We’re getting on in age. No, I’m being serious! I know I’m getting old”er” and so are my friends who are in my age group. And with age comes? You got it, health problems. All those things that didn’t bother us when we were young and energetic are now weighty problems for us – pun intended!

Yes, I’m talking about weight management and health issues that arise from the lack of weight management.

We know how socially active we are. If we aren’t entertaining every weekend, we’re the ones being entertained. If we aren’t cooking oil and sugar loaded foods, we know our friends are preparing those to serve those to us lovingly at parties and events that we are so happy to attend. Every weekend is a weekend for food and friends and the fun now even seems to spill over to work days for some of us. What with kitty parties, a drink after work, or just a girls or guys night out, there just ain’t enough time to accommodate all our social obligations.

And when we get together, what do we do? We eat and we pontificate and then we eat some more. We don’t just eat one simple meal. We have rich appetizers, huge elaborate spreads of main courses, and then we have desserts. “Have some more”, “come on you’re not eating today”, “diet tomorrow, enjoy yourself today” are common phrases heard by each and every one of us. Right? You KNOW that I’m telling it like it is.

We have a lot of time for socializing cause we love it and yet, when the discussion turns to “exercising” or “working out”, we just don’t have the time. A lot of my friends say “I just don’t have the time” or “I’m too tired after a long day and exercise is the last thing on my mind”.

Hmmm…

But don’t we find the time for what we want to do? No matter how tired we are, if a friend called and said “come over for chai” or “we’re coming over for chai”, wouldn’t we “find” the time to accommodate them, tired or not?

Well, health concerns due to lack of activity and too much indulgence of rich foods is no longer just “food for thought” at social events. Studies are now being published that show that Asian Indians are at higher risk when it comes to diabetes, heart disease, blood pressure and other health issues, a lot of which can be associated to poor eating habits and lack of exercise amongst Asian Indians.
This article titled “South Asians have Increased Heart Disease Risk in the UK” is very concerning. And although I’m no physician, I believe that similar results would be found if a study were to be done on Asian Indian eating habits here in the US.

Who amongst us doesn’t know a friend or family member who has one of these three ailments: diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure?

This is scary stuff my friends. I urge you and encourage you to take small steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

Make small, simple adjustments like:

1. Instead of sitting down and watching TV, spend 10 minutes jogging in place while watching TV.
2. Keep small weights next to your sofa and USE them even if only for 10 minutes 2-3 times a day
3. Get on the tread mill even if for 15 minutes per day
4. Skip a rope for 10 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day
5. etc. etc.

I work out at 10 pm most nights cause I’m too busy, distracted, tied-up during the day. I don’t “look forward to it” but I know how great I feel when I do work out. And I do it because I know that I must workout to keep myself from growing horizontally (since I know I can no longer can grow vertically!)

So friends, make the time to include exercise in your daily routine. While we are working hard and playing hard, it becomes even more imperative that we focus hard to manage our weight and our health so that we can enjoy a healthier life. If we don’t make time now, when will we?

Here’s to your health my South Asian (Indian American) friends!