Tale of the Cart

Yesterday at the grocery store I crossed paths with an overweight couple, each sitting on their own motorized cart. A younger person (a grandson, perhaps?) walked with a cart of his own, helping with items that were out of reach for his companions.

It was clear the couple didn't get out too often and that the trip to this store was meant to stock them up for awhile, as all three carts were filled to the brim.

Filled to the brim with soda, chips, cookies, white bread, prepared "meals" and other things that will ensure they have to rely on those carts forever. Or for the short time they have left on the planet anyway.

The easy thing to do when I see people like that is throw my hands up in the air and judge them. How can they eat that way? Don't they feel terrible? Don't they see what they're doing to themselves? To their families?

But that doesn't help them, and it isn't the way we should treat other people. There is so much hopelessness and lack of education about bad food and what it's doing to us. Of course the news reports all the time about what a fat country we are, how health care costs are skyrocketing due to obesity and its side effects. "We'll tell you the whole story," they say, "right after this break, sponsored by McDonald's. You DESERVE a break today! Go pick up a McRib for a limited time only!"

We go to Home Depot or the Jo Ann Fabrics, and the checkout line is stocked with candy, chocolate, Gatorade. When did lumber yards and fabric stores become Quik E Marts? "Happy Hour drinks at Sonic are only 88 cents! Stop on in and have one!" There is near constant access to bad food no matter where you go, and if you haven't exercised your will power muscle, chances are you're going to stop in and get that break that "you deserve."

What people really deserve, if they would stop to think about it, is to feel GOOD about themselves. To be healthy. To make the most of their lives and be productive, happy members of society well into their old age.

But we don't think past how good the candy bar tastes, and the mixed messages we receive all day long keep our brains (which hopefully know better) and our will power at odds.

It's sad. And it's a huge problem. And it's why I'm a Team Beachbody Coach. Because if someone wants to change, there ought to be people to help them do it and cheer them on along the way.

If there is any hope to turn the tide of this epidemic it's not going to be because of some government intervention...it's going to people helping each other sort through the tidal wave of misleading labels, clever advertising, and fad diets.

There may not be any hope for those grandparents in the carts, but maybe there is hope that their grandson won't end up in the same place 40 years from now.

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Workout of the Day

Les Mills Pump Revolution

Ultimate Reset Cleanse starts Monday, which means three weeks of little to no working out. After the past two weeks, I'm ready for the break!