America, we have a problem!
In a very thorough compilation of the most recent medical reports, Good Morning America and ABCNews.com highlighted the following statistics:
The nation's "diabesity" epidemic, part of a paired global rise in obesity and Type 2 diabetes, has enormous ramifications for Americans' health and well-being, as well as their pocketbooks. Type 2 diabetes, the form of the disease associated with excess body weight, is a powerful driver of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputation, all of which are expensive conditions.
In the report, UnitedHealth Group, headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., recommends interventions based upon evidence that intensive lifestyle changes can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. The landmark Diabetes Prevention Program, chaired by Dr. David M. Nathan, director of the diabetes center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, demonstrated that overweight and obese people with pre-diabetes could reduce by 58 percent their risk of becoming diabetic with diet and exercise.
Not only do we have a problem, we have resistance to change!
Dr. Anne Peters, director of clinical diabetes programs at the University of Southern California, also an investigator in the federally funded Look AHEAD trial (a long-term study of weight loss and exercise on cardiovascular risks among overweight and obese diabetics) said, “The problem is that people do lose weight, and will regain it once the intervention stops. Basically, everybody with diabetes needs a lifelong lifestyle coach. You need somebody to call you and bug you. You need a support group and a walking group."
I have spent over two decades as an ACE Certified Fitness Instructor, Nutrition and Life Coach, Author and Speaker. I, too, am convinced that the average person has the desire to change but most often needs coaching and support to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Why can't we change alone? Because our present culture and unhealthy society undermines us everywhere we turn!
In 2011, along with hundreds of others in the health profession, Little Changes Big Results LLC is making a strategic case for changing the way you live by encouraging you to make little changes that will have big results—physically, emotionally, mentally, and relationally. For 52 consecutive weeks, I am going to provide personal 1-to-1 coaching, group support on a member-blog, and weekly instruction/assignments designed to inspire you to set healthy goals and reach them. I know that you can improve your life and the lives of those around you--and if you know that you need help to change or would like more information on individual coaching or to join my 2011 “Healthy American Woman” Online Group, click here.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Drunkorexia—the newest trend in addiction among students!
Blogs, tweets, and clandestine camaraderie on college campuses are fueling the newest addiction among collegians—drunkorexia. What is it? A recent ABCNEWS report describes it with these details:
"According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcoholism and eating disorders frequently co–occur and often co–occur in the presence of other psychiatric and personality disorders."
"Psychologists stress that the main cause of drunkorexia is addiction."
"Abuse counselors are putting the word 'drunkorexia' in line with other eating disorders because the patient uses the same type of methods as anorexia and bulimia- they just mix it with alcohol too," said Dr. Kevin Prince, Alcohol & Other Drug Education Program Coordinator at the University Health Services in Austin, Texas.
What is the link between alcoholism, bulimia and anorexia? Dr. Stewart Cooper, Director of Grad Psychology Programs and Counseling Services at Valparaiso University said the commonalities occur when “there is planning and focus on the addiction itself.”
Though many campuses, such as NYU and University of Minnesota, are trying to expose and educate students to the power of addiction by posting binge-drinking ads and adhering to “no drinking in the dorm,” the problems are most certainly not going away.
I recently spent a few hours with a couple of kids who are addicts—young, barely sober, and uncertain if their lives can be restored. Their upbringing told a story as much as their current situation. My heart broke for them because I too had experienced teenage addiction and hopelessness. Yet, my long-standing sobriety has not only earned me the “right to be heard” with young addicts, but it makes me an advocate for them.
Here is what I KNOW from personal experience as an addict and from the hundreds of first-person interviews I've held with students who are addicted:
1. Fewer and fewer students come from families with two parents who are actively involved with their lives. This means that many social and moral mores are “up for grabs” with every student.
2. Peer pressure is extremely powerful. Great kids are finding it very difficult, when faced with the option of “popularity vs. loneliness”, to stand for what they believe or for what is right.
3. Substances today or almost instantly addictive. Not only are today’s drugs cheap and easy to obtain; their high is so immediate, that common sense or financial hardship or loss becomes irrelevant.
