Let's Get Busy

How are you? I hope you are enjoying what's left of summer; it has gone by so fast! Labor Day is on the horizon and I recently spotted Halloween merchandise at a store. Speaking of Halloween, do you want to hear a scary story? If you do, please read on: "Big Jump in Diabetes as America Gets Fatter"

"The incidence of diabetes increased markedly in the United States from 1990 to 1998, including a 76 percent rise in cases among people in their 30s, researchers reported today, warning that the disease will take a harsh toll in disability, death and medical expenses in decades to come."

"Doctors blame much of the rise on obesity, which is also increasing steadily, with more than half of Americans now overweight."

"Experts blame the rising weight on Americans' increasing tendency to park themselves in front of TV and computer screens, exercising too little and eating too much, particularly gigantic portions of high-calorie foods. The study showed that the risk of diabetes increased by 4 percent for every pound of excess weight."

These words appeared in yesterday's New York Times. My friend, I can relate to these words! As I ate and sat my way to a 368-pound body (see picture below) my risk for diabetes increased by 720 percent. I should have been concerned: my grandfather died of diabetes. Before he died he lost both of his legs. A doctor asked me if I wanted to experience the same fate. I did not want to die at age 34 and I also did not want anyone standing over my body making "Fat Elvis" jokes.

I bought a Lifecycle and began exercising in my living room every night. Of course old habits die hard: I had to watch the TV while I pedaled. I lost my first 100 pounds riding that Lifecycle. I soon became bored with the Lifecycle and the TV (after all, how many more times could I watch "Rocky" running up those steps in Philadelphia) and began going to a gym every day. In four years I lost half my bodyweight and TOOK BACK MY LIFE.

The way our world is today, my story does not have to be unique. Many of us are chained to computers at our desks working "24/7" at "startups." I hear again and again, "If I can just hang on another 3 years till the IPO, I'll be a multi-millionaire." The sad thing is that unlike "Survivor" many of us will be "strung along" a lot longer before being voted off. In the meantime our health will suffer.

What can we do? The first thing we can do is to recognize that technology serves us; we do not serve technology. Get up from your desk; turn off your cell phone and GO EXERCISE. Program your Palm Pilot with a daily exercise appointment and KEEP IT. I would also recommend turning off the TV, why watch "reality" when you can go out and make some of your own.

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)