A recent post over on my favorite science blog, Science-Based Medicine, has gotten me to thinking about my position on a certain area of medicine - health as it relates to exercise and nutrition. I complain sometimes about folks who seem to have no care about their health, whether that be via unwillingness to exercise (it's so easy) or eat healthy or take medications, etc.
The post in question is a response to a response, responding to an email about a previous post discussing the effects of nutrition on human health. There are those who believe that we have control over whether we have disease, and that there are "magic bullet" methods for curing and preventing disease, such as diet and exercise. The response to the previous post is taken down point by point, mostly identifying the errors in logic by the commenter as they relate to his knowledge of the information being discussed. Fine, it's probably a good thing to point out that this guy's arguments, no matter how logical he may make them, don't make sense because they aren't supported by factual evidence.
The thing the got me was the argument that nutrition and exercise are not the be-all, end-all cure for disease, which I agree with. What I have been coming to realize is that my views on the importance of exercise and nutrition, however logical they may be, are starting to get extreme. I've been making it a point, for whatever reason, of being hyper aware of the health problems of others. In other words, I've been spending a lot of time judging others lately for being unhealthy, eating poorly, not exercising, etc. And I'm beginning (and continuing) to regret that. No matter how easy I think it is, it's not that easy to get yourself into an exercise program and make the time for exercise and better nutrition if it's not something that's a priority.
My points: 1) Are exercise and better nutrition the cure to all disease? Of course not. 2) Are exercise and nutrition helpful in producing a better quality of life? Of course they are. 3) While I think all folks should be able to take control of their health and find the time to exercise, it can be a difficult thing to start and commit to, so I'm going to lay off judging others for not doing it.
I am, however, going to encourage others to partake in a healthier lifestyle. You will have no idea how good it feels until you try it, and there are a lot of people just like you who have made the transition and are happier and more well-off for doing it!
Well said! I too internally struggle as to whether I'm too heavy-handed with friends and loved ones when I (unfortunately all too often) see a total lack of concern with diet or exercise.
ReplyDeleteOf course this conversation is easier to have with someone that you're very close to, but that's not to say we must be totally moot with strangers. I think back to a brief conversation with a fellow pedestrian climbing the stairs to cross a bridge in London this April, as on praising her for her climbing abilities she thanked me, but then commented that she'd previously been even fitter prior to increasing her smoking (sadly, I noticed a far greater prevalence of smoking among young urban professionals throughout the U.K. and France than the U.S.). Though I'd never met the woman I praised her for her underlying cardiovascular fitness, and inquired whether she's tried quitting. She responded that she's tried - primarily owing to concern for her young daughter - but hasn't been successful. At that point another pedestrian, overhearing us pitched-in that she'd successfully quit two-years prior, and it's only a question of will power. A brief two minutes later we each went our separate ways, with no commitment expressed on the part of the woman (likely feeling ganged-up upon at this point) and I hope that the discussion might have played a small role in her determination and mindset.
It's a fine line between encouragement and being excessively judgmental and pushy, so perhaps the best example we can provide is simply by wearing a smile on our faces while we are running, and greeting others - fellow runners or simply someone waiting for a bus. It might be our behavior and friendly demeanor that helps others to strap on a pair of outdoor shoes and to go for a stroll or jog.
Well said!
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern for myself is having a good example for when I have children. This past weekend I went with my wife and a few friends to the Indianapolis Zoo, and there were a number of folks who did not look to be setting great examples for their children (and some children who had followed suit). On the other hand, though they *were* walking around the zoo, so it was a step (literally and figuratively) in the right direction!
You're right - the best thing to do is set a good example! I'm already finding that when someone just goes out and does it, others will at least be interested enough to give it a try or (at the very least) ask about it.