It used to be the mainstream opinion that genetics determines your health, and if you were born into bad genes you just have to deal with it. So, for all of you out there still using that excuse it's time to put that to bed. We have known for sometime now that we can actually change the course of our health dramatically by just a few lifestyle changes. Now, more research has come up to give this more life. As I said in my last post a lot of us really overestimate the costs of changes and underestimate the benefits.
"According to the Centers for Disease Control, preventable, lifestyle-related chronic diseases drive 75 percent of health care spending. Ninety-five percent of these costs are spent on treatment, with only five percent used for prevention. According to Chris Boyce, CEO of Virgin HealthMiles, “Seventy percent of Americans are inactive.”
Companies are now embracing this concept and making great changes by hiring health and wellness coaches, bringing in healtier food to the cafeterias, sponsoring gym memberships, some even encouraging having meetings outside, or just simply walking.
June is National Health and Wellness month and as a health and wellness coach this is an exciting leap in the right direction. Let's not wait for the health insurance companies to catch up with us. What can you do to your daily routine to move more and change your outcome?
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/06/17/june-is-national-employee-wellness-month/#ixzz1Q8wZtQZQ
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
America's Eating Habits Getting Worse?
Haven't we been focusing on America's problem with nutrition for years now? We know we have an uphill battle with the war on obesity, and malnutrition. The rising costs of health care are also a reflection on the obesity problem, and it's starting younger and younger. It seems intuitive that knowledge is power, but not in this case.
A recent gallop poll showed the number of Americans getting the recommended number of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables at least 4 times a week has actually dropped in recent months. It has gone from 57.8% in May of 2010 to 55.9% in May of 2011. So clearly the messages are not being received.
I think we can find a number of reasons for the drop including higher costs of food in general, lower costs of fast food (think dollar menu), and a simply busier day. Many times eating right takes more time and money than the alternative.
But, what if people just don't see the value in it? What if there is no belief that if I incorporate these changes into my diet it will change anything. The common misconception with behavioral change is the overestimation of the costs and underestimation of the value. How do we get Americans to understand small changes like getting your recommended 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables can actually change the course of many diseases like diabetes, cancer, and many others? The ironic thing is, you don't even have to cut out the foods you like, just add a salad, or a cup of fruit. Watch out though, you might just find when you add the good stuff, your not as needy for the junk.
Just try it for 4 days, see what you think, you might be giving yourself added years. Think of the family moments you'll be included in, weddings, graduations, births, and first steps. Is it worth it to you?
A recent gallop poll showed the number of Americans getting the recommended number of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables at least 4 times a week has actually dropped in recent months. It has gone from 57.8% in May of 2010 to 55.9% in May of 2011. So clearly the messages are not being received.
I think we can find a number of reasons for the drop including higher costs of food in general, lower costs of fast food (think dollar menu), and a simply busier day. Many times eating right takes more time and money than the alternative.
But, what if people just don't see the value in it? What if there is no belief that if I incorporate these changes into my diet it will change anything. The common misconception with behavioral change is the overestimation of the costs and underestimation of the value. How do we get Americans to understand small changes like getting your recommended 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables can actually change the course of many diseases like diabetes, cancer, and many others? The ironic thing is, you don't even have to cut out the foods you like, just add a salad, or a cup of fruit. Watch out though, you might just find when you add the good stuff, your not as needy for the junk.
Just try it for 4 days, see what you think, you might be giving yourself added years. Think of the family moments you'll be included in, weddings, graduations, births, and first steps. Is it worth it to you?
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