Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people.
So overweight people are now average, which means you've met your New Year’s
resolution.
                                                                                                         -Jay Leno

Be Proactive This Year

     Very funny, Jay. That was good for a laugh but it really rang true for me when I heard it. As I counsel my patients on their healthcare goals I often ask them, “Do you want to be simply ‘average’ or do you want to be the healthiest you can be?”

     You see, ‘average health’ by modern day standards encourages us to merely coast by, eating whatever tastes good, not exercising regularly, if at all, not getting enough sleep, and basically just waiting around till we get sick. Well disease isn’t something that just happens by chance. No, that’s the old thinking. We are very much in control of whether we develop the flu, or high blood pressure, or arthritis, for instance. Yes family history plays a part, but it’s often what we do with our genetic potential that ultimately determines how this all plays out.

     People everywhere are fed up with rising health insurance and medication costs. Now more than ever groups are forming en masse to try to reduce epidemic obesity and diabetes rates in children and adults alike. There is an incredible awakening happening, powered by the information age that is lighting a spark under all of us to no longer accept the status quo. We want better and we want it now!

“This City is Going on a Diet!”

     That was the opening message for 2008 by Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett to his citizens who were rated among the U.S.’s fattest cities in a survey published in Men’s Fitness Magazine. The survey examined lifestyle factors in each city, including fast-food restaurants per capita and availability of city parks, gyms and bike paths. People are able to log in to a confidential web page and chart their progress, and to date 7374 people have already registered for the challenge.   I am happy to report that a total of 2033 pounds had been lost at the writing of this piece! Great job Oklahoma City!

     The greatest advice I could offer you as you set goals for this year is to find what works for you and stick to it. Joining a gym or eating celery sticks instead of bagels might work for some people, but if you need more motivation or support then I suggest you seek it out. Group efforts such as in exercise or yoga class work for some, while others prefer to be held more accountable, say by a personal trainer, nutritionist or coach. Have you considered posting a personal challenge to see if anyone in the community might join you in your efforts?

     Give it some thought and never settle for just ‘average’ in anything you do. A little sacrifice now will pay you in great dividends down the road.

Healthiest regards,