It is just over a week since the greatest show on earth left London town with the promise of inspiration, perspiration and a fitter nation. Well, if the British kid I witnessed in an airport in Spain when returning to Luton at the weekend is anything to go by then it will take more than a 'MoBot' to sort this out. Picture 'Pub Landlord' aged ten with a full tray of pasties and fries in front of him. I was totally transfixed, how on earth could a kid get to become so fat, so young. Yes, it is the parents but they alone cannot be held responsible.
There are of course a multitude of influences at work here. Rather than moan and go on about the state of the food industry and the inept efforts of the happy clappy fitness industry, I have to offer a solution. Now, if you take your mind back to the 'Mobot' after his epic 5000m final, he turned to the camera and apart from plugging his foundation, which was terribly sweet and a brilliant illustration of how young Mo totally under estimates his power. He faced the great British public and said 'anything is possible, it's just hard work and grafting '. Exactly. The nail on the head has been hit. Time to challenge a generation or two.
The fat kid in the airport is a victim of a generation of pathetic messages from the fitness industry and ridiculous legislation in schools that has delivered marshmallow kids who do not exercise and donut parents who do not see the need. The solution is very simple; every kid should do PROGRESSIVE EXERCISE three times per week. Competitive sport should be in all schools with inter school sports delivering the next generation of gold medal winners.
More importantly, key life preservation skills such as cooking, exercise and work / life balance should be taught in schools to all our kids. All parents should be encouraged to take part too. I wont go as far as a to suggest a whole school weigh in 'Biggest Loser ' style, but at some point we have to go through a little discomfort to change and be bold enough to tell it how it is. Parents and kids alike need to follow a formula and philosophy that allows them to integrate positive change into their lives. What is more, all professionals in influential positions need to lead by example.
This formula will be easily accessible, affordable and one that creates a positive community. The thing I loved about the Olympics is that every news channel lead with a positive news story and this added to the amazing energy of the two weeks.
For the record, I have written to the Boris Johnson's office with such a solution solution born out of 17 years of understanding how people change and stay changed. Let's see if they bite, there is no reason why not.