I got a comment, from a reader who wished to remain anonymous, in response to my post about a Vegan Lifstyle The reader claimed
"Excessive carbs, in the form of grains and/or legumes, are the cause, and not the cure, for obesity."
Sorry, but this is not accurate.
Of course eating too much food of any kind, even healthy foods like whole grains and legumes can cause us to be overweight. So can eating too much meat or even fruits and vegetables. However, eating complex carbohydrates (such as whole grains and legumes) does not cause obesity and they are an important part of a food plan that is geared for our optimum health and energy. Carbs have gotten a bad rap. They are an important source of fuel for our bodies and our brain.
Obesity is generally caused from excessive SIMPLE carbs, like found in white flour, sugar, processed foods.
Is it possible to become obese eating only healthy foods...sure...but you have to work at it because the healthier foods have fiber and bulk which makes you feel more full! If you stuffed yourself every day like it was Thanksgiving and sat around all day without moving your body, even if you only ate wonderfully healthy foods you would definitely have a weight issue.
Being healthy isn't about eliminating foods, it is about gaining control over your eating which is largely a mindset issue. It is also about getting our brain chemistry and hormones in balance, which when we make healthy food choices naturally follows.
I don't advocate saying you can NEVER have sugar, but by controlling our sugar intake (along with that of other simple carbs) and making conscious choices in our eating, we will actually reduce our cravings for these foods that taste good but have little or no nutritional value.
Showing posts with label obesity and health issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obesity and health issues. Show all posts
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Lose Weight Successfully: Get Enough Sleep, Be Less Hungry
This is part 2 of a series on the effect not getting enough sleep has on our efforts to lose weight successfully.
There is increasing evidence that insufficient sleep is directly linked to obesity and ailments such as diabetes. There has also been a lot of publicity about the direct relationship between obesity and diabetes, so even though I don't directly talk about diabetes much it is an important reason for us to achieve a healthy weight. Type 2 diabetes (formerly known as "adult onset diabetes") is much more common in people who are carrying too much body fat--no matter their age--then people in the "normal" weight range.
In addition to the diabetes connection, lack of sleep is also connected to heart disease, stroke and cardio-vascular issues. Bottom line is we have got to get enough sleep to be healthy! I know it seems obvious, but we tend to push ourselves thinking that giving up on sleep is our only option...that if we just get a little less sleep we will get more done, provide a better life for our families, make more money, etc. Truth is, if we become ill we will be LESS benefit to our family, COST them money and we will have LESS TIME with them--certainly less QUALITY time and possibly be LOST TO THEM FOREVER.
If that isn't enough, how about this: lack of sleep makes us hungrier!
Sleeping is actually a way for our body to regulate our appetite via hormones. When we don't get enough sleep the hormone that helps us feel satiated (leptin) is depressed. At the same time the hormone that stimulates our appetite (ghrelin) is increased.
Missing an hour or two once in a while is probably not going to make you obese. But chronically shorting yourself on sleep can. What's even scarier to me is that just 2 nights of shorting yourself of sleep can have this effect. I remember pulling all-nighters (often) and getting 4-5 hours of sleep a night for years, punctuated with nights of 10-12 hours sleep, but those short nights set me up for major health problems. Of course I didn't know that at the time, I felt I had to get the project done--whether it was for school or work--and feeling a bit tired was a small price to pay for the rewards I would receive.
Boy, was I wrong! I don't think anyone ever built a monument to someone because they missed sleep to get a project done on time.
A third hormone is also at play--adiponectin also helps regulate our body fat. When this hormone level falls (which happens with sleep deprivation, especially in Caucasian women) our blood sugar gets out of whack, our metabolism slows, and our cholesterol and blood pressure levels get out of balance.
Finally, the hormone melatonin is also affected by lack of sleep. This is especially important to those of us on a weight loss journey since studies have already demonstrated that healthy melatonin levels help us maintain a healthy weight.
Numerous studies are now showing that getting ample sleep on a regular basis is essential for our reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.
Truth is, sleep is something that benefits our brains, our bodies and our emotions. When we are exhausted we don't feel good, we are less apt to believe we can positively impact our lives. Because our body's chemistry is out of whack it is harder for us to maintain the positive mental attitude we need to lose weight and we will reach for foods and drinks that give us artificial energy. Unfortunately that backfires on us in the long-run and we feel even more tired, so we grab more stimulants in the form of sugar or caffeine which just gets us even more out of balance and more prone to being overweight.
