do you know who can tow 70 boats carrying 70 people a mile-and-a-half while swimming?). The point is that we Americans have grown fond -- nay, addicted -- not only to the taste but also to the absurd convenience of fast food. We've all opted for pizza or hot dogs when we're tired, running late for dinner, or don't have time to slow down long enough for a sit-down meal. Unfortunately, while we're eating all those calorie-rich foods on a regular basis, most of us aren't jumping on our elliptical machines later on so we can power away those calories. The result? Flab, hardened arteries, and a general lack of fitness. Welcome to Couch Potato world!

Escaping the clutches of the fast-food monster

Unless you're one of those extremely fortunate people with fast metabolisms, the hard truth is that if you eat fatty foods and don't exercise, you'll get fat. One way to avoid this is through regular exercise. Most Americans are sensible enough to know this; it's just that exercise is boring, and there aren't enough hours in the day for everything you need to do. Most of us can even afford the costs of health club memberships and exercise machines; but even the best treadmill or elliptical cross-trainer will do you no good if you don't use it.

Like most worthwhile things in life, good health requires that you make time for it; it's the rare person who gets it as a mere side effect of their job or lifestyle. If you're serious about losing weight and/or getting into shape, then prove it. Find a healthy plan of eating that you can live with and stick to it. Good nutritional information is not hard to find -- healthy eating plans are all over the Internet and in hundreds of bookstores. Keep in mind diets are temporary, a good plan of eating is for a lifetime.

The exercise angle

Eating healthy will certainly help you lose weight, but it won't help you tone or firm up your body. For that, you need exercise. Good exercise also helps you burn more calories and replace fat with lean muscle -- always a good choice. The best exercise is that which gets you moving vigorously in elliptical back-and-forth fashion, making your heart pound and lungs pump. Sound familiar? Jogging, running, and walking are all elliptical exercises, and all work wonders for weight loss and your cardiovascular system. The best part is, it doesn't take long: just exercise for 30-40 minutes a day, and you're done. You don't even have to leave home to do it. All the major fitness-equipment manufacturers offer a wide variety of elliptical cross trainers and treadmills that will fit both your budget and your home, and will work wonders if used properly. So start reading those elliptical and treadmill reviews, and pick the machine that's right for you! And don't forget! The fast food industry has been forced by the general population to get on the fitness bandwagon. The majority of our favorite eateries are now carrying healthier selections such as salads and fruit - so no more excuses! Make your choices wisely.

Published with permission (FCDMInc)