Many Americans are a lot like veal.
Huh? Yep, you heard it right…veal.
And, I’m writing this blog post in hopes that you’ll agree that it’s time to say “Stick a fork in me – I’m done with this way of life!”
Now let me explain what I mean. As you probably already know, veal is basically the meat from a young calf which has been kept in a small stall or wooden pin in order to restrict its movement. The reason they want to restrict the movement of this young calf is because they don’t want its connective tissue to develop so that the meat stays tender and flavorful.
This can be a great thing if you’re sitting down for a romantic dinner with your honey, but if you pick up your fork and then realize that you’re a lot like the veal you’re about to put in your mouth, then not so much. Just sayin’.
While it is true, we may not be stuck in little wooden pins to constrict our movement. The fact is, for many of us, our movement is constricted just the same.
Most Americans are what Peter Drucker (the “father of modern management”) calls “Knowledge Workers”. We no longer are working on the farms or in factories.
We are in offices and cubicles.
(I’ve heard that the term “cubicles” might not be politically correct anymore and the new term is “workstations”. Hmmm. Anyway, I’ve never really worked in a corporate setting and when my wife used to work at a civil engineering firm, I’d ask her if it was a lot like the show “The Office” and she would just roll her eyes, LOL).
It might be a corner office, a luxury car or a jet. But the same “veal effect” is happening.
As Americans, two thirds of us are overweight or obese as a result of being overfed highly processed starchy carbs and trans-fats and being massively restricted in our movement.
(Side note: According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 63 percent of Pinellas County adults are overweight or obese, a higher rate than the state average. Since obesity is directly linked to type 2 diabetes, this disease is more prevalent in the Tampa Bay area than in the rest of the country, the CDC says.)
For many of us, our muscles, ligaments and tendons are weak and tender. Sound familiar? Sounds like veal to me.
We are simply unaware or exhausted and don’t know what to do about it. For most it is not for a lack of trying, it’s simply confusion due to the overwhelming amount of information out there.
We are motion starved, overfed and undernourished.
We are designed to move! We are designed with a need to get blood and oxygen pumped through our system. We are designed to be STRONG!
The great news is this: This body of ours is awesome! It is incredibly resilient!
If we start to move, it will respond quickly by getting stronger and more powerful. We will have more endurance, be more agile and have more balance. Not to mention the feeling of mental well-being and the overall wonderful feeling of being alive!
To start seeing these awesome changes take place you do not have to be perfect. All you need to do is a little more than what you are acclimated to.
You should not be looking for perfection, but looking for progression.
So, don’t be veal. Get up and move. Start putting some better fuel in you. Be the strong you that you were designed to be!
Now don’t you think it’s time to put a fork in it and say your done with being a couch potato!
Who’s with me? Feel free to leave me a comment below.
John
PS – If you need some help to get started, you can register online for our next boot camp for women: Click here to register for our next camp that starts Monday, April 30th
PPS – Still not convinced? Then why don’t you let me coach you for free with my video e-course “Top 5 Fat loss Strategies for Lasting Weight Loss”. You can sign up for it right on my website with just a first name and email address: CLICK HERE
Okay, since I’m feeling spunky….:) I cannot believe that 63% of adults in our county are overweight or obese! Although, when I go to Busch Gardens….yikes. Look around, it’s not pretty.
Also, I cannot believe “cubicles” are offensive. heheheh
Great post.
Hi Shannon, Busch Gardens is a great place to get a sampling of our population. It is very sad. I just keep saying “cubicles” because I know it drives my wife crazy. “Cubicles”, “Cubicles”, “Cubicles”. ha ha ha ha It’s just so much fun. I had better be careful before she punches me in the face. She is a little sensitive because of all the years she was stuck in a cubical.
Hi John,
Great post, really nice looking blog design. Your SEO and inbound marketing campaigns are always top notch. You are quite the knowledgeable internet marketer! I’m bookmarking this blog right now. Would love to start boot camp again but alas, my oldest is starting college and 1st semester payment is due next month. Anyway, it is my goal to get there once my finances are figured out!
Thanks for all the great info you put out there!
Carolyn Sokol
Thank you so much Carolyn. I really miss seeing you. I know, I don’t even want to think about it. I have four kids and the thought of paying for college is scary! I know we will see you soon.
John,
You trained me in 2003 at the Via Capri apartments. I have kept up with you through your newsletters and blogs. I appreciate getting them. Even though fitness has been an up and down journey for me over the years, I still hold on to the inspiration you gave me during our short time together.
Best of luck to you in your business. Blessings to the family! Four children?!
Hi Shadia,
It is so great to hear from you. The fitness battle is an up and down struggle for most people, so you are not alone. It is really a matter of working on one to two habits (that are based in real science) at a time until they become a part of who you are not just what you do. Sometimes we might need someone to take us by the hand and help us out a little to get started. I know that you feel like I have inspired you but I want you to know you have inspired me too. I hope to see you soon. Thank you for your sweet comments.