So put your health first and get some sleep.
If you aren't getting restorative sleep because of some other issues like insomnia or sleep apnea, if you feel tired even though you regularly are "asleep" for 8 or more hours a night--see your doctor. There are therapies that can help. Sometimes a medical condition can keep us from sleeping and that condition may be made worse by being overweight--or may be actually cured by losing weight, but we may need some help to break the cycle enough to get the sleep we need so we can have healthy hormone levels and body and brain chemistry that will aide us in getting a positive mindset about losing weight.
There is increasing evidence that insufficient sleep is directly linked to obesity and ailments such as diabetes. There has also been a lot of publicity about the direct relationship between obesity and diabetes, so even though I don't directly talk about diabetes much it is an important reason for us to achieve a healthy weight. Type 2 diabetes (formerly known as "adult onset diabetes") is much more common in people who are carrying too much body fat--no matter their age--then people in the "normal" weight range.
In addition to the diabetes connection, lack of sleep is also connected to heart disease, stroke and cardio-vascular issues. Bottom line is we have got to get enough sleep to be healthy! I know it seems obvious, but we tend to push ourselves thinking that giving up on sleep is our only option...that if we just get a little less sleep we will get more done, provide a better life for our families, make more money, etc. Truth is, if we become ill we will be LESS benefit to our family, COST them money and we will have LESS TIME with them--certainly less QUALITY time and possibly be LOST TO THEM FOREVER.
If that isn't enough, how about this: lack of sleep makes us hungrier!
Sleeping is actually a way for our body to regulate our appetite via hormones. When we don't get enough sleep the hormone that helps us feel satiated (leptin) is depressed. At the same time the hormone that stimulates our appetite (ghrelin) is increased.
Missing an hour or two once in a while is probably not going to make you obese. But chronically shorting yourself on sleep can. What's even scarier to me is that just 2 nights of shorting yourself of sleep can have this effect. I remember pulling all-nighters (often) and getting 4-5 hours of sleep a night for years, punctuated with nights of 10-12 hours sleep, but those short nights set me up for major health problems. Of course I didn't know that at the time, I felt I had to get the project done--whether it was for school or work--and feeling a bit tired was a small price to pay for the rewards I would receive.
Boy, was I wrong! I don't think anyone ever built a monument to someone because they missed sleep to get a project done on time.
A third hormone is also at play--adiponectin also helps regulate our body fat. When this hormone level falls (which happens with sleep deprivation, especially in Caucasian women) our blood sugar gets out of whack, our metabolism slows, and our cholesterol and blood pressure levels get out of balance.
Finally, the hormone melatonin is also affected by lack of sleep. This is especially important to those of us on a weight loss journey since studies have already demonstrated that healthy melatonin levels help us maintain a healthy weight.
Numerous studies are now showing that getting ample sleep on a regular basis is essential for our reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.
Truth is, sleep is something that benefits our brains, our bodies and our emotions. When we are exhausted we don't feel good, we are less apt to believe we can positively impact our lives. Because our body's chemistry is out of whack it is harder for us to maintain the positive mental attitude we need to lose weight and we will reach for foods and drinks that give us artificial energy. Unfortunately that backfires on us in the long-run and we feel even more tired, so we grab more stimulants in the form of sugar or caffeine which just gets us even more out of balance and more prone to being overweight.
So put your health first and get some sleep.
If you aren't getting restorative sleep because of some other issues like insomnia or sleep apnea, if you feel tired even though you regularly are "asleep" for 8 or more hours a night--see your doctor. There are therapies that can help. Sometimes a medical condition can keep us from sleeping and that condition may be made worse by being overweight--or may be actually cured by losing weight, but we may need some help to break the cycle enough to get the sleep we need so we can have healthy hormone levels and body and brain chemistry that will aide us in getting a positive mindset about losing weight.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Walmart Joins Weight Loss Success Effort
Walmart is the largest grocery chain in the US and they have now pledged their support of First Lady Michelle Obama's fight against childhood obesity. They say they will change the formulas of many of their Great Value brand items to lower the amount of sodium and sugar they contain. This could really help Americans in the efforts to achieve weight loss success.
