It is an unfortunate truth that the American population today, even the kids under age 18, are suffering from an epidemic of obesity rates, and many Americans over the age of 18 are obese or at least overweight. This can cause many health issues, ranging from arthritis and increased risk of diabetes, all the way to deadly effects such as increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Often, those who are obese are unhappy with their body image and their lack of mobility, but there is good news, too. Anyone who is overweight or obese may launch a weight loss program, and an able-bodied person can visit fitness stores in their area and get the gear they need to start a workout. This, when combined with a healthier diet, will both reduce caloric intake and burn body fat, which can give a person the body they truly want and give them some other health benefits, too. How can exercise equipment give someone a better lifestyle? Will fitness equipment get the job done?
Reasons for Obesity
A person can visit fitness stores to get the gear they need to start exercising more, and this can help reverse the general trends that have made so many Americans overweight. Bad diets are one culprit. Ever since the 1970s, a lot more fast food restaurants have been opened, and while this food is desirable and convenient, it is bad for the body. These fast foods, and processed foods found at the grocery store, are packed with added sugars, fats, and oils designed to make the food taste better, a sort of marketing tool to make for repeat customers. This food is also typically cheaper than healthier food, adding to its appeal but not its nutritional value. All these unhealthy, extra calories can quickly add pounds of body fat to a consumer, and if a person does not exercise enough, this can quickly lead to obesity.
Another major culprit is a general lack of exercise among both kids and adults. Those under 18 today are often using electronic screens indoors, often for hours per day, and these kids are not going outside to exercise the way their bodies are meant to. The human race is naturally designed to move and exercise daily, a holdover from the caveman days of pursuing game animals. Today, no one is chasing antelopes, but the human body is still geared to move, and there are many consequences for not meeting this natural quota. A number of health-based institutions have set guidelines for exercise, but they are often not met by the general public. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has stated that only one in three kids meet their guidelines for daily exertion. Instead, those kids are watching TV or using computers in the home or public spaces.
Adults are not doing any better. Those over 18 are urged to get enough aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity per day, but the CDC’s guidelines are often not met. Today, around 53% of those aged 18 and up get enough aerobic activity, and only 23.5% of them are getting enough muscle-strengthening activity. Not getting enough exercise may have many adverse health effects, the least of which is being overweight. Lack of exercise can also disrupt a person’s mood, appetite, and even their sleep cycle. But it is never too late to fix this, and visiting fitness stores is one of the first steps.
Getting Fit
A person is urged to visit his or her doctor or physician first before they visit fitness stores and launch a fitness program, and a doctor may set safe guidelines for a person based on their medical history or condition, such as diabetes, recent surgery, or a heart condition. Once a person knows their safe limits, he or she can visit fitness stores to get the right clothing, sports equipment, and more. A person may join a gym, follow the directions of an exercise DVD in the home (there are many of them), or even play sports, such as soccer, basketball, hockey, swimming, and more. All of this burns excess fat, develops muscles, and can be a lot of fun. A healthy diet is also important for weight loss.