Crimes against humanity (fitness crimes, that is)

Weakness is a crime against yourself--
That's a bold statement, not completely original, but true nonetheless.
every time I hear about a young person getting diabetes due to obesity and lack of exercise, it really bothers me.
Every time I hear about an older person falling and breaking their hip, it really bothers me.
Every time I hear about a young father or mother having a heart attack around age 35 or so, it really bothers, me.
In fact, it does more than bother me it makes me really both sad and angry, not the people, but at the situations that brought on these various conditions.
Most of which are probably avoidable.
When I see these things in the people I know and love, I cannot descibe to you how that makes me feel.
Somewhere between hugging them and begging them to do something to improve their health and
shaking them vigorously while asking them if their brains are simply turned off probably lies the answer.
Why people choose to ignore the obvious is beyond me.
Let me set the stage a little on why this is so important to me. You see, I was a fat kid growing up.
No, I didn't say obese, I said fat. I am referring to myself so no one should get all riled up about that phrase, okay?
As I got a little bit older and discovered what exercise could do for me, I was thrilled. I went for it with gusto!
I played sports, I lifted weights (incorrectly of course, back then), I swam, and stayed active. The "curse" had been broken, thank GOD!
Many of the people I really care about have not made that decision.
How about the people you care about? Does it bother you as a trainer or coach to see them going downhill healthwise?
I have often said the most dangerous weapon in America is not hand guns, it's the fork. I believe that obesity
and it's related diseases are a bigger threat to us all than any terorist. Why do we allow this danger to enter our homes?
Why do parents allow their kids to stay on the computer for hours and do nothing physical whatsoever?
Maybe it's because they are in horrible shape themselves and can't justify telling the kids to do
something they are unwilling to do themselves. Some even fear telling their own kids to do anything at all.
Other blame it on "not having any time" to cook healthy meals or workout. Does it take less time to eat junk food,
and spend hours watching TV as they become one with their couch?
Whatever reasons (aka excuses) they give, none of them are any good. That's right, none!
If people are honest with themselves, they usually always have time and money for they really want to do most.
So here's why this is a crime against themselves (and against their families). Sooner or later, these bad habits
accumulate enough to noticebly impact their health. Often times, their ability to work is interrupted or brought
to a screeching halt.
Debt skyrockets due to the high cost of prescription drugs, etc. Savings disappear, if they had any to start with. Marriages get strained to the max and
the downward spiral has started.
Eventually it can lead to a nursing home or death. The bad part about it is this:
it probably could have all been avoided. Making some smarter food choices, and implementing a consistent
exercise program could have really helped.
When you look at loved one or good friend and see them in terrible shape, relize what they are doing to themselves.
When they light up that cigarette or shove more junk food in their mouth as you are watching, think about what you can do to help change those habits in them.
Can you reach them? Can I? Not easily.
If you can, you have prevented a crime from taking place.