By Jordan Weir

Breaking news: For all those who cannot move out of the house because of their weight issues, the latest in luxury technology is taking you into account. There is now a La-Z-Boy that can
accommodate up to 600 pounds.

Why, may you ask, is this a necessary precaution? Well, perhaps several people would like to sit in a chair together. If you want to snuggle with your honey that would put both of you at 300 pounds.

No, the reason for this is the people at La-Z-Boy know what is up: our weight. The people most likely to buy their chairs are the those who sit inside, watch television and leave the house only if they have to.

As college students, we are constantly bombarded with opportunities and temptations to eat the buffet-style food at the Reef or Gorecki, to stay inside and play video games when it is cold or to sit cramped in the library because we have homework.

But we are forgetting one very important thing about life: our health.

Does anyone watch the Discovery Health Channel? If you do, then you have probably seen the show featuring extremely obese people who struggle with their weight problems and in the end, fail to accomplish much in their life.

Today’s U.S. society pumps video-games, movies, television and greasy food into the younger generation’s culture.

That puts a lot of pressure on us as college students to attempt to reverse the trend. Let me tell you from experience. It takes a lot to remain active and to make sure to eat healthy.

I myself have a problem with visiting Dr. Pepper for my daily luncheon, snack and dinner, which has subsequently allowed me to visit a couple of other doctors and the dentist more than once.

Luckily, here on campus we Johnnies — and yes, even you Bennies — have several wonderful resources to keep us in shape and to build healthy lifestyles that last us our lives.

We have a great weight room which is open daily, a rock climbing wall, racquetball courts, a swimming pool, basketball courts, running track with indoor tennis courts and intramural sports
galore.

As young adults, we owe it to ourselves to try to stay in shape and remember that being healthy isn’t an easy thing to do.

Rather, it is a habit, a lifestyle and something to enjoy, no matter the temperature, the day of the week or any other extraneous factors. The only thing being healthy depends on is you.

Unfortunately, we all have to graduate from this wonderful institute at some point and let me tell you, it is much more difficult to stay healthy outside this campus.

If you think that you are going to have a free weight room you are crazy. If you think that you’re short on time now, just wait and see.

As Americans, the standard is that overweight is OK, watching television, staying indoors during our free time, and I firmly believe that this is due to the habits that people establish early in life.

If you make an effort to stay healthy now, you will be grateful that you did 20, 30 and 40 years from now when you are still able to go golfing, skiing and are able to play with your kids and grandkids without feeling like those people you see on TV who need the miracle cure of Aleve and some Nutrisystem to lose 100 pounds.

This is the opinion of Joradan Weir, an SJU
sophomore.

Filed under: Featured, Opinion by Tan Tuohy