Becky and I lived in Switzerland for 3 years. Almost nobody in Switzerland has a gym membership. The Swiss eat bread, drink wine, and enjoy pasta. Yet they have one of the lowest obesity rates in Europe.
Compare that with the U.S.
In the U.S., the percentage of adults with a BMI of over 30 is 42.9 percent.
In Switzerland, the percentage of adults with a BMI of over 30 is 13.7 percent.
How?
The Swiss burn more calories than we do.
But how can they burn more calories when they don't work out?
They walk everywhere.
- They walk to work.
- They walk to the store.
- They walk to church.
- They walk to get a gelato.
- They walk to the theater.
- They walk to the mountains.
Everything's closer in Switzerland. In Basel, Becky and I had no need for a car. We walked everywhere. And if we were in a hurry, we could always take the bus, the tram, or the train.
America is huge. We drive everywhere. Even to the gym. But you can change that. Walking burns more calories than you think. And you don't have to go to Switzerland to walk. Just walk more.
By the way, nothing says you have to wait to January 1 to start. A new year doesn't mean much of anything. The excitement almost always fades. Most of you gave up on your 2025 goals months ago. So start now.
If you do start now, you'll move into 2026 with real momentum. You've still got a couple of weeks left. If you start now, January won't be a "fresh start." It will just be you continuing something you've already committed to.
Go for it!