| |
choices. It is possible to eat reasonably healthy at
almost all fast-food restaurants, especially those
like Subway and Wendy¹s who specifically cater to a
more health-conscious menu.
Your health is your responsibility, no one else's
and you are the one that will live (or die) with the
choices you make on a daily basis. This brings me to
the final excuse that has become very common over
the past few decades. "It is in my genes." "I'm
Italian, everyone in an Italian family eats too
much." "My dad died of a heart attack at 55 so I
guess I will also."
Let's examine this argument of the importance of
genes and your health. Sure, there are certain
specific diseases that are passed on through the
genes that either ensure or predispose someone to
that illness. However, studies have shown that most
of the diseases Americans face today such as heart
disease, cancer, diabetes and others are much more
affected by lifestyle than by genetic disposition.
In fact, a recent study published by the Cleveland
Clinic studied 120,000 heart attack victims. It
found that 80 90% of the cause of illness was
lifestyle related, not genetic predisposition. Dr.
Eric Topol, head of cardiovascular medicine at the
Clinic and the lead author of the study, stated: "If
we had a trim, fit, non-smoking public, we could
actually cure this disease..."
 "We have a sense," said Topol, "that the work that's
needed now to change lifestyles is profound."
So, stop trying to blame things on your parents and
instead place the responsibility directly on where
it belongs, you and you alone. The wonderful thing
is that you have the freedom to choose whether to
follow the lifestyle that created the problems your
parents faced or you can choose to create your own
lifestyle. In fact, if you have used the genetic
excuse in the past it is even more reason why you
should examine your own lifestyle and be glad that
lifestyle plays a far more important role than
genes. You can change your lifestyle much more
easily than you can change your parents! Why not
decide to take responsibility now and take whatever
steps you need to get more exercise and follow a
more healthy diet. I guarantee that you will feel
better, not just about your body physically but also
about the new sense of empowerment that you will
feel as a human being when you take responsibility
for your life.
On a personal note, I would love to have your help
to motivate me in the next fitness challenge. In
mid-July I am participating in my first Half-Ironman
triathlon in Muncie, Indiana. It is more than twice
the Olympic distance I am used to. It is over 70
miles (1.2 mile swim, 56 bike and 13 run). To help
motivate me (especially around the middle of the
run) I am asking friends to pledge an amount per
mile to the Boys and Girls Club of Charlotte County.
People generally pledge anywhere from 10 cents to 10
dollars per mile. If you would like to donate to
this excellent charity that does such great work in
the county please email me at:
tedtennis@comcast.net
Thank you so much.
Another opportunity to be a part of an athletic
endeavor that will benefit a local charity is to
help sponsor Ray Jassica. Ray will ride a bike 500
miles in one week in Wisconsin as a fundraiser for
the local Habitat for Humanity. Ray is paying all of
his expenses so that all money pledged goes to
Habitat. His goal this year is $5,000. Please help
him out by sending a check for whatever amount you
feel comfortable with to Habitat for Humanity.
For more information call Lucy Floss of Habitat at
639-3162. Thanks for your generosity.
Please click here for additional information
or if you would like to contact the
author of this article, Ted Murray. Thank you!
|
|
