Posted 11:57 pm Sunday, September 30, 2012
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Health, fitness not one size fits everyone
By Coshandra Dillard
cdillard@tylerpaper.com
Each week, we highlight what individuals, families, schools and communities are doing to make healthier changes in their lives and the lives of others.
cdillard@tylerpaper.com
Each week, we highlight what individuals, families, schools and communities are doing to make healthier changes in their lives and the lives of others.
It’s almost always a journey that began years ago. Maybe they were a chubby kid, or maybe they had children and the business of parenting became a priority before their health. Sometimes, the threat of disease has been a wakeup call. Everyone has a story that needs to be told.
No matter the circumstance, these people have chosen to take steps toward a better quality life — some small, some big. The bottom line, though, is that no two people I’ve featured have had the same journey or the same solution to combat the problem of obesity and not being well.
While there are no one-size-fits all to health and fitness, there is only one general rule to sustainable weight loss and good health. It’s through a balance of good nutrition and regular physical activity. The good thing is that there are so many ways to do that.
Which is why we — myself and the Tyler Morning Telegraph — as well as the Fit City Challenge have not endorsed one particular way of becoming fit.
We also don’t promote fad diets. They really don’t work. Yes, you can lose weight doing virtually any trendy diet, but it usually isn’t practical or sustainable. And if someone loses weight by doing it, more power to them. We are not to judge. I believe most people still realize that once they quit that diet, they have to focus on consistently eating healthy and exercising to maintain their weight loss.
When someone loses weight, others may ask, “What did you do?” I think it’s because people want to believe there is this miracle potion or health program that we’ve somehow overlooked. But in reality, we know what we must do. And if we can get away from chasing an ideal number on the scale and begin viewing food as a way of receiving sustenance instead of pleasure, we’ll be fine.
The focus of these pages has simply been on health. And with good health comes weight loss, reduced use of medications and vigor. You can get there through an omnivorous diet and walking or vegetarianism and weight training. The options are numerous.
Some may choose to reduce the amount of carbohydrates, others reduce red meat. Some people hate working out at the gym and others prefer doing their own thing at home.
It’s important to find your own way on the road to wellness. It’s also important to take pieces of information from all of the success stories to see what works best for you. Just do something.
While there are no one-size-fits all to health and fitness, there is only one general rule to sustainable weight loss and good health. It’s through a balance of good nutrition and regular physical activity. The good thing is that there are so many ways to do that.
Which is why we — myself and the Tyler Morning Telegraph — as well as the Fit City Challenge have not endorsed one particular way of becoming fit.
We also don’t promote fad diets. They really don’t work. Yes, you can lose weight doing virtually any trendy diet, but it usually isn’t practical or sustainable. And if someone loses weight by doing it, more power to them. We are not to judge. I believe most people still realize that once they quit that diet, they have to focus on consistently eating healthy and exercising to maintain their weight loss.
When someone loses weight, others may ask, “What did you do?” I think it’s because people want to believe there is this miracle potion or health program that we’ve somehow overlooked. But in reality, we know what we must do. And if we can get away from chasing an ideal number on the scale and begin viewing food as a way of receiving sustenance instead of pleasure, we’ll be fine.
The focus of these pages has simply been on health. And with good health comes weight loss, reduced use of medications and vigor. You can get there through an omnivorous diet and walking or vegetarianism and weight training. The options are numerous.
Some may choose to reduce the amount of carbohydrates, others reduce red meat. Some people hate working out at the gym and others prefer doing their own thing at home.
It’s important to find your own way on the road to wellness. It’s also important to take pieces of information from all of the success stories to see what works best for you. Just do something.
