Put away the white flag

There’s so much that has been troubling me in the news lately, I don’t even know where to start…

First there was the 700 pound woman. Then there was the man who decided to sue White Castle because he couldn’t fit into the seats. And now, there’s the Lift Seat 600–a toilet seat that lifts up to 600 pounds, for people who can’t get up themselves.

And these stories are just a few examples of a frightening trend occurring in this country–the obesity “green light.”

What I find most troubling about this trend, aside from the tremendous health risks, is that it signals a much larger issue (no pun intended)–that people have simply given up on the idea of curing the obesity epidemic.

Well, I’m here to tell the 700 lb-woman, the White Castle guy, and the makers of the Lift Seat 600 that things don’t have to be this way.

Obesity is NOT an incurable disease.

You don’t have to accept being overweight–no matter how long you’ve been that way, or how many people in your family have fought the same battle.

I’m not denying that you can be genetically predisposed to gain weight more easily than people who are “naturally thin.” I’ve had more than one patient blame genetics for their weight problems. And they’re more than a little skeptical when I tell them that genetics can be overcome.

I’m living proof of it.

I come from a long line of overweight people and my entire family has diabetes.  I’m not overweight and I don’t have diabetes–because I work on it every single day.

But that’s not as difficult as it sounds. In fact, it can be simple (even enjoyable). All it requires is being aware of your choices…what you’re eating…how much…and committing to a few minutes of physical activity every day (remember the challenge I issued in yesterday’s Reality Health Check?). And yes, it gets even easier as time goes by.

Don’t feel beaten up–and, more importantly, don’t GIVE up!  Dedicate yourself to better health, and the weight will take care of itself.