I have a lot of conversations. I know you’re shocked. Seriously, I talk to many different people all the time, and often, the conversations involve health and fitness. Most of these conversations are during intro visits here at CrossFit Armati. Sometimes, I answer questions. Sometimes, people ask me how to get started on improving their health. Other times, I get many excuses as to why people can’t improve their health right now.
Recently, I was given a rebuttal that always rubs me the wrong way: the idea that someone doesn’t want to exercise or eat better because they’ve decided they are going to die fat and happy. Sure, it’s a comforting thought. Who wouldn’t want to indulge in all the tasty treats life offers and still feel like they’re on cloud nine? But here’s the harsh reality check: “fat and happy” is a myth, plain and simple.
Being overweight or obese comes with a slew of health risks that can seriously impact your quality of life as well as shorten your lifespan. I know you know this, but it’s the QUALITY part I’m trying to focus on. We’re talking heart disease, diabetes, joint pain, and so much more. And let’s be real, none of that screams “happy.”
Modern medicine can be a beautiful thing. We are able to make some huge impacts in areas of medicine that were a death sentence a decade or two earlier. In general, we are keeping people alive longer. As the rates of obesity and diabetes have pushed to epidemic levels and accelerated even faster post-pandemic, we are still managing to push life expectancy longer and longer. Here’s the irony, however. The rates of heart disease, diabetes, and other preventable diseases continue to climb as well. Even worse, they are climbing in earlier and earlier generations including childhood. So the way I see it, we’re keeping people alive longer, but their quality of life is not improving at all. If anything, it’s degrading. So what’s the point??? More nightly news on the couch?
Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancers of all types, infertility, gestational diabetes, infertility, arthritis, degenerative joint disease, gout, pancreatitis, gall stones, kidney stones, asthma, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, erectile dysfunction, depression, eating disorders, and on and on and on. The things listed all come at increased rates with obesity.
Sure, you might find moments of joy in that extra slice of cake or bucket of fried chicken (I enjoy those things, too), but those fleeting pleasures are nothing compared to the long-term consequences of neglecting your health.
Here’s the truth: caring for your body isn’t just about fitting into a specific dress size or impressing others with your physique. It’s about investing in your future so you can live a long, vibrant life filled with energy, vitality, and, yes, happiness.
So, let’s ditch the myth of “fat and happy” and instead focus on living our best lives by nourishing our bodies, moving more, and prioritizing our health. Trust me, the real happiness lies in feeling strong, confident, and alive.
To those of you struggling with bodyweight and putting up the good fight. Good for you. Keep going!!! It can be a life-long struggle. The case I was making is in no way directed toward you. I’m speaking to the crowd of folks living a life entirely based on immediate gratification and completely ignoring the long-term costs of those decisions. To those people, I want it to come out loud and clear that the happiness you are convincing yourself will be there in the later years will be minimal at best and nowhere to be found at worst.
Don’t just live longer. Live better for longer.
Who’s with me on this journey to true happiness? Let’s do this!
Hold the standard, friends,
Coach Derek
