Here in the UK we are experiencing a January type fitness splurge because of our unexpected success at the Olympics. At a time when most retailers are reporting a downturn in trade, sales of sports equipment has doubled. Bike sales have gone up by 130 percent and swimsuits and goggles by 135 percent.
Unfortunately we Brits are keener on the equipment than the hard work that should go with it. See my article written some time back about this phenomenon - “Spare A Thought For Redundant Exercise Machines“.
But will this Olympic glory have a new and lasting effect on the nations attitude to fitness? Previous examples are not encouraging…
Am I alone in having the perception that Australia is full of superfit potential athletes? Here is something I read this weekend that really surprised me. Australia has soared to the top of the obesity charts with 60 per cent of the population now overweight. This is after the Australian 2000 Olympics where they excelled with 58 medals, only eight years ago.
Little research has been carried out into what motivates people to exercise. It seems that for adults the main factors are encouragement, facilities and support close to home. The turn-offs are anxiety about physique and unrealistic expectations.
Role models appear to influence children more but have most impact if they present an attainable target. A glamarous school swimming captain may change behaviour more than an Olympic swimming hero. One really important role model though for kids is their parents who can be very influential if they exercise.
Once the triumphant glow of Beijing has worn off what is really going to have an impact is sustained effort to make sporting activity easy and the norm – not something for superheroes. Close to home and realistic targets is the way forward.
Our government appears to be investing in community sport in the run up to the 2012 Olympics here in London which is one part of the equation. But the people who really influence our exercise patterns are the role models immediately around us. Producing enough of those (including active parents) appears to be the real challenge.
Technorati Tags: exercise machines, fitness, motivation, Olympic glory
About Keith Watson
Hi - I am Keith Watson.
This blog is dedicated to Banger - a teacher from my teenage years who - at least once a week - insisted upon cracking the hilarious - and I have to say - never heard before line "What's on Watson?".
I would smile demurely - the rest of the class would fall about with sides aching - and life would go on for another week.
'Wats-on My Mind' I have decided will assist me personally as well as be of interest to others (I hope) who share my challenges. It will help keep me organised and document my activities so that I know what I did yesterday.
You think I am joking!!
I have been in the website development game since 1993 and have been involved with over 2000 website builds (with the help of my fantastic team of freelance programmers)
It was only in the last two years though that I have moved over to making money for myself on line and in particular linking up with an amazing talent called Adam Eason to produce and distribute self help and hypnotherapy products.
As a result of looking to promote these products I have downloaded hundreds of internet marketing articles and e-books, studied countless reports, tested list building tactics, butterflied, boot-camped, buzzed, adsensed, affiliated, met a jerk, jv'ed, plr given-awayed, and generally suffered from information overload.
My computer - presumably in a fit of pique or simply demanding a holiday has given up the ghost on at least two occassions - causing me even more stress.
Oh this simple business of making money online.
BUT the great news is that it is all working and our list has grown - I have found some gurus I have complete faith in - and Adam and I are actually making money from our endeavours.
Some way to go but I am more relaxed and can spot a phoney over hyped, sexed up, must have latest product which you must either buy or if not, simply fade into oblivion. There’s not room on this Internet for the two of us.
This ramble of an introduction is really to set the scene for I am sure an interesting journey which I invite you to join. In fact I want you to help me find the right tools, scripts, plugins etc. etc, that will catapult me into the stratosphere of success. I hope you will be there with me.
I don't just consider success in a monetary sense. I so want to help some friends of mine who are involved in Christian missionary work in some pretty harrowing parts of this world. If I can bring any help to their missions that will give me more satisfaction than anything else.
I really, really do love this web stuff and the people you meet. I am convinced that this powerful technology can be harnessed to do some good.
