January is the month in which magazines and newspapers tell us how to change our unhealthy ways. That’s not news. What is headline-worthy is that Americans seem to be taking the advice. Indeed, as it turns out, we may not be the overeating, sedentary puddings we think we are.
4 Ways Americans Are Healthier Already
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The overall number of gym memberships has gone up every year over the past decade. In fact, only 29.5 million Americans belonged to a gym in 1998, but by 2010, 40 million of us had signed up. Even the recession hasn't driven the numbers back down, with growth in the fitness industry managing to continue — though at the paltry rate of .5% a year. In fact, there's some evidence that fitness made a more important leap: it may have moved from the discretionary spending list — what Americans believe they can live without and tend to cut first — to the list of necessities. In 2009, when belts were being tightened nationwide, gym membership and attendance were at their highest. That may be because gym-goers used their facilities to reduce stress during hard times. Next: Cigarettes Are Going Up in Smoke SPECIAL REPORT: See Healthland's Full Guide to Life in 2011
