BY GREGG LOSINSKI
THERE IS NO WAY that I ever imagined that we would still be dealing with the spin-offs of Covid after all this time. I was part of the crowd that figured in some form or fashion the virus would spread its way around the planet and then either mutate itself into nothingness or be conquered by modern medicine. Unfortunately, the virus is still with us and even the CDC has stopped trying to predict what will happen next.
While there are still more questions than answers, one thing that is for certain is that you can never be in too good of shape. The problem is that lots of us have let ourselves slip a bit below average condition during the pandemic.
When I was young and first learned about the concept of what is called the bell-shaped curve it really struck me as a way to explain how you could look at almost any situation. Generally, there are some people really in favor of something, some people really against it, and then a much larger number who are right in the middle waiting to be swayed. This is what is called a normal distribution.
Over time I have learned that while the model holds up well for many things, the slope of the curve can be pretty steep sometimes or hardly noticeable other times. Then there are situations when the bell looks like it got run over and is all lopsided, like the traffic cones that seemed to be everywhere this summer. Based on my own personal observations, when it comes to how healthy people are, the curve certainly looks more than a bit off-center. Our abundant way of life here hasn’t necessarily translated itself into a healthier lifestyle. Lest anyone think I am picking on them, let me say that I am a prime example of this unhealthy shift. It would be easy to blame my condition on the over-generous portions of French fries from Five Guys or the delicious ice cream from Reed’s Dairy, but the roots run much deeper.
As expensive as food seems to be getting, most of us are still able to afford to eat most of whatever we want. Conveniently, lots of the comfort foods not only taste great but are available in super-sized quantities from our local Sam’s Club and Costco. How do you say no to chicken cordon bleu or coconut shrimp when they are so relatively inexpensive and available in a bargain 48-count box?
Many of us eat daily foods that our grandparents ate only once or twice in their entire lives! When I was a kid, grabbing fast food was considered a huge treat but now it is something we have an app for on our phones to help us make it through our busy days. We Americans eat too much and lots of it is the wrong type of foods. Lots of us work sedentary jobs where we don’t walk enough. My current employer has a very comprehensive health program to help keep people fit. They even give out fitness tracker watches to help track your steps and remind you to get up and move. The program and the watches certainly cost the company money, but in the long run, they know that it’s worth it to try and keep their workers in good shape.
When I was younger it was easier to stay in shape. The barley pop didn’t add to my gut, and I could eat as much Papa Tom’s Pizza as I liked without worrying about it. Time has teamed up with my body to do its best to make sure my clothes no longer fit like they used to. My waist remains the same size, but it has slid 6 inches lower below my stomach and my rear end has all but ceased to exist. The result is that I can’t keep my pants up and I totally understand why old men wear both a belt and suspenders! My body has become the lopsided bell-shaped curve. Oh, to be even average again!