Two-Thirds of Brits Not Taking Enough Exercise
Sometimes it seems like Americans get much of the blame for unhealthy lifestyles - and advocacy groups in the States are warning that adult obesity levels are still rising.
I'm based in the UK, but I'm not about to get smug! A new study here suggests that almost two-thirds of Brits don't take enough exercise.
The UK government recommends that adults take at least 30 minutes of "moderate" exercise, but advises vigorous exercise is better.
But, a poll of over two thousand adults by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CPS) found that:
- Only 13% knew how much activity they should be doing
- More than a third (39%) of those surveyed got out of breath quickly when walking up stairs
- The same number said that it would help if exercise was free
- Just over a third (35%) blamed being busy at work for their lack of exercise
- Over half of those surveyed (53%) would take more exercise if they could fit it into their daily routine
Are these genuinely barriers to exercising, or are we just making excuses?
Bridget Hurley, chartered physiotherapist and spokesperson for the CPS said this:
Exercise doesn't need to be expensive, boring or time consuming.
That thirty minutes of exercise, five times a week, could be as simple as a half-hour brisk walk during your lunch hour Monday to Friday - also an easy way to make exercise part of your daily routine.
If you want more ideas, the CPS has an Easy exercise guide leaflet that's free to download.
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You guys get free health care over there, right?? If so, at least the pudgy people won't have to pay for their diabetes & cholesterol meds, and back surgeries. Is that more of an incentive to "let yourself go"?
Or are their penalties for being overweight citizen?
ReplyThe decisions that lead to obesity are more of an immediate one, not a consideration of health complications that may arise later... And if they have the conditions, there's still the immediate "reward" considered of what they want, and if they are concerned they still have death/quality of life to be concerned with ---
I'm definitely not a fan of national health care for a variety of reasons, but I don't think overweight is incentivized or discouraged either way.
ReplyPeople are less inclined to take care of themselves when the Government will foot the bill when their health begins to fail. Isn't this rather obvious?
That said, poor health is the least of the UK's problems. Declining birth rates among Brittains and an overwhelming influx of Muslims all but ensures that the UK will be utterly unrecognizable in 50 years.
ReplyI don't think too many people think that it's acceptable to get numerous health problems as long as the government will pay for the treatment. Most people don't want health problems regardless, but the problem is that they don't look at the long-term. Rather than thinking about the long-term health implications, they engage in the "fun" behavior now.
ReplyAnd what on earth do immgration statistics have to do with this?
The immigration statistics have nothing to do with it, other than to allow him to find something with which to offend others.
Reply"People are less inclined to take care of themselves when the Government will foot the bill when their health begins to fail. Isn't this rather obvious?"
Um, no? The US has some of the heaviest/unhealthy people on the planet AND a horribly expensive health care system.
ReplyWait a minute---39% of the people said it would help if exercise was free? Last I checked, it didn't cost me any money to walk or jog around the block. Why does everyone assume it costs a lot of money to get in shape and get fit?
I don't think that national healthcare being free has anything to do with people getting fat. America has a huge obesity problem and our healthcare isn't free. No one ever thinks about how much healthcare costs later on; they just want their beer and fish and chips or whatever now because they taste good.
ReplyWell, to get back to the original question... they are making excuses! There is information on the news, on the internet, in the paper.. everywhere, so this question about not knowing how much to exercise. Jeez, just move. And agreement with the person who said you can walk, ride a bicycle, hit the stairs, lift objects at home for resistance training or by a cheap exercise band. Plenty you can do that is free. And the same issues as here about people saying they don't have time etc. Just move, play with the kids, do anything but sit there. It comes down to motivation & your mind set. You can find 30 minutes to an hour somewhere to do something. I know people that work 10+hour days & still exercise. Make it part of your schedule.... plan & schedule it in. Put yourself & your health first! Don't say you don't have time if really you are just making an excuse not to exercise.. at least admit it to yourself.
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