Work It!

"The victory is not always to the swift, but to those who keep moving."

I have decided to dedicate one blog to explain the importance of incorporating physical activities into our lives. However, being an exercise freak isn't good either. It has to be just right. But other than a good amount of exercise, good nutrition is extremely important as well.

Many people don't exercise because (1) they are too lazy to, (2) they say they don't have time for it or (3) it's too strenuous. That's a bunch of excuses. If you set your heart to something, you and I both know that you will find a way to do it one way or another. For example, if you really wanted to see a movie, but the movie came out the day you had to work or something, I'm sure you'd think of some lame excuse to give to your boss to get time off. Same goes for exercise. There are no excuses. You just don't care and don't want to try.

I'll admit, getting started is the hardest stage to get over. Take a look at this chart and decide where you are exactly:



Like all other activities, it will take your body a while to adjust to exercising. You can't just expect to be able to bench 100lbs the first time you work out. You have to start little, like with 20 lbs first and then slowly increase the weight over time intervals. If you still feel like you're not ready, why not join a gym? Many gyms have free classes that come with membersip, where there's an instructor that leads a class in exercising. If you like dancing, there are cardio dancing classes. If you like swimming, there are water aerobic classes. And if you like biking, there are bike "spinning" classes. There are many, many wonderful activities that you'll find fun. As long as you know what you'll enjoy doing, you can incorporate that into exercise. Give yourself a chance and check it out.

The most important thing is that you're able to tell yourself that you're ready. Think about it, it is for your own benefit. You only get one body for the rest of your life, why not be good to it? You're the one living with it.

(http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/starting/index.htm)

HHS Health Promotion

"Regular physical activity substantially reduces the risk of dying of coronary heart disease, the nation's leading cause of death, and decreases the risk for colon cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. It also helps to control weight; contributes to healthy bones, muscles, and joints; reduces falls among the elderly; helps to relieve the pain of arthritis; reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression; and is associated with fewer hospitalizations, physician visits, and medications. Moreover, physical activity need not be strenuous to be beneficial; people of all ages benefit from moderate physical activity, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more times a week. "

So you see, you don't have to be an athlete to be physically healthy. Anyone that isn't a couch potato can fight against obesity. All you have to do is set 30 minutes apart to do a little exercise; whether it be taking a walk, jogging, playing some sort of sports or swimming. As long as you're active for 30 minutes (or more) straight nonstop, a little bit goes a long way. All it takes is persistence and determination.

As talked about in a previous post, HHS developed new programs to help people fight the problem of obesity and even to help people maintain good health. The structures of these programs all linked to one main idea: physical activity.

Here are some programs that HHS supports to encourage physical activity:

[1] HealthierUS.gov - This is the root of President Bush's Healthier US Initiative. It was devised to educate and aid people with helpful information as to healthier lifestyles.

[2] President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) - This is the group that advises the president and the secretary of HHS on how to motivate people to sustain healthier lifestyles. They encourage people to take up sports and to become more active. (For more information, visit www.fitness.gov)

[3] Healthy People 2010 - This compiles of the goals/obejectives set for America to achieve by 2010. It includes the major threats to health and how to prevent them. "One of the Healthy People 2010 goals is improving Americans' health, fitness and quality of life through daily physical activity with targets established both for adults and for children." (For more information, visit www.health.gov/healthypeople/)

Honestly, if people really care enough, they'd know what's best for them. If you need help, then get help. There are many programs out there that are dedicated to helping you solve these health problems. Just remember, it's never too late to ask for help.

(http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/physactive.html)

img: (http://www.bfhd.wa.gov/img/activity.jpg)

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Obesity is one of the top three causes of more than 300,000 deaths each year. Obesity causes many chronic diseases that can shorten people's lives. Besides chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems, "physical inactivity and unhealthy eating contribute[s] to obesity" as well. "Improving the health of Americans through physical activity and other prevention efforts is a priority of the Department of Health and Human Services." They are currently working with other agencies associated with HHS (such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH)) to come up with ideas and better programs to help persuade and motivate society to develop increased physical activity.

On June 20, 2002, President George Bush launched a "Healthier US Initiative." One of the main initiatives is to prompt people to get involved in more physical activities. "Physical activity plays an essential role in promoting good health and preventing chronic diseases.." In total, President Bush granted the HHS over $16 billion for research and developing more programs.


(www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/fitness/)
(http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/physactive.html)
img: (http://aspe.hhs.gov/HSP/state-funded-pre-k/index.htm)

Medicare... Anti-Obesity?

Thanks to "a simple revision to a government policy manual" by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Medicare may finally change their outlook regarding obesity. Medicare, which was once closed off to obesity, is agreeing to open its doors to obese-related health coverages. All the HHS did was remove the part that started that "obesity is not an illness." A little change like that probably changed the lives of many Americans.

"By law, Medicare covers specified medically necessary services for illness and injury." But because of the fact that obesity is no longer declared an illness, it might be a bit tricky to get Medicare to pay for some treatments.

" 'From the standpoint of Medicare coverage and the health of our beneficiaries, the question isn't whether obesity is a disease or a risk factor. What matters is whether there's scientific evidence that an obesity-related medical treatment improves health,' said CMS Administrator Mark McClellan, M.D., Ph.D. 'This change in Medicare's coverage policy puts the focus on public health. The medical science will now determine whether we provide coverage for the treatments that reduce complications and improve quality of life for the millions of Medicare beneficiaries who are obese.' "

I agree. I really hope that this will take America one step closer to lowering its rate of obesity. Medicare's change of policy really does put the main focus on the well being and health of the public. Technology is so advanced now that anything is possible. People need to let go of their beloved fast food and snack gorging ways and just take a step back and re-assess their health. Now that Medicare took a huge step forward, so should the rest of America.


