Good Day! Yes, I took yesterday off and enjoyed my Memorial Day like I hope each of you did. I also hope you took time to express gratitude for the sacrifice given by so many so that we can be free.
I thought with this short week we would turn our attention to health and fitness. Over the weekend, I took note of how many people are killing themselves, slowly but surely, through weight issues and lack of fitness. It was amazing when I was out and about, to see so few people who looked even remotely in good health. Even more bothersome was how so few people even seemed to care. I think part of the problem we have in the wonderful South, is how we look at weight.
One of the things that have caused me to chuckle is the number of people who have told me I look “unhealthy” now that I am at a great place with my weight. As I thought about these well meaning people, It hit me that we have become so obese in the south that we now look at fit as unhealthy! How crazy is that? Here are the southern definitions of people’s weight.
Southern Speak – They are a little heavy In Truth – They are morbidly obese
Southern Speak – They are a little chunky In Truth – They are obese
Southern Speak – They look good! In Truth – They are overweight
Southern Speak – They are not eating enough In Truth – They are reasonably fit
Southern Speak – They look sickly In Truth – They are at an ideal weight
Here are the medical definitions of some of these terms using BMI -
underweight – BMI below 18.5
healthy weight – BMI between 18.5 – 24.9
overweight – BMI between 25-29.9
obese – BMI 30 or higher
You can calculate your BMI at http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ .
Remember that BMI is just one way to measure health and fitness but it is at least a place to start. For a more comprehensive health check, get a medical check-up with a blood workup. If your medical insurance does not cover this, you can get this service at a place like a CVS Minute Clinic, probably for under $100.
Why is this important? I believe that our body is God’s temple. These are not my words, but His! I also believe that we are to give our best to the Lord, and to our loved ones. If God takes me home due to disease, accident, or some other unexpected happening, that is great. But for me to hasten my death, set myself up for health problems, or render myself less than my best, that is my problem.
Give it some thought today! Tomorrow I will tell you my story and what prompted me to be so vocal on health and fitness issues. I will introduce you to a side of me that very few of you even know about, with a picture or two to help make the point! Prepare to chuckle at my expense but hopefully it will also be a wake-up call for many of you as well.
gotta run,
steve
