Monday Motivational Memo: Treating Others Well
Wealth and success are the natural results of treating others with integrity honesty, patience, and love.
We get confused. We think the universe if limited. It’s not. It has no end and no limits. The more we give, the more we get.
Give more. Get more.
Enjoy your reward.
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Obesity and Fat Wars: Us Versus Them
A recent study presented to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Weight of the Nation conference projects that if Americans keep getting heavier at the current rate, 42 percent of us will be obese by 2030. That means, in less than 20 years, we will be sharing our country with an additional 32 million obese Americans, causing us to pony up a whopping $549.5 billion — over half a trillion dollars — in medical expenditures between now and then.
For comparison, the obesity rate has been hovering at an already-alarming 36 percent, or about 78 million adults, for the last decade. The projected increase will swell the ranks of the obese (no pun intended) to north of 100 million. In addition, the severely obese — about 100 pounds over healthy weight — will more than double from its current five percent to 11 percent.
We know obese folks are at greater risk for a multitude of weight-related diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea and even cancer. Obviously, they therefore will account for a greater proportion of medical costs. “They also have a much shorter life expectancy and generate greater lifetime medical costs, suggesting that future health care costs may continue to increase even if obesity prevalence levels off,” the study’s authors say.
There is a minor bright spot, albeit more a dim bulb than a spotlight. Researchers discovered that although obesity is increasing, it’s increasing at a decreasing rate. (You take your good news where you find it.) Unhappily, the data did not include children, so, on the other hand, these estimates might be low, as obese kids typically become obese grown-ups.
Forty-two percent is (obviously) almost half the population.
Therefore, moving it from macro to micro, if you’re in a room with only one other person; either you or he will be — or is currently — obese. If not you, it’s your sister, your husband, your child, your best friend, your parent, or most likely, several people you care about. Obesity affects not only the afflicted, but also every soul who loves, or interacts with, someone who’s obese — and, for better or worse, that’s every solitary, single one of us.
I am not writing this to make us aware of a problem of which we previously were ignorant.
Rather, I am concerned about the “fat wars” appearing to be more prevalent as this problem continues. Sadly, there is a “we” versus “them” mentality in the battle against obesity.
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Focus on Accomplishments – Monday Motivational Memo
Focus on your accomplishments, not the things you have yet to do.
We will NEVER get everything done. Period. End of story.
Focusing on how much we have to do is overwhelming and defeating. Rather, it’s important to pay attention to what you can do and what you have already done.
By doing that, you will be inspired to do more – adding to the ever growing list.
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The Great New Miracle Diet Featuring CleanYouOut!
“I lost 18 pounds my first 24 hours while still enjoying chocolate cake, French fries, and beer!
The best thing is it’s been a whole day and I haven’t gained back a pound!”
Hard to believe, isn’t it?
Like millions of women, Zelda Smith, always fought the battle of the bulge.
“Since I was young, I was chubby. Other kids made fun of me, teasing me and embarrassing me on the playground. As an adult, it only got worse.”
“It didn’t matter what I did, weight just kept piling on. I tried everything, switching to low-fat foods, watching what I ate; I even stopped using chocolate syrup as salad dressing. At meals, I tried limiting myself to only what could fit on one plate, never going back for seconds. My sister — who’s never been supportive — scoffed. She said, ‘Zelda, if you’re going to do the one-plate thing, I don’t think you should use a platter. It defeats the purpose.’ Do you see what I’ve had to put up with?”
“But I didn’t let her deter me; I was determined! So I adjusted my lifestyle. I went to the gym; I even got out of my car and went inside once. At home I exercised regularly — ten minutes once a month, just like clockwork. I found other ways to increase my activity. I started walking to the mailbox instead of driving; my husband really appreciated that because he found it hard to get in the front door when I left the car parked on the porch. Sometimes, when I was really inspired, I even put down the remote control and walked all the way over to the TV to shut it off. It’s not easy to change your life, but when something’s worth it, you sacrifice.”
“Still, I was frustrated by the lack of results.
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Video: Dance Walking Fitness with Ben Aaron
I didn’t know who this guy was until I saw this video.
As it turns out, he’s a reporter in New York. (Find his Facebook page here.) However, it doesn’t matter; he put together a fun, upbeat video about being more active and enjoying the process. (It’s also about the only time I’ve ever thought it would be fun to live in New York City!)
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Improve Communication: Monday Motivational Memo
If you ever find yourself saying, “I told you 1,000 times…” that means YOU ARE not communicating.
It does NOT mean they are not listening.
Communication is not an exact science by any stretch of the imagination. There is a great deal of “noise” that can inhibit clear communication
“Noise” is anything that inhibits that communication.
It can be actual noise, or it can be
- cultural differences
- attitude
- physical attributes
- one’s past history
- even one’s health can cause a breakdown in communication.
The next time you find yourself being frustrated that someone does not seem to “get what you’re saying,” don’t get mad.
Instead, realize that YOU need to try a different method to be heard.
