by Ronnee Ruselle

For years people have been singing the praises of technology and how it makes our life easier. This is true. Our lifestyles have changed dramatically over the years and now many nations resemble the civilizations we used to imagine would exist much further into the future. So why is it important to fit activity into our daily lifestyle?

Because the entire world's population are getting fatter and more unhealthy, more people are dying from diseases that we hardly ever heard about 40 years ago and the cost of health around the world is skyrocketing because of it. Technology has given us many more hours to use for the purpose of relaxation or in the workplace. It has allowed higher productivity and less hours of back-breaking work in the fields, more convenience in the kitchen etc. Unfortunately, it has unfortunately increased our obesity. No longer do we eat the healthy natural foods we used to. Instead of collecting berries, growing or hunting food, our food comes from a can or a packet and some developers are even building homes without kitchens and only a small spot for a microwave, so things don't look like they will improve anytime soon. Putting more activity into our lives will go part of the way towards combatting the damage we are doing to our bodies.

Obesity is when we are overweight to a degree where a doctor considers our weight to affect our mortality. In other words it means that our weight can kill us through complications or diseases caused by our unhealthy weight levels. According to recent studies, *1 in 3 children are obese and this will shorten their life by around 10 years while increasing their chances of developing diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. They are suffering the backlash of our embrace of technology, lazy practices and bad eating habits.

Below are some statistics on obesity. This is the percentage of the populations of these countries who are obese or overweight, but keep in mind that all countries have increased in obesity.

*Obesity statistics

• United States 68% overweight, 34% obese
• Mexico 70% overweight, 27% obese
• New Zealand 63% overweight, 25% obese
• Australia 61% overweight, 25% obese
• UK 61% overweight, 25% obese
• Canada 60% overweight, 24% obese
• Ireland 61% overweight, 23% obese
• Chile 60% overweight, 22% obese
• Iceland 60% overweight, 20% obese
• Luxembourg 55% overweight 20% obese

Numbers don't always register with us when we first read them, but basically this means that one in 3 people in the US is obese and the figures aren't much better for the other countries. Obviously this represents a problem. But I'm sure this is no surprise to you considering it's splashed over every media avenue known to man.

The problem is that the dilemma was caused through 'convenience' and the answers can't be found through convenience although companies are spending millions of dollars each year trying to find handy alternatives to fix the problem so that you'll still purchase from them rather than return to a healthier, more independent lifestyle. Purchasing low fat processed foods, popping pills or having the fat sucked out of you is less effective than changing your lifestyle.

Changing your lifestyle in order to live healthier will take time and a lot of little steps. It's not always possible to up and leave your stress-filled, time limited job that's keeping the bills paid in favour of a sea-change.

So how do you do that when you're so busy? Well, here are some ideas that can help you maintain an active lifestyle without it getting in the way of your daily routine and without it being prominent in your mind thereby increasing the likelihood of continuing your active lifestyle.

Going to Work

Each day going to work, if you drive, you could park somewhere that allows you to have a healthy walk to your workplace. Better still, take public transport. It will help to lower pollution levels and may save you money. Less wear and tear on your vehicle means it will last longer plus you will spend less on repairs and maintenance. If you catch the bus, get off a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way. Of course, if you are lucky enough to live within walking distance of your workplace, then you should be walking anyway.

Working at Home

If you work at home, then you would already be used to using discipline and so it shouldn't be too hard to take an invigorating walk before starting work. Just walk for 15 minutes, turn around and go back. You'd be amazed at how easy it is and it's a fabulous way of organizing your thoughts and sharpening your mental faculties ready for the day. Walking for half an hour each day will maintain your current weight. Walking longer will begin to burn fat.

If you are a mum or dad at home with the littlies, then put the small ones in a pram and let the toddlers ride their bike or scooter and join you for a fun walk in the park. It's not only healthy, but you're teaching your children healthy habits. Is there any greater gift that you can offer them than a life free of the embarrassment, pain and irritation associated with obesity and related diseases?

Lift vs Stairs

If you are in a building where you have stairs, then it's not much slower time-wise than taking a lift, escalator or travelator. You would be amazed at how quickly you'll get fit and healthy from it.

Include friends and associates

For some people, being active on their own is the best choice especially if you're a person who finds that others slow you down or sabotage your efforts. Set a reasonable and realistic challenge for yourself to complete and go for it, upping it a little as you go. Hang in there! If you do it for a month, it will then be much easier to continue.

If you are a person who gets bored exercising alone and you'd like some company to take your mind off it and enjoy it more, then perhaps you could start a local group to walk in the mornings. In some neighbourhoods, the mums and dads have begun a walking group where everyone who walks their kids to school joins in. They all get fit, have fun, mix with others thereby creating a supportive network in their neighbourhood and it increases the safety factor for all concerned especially the children.

In the workplace, a group of you could take a walk at lunchtime and it doesn't hurt to make enquiries with your employer because some workplaces actually have their own gymnasium or may have a special deal with a gymnasium nearby.

If they don't, then speaking to them about the advantages for them may encourage them to approach a local gymnasium and organize a discount for their employees and it means you can organize to go regularly with someone you know. It will make their workers happier, healthier and clearer of mind increasing productivity for starters.

You could come up with some great ideas for goals to achieve and rewards that can be gained creating a fun atmosphere. Then you can all celebrate each others' successes, keeping you motivated to continue.

Speed up your normal routine

Coming up with ideas for how to add activity to your lifestyle is not too hard. Just speed it up. When you're walking somewhere, why not power walk or jog? If you take your dog for a walk, how about taking him/her for a run or even better, go to the park and throw a ball around? Much more fun.

When cleaning the house, why not speed it up and time yourself to see how quickly you can get it done? Your house will be clean faster and you'll have more time for doing things you really enjoy. Put on an upbeat song and sing and dance to it while you do those chores and they'll be done in less time with much more enjoyment.

Timetable

Speaking of having time, the biggest complaint or perhaps 'excuse' that people have for not having an active lifestyle is not having the time. This is usually due to a lack of time management skills. For your convenience, Peaceful Willow has an article on this subject and it may help you to become better organized not just to find the time to become active, but to enhance all areas of your life. You'll find it by clicking here.

Good luck with turning your busy life into an active life!

*Statistics by Hive Health Media