The majority of illness in America is self-induced by the choices we make.
Let me guess, for some of you year after year you make health goals and maybe fitness goals. You get part of the way to them or reach them only to see them vanish within a year or so. What’s missing from your ability to meet and maintain your health goals? Obviously this doesn’t apply to everyone but a huge percentage of you should relate to my point.
Do you get sick often (colds, allergies, infections), get more fatigued, have headaches and body pains, develop an illness or disease and blame it on genetics because mom or dad had it. To be bluntly honest, most genetic conditions are preventable with a lifestyle change and some are not, but those genetic conditions that are not preventable, are very rare. Don’t blame your osteoarthritis, heart disease or type 2 diabetes on genetics. And don’t get mad at me I am just giving you the straight truth.
Medications instead of lifestyle
I meet people and have friends and family that are suffering with major illness (a large majority of American’s are sick). Most of them will not listen to anything but popping a pill from the pharmacy. Is it because their doctor didn’t say change your lifestyle behavior and stop eating the crap? They opt for the simple and convenient way of popping a pill or 2 or 10. Pills do not fix the problem, they manage symptoms. At the time of my sister’s death 5 years ago she was on 32 medications. Many were needed from the side effects of the previous drugs. I am not against medication when it’s needed. Medication is necessary sometimes for acute care, disease and even life support. I once needed medication in my life but thankfully I am now medication free. It should be our goal to become medication free if possible. At least that’s my view on this. I believe many of my friends that are MD’s would also agree with this.
Fad’s
American’s love to jump on the next great diet and health fad. In the past it was fat free, then Atkins’ low carb diet, then sugar free (the heavy use of artificial sugars came out at this time). The new fads are sugared up smoothies from these commercial drive through smoothie places (not the kind you make at home), gluten free, grain free, high protein, low carb, all fruit diet, Paleo, Intermittent Fasting and Ketogenic. With exercise it’s Cross Fit, HIIT (high intensity interval training), LISS (low intensity stead state), tough mudders, triathlons, duathlons, cycling, Spartacus events and color runs are just a few.
Most fad diets focus on eliminating areas of vital nutrition (like leaving healthy carbohydrates out), which may eventually cause other health issues. Theses fad diets work for a while but most eventually fail. Great health requires balance in all areas of your life. Not surprisingly, 95% of American’s that set weight loss, health and fitness goals never maintain them once they are met. That’s a 95% failure rate. However, most never even meet their goals. I have absolutely no problem with any of these approaches if they work for you and put you in a state of better health permanently.
I will also tell you Google University is not the answer. There is too much confusing and conflicting information for you to trust about health on the Internet. How do you know who has the correct info? I recently found peer-reviewed studies saying sugar in any amount is okay and although it doesn’t add any additional health benefit added sugar does not promote illness or disease. Really? I found studies saying red meat does not cause heart disease or cancer and many that said it does. Which is right?
Who are some of the sponsors of these sugar studies? Let’s just say they are big producers of sugar filled products. I think they have a definite interest in what the studies say.
In the past few years smoothie joints have opened that are providing liquid sugar in a cup. This is seriously bad for you. Some of their drinks have 100 grams of sugar. That’s 25 teaspoons of sugar! Gluten free products have also become popular. No one looks at the ingredients in them. Many of them are junk!! Corn chips, potato chips, rice cakes, corn muffins, ice cream and snickers bars are gluten-free. Being gluten-free does not mean its healthy, in fact they can be very unhealthy.
Have you been chasing good health for a long time, grab it for a while, only to see it slip out of your grasp again? Have you made health goals, get close to them to only see them fade away? Then you do it all over again and again and again……?
I have had very poor health and currently have great health. I can tell you with all sincerity having great health is fantastic. Today, the world is my playground and it can be yours too.
Warning!
Please, get your health information and guidance from a qualified health professional, check their references and background. There are too many people claiming to be something they are not qualified to be. If they claim to be a Health Coach check their credentials to be sure. Your health and safety is in their hands.
In the next blog we discuss how to find the missing pieces of your health puzzle.
Healthy wishes,
Wally Bishop I.N.H.C.
Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
Schedule your free appointment with me today.
The contents of the email or written communication are not medical advice and should not be considered as such! This blog is for informational purposes only. Please consult with your physician or health care provider if you have medical issues and before changing your diet or lifestyle or taking herbal or dietary supplements. Never start an exercise program with getting your doctors approval. Never quit taking medications unless advised to do so by your doctor. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs.
