Sweat: Our Nation’s Most Elusive National Resource

If you know me, you know I am passionate about fitness. If I am not throwing around kettle bells or jumping rope, you’ll find me running around the neighborhood with my dog.

Thankfully, I’ve structured my life in such a way where something doesn’t seem right unless I exercise, albeit for a short period of time.

It saddens me, however, to hear that our society is becoming less and less fit.

The statistics are startling.

Mexico, our friendly neighbor to the south, leads the list with an eye-popping 33% obese rate.

The United States is not far behind with an equally embarrassing obesity rate of 32%.

I fear we are raising a generation of children that prefer staring into a screen instead of emptying stress and frustration on a treadmill or at a weight machine or participating in a sport.

It’s not all doomsday, though, for the world’s physique. Some organizations are introducing innovative ways to change diets and make exercise a must-do not a nice-to-do.

Mexico City has introduced an unique approach to making its populace fitter. In exchange for completing 10 squats on an interactive kiosk, you get a free pass to ride the train. They also levied an extremely high tax on sugary drinks.

I love it! I’d love to see some American ingenuity to entice all generations, not just the younger folks, to get up off the couch and sweat a little.

If your company can do anything to encourage your workforce to become healthier, more active and energetic, you’ll probably find productivity skyrocket.

North America: let’s put down the chips, fried foods and beer and pick up the kettle bells and get to work.

The last thing we need to do is put perspiration on the endangered species list.

This is one competition that we can’t afford to lose.

Until next time,

Dan Naden