Last Updated on February 5, 2022
A new study shows a remarkably low number of Americans are truly living healthy these days.
If your typical diet appears as if you’ve never even heard of the basic food groups and portion control and if your typical activity level suggests exercise is something you’ve only heard rumors about, you are definitely not alone.
In fact, you’re in such a majority that you’re almost like everyone else.
It’s worth noting what “healthy living” looks like, according to a recent article in The Atlantic. For the purpose of discussion, it classifies that as:
- Moderate or vigorous exercise for at least 150 minutes a week
- A diet score in the top 40 percent on the Healthy Eating Index
- A body fat percentage under 20 percent (for men) or 30 percent (for women)
- Not smoking
Well, I’m happy to say I have at least one of those covered: I do not now nor have I ever smoked. Nor do I intend to ever start.
So there. I’m 25% of the way to this “healthy lifestyle” thing.
Moderate or vigorous exercise? I definitely need to get back on that ball. But 150 minutes per week…minimum? Wow. That’s a bit extreme, isn’t it?
A diet score in the top 40 percent — I don’t even have to keep reading that or even know what the “Healthy Eating Index” even looks like to guess that I’m blowing that one.
Yeah…then there’s that body fat thing. I don’t even want to talk about it.
I know I need to get healthier. But there are times when it seems too impossible to even begin to undo what I’ve managed to do left to my own devices.
And apparently, a lot of people feel that way. The Atlantic put it this way:
Less than 3 percent of Americans meet the basic qualifications for a “healthy lifestyle,” according to a new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Doctors should be thrilled: it looks like we’ll be keeping them very busy for years and years to come. It sounds like plus-sized stores are going to be part of the bonanza of spending as well. Maybe it’s time to invest in a fast food restaurant!
You have to begin somewhere if you’re not already where you should be. Every positive step toward the goal is a positive step, even if it’s a small step. At least, that’s what I’m told. I need to work on the exercise thing first: more walking, maybe some lifting, but definitely more walking.
I have bronchitis, so this won’t be a very long answer for a change.
To answer your question, I meet the same number of criteria as you do; for that matter, the same exact one: smoking. And I’m thrilled that I don’t smoke. Imagine if I had smoked, what a huge mess I’d be with bronchitis to boot!
I’m about up to 32% body fat, and thirty or so pounds overweight. There was a time when I could have done a 150-minute minimum of exercise, but those days are long over. At best, I could do that much yoga and love it, but I have not of late, mostly due to depression.
I have never, ever enjoyed vegetables. I don’t care much for red meat and take vitamin b12 to make up the deficit. I don’t touch fried, battered and fried, or deep fried foods of any kind. But I’m completely addicted to sugar. I use Splenda when I can.
That’s it!