So, I realized that I skipped the introduction. My name is John and I am a high school student at Rutland High School. I am enrolled in a STEM Capstone class in which we are assigned to create a blog and catalog our journey in completing a research project. I plan on doing mine, as previously stated, on how to fix American health. This is a topic that effects all of us, as we all wish to win our struggles against health and to stay fit as long as we can. I chose this topic because it is dear to me, and it will hold interest even through long boring research sessions. I also like long walks on the beach, candlelit dinners, and good cinema.
General: Health
Topic: American health and fitness and where it is lacking Question: How could we fix Americans? (Obesity, health and healthcare cost, self esteem, etc.) Part 1 - Housekeeping: These are real problems (insert statistic here), here is why. The view that people's feelings are more important than addressing the problem is an impediment that must be overcome. Sorry if you don't want to hear it, but this is bigger than you. Part 2 - Obesity: While there might be some genetic disposition to this disease, it is preventable for the vast majority. It is now the leading #1 preventable killer in US. How do we fix this? The mechanisms are no secret: eat less, do more. I am hoping that people will start striving for what they want in life - be it, more fit, more successful, etc.. We need to redefine our culture: Americans are lazy. I am too. Change the stance on exercise - not boring, not a waste, but a duty and obligation you owe to yourself and fellow citizens. Part 3 - Mental & Miscellaneous Health Benefits: I've been on both sides of the coin on this, so I intend to use my personal experience to supplement scientific studies on how exercise decreases risk of mental ailments. From stress relief to self esteem boosters I wish to explain why movement does the body good. I am from a demographic of kids who suffer the worst from these conditions, and they only seem to be rising: of course I think I have part of the cure. (chemicals of brain, add how it works) (amount of people on anti- depression, anxiety, etc pills) Part 4 - Pain and Why I Can Fix People: Yet another topic that I have personal experience with, I plan on highlighting a few "problem areas" for common folk. I don't mean that stubborn belly fat, I mean those pesky arches, shoulders, hips, ankles, and back. I will be explaining briefly how tissues become dysfunctional and why Western medicine sucks at fixing it (mostly). I might explain specific mobilization exercises to use for these areas, especially with my personal story of having had flat feet. I, of course, will use my personal anecdote to explain that it is possible and I am not being romantic. At the end I will relate back to practical application: if people knew how they worked, then the could perform basic self-maintenance they would life healthier, more active, and less expensive lives. Part 5 - A Note On Testimony, The Opinionated Insight Gained: Most of the developed world's health problems come from two things: what we put in our bodies and what we do with our bodies. Education on these topics is essential and is already beginning (at least with nutrition... gym class has yet to be relevant). For the most part, people have heard what to eat and how to move 1,000 times (and if you haven't the information is readily available for free or cheap online). So we know what to do, we simply don't... well here's why I think everyone should (aside from all the other nonsense I just talked about): development of personality. From a more romantic perspective, the setting and completion of goals through a little bit of hard work can go a long ways to molding a person who can get what they want. It will breed people who don't simply accept that they're born broken and destined never to do great things. It will breed teens who aren't offended by the "media's ridiculous standards of beauty" because they feel like they themselves reflect the real kind. It will build "doers." And that is what I want, to be surrounded by peers who are willing to take responsibility for their lives, rather than complain about it. Victim hood is mainstream, take the less traveled path. "If you learn to walk with crutches, you'll never know what it's like to run." -Me Today I looked into barefoot running. This is a topic that is of much interest to me, as I have personally been on both ends of the argument and spectrum. Diagnosed with flat feet at a fairly early age, I grew up standing on expensive, custom-made orthodics that cashed in a $200 every time I had a growth spurt. I was dependent on these inserts, as athletics without them resulted in knee pain.
It was completely by chance that I was watching an interview of Eric Helms, a trainer and competitor in both bodybuilding and power lifting, when he mentioned flat feet. He proposed that they were curable. With a little muscle development, one could amend their weak arches. I tried it out... and continued to try it. It took me about a year, but with some concentration I could walk without support in proper alignment. I then purchased toe-shoes and began practicing running with the same form. When I held up my latest pair of designer orthodics and told my parents that these are the last pair I will own, they laughed. I threw out the orthodics and now have no need for them. My next goal is to be able to run 15 miles without support. Learn to walk with crutches and you'll never know what it's like to run. Part of my project will be on barefoot running, as well as other common aliments that can be fixed easily and cheaply. For barefoot running I have multiple sources, all saved on my bookmarks. I plan on pointing to my story as an example of how easy it can be to fix problems that have bugged one for years. I am aware that much of my ideas fall into the not-too-popular realm of "alternative medicine," and for that I feel like a hippie. However, I am not purporting that all of western medicine is flawed, simply that people should be trusted to take responsibility of themselves more in practice. Also, i note that this is not for everyone, but I do believe that most people can benefit with some practice in these areas. Alrighty, my first topic of interest is American lifestyle and why it's so unhealthy. Im pretty sure that this is the only topic i am going to do, so dont be surprised if the next two posts are simple variations. Anyways, my research into this topic goes beyond the one class period we've been allotted to Google. I have studied independently exercise and simple mechanics of the body for years now, and it has been glorious.
Sadly, the views and opinions I have developed over this time are contrary to pretty much all of our culture's view on working out. Sitting is the devil, pattern overload is a sin, and the divine savior is taking responsibility for one's self and learning about the skin one lives in. These beliefs often cause my coaches and peers to call me naive or weird. They're right, but I wish to show why I am too. It is with this project that I will voice my accumulated knowledge to the world... or class... okay maybe just teacher, but hopefully not. Basic points: -Housekeeping: destroying culture - why the feels must not beat the facts. -Living sedentary life is costly (medical costs, health drawbacks, even self esteem) -Common probs with easy solutions (shin splints, flat feet, back pain, shoulder pain, etc.) -Little bit of my personal experience -Conclude: take personal responsibility. You were not born broken. -Sources: Supple Leopard, Articles from database, Born to Run, my injuries. Blog Questions:
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