Obesity as a disease....more food for thought!

So, as the medical community and the fitness community respond to the AMA's announcement about Obesity being classified as a disease, I have read a bunch of differing opinions on the subject. 

Gary and I have had numerous discussions about the definition of disease. The more I thought about it, I come to some realizations about the term "disease". 
Many diseases, can be directly linked with lifestyle factors and obesity itself.

Cardiac disease has been linked with sugar intake. It is linked with high cholesterol, and plaque build up in the arteries. It's also more prevalent in people who are physically overweight and sedentary. 
However, there is also a genetic risk as well. 


So, which one is the cause of cardiovascular disease? 
Diabetes, another disease has been strongly linked with both heart disease and obesity. 
Type 2 diabetes is actually preventable, by changes in lifestyle. Weight loss and nutritional changes can actually lessen the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

So, Obesity, is preventable, through education, activity and nutritional changes. So, now I question the notion. 
Is obesity a disease?

Technically, it can be classified as one, as the definition of disease is a  "disorder or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance,toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors". 

So, since obesity is a direct result of a nutritional imbalance and unfavorable environmental factors, (prevalence of high fat/high calorie food), it technically meets the criteria for a disease.

However, I still disagree, because obesity does not need to be treated with a pill or surgery. 
Obesity and prevention of obesity, needs to be "treated" with education with both nutrition, exercise and needs to be done with every adult and child. 

Today, at work, I am in line at the cafe, trying to grab a quick lunch, and there was a big line, and the largest people in line, were getting the cheeseburger with bacon, and fries and chips and coke. Upstairs, while filling my water cup, there was a lady at the vending machine, yes, very obese lady, getting a couple of snickers. No, not just one. 

As a nurse, and health person, it is SO difficult for me to not blow up and say "what are you thinking"? 
As said before, I have never been large, but I have been addicted to fast food,  back in the day, I worked for fast food and I ate it all the time. Today, I can't even stand the smell.  People addicted to fast food don't always realize this is actually craved by the body. Why??? Because it's so nutritionally empty, the body wants more food, and this is the choice of the person. When people take it out of the body, their bodies will stop craving it. My current craving is for FRUIT!! I know, but's as sweet as candy and so much better for me. Loaded with the good stuff. 

So, as I said, technically, Obesity can be classified as a disease, by definition, but it's a more a result of lifestyle and food choices made by the individual. 
Diabetes, heart disease, joint pain, high blood pressure are diseases of which obesity is linked to. 
This is a complex subject, and many will believe it to be a disease, but we need to educate people that with this "disease", you don't need a medicine or surgery, you need to start eating clean and training mean!! 
If you are overweight or obese, you are NOT sick!! You may be at risk for disease...but you have the power to change this destiny...

And  you ARE WORTH IT!!

IN health...
Barb

Inspiring others!

As a fitness instructor and a nurse, my passion in this life is focused on health, wellness and of course leading the lifestyle encompassing it all.
As I have never been significantly overweight, some of the mental components of obesity are difficult for me to understand. And there are many.

A recent conversation with a good friend, is always enlightening to me, as she was there. She was extremely overweight and addicted to fast food, and has made a complete life change. I would declare her a fitness junkie and foodie, researching and eating healthy food, and happy about it.
During a frustrating week, when the AMA declared obesity as disease, I was feeling less than passionate, as all around me, there are many people who look at me with negative, and make comments that bother me. They are trying to tell me that my fitness world is, in their eyes, wrong.
But they groan, and moan about their weight, their aches and pains, but are not willing to do anything about it. 

I don't understand that. Why complain about something you have the power to change? Yes, it's hard, yes, it's going to take effort, but the reward is great, you get to take back control of your life and your body!! 

So, she turned my attention to the people I have inspired, and low and behold, I have a list, that is still growing everyday. 

