Steve Haywood Health & Fitness

I have just been watching another programme about the “obesity time bomb”, this time with teenagers who are demanding gastric by-pass surgery. There appears to be a problem with someone spelling out some simple facts. If you eat more calories than you burn (particularly the wrong kind of calories) and do not exercise you will store fat and put on weight. The rate of increase in weight depends on many factors but one thing will definitely happen, the needle will go up the weighing scales.

The rough guidelines for calorie intake are 2000 for women and 2,500 for men. Once again it must be stressed that these should be healthy calories, if the guidelines are reached eating crisps, pies, fizzy drinks etc then the problem is worsened.

The other problem with being overweight is one you cannot see, that is your cardio vascular system, heart, lungs etc. There is no doubt that we are a nation of couch potatoes whether it be the television or computers but the truth is we are built to exercise. We may be in 2009 but genetically we have changed little from thousands of years ago when everyone basically worked all day or they starved.

There is no quick fix to being overweight, if habits do not change then gastric banding , surgery, pills, are of no use whatsoever, it is just a waste of money. The message is to lead a healthier lifestyle, seek help, there is plenty about, start with the NHS web sites for instance.

I do not apologise for the stark nature of this article, however, I do care about people and it’s time there was a wake up call and the message was put out loud and clear that individuals should start being responsible for their own well being. It always seems to me that the reason an individual is overweight never appears to be their fault, the blame culture. I disagree, I feel the reason is basically laziness, inactivity that increases the more weight a person puts on.

For those who may read this article and feel they need help please start now, exercising is the only way forward. It may seem daunting but long term it is the only way to lose weight and then maintain a healthy life. I can guarantee if you try it and stick with it you will never look back, it is not easy but the benefits are enormous. All the best for the future as healthier, fitter you.