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I discovered that we have an electronic 3 hole punch at work because I heard my co-worker, Eric, using it. You stick a few sheets of paper into this contraption, press a button, it makes some noise, and voila! you have 3 holes on the edge of your paper. Right next to this electronic 3 hole punch is your standard commercial grade three hole punch with the metal handle that you manually have to lift and push down.
My co-worker, Eric, started using P90X 2 months ago. I was excited for him since he looks like he is heading down heart disease alley. Think 34 year old man with a 9 month pregnancy belly. I listened to his laments about sore muscles, sabotage from his wife, and how he has to tweak the workout program in order not to be sore for our bowling league. A month later, I am listening to how he can only workout twice a week, his kids are throwing a fuss about bedtime, and now he cannot even find time to workout at all with the holidays. Then, I find Eric using the electronic 3 hole punch.
"What is that noise?" I asked.
"Oh – it is this electronic 3 hole punch." said Eric, grabbing a small pile paper, tapping it on the counter to line it up. "You just stick a few sheets in and press this button."
"Wow it makes a lot of noise," I said.
"Yeah, everyone can hear when you are using it,"
"So is the manual 3 hole punch broken?" I inquired.
"No. I know you probably would never use this, but for a guy that would take the shortest possible route at any given chance, I just like to use the electronic one," said Eric, shrugging while giving me a sheepish look.
Although social discrimination still exist in some situations for overweight individuals, I feel that we are starting to adapt to their growing numbers with vanity sizing in clothing, life jackets, school desks, and even larger hospital scales, beds, and examination tables. And because it is easier to acquire these things, I wonder if it is easier to dismiss that 20 pounds weight gain as something that becomes important only when there is a health problem.
First there was the Automatic Millionaire, then the Automatic Homeowner, now there is the Automatic Supersize Me. There are small ways to include movement in our sedentary activities. It is the small everyday movement that we can squeeze in that is going to determine whether we can stay healthy. Each time you make the choice to use something with "automatic" attached to its name, you are making the choice to burn less calories. Do that for years and you end up lamenting to your co-workers about your permanent 9 month pregnant belly.
Until next time and thanks for stopping by Small Steps to Health.
Photo by: Tim.
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
So true Asithi. I like how you say Eric doesn’t have the time to workout but then later admits “for a guy that would take the shortest possible route at any given chance, I just like to use the electronic one”. Sounds like he’s taking the shortest route possible when it comes to working out too i.e. none at all.
Tom Parker – Free Fitness Tipss last blog post……6 Christmas Exercise Ideas