I once trained a girl, she was about 10 yrs younger than me, and had had bariatric surgery, and lost 100 lbs, but still had confidence issues, and she was not skinny, and still struggled with food. During our many sessions, we talked about how great she is doing, and I asked her one question, "wouldn't it be great to use this experience to help others"? Well, about 8 yrs later, today, she has her own Bootcamp business and she is doing it! 

I started my fitness journey as a member of the gym and took the plunge to instructor. Well as an instructor, I have had the privilege of inspiring others to do the same. Several of my members have moved that direction and are teaching fitness now. 
People come to me and ask questions, and they know, I am a straight shooter, I will tell them the way it is. And that it's not easy, but I also tell them how well they are doing and how to continue to improve. 
Because I care. 
And I do. 
It's the inherent trait of a medical professional combined with my teacher instincts. I want people to be successful, no matter what they do. I want them to be healthier, fitter and step outside their comfort zone, because that is where it begins. 

So, no matter how someone looks at me, thinking my life and habits are crazy,  I will continue to remember the day, when I didn't think I could be the person I am now. And that day was there. I was shy, always in the back of the room and had no confidence in myself. 
And then I will just tell them, I made a commitment to me, and I have made it happen, are you ready to join me in this?? 
 After all, you just have to be willing to try!

In health,
Barb

Is Obesity really a Disease?

So, the last couple of days have been a true test of my dedication to health and wellness. The AMA announced that obesity is officially a disease, and is a fact that I cannot agree with. The definition is as follows:

1. A pathological condition of a part, organ, or system of an organism resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms.

2. A condition or tendency, as of society, regarded as abnormal and harmful.

Well, by definition, it is a condition regarded as harmful and characterized by an identifiable group of signs and symptoms.

THe AMA states that more people will die from disease associated with obesity, such as cardiac disease and diabetes, that people have died from starvation. This is likely very true.

Well, this is bothersome, because the cause of said disease, is essentially, our own fault.

We no longer work manual labor jobs, technology has taken the place of many of those jobs. 

Our food are produced in manufacturing plants and loaded with preservatives so that it can make the trek across the country. Our fruits and vegetables are picked before they are ripe, lessening the nutritional value of them.

Furthermore, we have become used to and our tastebuds have been trained to eat fast food, and we crave it. We want it. Any given hour, you can pass a McDonalds or Jack in the box, and the line in the drive through is several cars deep. 

Have we really got too lazy to get out of the car and go in? Why, yes, we have. 

We eat calorie and fat laden food, as the norm, as it's inexpensive and produced in huge quantity. Fillers and sugars are added to make the "food" more palatable. 

And we eat it!! 

We choose this over fresh food because of many things, and cost is one of them. I can't tell you how many times I have heard that eating healthy is more expensive. 

And it's true. Salad and fruit can be more expensive than that $1 double cheeseburger. But think about something. The leaner meat at the grocery store is much more expensive than the fatty one, so how can they make a double cheeseburger for a buck, and still make profit??

Because the amount of beef is likely marginal and it's filler. 

There are circumstances where obesity can be a result of disease. And obesity can cause a disease. Think thyroid problems, glucose issues, and joint disease. They are all related to obesity. But the obesity itself, is in most cases, a result of a sedentary lifestyle and less than optimal dietary choices. 

It goes back to simple math, if you eat more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. If you do this continually, your body will respond negatively, storing fat, and placing taxing efforts on your body, your heart, your lungs, your liver, pancreas and your joints. This is the problem.

SO, I will not agree that all obesity is a disease. It's a result of poor choices and lifestyle in most situations. 

BUT, it's a personal choice, and it's personal responsibility. It is not the job of the government, or the doctors to cure or take care of it. It is the  INDIVIDUAL"S decision to make the necessary changes. 

I have seen too many people have weight loss surgery and guess what, if they don't follow a regimen, prescribed by the Doctor, then they gain weight back. PERIOD. 

Will people hold the surgeon who did the weight loss surgery responsible if they gain it back? Will people blame the grocery stores who sold them the food that contributed to their weight gain? Is Mcdonalds and Burger king to blame? 