This is a great move for consumers as the "hidden" sugar in these goods has a direct link to many of our health issues and this country's obesity epidemic. In fact, the starting place is to focus on things like salad dressing, fruit juice and lunch meat--products that when you read the label you will often see have sugar in the top 5 ingredients.
Sales of Great Value label products amount to roughly 20% of Walmart's sales--so this is not a small promise. But don't expect to see the change on products tomorrow--reformulation will take some time. The goal is to reduce soium by 25% and reduce or remove added sugar from "some" of their label products by 2015.
Even if you don't buy your groceries at Walmart, this move will likely have an affect on you because of the power Walmart yields with suppliers. The chain gets this power because it controls roughly 15% of the grocery sales in the US--the closest competitor is Kroger, the parent company of King Soopers here in Colorado, which is about 1/2 the size of Walmart.
It is likely that suppliers and even competitors will follow Walmart's lead as they did when the giant encouraged a reduction in packaging.
Also in the plan is removing more trans fats (hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils) from the line which will also be a big health benefit.
In another health-positive move, Walmart is pledging to lower prices on fresh produce.
Since we won't see these changes overnight, it is still up to us to make conscious food choices and to read labels. As more of us vote with our wallets and stop buying foods that contain unnecessary sugar, sodium and trans fats, the grocery industry will scramble to meet the demand for healthier foods.
This is a great move for consumers as the "hidden" sugar in these goods has a direct link to many of our health issues and this country's obesity epidemic. In fact, the starting place is to focus on things like salad dressing, fruit juice and lunch meat--products that when you read the label you will often see have sugar in the top 5 ingredients.
Sales of Great Value label products amount to roughly 20% of Walmart's sales--so this is not a small promise. But don't expect to see the change on products tomorrow--reformulation will take some time. The goal is to reduce soium by 25% and reduce or remove added sugar from "some" of their label products by 2015.
Even if you don't buy your groceries at Walmart, this move will likely have an affect on you because of the power Walmart yields with suppliers. The chain gets this power because it controls roughly 15% of the grocery sales in the US--the closest competitor is Kroger, the parent company of King Soopers here in Colorado, which is about 1/2 the size of Walmart.
It is likely that suppliers and even competitors will follow Walmart's lead as they did when the giant encouraged a reduction in packaging.
Also in the plan is removing more trans fats (hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils) from the line which will also be a big health benefit.
In another health-positive move, Walmart is pledging to lower prices on fresh produce.
Since we won't see these changes overnight, it is still up to us to make conscious food choices and to read labels. As more of us vote with our wallets and stop buying foods that contain unnecessary sugar, sodium and trans fats, the grocery industry will scramble to meet the demand for healthier foods.
Friday, December 4, 2009
The Best Holiday Gift: Your Family
During this week I've written about what I feel...what I KNOW...is the best gift you can give your family this holiday season. Of course that gift is YOU...a healthy, happy, energetic, slender you.
Just being alive for your family is a big gift...and by being a weight loss success story you will live longer, save money, and have lots more fun. Well, there is another aspect to this gift that is HUGE--by achieving your weight loss goals you are giving your family and friends the gift of themselves, too!
You see, you set an example. Especially for your kids...but if you have other family members or friends who are struggling with their weight, you set an example for them as well.
Kids model their parents behavior...they want to be like Mom or Dad...and no matter what words you say about the importance of eating right and moving your body, if you are a couch potato and eat junk food, they are going to DO what you DO...and they will BE what you ARE.
Diabetes rates are rising...type 2 diabetes used to be called adult onset diabetes. Sadly, this disease is rising so much and is now so prevalent they don't call it that any more.
Type 2 diabetes is mostly a condition of habit. The good news is that the disease is preventable and reversible. Think of losing weight as a cure for diabetes!
By teaching your kids good eating and exercise habits young you will be giving them a chance for living a full and happy life.
Start with small steps...don't try to make huge changes all at once. Small, consistent steps lead to long term permanent results. It isn't about being on a diet...this is a lifestyle...as comedian Sherri Shepherd said recently about her weight loss (she had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and has lost weight and looks great) "It is not so much about a diet. It is about making healthy choices in my life and learning not to beat myself up when I do slip."
