At Excy, we’re all about supporting people in the name of living their healthiest lives. For some, that means weight loss, for others it means an increase in range of motion, for others it simply means maintaining an existing weight, or getting more activity.
We’re were excited to see Oprah, 62, showcase her new slimmer figure on the cover of her O, the Oprah Magazine’s April 2016 issue after losing over 25 pounds since becoming a Weight Watchers spokes model and part owner last year. But, what has us more excited is the overall emphasis on being healthy and quality of life vs. having the “perfect” body.
Sioux Nesi for O Mag
“Gone, for me, are the days of wanting to be thin to fit into anything other than my best body and best life,” Winfrey said in O. “Most important, I feel vibrant and charged up for all the great ventures and adventures I know are coming. Every day offers a new chance to embrace the wonder of being alive. And believe me, I do. I pay attention to the tiniest things…Another spring, new life. Nature changes herself yet again. We can change ourselves, too—blossoming into better habits.”
Rather than solely being driven by our appearance on the outside, we love how Weight Watchers and Oprah are also focusing on what’s happening on the inside.
The prevalence of obesity in the United States is astounding. More than one third of U.S adults are obese. As many of us already know being overweight greatly increases the risk factor of developing:
- Type 2 diabetes, which affects 1 in 8 Americans according to a Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll.
- High blood pressure, which should normally be less than 120/80 mm Hg (less than 120 systolic AND less than 80 diastolic) for an adult age 20 or over. It’s easy enough to check now that local drugstores and some grocery stores e.g. Safeway have machines
- Strokes, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists three main types, which are the number 4 killer of Americans.
Heart disease, which is the number one killer of both men and women. To improve cardiovascular health, the American Heart Association suggest at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise (or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity). Thirty minutes a day, five times a week is an easy goal to remember. You will also experience benefits even if you divide your time into two or three segments of 10 to 15 minutes per day.
So, when it comes to your health and your life, think about the big picture. We don’t need to focus on artificial perfection, especially of those who get paid to spend hours in a gym each day when the average person just doesn’t have that much spare time. Exercise and eat healthier to feel better. Exercise and eat healthy to reduce your risk factors and achieve a healthy weight and have a better quality of life. Use these motivations, and whatever else inspires you, to fuel your health priorities.
For all you Weight Watchers fans, please do check out the Excy total body portable exercise cycling systems. As an indoor or outdoor cycle, Excy is designed to make exercise convenient at home, work, or on the go! It’s available to you at the exact time and place that you have to get healthy and fit anywhere, anytime. Right where you are. Whenever and whenever you want. Including during your Weight Watchers meetings!
Most importantly, Excy doesn’t take you away from your family. In fact, it helps connect exercise to the world around you and the entire family can use it. It’s convenient, fun, and doesn’t take planning
And to Oprah, keep up the amazing work in putting your health first!