"The Quick Fix"
When I grew up in the 80's (80's babies rock) computers and cell phones were things that a choice group of people had access to. I was apart of the group who admired those people and hoped to one day have a cell phone without carrying the battery in a bag. I also remember "fast food" like McDonalds, Coney Island (it's a Detroit thing) and Burger King being a treat, it wasn't something you ate everyday. We sat at the table with our families and talked to each other while we shared a meal. Playing basketball in the yard, walking up and down the street being social with our friends and making it home before the street lights came on was our YouTube.
In the 90's things began to change but when the new millinneum hit, technology sky rocketed and everyone got on the move. It seems like we all had somewhere to be all of sudden. There was no time to talk, cook and not a moment to spare on healthy activity, only time for a "quick fix". McDonalds', Burger King's and Subway's popped up on every corner, cell phones became cheaper, TV began to stay on all day and night (yes, the tv actually went completely off once upon a time) and texting became the new way to be social.
So what does all this mean? Should we stop using so much technology to gain back our health, that's exactly what it means. Fast food is simply not "food". When our parents and grandparents use to prepare us meals they would be in the kitchen all day making something to nourish both our bodies and souls. As youth playing outdoors just seemed like leisure time spent with friends but what we were doing was being active. Instead of texting to be social, we would ride our bikes to a friends house or walk up to the recreation center in the neighborhood.
As our ability to get things "hot and ready" increased so did other things. The rate of obesity in Americans has increased from 11.12% in 1994 to 28.60% in 2014 and people diagnosed with Diabetes has increased from 6% in 1994 to 9.7% in 2014. That's roughly 29 million people who deal with an illness onset by diet and lifestyle. Childhood obesity has increased from 7% in 1980 to 18% in 2012 yet access to "technology" that was once only a privelege of the rich is easier than ever. There has also be an increase in prescription drug use from 39% from 1988-1994 to 48% from 2007-2010 and in 2013 a study found that 7 out of 10 Americans are on prescription medication.
Today children have to be forced to go outside and play and they've been lead to believe that working hard is a thing of the past. Becoming a star on YouTube or some form of social media is what many youth aspire to do. As parents and adults we encourage this behavior by bringing home fast "not" food like Chicken Nuggets and Burgers. After experiencing exhaustion, mood changes and weight gain we purchase a gym membership that we never use or do some extreme training regimen. You find success with the regimen in a short period of time, can't stick with it and gain the weight right back.
We search for our "quick fix" but never truly changing our lifestyle. After a long stressful eight hour work day, we turn on the tv, play with our phones, eat our Burger King and go to bed just to wake up and do it all over again. Through our actions we teach our children, neices and nephews to live this lifestyle as well. Take them outside and play catch, jump rope and if you have to stay inside play board games. Investing this kind of time in your relationship is priceless. Whether we realize it or not a healthy familial environment contributes to our overall wellness.
Don't look for a trendy quick fix diet or a "new" weight pill to become the "new you" for the "new year". Get up, get out and go for a walk, come home and PREPARE A MEAL!! Instead of grabbing an Aspirin for a headache, drink a few glasses of water and sit still. Watch your sodium intake, eat more fruits and raw veggies, put your phone down, turn off the tv and read a book. There have been many studies done on the health benefits of reading a book. These things are always available to us and there is no fast track to great health, spirituality or even friendships. Anything that promises fast results will not benefit you long term. Everything good takes time, so take the time to do good things and you'll be glad you did!
