Obesity Epidemic

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions but most of us really don't think we are obese when in fact we are.  "It must be someone else because I am just not that heavy.  According to the American Heart Association almost 150 million people are overweight in the United States.  Of those 150 million that are overweight about half are considered obese.

There are many factors to consider when discussing obesity.  People simply aren't as active as they once were.  The majority of us at one time "worked with our hands" but now park are fannies on a comfy chair and stare at a computer 8-10 hours per day.  Children have so many sedentary options are their disposal that "going outside to play" seems like an antiquated idea.

Our eating habits simply have not kept pace with our other changes.  My mother-in-law is a great cook and she primary prepares comfort food.  My wife is the youngest of 8 children so you can imagine how much mashed potatoes were prepared for one meal.  Many decades later it is difficult for her to cook only enough food for father-in-law and her.  Adapting to changes is not always easy.

I imagine we have more health clubs today than ever before.  People are signing up for gyms, using Beachbody Products and other at-home programs yet obesity continues to gain traction.  Much of that has to do with ignorance.  Our media has the tendency to hype pseudo science and shun the boring stuff that says spinach, kale, and bok choy are awesome! What's sexier?  "You mean to tell me I can eat chocolate all day long and not impact my cholesterol?"

It's time for us all to take full responsibility for our own health.  No short cuts.  No "pie-in-the-sky" dream.  Eat food, not too much, mostly plants. 

Selah

Obese Indignation

At the risk of being way too transparent I type this post.  I'd be the first to freely admit that eating healthy is difficult and requires diligence and discipline.  Maybe I am making excuses for my wanton, holiday behavior but I think it's extra tough for those of us that do not eat plants based on ethical/moral reasons (ie vegan) or religious (7th Day Adventist).  The plant-based diet I follow is solely based on willpower and I was sadly running on empty for quite some time.

I began following a plant-based diet in 2011 after getting negative cholesterol results.  I was diligent.  I had a re-test date etched in stone and really wanted to get that number down to a manageable level.  Before converting I read Engine 2 Diet, The China Study and You Can Reverse Heart Disease.  These three books helped me immensely and gave me some ideas on how to prepare tasty food. 

I then stumbled upon the book Eat to Live.  That gave me increased motivation to not only get and keep my lipids under control but to lose excess weight.  I followed Dr. Furhman's diet and the weight began to fall off.  To be fair I was also doing a P90x and Insanity hybrid exercise routine.  The results were remarkable but surprisingly not everyone was thrilled.

I began to get back handed compliments on a regular basis.  "Oh my God! If you lose any more weight you're going to blow away."  "Let me introduce you to my new friend, Slim Shady." Sadly, I still was about 5 pounds too heavy!! Unfortunately, the comments began to wear me down and my food choices began to deteriorate.  I didn't eat meat or dairy but began to fall into the processed food and booze trap.  The weight slowly began to reappear.

I was at the Y swimming last night and decided to weigh in after my laps were complete.  I knew I was up but wanted to quantify the number.  I'm not really big on scales but was sure I was inching to close to an area I worked to hard to flee - and I was right.

I've allowed the opinons of unhealthy people to get me off the mark of staying healthy and living a long, pain free life.  I've allowed back handed compliments to break my focus on what's really important to me.  Being healthy is one of my core values.  I don't want a spare tire, muffin top or love handles.  I don't want to be dependent upon Lipitor, Cialis, insulin, or BP medicine.  I don't want stents, back surgery, or to test my sugar daily. So I'm declaring my freedom today.

I declare my freedom from back-handed compliments.  I declare freedom from caring what people think (other than my doctor) of how much I weigh.  I've seen too many people die prematurely based on poor eating and exercise habits and I am not going to be in that statistical category. 

I'm free and will begin dropping the weight again.  Next fat person that says to me, "If you lose anymore weight you are going to blow away", I'm going to say, "No, I won't fat ass I'll just hold on to you!" 

Okay, I'm too nice but I just might be thinking it. :)

The Final Fifteen + 5

Eating to Live is working very well for me.  In my first week I lost 3.4# or 2% total!

I made several changes to my eating such as eating 3 meal (breakfast, lunch, supper) and stopped the 5 small meal plan.  I know the 5 small plan is popular among a lot of people but it has its drawbacks.  Primarily, eating 5 small meals doesn’t allow the digestive system to regulate. 

EATING

Each morning I had a smoothie for breakfast (typically soy milk, splash of OJ, cilantro, parsley, kale, ground flaxseeds, 2-3 pieces of fresh fruit, and a scoop of soy protein.  For lunch I would eat an enormous salad.  The salad had a base of cabbage, romaine, and spinach with several vegetable choices including carrots, radishes, sunflower seeds, sweet peas, and tomatoes.  Dinner was normal fair it my house: Vegetable primavera, veggie fajitas, etc, etc.

EXERCISE

I started slowly because it has been awhile since I worked really hard.  I am doing a P90X/Insanity hybrid.  Monday was back and chest, Tuesday Insainty/Fast and Furious, Wednesday shoulders and arms, Thursday Insanity, and today I modified a P90 Plyo legs but doing pullups during 5 leg exercises.  I also walked each night on my treadmill for between 30-4 5 minutes. 

My original goal was to lose 20 pounds and I am ahead of schedule but on schedule according to Dr. Furman.  He states a person can lose 20 pounds in 6 weeks.  Let’s see 3.4 x 6 = 20.4#...That would be totally awesome!

TK

The Final 20: Part I

I am not obese but I am a little, how should I say, puffy in certain parts of my body (love handles around my chest and midsection).  I am down to what I call the final 20.  Those real tough pounds to lose that seem to gather in the areas I notice but others do not.  And I want to lose them.  I guess I will find out how badly I want to lose them soon.

My co-workers have organized a "Biggest Loser" type contest that begins next week.  First weigh-in is 1/20 and we will weigh each Friday for 12 weeks.  My goal, as previously stated is 20 solid pounds or about 1.6 pounds per week.  So how will I do it?

I'm not vegan but my eating habits best match a vegan diet.  I have some tripping points, however, that have contributed to my inability to get down to my natural-God-ordained-weight.  I recently ordered the book Eat to Live and should have it in a few days.  I hope to learn some additional tips and tricks to assist me in my saga. 

As for exercise I am not 100% sure.  I really enjoy Insanity by Beachbody and might pick that up again.  It is only 60 days so I would need to find something else for the other 30 days.  It's winter in Michigan so the majority of the exercise must be completed indoors.  Maybe join the Y?

Back to the tripping points...I want to stop drinking alcohol and caffeine during this challenge.  Alcohol, really is useless calories.  Coffee stains my teeth and I want them whiter.  Both will be hard to let go.  I might be able to replace coffee with herbal tea - we will see. 

So, I've put it on the line and hopefully will keep this blog as a pseudo accountabilty partner.  Most people (obese and overweight) would tell me I'm crazy for wanting to lose 20 pounds so it's almost useless.  Even the people in my weight-loss challenge questioned why I wanted to join.  Uh, to lose weight.  DON'T MAKE ME TAKE MY SHIRT OFF!

Let's get this party started!