Trying to Take Control of Your Health?
Maybe a Re-Boot is in order
Obesity……..it has been increasingly cited as a major health issue. In 2004, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranked obesity as the number one health risk facing America. One in every three people is considered obese, which is an estimated 72 million people. In 2010, 60% of the United States population was considered overweight or obese. Obesity leads to many health complications and diseases. These are scary statistics. America is one of the richest, most progressive countries in the world. Shouldn’t we be one of the healthiest too?
The sad truth is that Americans are some of the unhealthiest people in the world. Even with all of our great economic power and technological advancement we are living in a land plagued with obesity, and the health problems that are associated with the disease. Of course there are many reasons behind this alarming problem, but the biggest reason really isn’t a mystery. Look at our diet and lifestyle-we live on the go, existing on fast- food and microwave-able dinners. We eat a diet of packaged, processes and refined foods.
This is apparently evident to the USDA as they will be changing the food pyramid chart, making the pyramid into a dish chart which is cut into slices. These slices will show fruits and vegetables at 50% of what we should be consuming. Say goodbye to large portions consisting of meat products, processed foods, fast-foods, high sugar and high sodium foods. Say hello to larger portions of whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes.
If your weight can be responsible for causing illness, is it possible to take control of your life, your health and your future? It can be done, and people with determination and a will to get healthy again have been able to by changing their diet. One person who chronicled his journey to take control of his health is Joe Cross, “We spend the first 40 years of our lives trying to kill ourselves, and the next 40 trying to stay alive.” He knows of what he speaks. His documentary film, Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, (See my April 6, 2011 blog for more information) not only shows how Joe was able to take back his health, but serves as an inspiration for those of us hoping to do the same.
Joe managed to regain his health by drinking only juices for 60 days. (With a doctor’s approval and constant monitoring of course) Doesn’t sound that easy does it? How many of us have that willpower and determination? The film not only chronicles Joe’s journey, but Phil, who Joe had met along the way. When you watch the film, which I was lucky enough to see, you realize we all do have that power, we either really want to change, or that change is forced upon us. “You change the world by changing yourself, “explains Joe. And he is right!
For the past couple of months Joe has been traveling the country premiering the film and appearing on TV and radio, such as The Doctors, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, Fox News and numerous morning and local shows. He has been instrumental in creating awareness to not only the problem at hand, but also to the solution. The purpose of the film isn’t to get us all to begin juice cleanses. The purpose of the film is to show how incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet can change not only your body, but your health. Juicing is a way to increase that intake. The film brings home taking responsibility for your health as much as possible and by being more conscious of what is put into your body.
Did I like the film? It was eye-opening! As Joe traveled across the states, it seems most of us have abhor-able eating habits. In some ways it was disturbing to realize that most of the younger generation wouldn’t know what a vegetable was unless it was put in our fast food burger. I was blown away at the ages of people struggling with their weight. At a time that they should really be out enjoying their life and their family, they were too plagued by health issues. The film certainly has made more me become aware and look at what food I put into my body.
At the same time, I also found the film to be very inspirational. It is never too late to change unhealthy eating habits. I just made my carrot, beet, apple, spinach, cucumber, strawberry, lemon and ginger concoction. Using Joe as my model, (as a result of his re-boot now incorporates juices into his everyday life. If he wants chocolate ice cream, it will be an occasional treat, with plenty of juices and healthy foods to make up for it), I vow to incorporate more juices into my diet, and use them as a staple.
I am not alone in being inspired by the film. There is an entire re-boot community out there. People who realize that we have no choice but to change our eating habit or we will pay the price for it. www.jointhereboot.com contains information about nutrition; re-boot programs, recipes, fitness and moral support. See the movie if you can, I highly recommend it! (www.fatsickandnearlydead.com)
Giving ourselves and our family what they need starts with us! Healthy eating habits-let’s re-learn them and pass them on!