I implore you—the larger, community of "parents-who-care" to make some noise and get involved with students on the campuses of which you’re an alumni or where you have children attending. How? Send $ for programs, such as alcohol-free high school prom events or sponsor (coordinate, underwrite) a drug-free forum for a collegiate organization in your community or which you support or were a member. Additionally, request an appointment to ask questions of administrators, then become part of the solution by providing alternate activities for students or donating time as a mentor to listen and care for the most vulnerable of this young generation.
I am convinced that making a few little changes in your life—spending money, making phone calls, getting involved in a mentorship program—will have big, if not life-changing, results in one or more students' lives.
Be encouraged to change our culture!
Becky
"According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcoholism and eating disorders frequently co–occur and often co–occur in the presence of other psychiatric and personality disorders."
"Psychologists stress that the main cause of drunkorexia is addiction."
"Abuse counselors are putting the word 'drunkorexia' in line with other eating disorders because the patient uses the same type of methods as anorexia and bulimia- they just mix it with alcohol too," said Dr. Kevin Prince, Alcohol & Other Drug Education Program Coordinator at the University Health Services in Austin, Texas.
What is the link between alcoholism, bulimia and anorexia? Dr. Stewart Cooper, Director of Grad Psychology Programs and Counseling Services at Valparaiso University said the commonalities occur when “there is planning and focus on the addiction itself.”
Though many campuses, such as NYU and University of Minnesota, are trying to expose and educate students to the power of addiction by posting binge-drinking ads and adhering to “no drinking in the dorm,” the problems are most certainly not going away.
I recently spent a few hours with a couple of kids who are addicts—young, barely sober, and uncertain if their lives can be restored. Their upbringing told a story as much as their current situation. My heart broke for them because I too had experienced teenage addiction and hopelessness. Yet, my long-standing sobriety has not only earned me the “right to be heard” with young addicts, but it makes me an advocate for them.
Here is what I KNOW from personal experience as an addict and from the hundreds of first-person interviews I've held with students who are addicted:
1. Fewer and fewer students come from families with two parents who are actively involved with their lives. This means that many social and moral mores are “up for grabs” with every student.
2. Peer pressure is extremely powerful. Great kids are finding it very difficult, when faced with the option of “popularity vs. loneliness”, to stand for what they believe or for what is right.
3. Substances today or almost instantly addictive. Not only are today’s drugs cheap and easy to obtain; their high is so immediate, that common sense or financial hardship or loss becomes irrelevant.
I implore you—the larger, community of "parents-who-care" to make some noise and get involved with students on the campuses of which you’re an alumni or where you have children attending. How? Send $ for programs, such as alcohol-free high school prom events or sponsor (coordinate, underwrite) a drug-free forum for a collegiate organization in your community or which you support or were a member. Additionally, request an appointment to ask questions of administrators, then become part of the solution by providing alternate activities for students or donating time as a mentor to listen and care for the most vulnerable of this young generation.
I am convinced that making a few little changes in your life—spending money, making phone calls, getting involved in a mentorship program—will have big, if not life-changing, results in one or more students' lives.
Be encouraged to change our culture!
Becky
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Back Pain--how much is stress related?
Did you know that back pain is the second leading reason (next to the common cold) that people visit their doctor’s office?
Though back pain is often caused by a trauma, millions of Americans also suffer from disks that get out of whack, pinching nerves that trigger pain in their lower backs, limbs, necks or shoulders—whether they are heavy lifters or constant sitters!
In the November 2010 issue of Vogue Magazine, Robert Sullivan, a back pain sufferer, shared the following statistic; “Americans spent $30 billion on back pain in 2007, the year of the most recent government survey, double what they spent a decade earlier.” With three of my family members experiencing similar symptoms—numbness in arms, excruciating lower back pain, and spontaneous spasms—I was most intrigued with the aspects of his article that were profoundly straightforward.
Though Sullivan’s hunt for help took him to a myriad of surgeon's, physical therapist's, and psychologist's offices, two little changes were illuminated that brought big results to him and could be helpful to anyone who implemented them:
1. Posture matters! Whether you are lifting or sitting, all major joints should be at a 90-degree angle (elbows, knees, ankles). Attention to this rule protects your spine and lower back.
