As a health and wellness expert I know what we all know; America is getting fatter by the day. The new statistics just released by the CDC are truly scary. Between 2007 and 2009 another 2.4 million people are now obese. Weight loss has got to be our primary focus. The health of America is at stake. Yet, behind the sensational statistics (and they are terribly sensational, and terrible is the operative word) we are forgetting all the important steps we are taking as a country to get healthier. We all know that an active lifestyle will treat heart disease, hypertension,h and diabetes. In my medical practice I am reminded of the positive steps my patients are taking every day. Even my 80 year old patients now understand the importance of a daily walk to keep the joy in their lives. I believe we understand better than any generation the value of exercise. But if we don’t couple that with an improved diet, our waistlines will continue to expand.

I run a pain management practice in La Quinta California and most of my patients are over 60. The majority of them are in pain because they have been inactive all their lives. They are now suffering the ravages of arthritis and osteoporosis in addition to the heart disease, diabetes and hypertension all fed by their sedentary life. Most of our parents grew up in the 1940’s -1960’s. They enjoyed all the benefits of an industrializing prosperous country; there was no longer farm work to be done and we transitioned to sedentary jobs and a sedentary life. How many of your parents/grandparents ever went out for a night time stroll, let alone a 3 mile run? Not mine. The importance of exercise wasn’t even discussed back then. So, it is not surprising to me that the golden years for all of my elderly patients are far from golden. My 80 year old patients are walking now, but it’s probably too late for them. They didn’t know what we know now. And they are suffering dearly for it, as is the cost of health care to support them.

But you have a chance to grow old differently. Now we all know the importance of exercise. You may not do it, but if you don’t go for a daily walk or run at least you know enough to feel guilty about it. That’s a start, I figure. We know that exercise is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle to prevent and even fight diseases that include hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and even osteoporosis. And we are doing it. Not all of us, but at least the awareness is there.

Our big problem is weight loss. My book, GET MOVING! Live Better, Live Longer is full of tips to increase your activity throughout the day. Simple things like deep knee bends while waiting for the microwave or brushing your teeth standing on one leg will increase your calorie burning every day.

You are not guaranteed the same aging fate as your parents. Your lifestyle choices can overcome any set of genes you were born with. Exercise is your ticket to health and wellness. You know this. Couple it with weight loss and you will find that 25 year old body again. It’s in there. In addition, you’ll fight hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. Get up off the couch, push yourself away from the computer and grab your child’s hand. Go for that first walk together. It will be the walk of your lifetime.

Live Well

Ruth Anderson, MD MS