You have to decide that you are worth being healthy...I know your family thinks you are! Then take small steps to achieve weight loss...and stick with those choices. By making small changes in your life you will reach your goal and you will give your family (and yourself) the best gift possible--a healthy, energetic, slender, you...and that is truly a gift of love that will last for years and years!
Just being alive for your family is a big gift...and by being a weight loss success story you will live longer, save money, and have lots more fun. Well, there is another aspect to this gift that is HUGE--by achieving your weight loss goals you are giving your family and friends the gift of themselves, too!
You see, you set an example. Especially for your kids...but if you have other family members or friends who are struggling with their weight, you set an example for them as well.
Kids model their parents behavior...they want to be like Mom or Dad...and no matter what words you say about the importance of eating right and moving your body, if you are a couch potato and eat junk food, they are going to DO what you DO...and they will BE what you ARE.
Diabetes rates are rising...type 2 diabetes used to be called adult onset diabetes. Sadly, this disease is rising so much and is now so prevalent they don't call it that any more.
Type 2 diabetes is mostly a condition of habit. The good news is that the disease is preventable and reversible. Think of losing weight as a cure for diabetes!
By teaching your kids good eating and exercise habits young you will be giving them a chance for living a full and happy life.
Start with small steps...don't try to make huge changes all at once. Small, consistent steps lead to long term permanent results. It isn't about being on a diet...this is a lifestyle...as comedian Sherri Shepherd said recently about her weight loss (she had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and has lost weight and looks great) "It is not so much about a diet. It is about making healthy choices in my life and learning not to beat myself up when I do slip."
You have to decide that you are worth being healthy...I know your family thinks you are! Then take small steps to achieve weight loss...and stick with those choices. By making small changes in your life you will reach your goal and you will give your family (and yourself) the best gift possible--a healthy, energetic, slender, you...and that is truly a gift of love that will last for years and years!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Best Holiday Gift is YOU
This week I'm writing about the best holiday gift you can give your family...of course that gift is a healthy YOU...by deciding to become healthy you will be around for your family and you will actually save money (refer to earlier posts if you want to see the logic about that)...
Today I want to focus on another gift that you will be giving by improving your health--that is FUN!
How much fun are you missing if you are struggling to keep up? Can you play with the kids in the park if you can't catch your breath? It is hard to play musical chairs if you don't fit, or you are afraid you might actually break one!
Having fun, being joyful, that is a part of leading a full, fulfilled life...and that is definitely a gift--to yourself as well as your friends and family.
If you have trouble moving around it sets up a vicious cycle...you tend to go out less, to withdraw more...and guess what? You tend to then eat more which just leads to having more trouble moving. Not a pretty picture.
I used to worry if I would be comfortable at the theater...would I fit into the seat okay? Would I impact my "neighbor" because of my size? I still went out...but I fretted about it, and made sure whenever possible that I was on the aisle...so I could get up and step into the aisle if someone needed to be seated further in. If I couldn't get into the aisle I knew that no one would be able to get by me...and I couldn't get by anyone else either. That definitely made my experience less pleasurable.
I was pretty active for someone in the 300 pound range...but I often wondered if I would be able to keep up. Frequently people had to slow down so that I didn't fall behind. I definitely felt like I slowed the group down because of my extra weight.
These may not seem like big stresses, but they can definitely impact having fun...and even little stressor can impact your health...and having fun is about reducing stress, not adding to it!
Get out and enjoy life...have fun...that is one of the steps to having weight loss success...and when you do, you are setting up a delicious cycle of health! The more fun you have being out, the more you will do things...the more you do things, the more fun you will have.
You deserve to have fun...and your family and friends will love it, too!
Come back tomorrow to learn how giving the gift of a healthy you to your family gives them a big bonus gift!
Today I want to focus on another gift that you will be giving by improving your health--that is FUN!
How much fun are you missing if you are struggling to keep up? Can you play with the kids in the park if you can't catch your breath? It is hard to play musical chairs if you don't fit, or you are afraid you might actually break one!
Having fun, being joyful, that is a part of leading a full, fulfilled life...and that is definitely a gift--to yourself as well as your friends and family.
If you have trouble moving around it sets up a vicious cycle...you tend to go out less, to withdraw more...and guess what? You tend to then eat more which just leads to having more trouble moving. Not a pretty picture.