2. Physical therapy or massages provide stress release, not just pain relief! Jay Hunt, clinic supervisor at Madison Physical & Occupational Therapy in NYC commenting on the relaxation effect of therapy said, “For some people, if they have 45 minutes each week with no meetings, no cell phones, no texting—this is it.” Sullivan also interviewed Dr. John E. Sarno, author of Healing Back Pain: The Body-Mind Connection who added, “The brain is very clever. The pain is a reaction to the stresses in people’s lives and in their own personalities.”
If you struggle with back pain, making these little changes can protect your back, relieve your stress, and potentially save you money!
Be encouraged,
Becky
Though back pain is often caused by a trauma, millions of Americans also suffer from disks that get out of whack, pinching nerves that trigger pain in their lower backs, limbs, necks or shoulders—whether they are heavy lifters or constant sitters!
In the November 2010 issue of Vogue Magazine, Robert Sullivan, a back pain sufferer, shared the following statistic; “Americans spent $30 billion on back pain in 2007, the year of the most recent government survey, double what they spent a decade earlier.” With three of my family members experiencing similar symptoms—numbness in arms, excruciating lower back pain, and spontaneous spasms—I was most intrigued with the aspects of his article that were profoundly straightforward.
Though Sullivan’s hunt for help took him to a myriad of surgeon's, physical therapist's, and psychologist's offices, two little changes were illuminated that brought big results to him and could be helpful to anyone who implemented them:
1. Posture matters! Whether you are lifting or sitting, all major joints should be at a 90-degree angle (elbows, knees, ankles). Attention to this rule protects your spine and lower back.
2. Physical therapy or massages provide stress release, not just pain relief! Jay Hunt, clinic supervisor at Madison Physical & Occupational Therapy in NYC commenting on the relaxation effect of therapy said, “For some people, if they have 45 minutes each week with no meetings, no cell phones, no texting—this is it.” Sullivan also interviewed Dr. John E. Sarno, author of Healing Back Pain: The Body-Mind Connection who added, “The brain is very clever. The pain is a reaction to the stresses in people’s lives and in their own personalities.”
If you struggle with back pain, making these little changes can protect your back, relieve your stress, and potentially save you money!
Be encouraged,
Becky
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Waste-Not Challenge
On Wednesday, November 3rd, Notre Dame students, as reported in The ND Observer determined to “…reduce the 1.25 tons of food wasted each day in campus dining halls, student Food Services representative Elizabeth Davis said.” They call their campaign, Waste-Free Wednesday.
Interestingly, the students’ goal was not to reduce world hunger as much as to change the minds and ACTIONS regarding the blatant waste of food within their local community. As plates were scraped and waste was weighed–-both food and drink--the students (1) visually saw how they could save waste by initially taking less food (free to go back for seconds), and (2) were motivated by the contest to limit waste by the next weigh in (in 2 weeks).
The Notre Dame students modeled for all of us how making little changes—one plate at a time—will lead to big results!
Their example can easily be translated into homespun or company contests: nightly waste weigh-ins, spontaneous clean plate competitions, Friday food pantry give-away bags, or shared coupon saving days.
So why not try a "Waste-Not Challenge" in your home or workplace? Let me know by posting here how much waste you save, what games you played to motivate your family/team, and what you habits you have changed!
Be encouraged,
Becky
P.S. For my 2011 online groups and life coaching series, visit Little Changes Big Results TV.
Interestingly, the students’ goal was not to reduce world hunger as much as to change the minds and ACTIONS regarding the blatant waste of food within their local community. As plates were scraped and waste was weighed–-both food and drink--the students (1) visually saw how they could save waste by initially taking less food (free to go back for seconds), and (2) were motivated by the contest to limit waste by the next weigh in (in 2 weeks).
The Notre Dame students modeled for all of us how making little changes—one plate at a time—will lead to big results!
Their example can easily be translated into homespun or company contests: nightly waste weigh-ins, spontaneous clean plate competitions, Friday food pantry give-away bags, or shared coupon saving days.
So why not try a "Waste-Not Challenge" in your home or workplace? Let me know by posting here how much waste you save, what games you played to motivate your family/team, and what you habits you have changed!
Be encouraged,
Becky
P.S. For my 2011 online groups and life coaching series, visit Little Changes Big Results TV.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)