Food preparation can take a half hour to an hour and while it can be done, to an extent, in advance, most people don't have the freezer/fridge space to store a week's worthy of complete meals. Fitness too takes at least a half hour if you do it at home, more if you go elsewhere. To walk to and from where you work or study lengthens commutes - though biking instead of bussing often turns out about the same.
Yet in a world of 9 to 5 jobs (not factoring in time preparing for work, homework/aftertime or commuting time), we don't have that much time to spread around. Our lives and the lives of our loved ones are finite. People grow, develop, change. We have so many responsibilities, so many duties, to employees, society, local community, family, lovers, children, friends.
How can we justify taking out what easily becomes an hour or two from our already busy lives? (And yes, there's almost always television or Internet time that could be removed but most realise that's time that should be spent with the people we care about, not just time that could be spent on bettering ourselves). True, we'll live longer, healthier lives and be more energetic, but isn't there a balance? Isn't there a way to combine the two?
But what if your children or lover is notoriously uncooperative with physical exercise? What if your social circle is very unfit and group encounters revolve around sedendary hobbies (card games, videogames, coffee chats) or somewhat unhealthy practices (binge drinking, BBQs with lots of meat)? What if you and your friends can't afford to do healthier things you might enjoy together regularly (paintball, BBQs with leaner, healthier meats and salads for all)? What if most meetings are impromptu and last only a short while?
How can we combine fitness and diet with friends and family without making the latter feel uncomfortable or pressured into what they don't want to do?
You could get your lover or children to help you prepare food as part of a game to make food preparation not require time away from the family. You could also do your food preparation when no one else's around. Leisurely swims at the pool or beach are better than lying around all day. Dancing can be fun and aerobic - though often involves alcohol or drugs at the club scene.
Any other suggestions?
Yet in a world of 9 to 5 jobs (not factoring in time preparing for work, homework/aftertime or commuting time), we don't have that much time to spread around. Our lives and the lives of our loved ones are finite. People grow, develop, change. We have so many responsibilities, so many duties, to employees, society, local community, family, lovers, children, friends.
How can we justify taking out what easily becomes an hour or two from our already busy lives? (And yes, there's almost always television or Internet time that could be removed but most realise that's time that should be spent with the people we care about, not just time that could be spent on bettering ourselves). True, we'll live longer, healthier lives and be more energetic, but isn't there a balance? Isn't there a way to combine the two?
But what if your children or lover is notoriously uncooperative with physical exercise? What if your social circle is very unfit and group encounters revolve around sedendary hobbies (card games, videogames, coffee chats) or somewhat unhealthy practices (binge drinking, BBQs with lots of meat)? What if you and your friends can't afford to do healthier things you might enjoy together regularly (paintball, BBQs with leaner, healthier meats and salads for all)? What if most meetings are impromptu and last only a short while?
How can we combine fitness and diet with friends and family without making the latter feel uncomfortable or pressured into what they don't want to do?
You could get your lover or children to help you prepare food as part of a game to make food preparation not require time away from the family. You could also do your food preparation when no one else's around. Leisurely swims at the pool or beach are better than lying around all day. Dancing can be fun and aerobic - though often involves alcohol or drugs at the club scene.
Any other suggestions?
