Obesity and Health

The rise of obesity in recent years is very alarming. In my career as a paramedic I see a lot of people's health problems are related to obesity ranging from high blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, joint problems.... If people were taught to eat healthy, do some sort of exercise, get away from McDonald's and junk food they would be better off. I think the rise of the convenient fast food has been a problem combined with the perpetual laziness of Americans.

I am thankful my parents kept me busy growing up and them being healthy people showed me how I should live a healthy life. I am also fortunate I never liked candy as much as fruit and vegetables, which I realise is not common. I think if more people where taught healthier habits at a younger age our health as a nation would be better off. People often look for the easy way, parking in the front spot instead of parking further away. One thing that helped my grandpa a lot was when he got a pedometer. He has a goal of steps he wants to achieve everyday. He went from parking in the front to parking in the back and walking around the parking lot of store.

Also I think there is a lot of our beautiful country to see. I do a lot of hiking in my area of San Diego County, with gorgeous views, piece and quiet with just me and my dog. I am usually the only one on many of these trails.

I like Huckabees outlook on how he was transforming the way he operated Arkansas as a governor. Giving people time to workout during work hours, much like smokers are smoking during work hours, giving time off when people reach health goals. If you read his books Do the Right Thing and From Hope to Higher Ground he outlines progress made in these areas that should be looked at by our health care system and government.

On the news yesterday Fox News was talking about a push for a Federal Sales Tax of 25% to support a government run health care program. I pay enough taxes, I don't want to support more programs that are going to cause me worse health care than I already have. Liberals need to look at government run health care around the world and see how much worse it is than what we have now. People not getting procedures done in time that can prevent problems, getting medications that are badly needed.

With inspiration from Huckabee I am looking into starting an after school program for kids to show them a healthier way to live. Taking them on hikes, eating healthy and being active. Push away the Internet, PlayStation and TV and bring in bike riding, sports, hiking. Possibly creating a generation better of than ours.