I used to worry if I would be comfortable at the theater...would I fit into the seat okay? Would I impact my "neighbor" because of my size? I still went out...but I fretted about it, and made sure whenever possible that I was on the aisle...so I could get up and step into the aisle if someone needed to be seated further in. If I couldn't get into the aisle I knew that no one would be able to get by me...and I couldn't get by anyone else either. That definitely made my experience less pleasurable.
I was pretty active for someone in the 300 pound range...but I often wondered if I would be able to keep up. Frequently people had to slow down so that I didn't fall behind. I definitely felt like I slowed the group down because of my extra weight.
These may not seem like big stresses, but they can definitely impact having fun...and even little stressor can impact your health...and having fun is about reducing stress, not adding to it!
Get out and enjoy life...have fun...that is one of the steps to having weight loss success...and when you do, you are setting up a delicious cycle of health! The more fun you have being out, the more you will do things...the more you do things, the more fun you will have.
You deserve to have fun...and your family and friends will love it, too!
Come back tomorrow to learn how giving the gift of a healthy you to your family gives them a big bonus gift!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Give the Best Holiday Gift
Not sure what to give your family this holiday season?
Want to give them something really special? A gift they will truly enjoy for years to come...one that is unique, filled with love...a gift that will keep on giving?
Then I have the answer!
The absolutely, positively, best gift you can give them this holiday is YOU!
If you give them the gift of a healthy and happy you, then you are actually giving them four gifts in one: You, Money, Fun, and them...okay, that seems a bit convoluted, so let's start with the first gift and then go on from there!
By achieving and maintaining a healthy weight you will live longer and be healthier during those years. People who are obese have been shown to die younger...the good news is that being obese now is not an early death sentence IF you start and make changes to improve your health NOW.
In addition, obese people tend to be sicker and have more serious health issues--from needing more surgeries, having sleep apnea, to diseases like diabetes...and even cancer. So, even if you live a long life, relatively speaking, the chances are good that it won't be a healthy one.
Make a decision today that you are worth having around! Be there for your kids, your spouse, your grandkids, your parents, your siblings...your friends and neighbors, too. And not only be there, have the energy you deserve to fully participate in their lives. They will thank you for it!
YOU. A healthy YOU. Your weight loss success...that is the best gift you can give your family...today, this holiday season, and for the rest of your healthy, energetic life!
Come back tomorrow when we talk about how taking care of your health will also be a monetary gift to your family!
Want to give them something really special? A gift they will truly enjoy for years to come...one that is unique, filled with love...a gift that will keep on giving?
Then I have the answer!
The absolutely, positively, best gift you can give them this holiday is YOU!
If you give them the gift of a healthy and happy you, then you are actually giving them four gifts in one: You, Money, Fun, and them...okay, that seems a bit convoluted, so let's start with the first gift and then go on from there!
By achieving and maintaining a healthy weight you will live longer and be healthier during those years. People who are obese have been shown to die younger...the good news is that being obese now is not an early death sentence IF you start and make changes to improve your health NOW.
In addition, obese people tend to be sicker and have more serious health issues--from needing more surgeries, having sleep apnea, to diseases like diabetes...and even cancer. So, even if you live a long life, relatively speaking, the chances are good that it won't be a healthy one.
Make a decision today that you are worth having around! Be there for your kids, your spouse, your grandkids, your parents, your siblings...your friends and neighbors, too. And not only be there, have the energy you deserve to fully participate in their lives. They will thank you for it!
YOU. A healthy YOU. Your weight loss success...that is the best gift you can give your family...today, this holiday season, and for the rest of your healthy, energetic life!
Come back tomorrow when we talk about how taking care of your health will also be a monetary gift to your family!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Your Weight Loss Success Affects State of Health and Wallet
Are you healthy? How about your state? How does your health affect your state? Conversely, how does your state's health rate affect you? Will your weight loss success save you money?
According to a recent article by Forbes.com, the New England states rank amongst the healthiest, while those in the South rank the lowest. In fact, of the top 5 states (in health terms) 3 are in New England.
According to a recent article by Forbes.com, the New England states rank amongst the healthiest, while those in the South rank the lowest. In fact, of the top 5 states (in health terms) 3 are in New England.
