The wonderful thing about principles is the fact that they can become the foundation of our various life activities. The Principle of “Consider The Cost” can be applied to much more than just where you live or what you buy for home décor. In all of our lives there are costs that need to be recognized for decisions in our careers, our health and even our relationships with other people. For the last post this month on “Consider the Cost,” let’s explore what we eat.
We all have heard about the obesity epidemic that grips our nation. According to the American Obesity Association website:
Obesity is a complex, multi-factorial chronic disease involving environmental (social and cultural), genetic, physiologic, metabolic, behavioral and psychological components. It is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Overweight and obesity are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' health agenda that have steadily moved away from their established targets for improvement. Today, public health leaders recognize obesity as a ‘neglected public health problem.’ Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million obese, and 9 million severely obese.
These are some scary statistics. We don’t need to read about how common this health crises is to believe it; we see it everyday. Walk down the street or look in the mirror to see a nation that doesn’t consider the cost of what it eats. We are consuming ourselves to death, and unless we collectively decide to change our ideas about food, we’re in for some more grave statistics.
Let me tell you about my struggle with food. I love to eat, and I love to eat too much. I regularly eat more than I should and I have to admit that I don’t exercise as regularly as I should. As a result, I’ve been feeling lethargic, bloated, fatigued and I frequently have stomachaches. It’s because I don’t consider the costs of what I eat and how I eat it. I tend to eat too many sweets or too many salty foods and I tend to eat it fast—really fast.
Well, I decided enough is enough. I realized that I had to make a change and consider the costs of my eating decisions. If I didn’t start eating more fruit instead of French fries, more salad instead of hamburgers and exercise more, I’d end up in serious trouble.
So what am I doing about it? Well, I’ve decided that every time I’m about to enjoy a meal, I take time out before hand to actually think about what I’m about to eat. I want to make sure I consciously consider the cost of what I’m putting in my mouth. I also have thought long and hard about the costs of not exercising. I have decided on an exercise routine that fits my lifestyle and will have a positive impact on my health. Sure, it means getting up a little earlier in the morning, but is it worth living a longer, better life—I think so.
It’s not enough to surround ourselves with a beautiful environment if we neglect the most important environment we have—our bodies. That’s why we look at the PrairieMod Principles as not merely informing a style in your life, but as an integral part of your entire Lifestyle. No one said it would be easy, and there are as many options and decisions as there are people. Each individual has a unique set of costs to consider. The beauty behind the principles is their acknowledgment of our individuality. Just like I had to make a decision based on the costs of my individual choices, you need to make yours. It will be hard to resist those French fries; but ultimately, I don’t want my body or my home to be “Super Sized.”
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