Today's subject of discussion is the dreaded topic of weight loss. Often, people shy away from this topic, but let's hope we can change the negative associations related throughout this blog.
Defining obesity
Ok, so this is often measured through a person's body mass index (BMI), which determines your weight relative to your height. Great! But, if you have ever come across this term...followed by a brief conversation afterwards detailing that you sit above a measurement of 30, then...maybe not so great!
This same conversation will then proceed to the topic of exercise and a healthy diet, at which point you are either bouncing about with excitement from that life-long epiphany. Or, you get even less motivated, not because of the 'challenge' ahead, but because you've accepted the 'label' given to you and associated some form of negativity with it, which gradually increases over time, leading to:
- Stroke
- Coronary heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Several forms of related cancers, such as bowel cancer and breast cancer
Now, it seems that when we follow this professional advice...with the added somber tone usually encouraging it, we picture the image of how our dinner plates used to be stacked high with a mixture of exotic foods from around the world, which will now be reduced to a few carrot sticks, 2 Brussels sprouts and (if your lucky) an anaemic slice of meat! Any enquiry into deserts will earn you a unamused, insulted stare..."half a grape!"
In the United Kingdom, one in every four adults and approximately one in every five children aged between 10 and 11 are now obese. But this isn't something we should sit back and think "it's just a few extra pounds". It should be something that we should encourage change for both ourselves and others we both know and don't know.
One of the largest health problems in the U.K. is stroke. In fact, numbers are estimated towards 150,000 people every year! Now, this is something that we need to continue to address and resolve. As mentioned, obesity is one of the major causes of this and...it's preventable! Can we prevent it though? At the moment, it seems as though health issues are worsening, with medical bills more than willing to match it. Top that with 'health companies' showing you how cramming a powdered down multi-vitamin down you ought to cure it, or how protein powder will save the day...how would that look along side the rest of your prescribed meal?
You don't need me to tell you it's not working! I mean, for those few who apply it fully, it might...but for how long? Here's the thing, your body is a science. What I mean by this is that weight loss can be calculated ahead of time. There's equations, a few variables and solutions.
So now, rather than saying "eat this instead", I'll tell you something more about the App, MyHealthRev. When you log into your account, you will be asked what interests you...because that's important...that's where we'll begin! You can have the choice to take photos of yourself to track progress or share it with other friends. You can take part in social and individual tasks to help bring some passion...and no, this is not the only options offered, nor is it an invitation to start a local marathon. Ohh also...in fact, I'll finish this another time, for now get excited for a strategy of solutions instead of temporary gimmicks :D
As always I'd love your support, your opinion and to encourage discussions. So share it, discuss it or just get the word out...talk to those people you don't know and encourage them, it'll bring about this change quicker.
If anyone wants to email me, catch me at healthrevd@gmail.com
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