Why It's OK to Be Unfit & Fat
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Guess who is overweight, out of shape, and not minding it a bit? Most Americans. It's now okay to be unfit and fat because that's become the new normal.
We know exercise is good for us. Preach! Preach! Preach! Even though two-thirds of Americans are not physically active on a regular basis, we're just fine with that, according to a new survey called "Fitness American Style," commissioned by the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), an industry trade group in Boston, reports MSNBC.
Even though two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese:
70 percent say they are completely or somewhat satisfied with their physical health.
66 percent said the same about their physical appearance.
52 percent are satisfied with the amount of exercise they get.
What does this mean? Expanding waistlines are becoming the accepted norm. The survey found that while most Americans are overweight and sedentary, many aren't bothered by it, says Bill Howland, director of research at IHRSA. "I wonder if Americans walk around and see other people who are overweight and not physically active and that's becoming an accepted norm," he told MSNBC. "That's alarming if that is in fact happening."
Just because we're not hitting the treadmill running doesn't mean that we don't know it's good for us. Fully 87 percent of those polled said they think exercise does play a major role in our good health. Howland calls that a huge disconnect. "We've got to get the behavior to match the beliefs," he told MSNBC. The problem, of course, is that our inactive lifestyle is now accepted as normal. One reason is that we view physical activity as an event, instead of part of our normal daily routine, says Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit fitness group in San Diego. Because technology makes our lives easier, we're less active throughout the day.
The survey categorized six fitness profiles. Which one describes you?
Abracadabras: These folks are fat and out of shape and would like nothing better than a magic pill to help them slim down.
Sitcom Skeptics: They take pride in not falling for the fitness craze!
Woulda-Shouldas: They understand exercise is important, but they still don't do it as often as they should.
Social Competitors: Physical activity is fun as long as it's done in a group.
Conscientious Preventors: Three cheers for them! This group exercises regularly to prevent health problems.
Balanced Holistics: These folks exercise for their good health and psychological well-being.
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