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As I was eating out for lunch one day this week, I became consumed in eavesdropping on a conversation at the next table.  Yeah, that’s bad, I know, but I couldn’t help it.  It really got me to thinking about why we have become so much fatter here in America.  While the readiness of fast food and restaurant portion sizes have surely been partially to blame, they really aren’t the main reason.  It is because we have become sedentary as a society. 

The other diners were discussing wearing a pedometer and how many steps they have been managing each day.  While one of them was listing around 16,000 steps, another friend was only at about 5,000 steps each day.  I thought about this and wondered how many steps per day the average American actually makes.  I would bet that it isn’t very many.  

We tend to rely on automobiles to take us everywhere.  We sit at desks all day and then go home and sit in front of the television.  We might make a visit to the gym for a short exercise session.  Even if we do make that effort, folks, it just isn’t enough.   We need to M-O-V-E more! 

I remember when I spent around 18 months abroad in Europe.  I walked most everywhere and only purchased at the markets what I could carry easily.  I visited those markets daily, but I always walked.  I didn’t worry too much about how much I ate or what I ate.  I was probably in the best shape of my life at the time, and it wasn’t just because I was younger.  It was because I made a conscious effort to walk everywhere. 

Maybe if we decided as a society to walk more places, we would be in better shape physically.  I know we would be financially as we wouldn’t be dropping all of our paychecks at the gas pump.  Of course, for some of us, we still need to drive to work as it is too far to walk—several miles each way.  However, we could still figure out ways to walk more each day.  Park at the very end of the parking lot and walk in.  Take the stairs.  When you get home, grab your family or friends and go for a walk around the neighborhood.  It is enjoyable and your body will thank you for it.   

Let’s make a commitment this week to walk more.  Let’s be more active and less sedentary.  We need this as individuals and as a society.  You will gain health and strength and your metabolism will fire up.  No more excuses, OK?!