Recently I had invited my readership to provide feedback on ways to keep them motivated and active during these trying times. The 10 question survey included health and fitness barriers and considerations - some are consistent with my readers while other responses are quite disturbing. Below is a summary;
Most of respondents used Facebook as a media platform, while half also used YouTube and Instagram - this is quite consistent with my readers.
Only half of those surveyed do any type of workout at home. Most follow along with Youtube Videos while others use exercise apps or a personal trainer or coach.
Most people have no preferred day to workout, however, there does seem to be a slight preference to working out during the week rather than on the weekend.
Preferred workout time is early morning (before 8am) or mid-evening (5:30-8pm)
For those that workout, around half prefer to work alone while the majority do enjoy Group Classes or working out with a spouse or family member.
It was no surprise that lack of time was the main barrier in exercising. Followed by Lack of Energy and Willpower - which affected about half of the respondents. Consistency in training is the number one factor in getting results. Finding something they enjoy was the main factor in making consistency doable.
Probably the most interesting responses related to what people thought were the important factors to attaining a healthy lifestyle. It was no surprise that exercise was number one, followed by sleep, then living with purpose and gratitude. These are some of the main reasons for a healthy long life.
But, what was surprising, were two important areas that had little or no response - Plant-based Foods and the Environment (including toxic exposure)
Focusing Nutrient Dense Plant based Foods is one of the MAIN keys to Longevity. It has been proven in numerous studies and by the Centurions that follow this in the Blue Zone areas of the world. Without a doubt, Plant Based Foods is the key to sustainable fat loss, disease reversal and reduced impaired health.
Maintaining a healthy environment is essential for helping people live longer and for enhancing their quality of life, yet no one felt this was an issue. Here is a sobering statistic 23% of all deaths (and 26% of deaths among children ages 5 and younger) result from entirely preventable environmental health problems. Chemical Safety, air pollution, Diseases caused by microbes, Global environmental issues, etc, DO affect your health!
These are all chronic issues that cannot be ignored, and I am quite surprised by people that suddenly find out they have cancer or diabetes, or have a heart attack or stroke and wonder “why me”....
Another sobering statistic is that almost three-quarters of those that answered the questionnaire eat mainly the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.). Adults and children are becoming increasingly obese at an alarming weight and this is mainly thanks to our Standard American Diet (S.A.D.), which is heavy in saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods. We need to follow the dietary guidelines by Health Canada which is to eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods and protein foods. And choose protein foods that come from plants more often than meat.
As you can see from the Survey that I had sent out, the majority of people still don’t get it. High blood pressure, overweight, diabetes, vertebrae deterioration, high cholesterol back pain, etc. blame it on “getting old” yet most of these chronic conditions are preventable.
So ask yourself this - Are you okay with the status quo, or do you need to change?
I hope you all ponder these results. Wishing that all of you choose wisely so that you live a long life to the fullest!
