Nanny-state

So I enjoy going to the gym every morning for about 40 minutes. But this morning my husband went out mountain biking and didn't return until it was too late for me to go workout and come home before he needed to leave for work. Anytime I don't get to go, I throw a little mini pity party to myself -" it's not fair that I don't get to go do something for myself", "it's a good thing to be doing, how sad that I can't do things to take care of myself, "boo-whoo"- you know, the usual.

It reminded me about this story - governments setting guidelines to how much you (and even babies!!!) should exercise. I don't understand why governments think that it is really their duty to create such guidelines. I think that everyone can agree that most (if not all) obese people already know that they should exercise. Even most not obese people know that it would be best for their health to exercise. So why do our governments spend tax dollars and "precious" political time coming up with such things??

Well I think that one would say that governments feel like if they put out some guidelines then they are not idly sitting by doing nothing. But I would argue that these guidelines do just that- NOTHING. You hear the same advice from you doctor and YOUR MOM. We all know that we need to eat right and exercise for the best possible health. But life is hard; things inevitably get in the way. Now we just have one more institution to shake their finger at us. "See you're fat/out of shape/not as healthy as you could be. We told you what you needed to do. Shame, Shame."

Besides, guidelines for physical fitness for infants seem absolutely ridiculous. I would say that best way to teach your children the importance of being active is to set an example and make exercise a regular part of your life and your family's lifestyle.