(http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/olderamericans/a/obesitypolicy.htm)

Obese Kid Fighting for His Right to Eat

Eight-year-old Connor McCreaddie, who weighs over 200 lbs is fighting with Britain for his right to snack and to remain with his mother. The kid simply cannot stop eating and has been gorging himself ever since he was born, according to his mother. Connor's been gaining and gaining, and even hit 218 lbs last year. He is way too overweight for his height and age and the British social workers are trying to take custody of him. However, his mom still refuses to watch her boy's eating style and lets him continually dig into their fridge. The British government had no choice but to threaten to intrude into this matter.

Such a local problem in a small city of Britain traveled far and stimulated national awareness. So what about New York? Would the government ever intervene on an issue such as Connor McCreaddie's?

" 'I think anything is possible,' said Mayor Bloomberg when asked if New York officials would ever take custody of a child because of obesity. 'We have to look at the welfare of the children.' "

It's true that we as a nation have to look out for one another and do what's best for the future generations. Health is a very serious issue and cannot be toyed around with. If Connor and all the little boys and girls out there weren't helped, they can develop serious health conditions that will put their lives in danger.

"...overweight children such as Connor are susceptible to diabetes, respiratory problems, high blood pressure and heart strain."

However, we cannot force anything upon another human being. Just because the government feels that a certain action is right, it doesn't mean that's what's best for people. Plus, fighting against obesity isn't what the whole nation considers as "important." Not everyone cares about the well-being of a little overweight child, even though "...an elementary school study finding 43% of city kids are overweight." People nowadays have "better" things to worry about, like war, making money and themselves. That's a pity because if everyone cared about everyone, and if everyone lent a hand out to someone else, our world would be a better, safer and healthier place to live in.

(Daily News. pg 19. Wednesday, February 28, 2007)

What Is Obesity?

Currently, America seems to be aiming to decrease the percentage of obesity in the nation. The reason? To look good and to fit into and follow today's hippest fashion. Not because if they eat another morsel, they'll die of high cholesterol or low blood pressure; but so they can force themselves into size double zero jeans and extra-extra-extra-extra-small shirts, because that's what looks "good."

"Fine, so what exactly is obesity," you ask? Well, my dear friends, I should ask you the very same question. When I asked fellow classmates and friends, I got the same answer over and over again: "Obesity is when you're extremely overweight." Many people seem to oversee what I think is the most important factor of obesity: the health problems associated with being overweight. But then again, I don't blame them, especially if that's the only definition that the media seems to feed the public. Even the almighty online dictionary that everyone counts on does that.

"obese [oh-bees]
–adjective
very fat or overweight; corpulent. "
(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/obesity)

Being obese is to be very fat and "corpulent"? What is that, the nicer way of saying "fat," like "big-boned" and "chubby"? Oh yeah, I'm absolutely sure that dictionary.com's editors just simply forgot to induce the health risks portion into the definition. Yup.

For those of you who do not believe that previous statement that I intended to be sarcastic, the only website that seems to be in the right mind so far is WebMD. They define obesity as:

"Being obese means having so much body fat that your health is in danger."

Now this is what I call the real definition of obesity. Not "very fat" and "corpulent." (And again, what the heck is that? Someone please give me the real definition of that vulgar word, because my faith in dictionary.com is rapidly decreasing by the second.) Props to WebMD! For those of you who are still unsure of what obesity truly is, I suggest you read this article from WebMD, because otherwise you'd be totally clueless as to my countless, future, government-related insightful blogs. And even if you're just really looking forward to shedding a few pounds for the summer, this article will tell you the healthy way to do it; and not demolishing your body with those so-called "fast and ways" like starving yourself and throwing up till your insides are oozing out and you're the size of a toothpick.


"What is obesity?

Being obese means having so much body fat that your health is in danger. Having too much body fat can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, sleep apnea, and stroke.

Because of these risks, it is important to lose weight even if you do not feel bad now. It is hard to change eating habits and exercise habits. But you can do it if you make a plan.

How do I know if I am obese?

You can use a measurement called a body mass index, or BMI, to decide whether your weight is dangerous to your health. The BMI is a combination of your height and weight. If you have a BMI of 30 or higher, your extra weight is putting your health in danger.

Use the Interactive Tool: Weight and Health Risks to check your body mass index.Where you carry your body fat may be as important as how many extra pounds you have. People who carry too much fat around the middle, rather than the hips, are more likely to have health problems. In women, a waist size of 35 in. or more raises the chance for disease. In men, a waist size of 40 in. or more raises the chance for disease.

What causes obesity?

When you take in more calories than you burn off, you gain weight. How you eat, how active you are, and other things affect how your body uses calories and whether you gain weight.

If your family members are obese, you may have inherited a tendency to gain weight. And your family also helps form your eating and lifestyle habits, which can lead to obesity.

Also, our busy lives make it harder to plan and cook healthy meals. For many of us, it's easier to reach for prepared foods, go out to eat, or go to the drive-through. But these foods are often high in fat and calories. Portions are often too large. Work schedules, long commutes, and other commitments also cut into the time we have for physical activity.

There is no quick fix to being overweight. To lose weight, you must burn more calories than you take in."

(http://www.webmd.com/diet/tc/Obesity-Overview)

I know some of you are too lazy to click on links, or were scared just by the sight of a long article, so I'm going to sum it up for you: Obesity is when one's weight can cause serious health problems.

The solution? Exercise, persistence, and eating the right foods. So please, think about it before you walk into another Wendy's, McDonald's, Burger King and the rest of the fast food family. You're risking your health.

Stay tuned for future blogs: Government policies on obesity.