5 Healthiest States
1. Vermont
2. Utah
3. Massachusetts
4. Hawaii
5. New Hampshire
What goes into determining a state's health rank? Here is what Forbes' says (emphasis mine):
Of particular interest to me is the data on obesity and costs associated to obesity. So often we think that obesity only affects us...after all, we aren't subjecting others to second hand smoke...if we overeat then we are only affecting ourselves, right?
Well, of course we are also modeling behavior for our children (if we have them), but obesity does affect others from a cost standpoint. I'm not going to tell you to lose weight because it will save your state, or your neighbor, or even you, money...but it is something that we tend to not think about. It doesn't hurt to have some awareness of it.
Why would my being fat cost anyone money? For one thing, being extremely overweight leads to wear and tear on our bodies...which can mean more surgeries on knees, hips and feet. It can also lead to lower immune systems and more aches and pains--possibly leading to more doctor visits and/or time off work.
It is estimated that out of our 2003 health care dollars spent nationally, almost $75 billion was obesity related...and about 1/2 of that money was provided by public funding...as in tax money! In 10 years, the amount we will spend on obesity related health care costs is projected to be over $340 billion!
Like anything, these are generalities...there are many people who are pretty darned healthy despite being overweight. However, being overweight will add physical stress to your joints, so you may be relatively healthy...but certainly not your healthiest...and you may not see the affects for years.
I was very active and rather healthy for my 300lb size for example...but I had 3 knee surgeries. Sure I had insurance and I paid my portion of the costs...but more surgeries leads to more expenses for the insurer...and can lead to higher rates overall.
No one individual is affecting our insurance rates...but the healthier we ALL are, the lower our costs should be (not being in the insurance industry I'm not going to venture a guess on how this would actually affect those rates!)--if for no other reason than we just don't have to go to the doctor as much! When we eat better, our overall health is better. Our immune system is stronger, too. These are great reasons to eat better--for our health! When we focus on our health, then we will be more apt to lose weight naturally and with a whole lot less pressure and stress than when we diet for our appearance. Losing weight for health is a long-term process, not a short-term event.
So how does your state's ranking affect you? It is probably an indication of what kind of health care is available as well as what you & your neighbors are doing about your health. This could mean that your costs, either for insurance or taxes, may be higher than a state with a healthier rank.
Before everyone decides to move to Vermont, realize the most important impact you can make to your health, including weight loss success, and your wallet is within your control. You can make small changes that will greatly effect your health--no matter where you live. Don't try to do it all at once...and don't make foods off limits...that's called dieting...and diets don't work!
Instead, start with your mind...fill it with healthy and loving thoughts. Care for your body because you deserve health...this will lead to a healthy, energetic, slender body, and just maybe a fatter wallet!
Like statistics?
Click to see where your state ranks.
To see more about America's health rankings, including ranking by measure or by state, or to get the full report, click here.
1. Vermont
2. Utah
3. Massachusetts
4. Hawaii
5. New Hampshire
What goes into determining a state's health rank? Here is what Forbes' says (emphasis mine):
This annual ranking, published by the United Health Foundation, looks at 22 indicators of health, including everything from how many children receive recommended vaccinations, to obesity and smoking rates, to cancer deaths. (Insurer UnitedHealth Group funds the foundation.) Scores for each state are determined by gathering data from a variety of government and nongovernmental databases and then calculating how much each state is better or worse than the national average for each measure.
Of particular interest to me is the data on obesity and costs associated to obesity. So often we think that obesity only affects us...after all, we aren't subjecting others to second hand smoke...if we overeat then we are only affecting ourselves, right?Well, of course we are also modeling behavior for our children (if we have them), but obesity does affect others from a cost standpoint. I'm not going to tell you to lose weight because it will save your state, or your neighbor, or even you, money...but it is something that we tend to not think about. It doesn't hurt to have some awareness of it.
Why would my being fat cost anyone money? For one thing, being extremely overweight leads to wear and tear on our bodies...which can mean more surgeries on knees, hips and feet. It can also lead to lower immune systems and more aches and pains--possibly leading to more doctor visits and/or time off work.
It is estimated that out of our 2003 health care dollars spent nationally, almost $75 billion was obesity related...and about 1/2 of that money was provided by public funding...as in tax money! In 10 years, the amount we will spend on obesity related health care costs is projected to be over $340 billion!
