Lessons in Weight Loss from a Third-World Country

I love travel and adventure! Recently, I had the privilege to visit the amazing country of Costa Rica with a great group of friends. And, what an eye-opening experience it was!

After arriving in this third-world nation and taking care of necessary business (getting through Immigration and Customs, as well as renting a 4-wheel drive Jeep), we set out on a four-hour journey through Costa Rican mountains and jungles, and along the Pacific coastline.

Darkness fell upon the land, as we drew nearer our destination. When it was still daylight, our eyes beheld incredible scenery, as well as a civilization that was similar, and yet so different from our own. After the sun had set and the stars had come out, I began to realize just how stark the differences between the two cultures actually are.

First Impressions

As we drove along the rather primitive highway, through the mountains and along the Pacific shoreline, I was transported back to a simpler place and time. Not only did I not see any fancy department stores, Wal-Mart stores, large-chain hotels, or convenience stores, I also did not see any fast-food restaurants! Wow! Imagine that! An area of the world that is actually getting by without fast food! How can that be possible?

I'm not so sure that many people in our culture would know what to do, if they didn't have loads of fast-food restaurants to rely upon to get them through their busy schedules. Fast food has become a way of life here in the U.S.

Guess what else I noticed during that drive? Certainly not something that one would normally see while driving down one of our highways...especially, after dark! I saw...(are ya ready for this?)...

Numerous people walking and riding bicycles!!!!

The sight of so many people...men, women, and children...outdoors...in the evening...being active...was a bit surprising to our little group of travelers! And, it was at that moment that Costa Rica really touched my heart!

Exercise: A Way of Life

As we became better acquainted with the Costa Rican lifestyle, it became evident that walking and/or riding bicycles or horseback are the primary ways of getting around in rural areas and small towns. Those who have to travel longer distances might drive or take a bus or taxi. However, most individuals walk or bicycle to places such as the local supermarket. And, then, they walk or bicycle back home again...even when they have 'goods' to carry!

Such a lifestyle is a far cry from our own lifestyles! The majority of U.S. citizens jump in their cars and drive to their destinations, even if that destination is only a mere block or two away! Instead of enjoying the act of walking, we have become lazy and much too dependent upon our automobiles!

You won't see too many Costa Ricans plopped in front of a television set after they come in from work, either. They're more likely to be outdoors, milling about, visiting neighbors, spending time with their families. For these folks, exercise is not merely exercise. It is a way of life!

Typical Costa Rican Diet

As I mentioned previously, you won't find any fast-food restaurants outside the more populated areas of Costa Rica. In fact, Costa Ricans rarely eat red meat, much less thrive on hamburgers and hot dogs! They feast predominantly on fish, chicken, rice, and beans, as well as plenty of native fruits and vegetables.

If you visit the local grocery store, you aren't going to find aisle-after-aisle of junk foods. Sweet, sugary items are of a very limited variety and supply. The shelves are mostly stocked with the main Costa Rican staples and basic necessities. Judging by the good attitudes of the natives that we met in Costa Rica, I don't think they miss all the junk food that Americans are accustomed to consuming each day, anyway.

A Good Example

Throughout our stay in this Central American country, I pondered the simplicity of life among its people. Although I noticed the absence of big commercialism, I didn't miss it. I especially did not miss fast food! I never felt deprived. I never felt bored. In fact, I felt happy and at peace with the world!

One day, a couple of my friends and I walked up the steep, rocky mountain road that ran along the villa in which we were lodging. I breathed in the clean, salty air, as it drifted across the land from the ocean. The magnificent jungle views deluged my senses. The primal sounds of Nature inspired me to continue up that road. Such a journey was a common, daily practice for the locals. And, now, I was a part of this activity, too!

Thoughts flooded my mind, as we walked on and on. I became aware of how exhilarating the walk and fresh air were! How I longed to be able to make this walk everyday!

I considered the fact that most of the people I had seen in Costa Rica had been lean and fit. And, why shouldn't they be? After all, they weren't a sedentary society, and they consumed healthy diets, for the most part. Perhaps, without even knowing it, they held the secrets to a long, healthy life!

It's good to be back home in the States, where we do have the luxury of choosing what kinds of foods we eat, where we eat, what we do in our free time, our means of transportation, and so on. But, how I wish I could convince my fellow Americans to choose wisely...to get up off their couches and take a walk...to eat a healthy, balanced diet...to try to put an end to the growing problem of American obesity!

I truly believe that we could learn a great deal from the examples set by Costa Ricans!

Good health and happy exercising!

Cyndi Schoenhals
CPT and fitness writer