Nutrition and Fitness Paper
Uploaded by mdmdmdmd on Sep 26, 2012
My current fitness and nutritional habits are consistent with those of many middle- aged men. Presently am about 15 pounds over my ideal weight. My weight has remained consistent for the last 20 years. My regular diet includes a variety of proteins, including red meats, chicken, and fish. I eat vegetables on a semi-regular basis. However, I do not eat enough fruits, nuts, and legumes. I drink coffee black on a daily. I do not drink carbonated soda. I seldom eat fast foods. I only use olive, and canola oil at home. For the last five years, I power walk four to five times a week during the summer. Other than my summer walking routine, I live a sedentary lifestyle. As a result, and have developed unhealthy belly fat.
Obesity has become a growing epidemic in America. “On average, U.S. adults weigh 24 pounds more than they did in 1960 (5), and they are at increased risk for health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers Studies have shown a link between obesity and high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease” (CDC, 201, p.42). These statistics affect African Americans at a higher rate. Eighty percent of Black women aged 40 years or older are overweight or obese (Donettelle, 2010, p.282). These numbers are projected to grow worse as American become fatter.
I believe that by incorporating three new fitness habits into my lifestyle I can improve my present health.
• My first objective is a year round aerobic program that combines power walking and swimming. This would allow me to power walk during the spring and summer, and swim during the colder fall and winter months. This will eliminate six sedentary months.
• My second goal is to improve my flexibility by adding yoga as a fitness habit. Yoga incorporates breathing and an array of static stretching exercises expressed as Postures (Donattelle, 2010, p.331). As we grow older, our ability to maintain flexibility with the aid of yoga adds to our health and quality of life.
• My third goal is to increase my core strength by adding a strength-training program. I do not need a fitness club to do this. A light to moderate fixed weight training routine only needs several dumbbells. This added...