Like anything, these are generalities...there are many people who are pretty darned healthy despite being overweight. However, being overweight will add physical stress to your joints, so you may be relatively healthy...but certainly not your healthiest...and you may not see the affects for years.
I was very active and rather healthy for my 300lb size for example...but I had 3 knee surgeries. Sure I had insurance and I paid my portion of the costs...but more surgeries leads to more expenses for the insurer...and can lead to higher rates overall.
No one individual is affecting our insurance rates...but the healthier we ALL are, the lower our costs should be (not being in the insurance industry I'm not going to venture a guess on how this would actually affect those rates!)--if for no other reason than we just don't have to go to the doctor as much! When we eat better, our overall health is better. Our immune system is stronger, too. These are great reasons to eat better--for our health! When we focus on our health, then we will be more apt to lose weight naturally and with a whole lot less pressure and stress than when we diet for our appearance. Losing weight for health is a long-term process, not a short-term event.
So how does your state's ranking affect you? It is probably an indication of what kind of health care is available as well as what you & your neighbors are doing about your health. This could mean that your costs, either for insurance or taxes, may be higher than a state with a healthier rank.
Before everyone decides to move to Vermont, realize the most important impact you can make to your health, including weight loss success, and your wallet is within your control. You can make small changes that will greatly effect your health--no matter where you live. Don't try to do it all at once...and don't make foods off limits...that's called dieting...and diets don't work!
Instead, start with your mind...fill it with healthy and loving thoughts. Care for your body because you deserve health...this will lead to a healthy, energetic, slender body, and just maybe a fatter wallet!
Like statistics?
Click to see where your state ranks.
To see more about America's health rankings, including ranking by measure or by state, or to get the full report, click here.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Weight Loss Success Good for Knees
I have had 3 knee surgeries...yes, that means two on one knee, not that I have 3 knees. I knew that being obese was bad for my knees...the excess weight put a lot of pressure on these joints.
I didn't allow this to stop me from getting out there and doing things. Well, that's not really true. There were things I couldn't do...and certainly things that I couldn't do as easily as a person of "normal" weight...but I did go out and do a lot of things.
Well, a new study is looking into why some people are losing cartilage in their knees and it appears that having a high BMI (body mass index) may be a risk factor.
Obesity is already known to increase risk for heart problems and osteoarthritis...and it makes sense that because of the extra weight it might be a risk factor for decreasing the cartilage in our knees.
Dr. Frank Roemer of Boston University is the study's lead author and he notes regarding cartilage loss, "Weight loss is probably the most important factor to slow disease progression."
Once the knee cartilage is gone, then you are looking at wearing down the bone...that is very painful and can lead ultimately to needing knee replacement surgery. I don't know about you, but I'd like to avoid pain and surgery whenever possible. Not only that, most surgeons won't do a knee replacement operation on obese patients.
In addition to the cartilage loss, the overweight patients in the study were more prone to tearing the meniscus and other joint-related problems.
Weight loss success results in lowering your BMI...and the high BMI is the only demographic feature that consistently predicted the cartilage loss.
So if you were looking for yet another reason to drop excess weight, you can do it to save your knees.
I didn't allow this to stop me from getting out there and doing things. Well, that's not really true. There were things I couldn't do...and certainly things that I couldn't do as easily as a person of "normal" weight...but I did go out and do a lot of things.
Well, a new study is looking into why some people are losing cartilage in their knees and it appears that having a high BMI (body mass index) may be a risk factor.
Obesity is already known to increase risk for heart problems and osteoarthritis...and it makes sense that because of the extra weight it might be a risk factor for decreasing the cartilage in our knees.
Dr. Frank Roemer of Boston University is the study's lead author and he notes regarding cartilage loss, "Weight loss is probably the most important factor to slow disease progression."
Once the knee cartilage is gone, then you are looking at wearing down the bone...that is very painful and can lead ultimately to needing knee replacement surgery. I don't know about you, but I'd like to avoid pain and surgery whenever possible. Not only that, most surgeons won't do a knee replacement operation on obese patients.
In addition to the cartilage loss, the overweight patients in the study were more prone to tearing the meniscus and other joint-related problems.
Weight loss success results in lowering your BMI...and the high BMI is the only demographic feature that consistently predicted the cartilage loss.
So if you were looking for yet another reason to drop excess weight, you can do it to save your knees.
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