Here is one definition of the word “play” as used as a verb: to engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.
As children, we all loved to “play” with siblings, friends and even parents. Going out to play with our friends was a common activity before the advent of the myriad of screen devices that diminish physical “play” and increase sedentary “play”.
As parents and grandparents, it is fun to be able to play with our children and grandchildren. Engaging in a baseball catch, tennis match, golfing or other physical activity with our family members provide great “bonding” time, especially now when stress levels are beyond measure for most.
Even sitting on the floor and playing shoots and ladders or some other board game with really young family members is lots of fun.
So, does weight control impact your ability to “play”? The answer is an obvious “Yes”. Being in better physical condition allows for much more opportunity and ability to play with the important people our lives. There are 80 year olds I have seen in my practice that can still bicycle with their younger family members, take long walks, swim, hit a tennis ball and “play” lots whereas other people burdened with multiple medical issues, chronic pain, poor mobility issues etc. cannot “play” at all.
Wanna go out and play? If you get that weight under control, your answer is more likely to be “Yes!!!”.
Video of Doctor Bob Posner playing with his grandson :