Two days into the new-year (2010) my wife and I had friends returning to Canada after a holiday visit with us in Florida. They wanted to check the weight of their travel bags before leaving for the airport to ensure that they would not exceed the allowed limit. All we had was a regular bathroom scale so I volunteered to pick up each bag and step on the scale to determine its weight. Obviously I had to determine my own weight without the bags for the process to work. I am a 6 foot tall, 50 year old male who has always been very active and I have weighed between 170 and 175 pounds since leaving high school 33 years ago. I stepped on the scale in front of the small group. Ouch! The numbers "191" stared back at me. Naturally I had to let my beautiful wife verify the reading because my eyes have started to feel the toll of the passing years. There was no mistake. I weighed 191 pounds.
My wife had also accumulated some unwanted pounds and so together we went on a quest to reverse the runaway train. We discovered an easy weight loss program that delivered everything it promised and more. Within days my chronic fatigue disappeared and 4 months later I was back at my ideal weight of 172 pounds. Even some of the niggling digestive issues I was experiencing cleared up. Amazing!
I share this experience in order to ask the perplexing question: "With all the information at our disposal, and with moderately priced weight loss solutions readily available, why are we ignoring the facts and knowingly exposing ourselves to life threatening medical problems"? Obesity in the United States is rampant and the epidemic is growing. Statistics in most states indicate obesity rates of 25% or higher. For the first time in generations children being born now have the possibility of a life expectancy lower than their parents. It is medically accepted that obesity radically increases the risk of diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Obesity is an extreme case but what about just everyday good nutrition. The most common complaint of patients visiting doctor's offices is chronic fatigue. This, along with a whole array of other medical complaints, is often related to nutritional issues. These are not earth shattering new concepts I am exploring. I would venture to guess that most adults are at least vaguely aware of the importance of what they eat. Is the taste of French fries really that good? My 17 year old daughter would probably say "hell yes".
That is the point. A teenager can possibly be forgiven for not concerning themselves with diet. At that age they are immortal and they feel good no matter what they eat. Adults, however, should be better informed and should respond to the signals their bodies are sending them. I routinely have conversations on the subject of wellness and nutrition. As I am sharing my weight loss success stories and the tangible benefits I enjoy from my wellness program I can see peoples' eyes glaze over. What are the sources of their resistance?
(a) You must be selling something and I hate being sold.
(b) You are easily swayed and you have been brainwashed by some evil wellness plan sect.
(c) This is probably some MLM deal you are trying to drag me into.
(d) That works for you but I am weak and I could not stick to a rigid diet.
(e) Don't tell me I have to give up "..."
(f) I am very busy and my schedule is not conducive to a wellness program.
(g) My uncle drank like a fish, ate red meat every-day, poured salt on everything, and lived to be 105 years old.
(h) Times are tough. I won't be able to afford the monthly cost.
(i) Eating is my main form of entertainment and comfort. I love my food too much.
There are probably hundreds more I am missing. I'll get into addressing some of these in future articles as I continue to try and provide current useful information and food for thought so that you can attain optimal health.
