No Way around It – It Takes Work

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Weight loss, healthy eating

There was very significant health news a few weeks ago.  When news about health makes it to the headlines, it usually means we have to pay attention.  For over 100 years, the average life expectancy of people who live in the United States has increased, with the exception of 1993 and that aberration occurred because of the AIDS epidemic during that period of time.  This year, that statistic reversed itself.  What happened?  The experts have pointed to one thing and one thing only—obesity! The overweight and obesity epidemic has gotten so out of hand that it effect on the public health now means we are dying earlier. 

The Obesity Problem

36.5% of adults in the U.S. are obese (68.8% are overweight).  About a third of children and adolescents are obese.  Obesity WILL lead to some negative health consequence. People who are obese are at risk for: diabetes, heart disease, stroke, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, many types of cancer and will ultimately cause problems like arthritis to your muscular-skeletal system which causes pain. It can also lead to depression and other emotional illness.  Being overweight or obese in and of itself is a risk factor for early mortality. In addition being large is uncomfortable and unfortunately, brings social stigmas.  Yes, they are discriminated against.

Unlike some health maladies, this is an area where we can decide to take control and change our lives around.  Although there is no easy fix, this can be reversed. But this takes work, hard work, but the results are just so worthwhile.  So, what has me talking about this subject now isn’t just the life expectancy statistics.  Someone came into my office a few weeks ago and I would like to share the unexpected experience with you, so you have an understanding of the fortitude it takes in order to accomplish what so many people I have worked with have indeed accomplished.

Unwilling to change

Harvey (not his real name) is a 57 year old who is overweight enough to be having difficulties with his cholesterol.  It was very, very high and particularly his LDL—the type of cholesterol that causes many problems, was extremely high.  So, Harvey’s doctor prescribed a statin medication for him.  After two weeks, he began to experience one of the prominent side effects of statin drugs, something called myalgia.  This is pain in the muscles and although the amount of pain certainly varies from person to person, in some people, the pain can be intolerable.  Harvey had bad pain and the doctor decided to change his medication and suggested that he make some changes in his lifestyle.  And so, at the behest of his doctor, wife, and children, he set up an appointment to come and talk to me. 

After our initial consultation, he came in for the first session.  Both my dietician and I were in for a surprise.  I am very upfront with anyone who wants to come to me for weight loss.  I don’t have a magic wand in my desk nor do I have a magic pill—and neither does anyone else. Rectifying overweight and obesity and the health that comes with it, requires changes in eating habits, getting activity and putting exercise into your life.  As these are not easy, we teach our clients how to move incrementally.  Our surprise was that Harvey unequivocally just said no to every single little thing we asked of him. It was just, “no, I am not doing that” in responses to begin walking daily and eating foods to reduce cholesterol and to lose weight.  So, Harvey decided that in spite of the high cholesterol and excess weight and fatigue and lethargy and also not being able to take statin drugs, he was not going to do our program.

Too many people who I speak to, don’t understand that in order to improve your health, you must make changes.  For some, it is a matter of a few changes and for others, it can mean many.  In either case, start slowly, one step at a time and see immediate improvements.  But there is no choice, we have to make changes to succeed.

Behaviors to Modify

How do I change my Habits?

Here’s a few tips on how to successfully transform negative habits into positive ones:

We’ve all heard the expression hard work pays off.  It is absolutely true when it comes to your health.  There are no gimmicks, no magic potions, and no quick fixes.  Don’t be sucked in to trying something that is too good to be true.  Begin the hard work and begin the road to great health, good function, and an acceptable weight.  Putting in the time and effort needed to better your health will “add hours to our day, days to your year and years to our life”.


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Alan Freishtat is an A.C.E. CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER and a BEHAVIORAL CHANGE and WELLNESS COACH with over 19 years of professional experience. Alan is the creator and director of the “10 Weeks to Health” program for weight loss. He is available for private coaching sessions, consultations, assessments and personalized workout programs both in his office and by telephone and skype. Alan also lectures and gives seminars and workshops. He can be reached at 02-651-8502 or 050-555-7175, or by email at alan@alanfitness.com Check out the his web site –www.alanfitness.com US Line: 516-568-5027.

 

The words of this author reflect his/her own opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Orthodox Union.