The WHY behind it all!

As a nurse I spend my days working with patients who are ill, injured or sick in some way or another, whether it be post surgery, or just getting treatment for a back strain/shoulder strain, infected cut. The hardest part of medical management is not the injury or infected cut, it's the medical conditions behind them.
90% of the people I deal with have one or more diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and the vast majority are overweight or obese.
I spend alot of time researching the CDC web site, medical sites and there is a direct correlation of being overweight or obese to these diseases. There is a very scary timeline that the CDC put out showing how as the obesity epidemic started, the rise in other condtions followed within a 1-2 yr time frame.

As people know, genetics are part of the equation, however most of our medical issues can be controlled through taking better steps to health. Lower sodium, watch the waistline, lose a few pounds.
Quick fixes, like certain diet products on the market are not the answer. A complete lifestyle transformation is.
As a fitness instructor, I see people at the gym, whose goal is to become healthier, and they are are there exercising. That's SO AWESOME!! But it's not the whole picture. People, you can't go to the gym and workout, and then go grab a burger. I really  like the 90/10 rule, 90% of the time, you eat clean, and 10% you can treat yourself. Not a cheat day, may be a cheat meal.   A cheat meal need not be the entire days' worth of calories. And you can still enjoy a decadent dessert, but don't eat the whole thing, share it, take some home for a treat a few days later.

Redirecting back.....
People don't know what they don't know. Maybe they don't have time to do the research. Or they don't understand it.
One simple way to look at it is, if you eat more calories than you burn, you WILL gain weight.
If you have a disease, whether it be high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, you CAN eradicate and control this. There is a TON of science out there, that can help. You just have to listen to the right ones.

I truly believe that everyone has time to exercise, everyone can eat better, but it means planning.
Planning out your meals for the day. Making extra food when you cook, means lunch the next day, so that you aren't starving  and run through a drive through. Sticking a healthy snack in your purse or briefcase, so that when the hunger strikes, you have something.

Ok, so, I am an Advocare person..that person you dread because we feel great and we always want to tell the world about it. I keep a shake in my computer bag at all times, I also carry a meal bar, since it has everything I need to ward off a drive through nightmare. People tell me it's too expensive. I have to say, "really"??? A $3 meal shake is better and healthier than a $5-7 fast food sandwich. Mine won't expand my waistline, and it's going to feed my muscles, not to mention, fill me up with good stuff.
Re-directing AGAIN....

Here is the bottom line, know your numbers! You may not know what they mean, but there are people out there that do. If your doctor tells you to lower your weight, BP or cholesterol, you will do what they say right???
They give you a prescription for a medicine, one that the commercials tell you about umpteen different side effects and risks, but you take it anyway. I am not saying don't follow your Dr's orders, but you can take other steps that will do the same. And you may eliminate the need for pill with all the side effects. I know my doctor is always telling me that he wishes more of his patients did more prevention.

So the why behind why I do what I do, is that I know the consequences of these diseases, and I know, through research and education, what you can do about it. So, I work to live and share it everyday, whether it just be health coaching, case management or medical discussions. Ask me, I can help you get where you want to go!!

In health..Barb

Going back to choices!

So, the new year brings in all the great things that we want to do better. We resolve to do many things, and weight loss is one of the ones I hear most. I was on my way into the office the other day, and since I am a people watcher, by nature, I saw people bringing in all sorts of Diet drinks to start off their new year on a good note. Some of this is very positive, but what made me start thinking was how many people don't know what's in the food they eat.
We have a cafe in our building, and the average lunch is $7. The choices? Chicken fried steak, pasta, and for breakfast, they have the typical fare, biscuits, bacon, scrambled eggs.
Now, I work in an office where obesity is at a high rate, where disease, like diabetes and hypertension is at a high rate. Is there a correlation? ABSOLUTELY.

So, me, I am heating up my oatmeal, it's frozen, yes, weird, but it's all natural with 5 ingredients, frozen for convenience, and in my opinion, better than the instant. It's steel cut oats. I have a girl tell me that it's not good for me, and now I am intrigued. Why?? Because it's frozen. I explain that it's simple, 5 ingredients of non processed food. Now, this person is at the same time heating some frozen pocket thing. I ask her, can I see the package. Yep, 15+ ingredients with many I can't pronounce. And to no offense, she is not a fitness person. Then I run into some fellow nurses, all of which think I am insane because of my lifestyle, of health and fitness. They are overweight, many of them are diabetic, and are they eating oatmeal?? No, biscuits and bacon. There is a high number of medical professionals that are some of the most unhealthy. And what I don't get, is they KNOW the impact on their body, but CHOOSE not to act.

Fast forward a couple of days, I am mixing my Meal shake, again, looked at like I am crazy, Barb, you don't need to lose weight...I say I know, I am just eating clean. My shakes are a complete meal, loaded with vitamins, minerals and a good source of protein and complex carbs and of course fiber.
These are processed, as they couldn't possibly get that into a mix without processing. But they are still good for your body in a pinch.

So, where am I going with this?? Any given night of the week, people eat out. Everyone goes out to eat at some point.Some much more than others. It's not a cardinal sin. What it is, is expensive,and for the most part, LOADED with calories and fat. That's why it's tasty!!
A pet peeve of mine?? Those who say, I exercise so I can eat what I want....
Is that defeating the purpose???
I could write all day about this, but what is comes down to is choices and sacrifice. Don't tell me you can't afford to eat healthy....it's cheaper than the average meal at a restaurant or drive thru. Trust me, I have researched this one.
I have a purpose, to show and help people change their health.Yep, I am that girl, you don't want to run into because I live it!! And Yes, I want to share it.

Why go to the gym and work hard for 2 hours, only to go out and  in 4bites,UNDO all you did!!

So, remember, eat clean, train mean and it will pay off!!
In health

Barb