A few days ago I shared with you how Kentucky and Louisville ranked in obesity and it wasn’t pretty. Now I want to follow that up with what I have experienced over my twenty five year career of one reason why the numbers are what they are here!
I don’t argue with people, especially if they are potential clients of mine. However, a lady yesterday tested my resolve.
Susan stepped into my office, for what reason I’m not sure, but I learned very quickly that she was delirious with denial.
A good one hundred pounds overweight and a family history full of diabetes, Susan could not come to grips with the fact that she was on the verge of acquiring a life-changing disease. For all I know, she could already have diabetes; her legs were discolored and she complained of burning in her feet – sure signs of poor circulation and a precursor to such an ugly condition.
“Well, my mother had it, but it’s not going to happen to me!” This is the common attitude most people have. Like Susan, if she can’t see it, well then it’s not there. Sorry, that’s just not true. That’s the danger of diabetes; it’s a “silent killer.” It lies dormant for sometime, slowly generating steam and then one morning, the switch gets turned on due to: a lack of exercise, poor eating habits, and denial, and – WHAM! – your life is turned upside down. After that, many diabetics live the rest of their lives in regret and self pity.
If you go outside today and find four people in your line of sight, the chances are that one or two of them will get diabetes or already have it. These are just not good odds. Diabetes is caused by mainly three things; poor eating habits, a lack of exercise, and heredity. Now don’t say, “Well, there you go – my mother had it so I’m doomed. There’s nothing I can do!” Hog wash! That’s a lame excuse and it’s just not going to fly.
Denial – FEAR: F alse E vidence A ppearing R eal
Denying that diabetes could get you is naïve, prideful, and just plain stupid. Denial is just another form of FEAR. You are afraid of the truth. Well, let me tell you, you either deal with the truth today on your terms or on the doctor’s terms later. Read more here in my book on EXERCISE RESISTANCE and FEAR!
Desire – A want or hope for your life to change in a positive way!
You don’t have to run a marathon, lift a thousand pounds or be as flexible as a yoga instructor, but if you can get past denial and on to having a desire to do SOMETHING, then you’re on your way. But, please acknowledge your situation at the very least. Denial is usually accompanied by death – the death of your emotions or even death of the physical kind.
Here are some facts about diabetes:
Who has diabetes?
Diabetes is the sixth-leading cause of death by disease in the United States. Diabetes leads to the death of an estimated 213,000 people in the U.S. each year. Diabetes and its complications cost an estimated $132 billion annually in the United States alone, in terms of healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Federal statistics estimate that 18.2 million children and adults in the United States, or 6.3% of the population, have diabetes. While an estimated 13 million of these have been diagnosed with diabetes, 5.2 million are estimated to have type 2 diabetes and not know it. Most people with diabetes have type 2, while an estimated 800,000 have type 1. About 1 million people age 20 or older will be diagnosed with diabetes this year.
Diabetes is more prevalent among Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian/Pacific Islander Americans. An estimated 20 million people in the U.S have pre-diabetes, a condition that occurs when one has higher than normal blood glucose levels, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes. Research shows that if action is taken to control glucose levels, those with pre-diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.
Don’t take the chance that you’ll be next – start exercising today!
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