Congratulatinos to Mrs Happy for running four miles for the first time in her life. And she came in at just over a nine minute mile. Next goal? Perhaps a 10K by fall. Keep it up.
It wasn't long ago you were saying how you couldn't even go a mile. The body has an amazing way of adapting to exercise. Every day it gets easier and easier. Before you know it, you're running marathons.
Perhaps instead of spending 1 trillion dollars (that Obama has promised to print) we don't have on worthless health care we can't afford, we should invest in exercise and reap the benefits that we know exist but are too entitled to put in the effort to work for. What we need is a redirection of our efforts from insuring everyone into efforts to ensure health in everyone. I laugh at the assertion that spending 1 trillion dollars now will somehow make health care cheaper for everyone in the future. The thought is as hilarious as it is ludicrous.
The benefits of exercise are undeniable. From dramatically cutting the risk of many cancers, stroke and heart disease to improving productivity and reducing sick days. It seems like we as a nation feel entitled to health care, but not health.
Why do we feel entitled to health care but not health? Do we feel no responsibility to the condition we find ourselves in? I understand that many conditions are genetic. I also understand that many genetic conditions only show clinical relevance based on the lifestyle habits one chooses to follow. Some folks do everything right and still get the short end of the health stick. Some people do everything wrong and find themselves dying of old age.
However, if you look at population statistics, both ends of the spectrum represent such a small minority that they simply don't matter. If you fail to take care of yourself, you will, in all likelihood suffer the consequences.
I'm here to tell you that we won't be able take care of you when those consequences come home to roost. When the 1 trillion dollars turns into 2 trillion dollars turns into 3 trillion dollars. When we find out that no matter how much money we spend, health care does not create health. When we realize that we already spend twice as much as every other country for health care and spending more isn't' going to make us any healthier. When we finally bankrupt this country after realizing we just did the mother of all oops.
Only then will the people who get it. Those that are taking care of themselves now. Those sacrificing at the gym. Watching what they eat. Spending time moving instead of watching TV. Those are the folks who will reap benefits of their sacrifice, when those all around them are being sent home on hospice in a government health care system that kept promising health, but in the end could only promise health care. Until the day it couldn't even promise that.
Here you go, Happy:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23559.html
watch out she doesn't get too lean..you want a little body fat to help those hormones along for the possible happy jr.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Mrs. Happy!
ReplyDeleteIt was just awhile ago I found running shoes, tried them and finished my first 1/2 marathon.
It can be done!
Congrats to Mrs Happy! What a great accomplishment! Those endorphins will be pushing those Happy sperm along now! I too finished my fourth run this year after being a 2 pack a day smoker for over 30 years (still cant believe I started at 14!!) July 2 this year marks my 2nd year smoke free (thank you Chantix, my miracle) and as I speak (write) I am lacing up my sneaks for my weekly run with a friend on our beautiful Shining Sea bike path at 5 am!! And I havent used my insurance for anthing but a yearly physical! Lowered my cholesterol by over 100 pts, lost 22 lbs, and look younger than ever ! Now just waiting for my ten years to be up to hopefully beat the odds for lung cancer!( yup I did just pat myself on the back!) So after doing that, again, congrats to Mrs Happy!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Gia! Way to go, Mrs. Happy! i knew all that mess about the magazine would be worth it! Seriously, i truly admire you, i only fast walk (tread.) and do aerobics, i w i s h i had the courage to try running, it's fantastic that you are doing it. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Mrs Happy! You're right--it's amazing how regular exercise, running in particular, gets easier with time.
ReplyDeleteOn a related note, I think it's ironic that healthy young people who eat right and exercise and who choose not to buy expensive health insurance are criticized for not chipping in to the pot! For these people, diet & exercise ARE self-health insurance.