Lose Weight Or Die!

Seems to be a pretty strong statement, but more doctors are saying this to their patients or something like this. The only reason I put it in the subject line is because recently someone discussed this with me that his doctor was this blunt. This statement can also be linked to a new study that was just released.

Basically, the study claims that obesity in youngsters will lead to them dying prematurely of illness or a self-inflicted injury. The chances are increased twofold over their non-obese counterparts. What this study suggests is that obese children set the wheels in motion for some major health issues down the road, in a country that sees people regularly living past 55.

The study was done on data gathered from Pima and Tohono O'odham Indians. This study is one of the largest studies to study people over the span of a few decades. Now, granted American Indians don't reflect the overall American population as a whole, it still shows that obesity is a factor that needs to be nipped in the bud at a very early age in life.

Did you know that this current young generation is the first generation in a long time that isn't predicted to live longer than the previous generation? In this day and age with all the medicine and research out there, how does that happen?? Can someone say X-box.

Did you know the military has had to continue to lower its physical standards to keep our military numbers where they should be? The standards of the 50's were just too tough for some of the current military. That is comforting!

I have talked about losing weight before. Just a little bit can make a huge difference. It can ease pressure off of your joints. It can help lower blood pressure. It can make you feel not as winded going up the stairs.

Making lifestyle changes can help you with your weight loss. Make healthier food choices by avoiding fast foods, saturated foods, fried foods, and eat more fruits and vegetables along with healthy protein and carb choices. Chicken breast, fish, lean meats and potatoes, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta or good examples of those. Just changing your food can result in some simple weight loss.

Get more active during the day. Take the stairs. Park farther away. Shovel not only the snow in your driveway, but your neighbors, especially if you live next door to me (this is very applicable to us C-bus residents).

Bottom line is that our country is having a hard time reversing this obesity epidemic. The lose weight or die phrase may be a rarity now, but watch out. More and more doctors might be saying it. Let's hope it isn't to you.