Our world has an enemy that is constantly picking off its victims at an alarming pace and nobody seems to be concerned about it. One act of terror can send the world spinning for years, while a much greater threat continues to its killing right at our doorstep. These terrorists are more dangerous, determined, stealthy, and more deadly than any terrorist group the globe has ever encountered. This enemy is known as modern chronic disease, and accounts for 60% of all world’s deaths.
The numbers
More than 2600 Americans are dying every day from self-inflicted “lifestyle” diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Globally, 388 million people will die from chronic diseases in the next ten years. Modern technology has virtually eliminated physical activity from our daily lives. We can get food, shelter, and warmth without even lifting a finger. We do little more than sit at work, in the car, or at home, maintaining our dependence on television. Is it not obvious that our bodies cannot stimulate the hormones that tell every cell of our body to repair, rebuild, and renew itself without vigorous exercise?
The very activity we used to call “work” has been eliminated and replaced with premature and preventable deaths. We are supposed to be intelligent creatures. Globally, our downward spiral of sickness and health is being caused by technology and labor saving devices that we all use every day. Is this fair? Is this what we want for our grandchildren and children? Are we all happy about it? This is something that many people aren’t happy about.
Positive Changes
However, there is a tide turning and quietly making positive changes. More people are not waiting for the symptoms of disease to manifest and continue with their dependence on doctors and toxic drug use. They are taking action. People are no longer viewing exercise as a choice or an option. They view it as a part of their daily lives and a necessity. It may be too late if you develop a disease. It could have taken years, or even decades, for the disease to manifest itself.
These diseases can’t be cured by any medical treatment, drug, or doctor. They can be managed at best, but their victims are left with only half of a life. It is essential to do exercise right in order for it to be effective as a preventative tool. It’s not enough to just walk around the block. We all have legs and walk, and this has not stopped the decline in our health. A fitness professional should set up the program to ensure that the correct technique, duration, frequency, and intensity are taught. As strength increases, so does progression in all exercises. This is your invitation to join the new revolution in wellness. You will only need to put in 2-3 hours per week. You will almost certainly feel like a million dollars and it is unlikely that you will be among the increasing number of statisticians who have lost their lives.
Live longer
The good news is that you will live to be in your 80’s, 90s and even 100! Consider for a moment how will your quality of life and health be. Only 3 out of 10 people will live long enough to enjoy the golden years. Will you be one of them? Automation had replaced many of the physical demands of daily life by the 21st century. Many people today sit all day and are unable to move for long periods of time. Our bodies pay the price. We see stiffening joints, weakening muscles, a decline in energy and an increase in the risk of developing diseases. These changes are not due to aging. Instead, they are the result of inactivity and sedentary lifestyles we live today.
Our lives have seen an increase of 30 years in life expectancy over the past century. These years are not good for well-being and happiness for some. People are living longer in industrialized countries, but they are also becoming more chronically ill earlier. Modern medicine seems to be able prolong life, but it is less capable of promoting healthy aging. Many people are experiencing a downward spiral of declining strength and health, as well as the subsequent disability. This is happening at an ever younger age – the thirties to forties, forties and fifties.
Exercise
Most people don’t exercise. However, they feel it is important. We can continue to live our lives with no disease that prevents us from exercising. This lifestyle can be sustained for many years or even decades, with little to no decline in physical and mental health. To keep our bodies healthy, they need to be engaged in challenging physical activity to replace the work they were designed to do. This is how our bodies regenerate every living cell every day. This means that we are still wired for manual labor, even though our bodies know we don’t need it. Our bodies have responded by reducing our muscle mass and strength, a classic “use it or lose” scenario.
Modern society is facing an epidemic of obese and overweight people. This has led to skyrocketing levels of heart disease, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. These diseases have been called “lifestyle diseases” because they are all preventable and premature. Your strength is the foundation of your life. It also determines your health. Physical strength allows you to do more and be more. This means you get more out of your life, more vitality, more energy, and more out of all aspects. Wellness living means that each person takes responsibility for their own health and implements positive programs to improve our quality of life. A good exercise program that includes at minimum 60% strength training will revitalize almost every organ of your body, adding energy to your day and years.
