This has become a very common theme in all aspects of our personal wellness. Who hasn't heard someone say, "I'll start running as soon as I can afford those new air pocket - gel - hexalite - neoprene - antirusting running shoes". Or perhaps you have attended a Wellness Fair only to find yourself in the midst of a really large vitamin and fitness gadget shopping mall.

What we are experiencing nowadays is the commodification of wellness. With the new found awareness in health, wellness and active living, every business minded individual and company is realizing the large profits to be made from "helping" people get fit and healthy. (Or at least make a profit from people continually failing at this, and having to start all over again). From $150 running shoes to $200 UV protective sunglasses, it can become very expensive for both the naive (recreational) and experienced (elite) consumer.

After a recent discussion with fellow students in a sociology of leisure lecture, we all tried to name a free leisure or recreation activity. After each response, someone was able to give examples of how that specific activity had been marketed and exploited for profits...even bird watching! Try this yourself. Be conscious of how we are expected to purchase something before we venture into a new activity. The media portrays individuals in magazines, newspapers, and TV wearing and sporting the latest gadgets in their quest for personal development. Whether it's those new hiking boots for walking, or the latest in polar fleece outwear for skiing, running, or yes - even bird watching, we are encouraged to buy before we try. It is amazing how all encompassing this is once you are aware of it. (Please email me with any humourous examples of the commodification of leisure that you have experienced in your daily routine.)

Another way that the commodification of leisure has been presented in the past is the Barbie Doll Syndrome. The profits do not come from purchasing the actual Barbie doll. Instead the manufacturers, advertisers, and distributors make their money from dressing up and equipping Barbie for every activity in life. From a very young and impressionable age we are shown how we need certain physical items for various recreational activities. The pink convertible Corvette for tennis matches with Ken, and the white Corvette for golf.

Realizing that health and wellness enthusiasts are a very large target market for businesses, where do we go from here? I am reminded of a great anecdote...An old man sits in his cottage in the middle of winter. Although it is -30 degrees outside and freezing within his walls, he stands in front of a wood stove, door open, matches in one hand, paper in the other, and a large stack of dry kindling and wood. He stares at the woodstove and says, "You give me heat and I'll give you wood!".

How true for ourselves. We say, "I'll start working out when I feel better", "I'll start walking once I buy those new shoes" or "I'll start eating better when I have more time and money". What we need to realize is that wellness is all about placing the kindling, the paper, and the wood in the empty stove - NOW. We then need to light a match and set fire to the paper and watch as it slowly catches. With wellness, we need to make do with what we have. We need to inventory our skills and interests, plan the necessary arrangements, and then just do it (in the words of the NIKE campaign). Slowly, but surely with conscious, persistent effort, the flames will catch. It is then that you could decide to buy that new pair of shoes, or that nice new racquet - or maybe you won't.

I hope that after implementing your wellness plan, and after being active for a few weeks, you will realize that you do not need those items that were on sale last week. Wellness is not about buying vitamins, health club memberships, clothing , and shoes that we do not need and cannot afford. Wellness is a conscious effort to make changes in your daily routine, with what you have, in order to achieve your optimum health!

Editor's note: Please do not attempt activities without the proper equipment! Especially hang gliding, parachuting, rollerblading, ice climbing, and bird watching.