[USA Today] Is child obesity child abuse?

That was on the front page of yesterday’s USA Today’s Life section. A headline like that sparks immediate attention.

Jerry Gray of Travelers Rest, South Carolina is being charged with criminal neglect of her 14 year old, 555 pound son Alexander. This is a HUGE case (no pun intended) given childhood obesity has been on the rise and this could set a precedent for criminal action against parents with morbidly obese kids.

I’m not going to get into the legality of an issue like this. I’ll leave that for your opinion and the courts. But with most issues like this, the problem is to the left.

According to the CDC 40% of kids 12-15 years old, and 50% of teenagers 16-19 years old have been told by a doctor or health care professional that they are too heavy. THIS is a serious problem. And in the case of Alexander it’s gone way too far.
Obesity and in this case, morbid obesity, is a gushing wound with no bandage. At what point does it become a concern? A child weighing 555 pounds is absurd. This is a child’s life we’re talking about. And to me, the worst part of this is Alexander’s future. Aside from the teasing and taunting I’m sure he’s getting, his health and quality of life will suffer tremendously as he ages.

Something MUST be done now!

Sorry if I’m going on a bit of a tirade. But seeing this on the front page just fires me up. I work with women and men that want to lose weight and improve their health. Sue D. joined the FT family yesterday morning by deciding to lose weight and get back into shape. Her choice to make a change in her life will pay off. BIG time. I know that becasue our FT clients prove that day in and day out.

But there’s so much more to losing weight and improving health. Not only do you change your body but you transform your life in the process. You become alive and more energetic. You’re able to give more of yourself to family and friends. You’ll work with more passion and productivity. Everything in life becomes richer, fuller, and more enjoyable when you look and feel fantastic!

Alexander is now in foster care while the case waits to be heard. I hope, for his sake, he’s on a proper nutrition and exercise plan. Whether it’s you or your child, you must sit and take a good serious look at reality. You’re either moving closer or farther from good health. That’s an everyday move. Eating a twinkie moves you farther. Eating fruits and veggies moves you closer. Where are you going? Where is your child going? If you need help or information please request a consultation here. There is also a ton of free info at our site you can get your hands on.

If your child needs help losing weight, being active, or improving his or her health please let me know. If there’s enough interest I’d like to have a kid’s fitness class before school starts. Send me an email and tell me about your kid(s) and their situation. Or feel free to call the studio, 314.863.7799, so we can talk by phone. Regardless, decide today – one little choice – to lose weight, get in shape, and live a healthy life.

To your health,

Tim Chudy

P.S. Click here to request a consultation. We can talk about your situation and what it’s going to take for you to reach your goals.

P.P.S. A lot of times people struggle to lose weight because of their nutrition. Specifically with stress eating. Keep your eye out for specific steps to stop that emotional and sometimes uncontrollable urge to eat.

Posted under Fitness Tips, Weight Loss Tips

The economy stinks. The Dow is a downer. Layoffs left and right. I can only imagine what 1930 must have felt like. I stopped watching the news because it was leaving me with a negative frame of mind. I think the media heavily reports doom and gloom, so I don’t believe it’s as bad as we all perceive it to be. There is plenty good going on. But I’m also realistic.

Money and the economy are in the top 5, if not the top 3 lists of personal importance for most Americans. Relationships and purpose fall up there too. But exercise and diet…not so much. For some it’s lucky to squeeze into the top 20! But it IS important. Now more than ever. Which brings us to this post today.

You see, now more than ever your health, fitness, and nutrition are important. Because it’s the foundation for handling everything else in life. If you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of others and the other stuff in your life.

Think of flying. When you’re on the runway ready for takeoff, the flight attendant tells you to put the oxygen mask on yourself FIRST. Then the child. As a kid I remember thinking that was backwards. Children should be protected first I thought. But the airline knows better. They know if you get the mask on the child and aren’t able to get it on yourself, you’re in big trouble.

The same goes with your health. It MUST be taken care of first. BEFORE you can take care of anyone or anything else.

Today I give you the top 5 reasons to exercise and eat right in a down economy. I think they’ll resonate with you. Maybe not all, but some. Pay attention to them. I’m sure you can picture someone you know that ‘has it all’. They’re calm, cool, and collected. They’re always in control no matter what happens. These are the people that own their health and fitness. And you can and should too. OK, enough all ready. Here they are.
Confidence and charisma. Exercise breeds both. When you’re fit, lean and toned; when your blood pressure and heart rate are low and steady; when stress is decreased or eliminated altogether; when your focus is razor sharp; when you feel really good – not just healthy – but also proud of your appearance… that’s when you are at your best.  In today’s environment a healthy resume is not the only thing needed. You, and the perception of you, must impress the potential employer that you’re THE best one for the job. Being overweight, out of shape, and lethargic does not present you in that light.

Your best medicine. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly half of Americans said their stress increased in 2008. With money and the economy topping worry lists. Exercise is the best cure for mental and emotional stress. And right now, in this economy, there’s a lot. The APA also reports three quarters of people experience physical problems such as upset stomach and headaches because of stress. When you’re stressed you become more susceptible to sickness and disease.  You tire quicker and frustrate easier.  Some would have you believe that the answers to all your health concerns are contained in little pills. That’s misleading.  And it’s dangerous. If there is a panacea, it’s exercise and a nutritionally sound diet.

Depression is at an all time high. Studies have shown those with a sense of personal control – that which exercise can create – is a characteristic of happy people. Plenty of research points to exercise being the best cure for mild depression. Mild depression is the gateway to an unhealthy lifestyle. It leads to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and eating poorly. It’s a viscous cycle that is hard to escape. In all my years of talking to men and women struggling to achieve health and fitness results, the hardest part is getting started or re-started. Breaking the cycle of depression takes a massive amount of effort. But once you make that one decision, and with each passing day, it gets easier and easier.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Being sick is expensive. And it’s not good to miss work, especially if your job is on the line. But it is good to save money on doctor’s visits, medications, and other costs associated with your health. This begs the age old question, if you don’t have your health what do you really have? Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Exercise and a healthy diet improves your health, stimulates your immune system, increases productivity and energy, increases self esteem, improves mental focus, decreases risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes to name just a few. It increases strength and stamina, reduces depression, decreases stress levels… should I keep going? I think you get the point. But I could easily add another fifty benefits.  

A healthy lifestyle makes you rich in spirit. It would be ignorant of you to put your head in the sand and ignore the financial mess we’re in. But at the end of the day, you and your relationships are what are most important. Exercise and a sound diet give you the framework for a rich spirit. No one wants to be around a ‘Debbie Downer’. Being rich in spirit means stepping back and taking stock of what’s really important. And being able to appreciate that.

If you’re exercising now then you know the benefits and have seen and felt them. if you’re not, you need to jump on this wagon now. And fast. Trust me; it’ll take you for the ride of your life!

To your health,

Tim

P.S. I’m going deeper into stress, cortisol, and how it affects your weight in my next post. Stress is rampant in our lives today and we must do our best to keep it in control. Be on the lookout.

Posted under Fitness Tips