No, we have choices everyday, and we can choose healthy food, if we want it. But it's an individual choice. 

I have chosen my decision, to eat lots of fruits, vegetables and less meat and bread. It works. I feel great, I am an appropriate weight for my build and because of it, I am looked at like a freak in my workplace. Because I exercise and eat healthy. I am the oddity because I am following a healthy diet. 

This should not be. I never thought that I would be looked down on, because I choose to take care of the only body I have. Even some of my closest friends and relatives, say I am overboard. 

But, in the end, I have great numbers, normal cholesterol, Blood pressure and a strong heart. 

I am not a freak, I am taking care of the body that God gave me and cherishing all the great things it does for me. I hope you do the same, and if you need help, you know where to find me! 

In Health,

Barb

You true Wealth is your HEALTH....

A statement that says a lot but is taken lightly by many.
Think about the things in your current life that would be different, if you lost your health. 
Excessive lost days at work, and illness could cause job stress or even losing it. Along with your paycheck, what else could be lost by a job loss? Health coverage, retirement plan? Many many things. The biggest may be your paycheck, and that is something we all depend on, to have a place to live and food to eat. 
Loss of health could result in loss of function. The inability to move, walk, run, drive, and do the activity of daily life that in actuality, are our life. Ask someone who has the inability to drive because of visual issues? A broken leg? Taking away that ability alone, would change life dramatically. 

Many people don't think about taking care of their bodies, until it's too late. The damage is done already. I have said before, many have to have a wake up call in order to make a change. But by then, they have in essence, lost something. 
Fear of disease is not the way I am suggesting to inspire change, but a little healthy fear could be a good thing. It would suggest that the person is thinking, thinking about the consequences of doing nothing.

So many people find reasons to mistreat their bodies. "I don't have time...
I can't afford it....It's not fun....I had to work....

So, if you don't have time to exercise and eat right, do you have time get sick and be down for days, weeks?? If you say you can't afford to eat healthy or pay for that gym fee, do you have the money to pay for medications? Doctor bills?
It's not fun....one of my favorites....Exercise can be fun, if you find one you like. Everyone knows I am not a Zumba fanatic, but I know a TON of people who love it, and have fun while they sweat their butts off. Swimming is fun for some, me, I personally like to to Kickboxing and Combat as I feel empowered, and thus, I raise my endorphins and feel good. This is the purpose.

So, Think about what your health is, how losing it would affect your life, and then make a decision on what you are willing to commit to. And then, MAKE IT HAPPEN!! 
I see people all the time, that will go through any and all barriers for something they want, ie a new house or car, but when it comes to health, they just are complacent. Its' all stuff, it makes no difference what you have, if you don't have your health and wellness. 

In health, Barb

Yep, just a little insane!!

So, I am signed up for the Insanity instructor challenge and next Saturday I will succumb to learning how o teach this incredible format to the masses.
So, in prep, I am watching an informercial about it. I wanted to see even more about what I am getting myself into...
Hmm...definitely appears to be a challenge!

So, the informercial says it, it's not easy, it crazy challenging but they guarantee their results!
So, as an instructor, am I ready for this??

Resounding YES!!

It goes beyond High intensity training. It's MAXIMAL intensity training.

Plyometrics, cardio, burpees, high jumps, push ups..
Entire body workout with no equipment.
Sounds good right??
Yes.
So, as I sit and think about this.
I have to admit, I must be a little bit of beachbody junkie. They offer the majority of the formats I teach on their website. Turbokick, check, Les Mills Pump and Combat, check, now Insanity!
These are all formats I already know and love! I teach them weekly at the YMCA.

I know many people who have already done these programs, and they love them too! So, if you have, I want to hear about it. Any program!! If you have done Insanity and stuck with it, I want to hear about it. If you love TURBO, i want to hear about it! And if you want to, but always have been afraid to try, let's go on this journey TOGETHER!!

In health..
Barb