There was an interesting article in the New York Post this week about jailed mobster Vito Rizzuto. Apparently, Mr. Rizzuto is the biggest mobster in Canada and has vowed to become even bigger as soon as he’s released. What’s he doing to prepare for that? He’s getting healthy, including following a vegetarian diet.

If a Prisoner Has No Excuses, Do We?

The article says that Rizzuto has been cooking up delicious vegetarian soups, which he shares with his very appreciative prison mates. He also exercises regularly. It got me thinking about all of the excuses we give (and I’m as guilt of this as anyone I know) for why we don’t live a healthier lifestyle. Even vegetarians can be lax about eating a balanced diet or getting enough physical activity. So is a mobster actually acting as a role model for healthy living?

He Has a Goal and He’s Going For It

Rizzuto, who is serving 10 years for his role in the famous “Donnie Brasco” triple homicide in 1981, said

I don’t just want to be godfather of Canada — I want to be godfather of the world.”

Now, few of us have these same ambitions, but we do have worthwhile goals when it comes to our health and some of them are as important to us as his are to him. So why is he following through and we’re not?

Reasons, We’ve Got a Million of ‘Em

There are as many reasons not to eat right and exercise as there are people trying to get healthier. We say we don’t have enough time, we don’t have access to a gym or we don’t have access to really good produce and other healthful foods. Really?

March is about the time that many of us fall away from our New Year’s resolutions-or at least start faltering. As much as I hate to advise that we look to an imprisoned mobster for motivation, maybe we should. If he can find ways to eat a healthy, vegetarian diet and get regular exercise, then surely so can you and I.