Keeping fit

A recent health survey indicates that lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, and certain types of cancers are on the rise. Bulging waistlines, obesity, and clogged arteries are becoming more common as the Chinese continue with their unhealthy lifestyles. Our preoccupation with tasty but unhealthy meals as well as our increasingly inactive or sedentary lifestyles has taken a toll on our health. The government’s call for the Chinese to live healthy lifestyles has fallen on deaf ears. As a result, we have a growing generation of couch potatoes.

The Chinese have to give top priority to ways of keeping fit if they wish to live a disease-free life. Keeping fit requires sacrifice, determination, and discipline.

Our exotic cuisines are enough to whet anyone’s appetite. Our choice of food almost always includes food that appeals to the taste buds regardless of whether they have nutritional value or otherwise. As a result, we gorge ourselves on food that has a high oil content such as fried chicken and french fries. To make matters worse, many of us have a sweet tooth. When calorie intake exceeds output, the inevitable is bound to occur — obesity and an inactive lifestyle.

What we need to do is shed all the extra weight by reducing our calorie intake and by exercising. Choosing nutritious food that is relatively low in calories is a move in the right direction. If we need to go on a diet o weight reduction program, then it is best we consult a qualified nutritionist or dietician.

When buying food, choose products with healthier ingredients. When you eat out, choose dishes that have less fat or oil content.

Exercise is an integral part of keeping fit. Regular exercise not only helps to manage weight but also increases fitness levels. A person need not have vigorous workouts in the gym to keep himself fit. Brisk walking or even walking up the stairs instead of using the life are good forms of exercise. Health experts recommend that an individual exercise at least three times a week with each session lasting for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Keeping fit also requires changes in other aspects of our lifestyles. Smoking and drinking alcohol can wreak havoc on our health. Smoking increases the risks of developing certain types of cancers while heavy drinking can lead to liver damage. A chain-smoker and a heavy drinker cannot hope to live a long, disease-free life. Habitual smokers and drinkers not only have to fork out large amounts of money for cigarettes and alcohol, but also for higher medical bills.

Life is a precious gift from God. It is the duty of every individual to value this gift. Keeping fit is, therefore, our responsibility. Shirking from our responsibility indicates either ignorance or indifference. We have to get our priorities right before we become victims of our own careless habits.