I’m sure most everyone has spent some time this past week watching the London Olympics and staring in awe at what the world’s top athletes are capable of.  Whatever the sport – soccer, swimming, beach volleyball, gymnastics – these athletes are in stellar shape and perform amazing fetes.

I can remember when, as a young teen gymnast, I would dream about competing in the Olympics.  Of course, that was when they only did one flip at a time!  I’m sure there are many others out there who had similar dreams.  If not of the Olympics, then maybe professional sports.

Needless to say, it is only the smallest fraction of athletes who actually achieve such greatness.  That’s not to say that you – the average Joe – can’t use these great athletes as role models to inspire you to just be healthy. And that’s really what you should do. 

We know that the Olympians spend countless hours daily practicing, training and conditioning; plus sticking to strict diets.  Certainly, we don’t have the resources for that type of commitment.  But imagine what just 30 minutes, a few times a week will do for you.

I just read about a recent series of studies by Harvard researchers published in the British medical journal, The Lancet, showing that 1 in 10 deaths worldwide are caused by inactivity.  Yeah, being a couch potato is deadly.  All you have to do to counter this trend is get active.

So use the Olympics as your motivation to start a small fitness routine NOW.  Walk, ride your bike, jog, play tennis, join a gym, work with a personal trainer, whatever.  Just get moving.  The benefits of exercise are endless and continually growing.  There’s no better time than now to get started.

Spread the word.

Be healthy.  Be active.  Be your own Olympian.