Slow down, regroup, and try it differently.
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You’re going to wear THAT for your wedding?
I do not wish to be the type of person who slowly, sadly shakes his head, pining for a simpler past, longingly opening conversations with “When I was a kid…” Moreover, when I become aware of an unfortunate societal trend, I try to prevent cranking up my inner curmudgeon, cynically inquiring of my peers, “What has gone wrong with our society?”
Having said that, something has gone wrong with our society because — when I was a kid — brides-to-be didn’t shove tubes up their noses to lose weight before their weddings.
While skimming TV channels, images of young women commuting to work with feeding tubes hanging from their noses flitted across the screen. They didn’t seem ill; quite the contrary, they looked to be “in the pink” (yet another reference from “when I was a kid”). The reporter explained that some women with upcoming nuptials are resorting to a severe calorie-restricted crash diet to drop ten to 20 pounds in the two weeks prior to their big days. That unto itself is not newsworthy; long before “I was a kid,” I imagine women (and even some men) resorted to last minute diets in order to present their best in front of friends, family, and God.
What was exceptional was that, in these cases, the method of choice consisted of consuming only 800 calories a day, delivered in the form of shakes served through a medically implanted feeding tube threaded through the woman’s nose, down the esophagus, and into her stomach. The tube remains in place ten days and the procedure costs about $1,500. Side effects include bad breath, constipation and dizziness. (Nothing says, “kiss the bride” like halitosis.) The doctor performing the procedure said, “At first I decided not to do it for people who just want to lose a few pounds. But then I thought, why should I say five or ten pounds are not enough? People want to be perfect.”
As long as there has been belly fat, there have been odd and controversial get-thin-quick schemes.
Yet, this is beyond the pale. Read More »
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Video: Scott “Q” Marcus interviewed by Rebecca Kimbel
I was asked to be the guest on Rebecca Kimbel’s interview show. The sound is a bit weak (and she forgot to put the “Q” in my name in quotation marks) but it was a fun interview. I thought I’d share. It’s 28 minutes long but I hope you enjoy.
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What Success Feels Like: Monday Motivational Memo
THIS is what success feels like.
We think that “success” is always “out there,” in a far away place. Because of that thought process, we feel inadequate and frustrated.
The reality is we can draw the boundaries of success to be wherever we want them to be.
Maybe we aren’t at our correct weights, but we’re closer to them. Maybe our finances aren’t in the shape we want them, but they’re getting closer. Maybe our relationships aren’t where they could be, but they’re improving.
Isn’t positive movement the “real” definition of success?
Reward yourself. You’re doing better than you think.
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Is Discrimation Acceptable? Fat People Need Not Apply
In certain instances, job discrimination is considered acceptable.
For example, a Catholic Priest would have a tough road to hoe to get hired as a Rabbi, no matter how extensive his career background. There’s really no reason NOT to hire him, but it’s just not going to happen, is it? We accept that.
So when is discrimination out of line?
Under federal law, employers generally cannot discriminate on the basis of several factors, including (but not limited to) race, sex, religion, disability, or age (for workers over 40). Yet only Michigan and six U.S. cities ban discrimination against hiring overweight people.
I understand — to a point. After all, a severely obese person might also be very unhealthy. She might not be able to perform her duties, especially involving physical activity. However, is it tolerable to discriminate against her because she doesn’t “look the part?”
Citizens Medical Center in Texas now requires potential employees to have a body mass index of less than 35 (about 210 pounds for someone who is 5’ 5”). Their controversial policy states an employee’s physique
“Should fit with a representational image or specific mental projection of the job of a healthcare professional,” including an appearance “free from distraction” for hospital patients.
Lifestyle discrimination has precedent.
For example, certain companies will not hire employees who smoke. That, however, is because of the side effects of their behavior, such as higher health care costs or insurance premiums. It is NOT because they do not approve of the smoker’s appearance.
What’s different here is that the policy doesn’t indicate costs or side effects; nor does it suggest that obese employees are incapable of performing their tasks. Mostly, it refers to physical form, placing overweight applicants in the same category as those with visible tattoos or facial piercings (which is a whole other discussion).
The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance claims, “discrimination plain and simple.”
I agree.
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Understand the Rules of the Universe: Motivational Monday Memo
There are rules to the universe.
They cannot be broken nor changed to suit your whims or fantasies.
Complaining about them will not help.
Instead, learn them and use them wisely.
It’s normal to get frustrated about “the way things are” instead of “the way they should be.” That’s part of life.
It’s also okay to feel the frustration or anger. The problem presents itself when we let those feelings overcome us, causing us to remain stagnant – or even to fall backwards.
Feel the disappointment or frustration.
Then, get some support and move through it, learning from the experience.
You will get better results and you’ll also be happier.
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Motivational Cough Drops? Really!
I had a scratchy throat last week.
My wife gave me a cough drop from Hall’s (sugar-free of course). I noticed that the label was covered with motivational phrases. I don’t know who came up with nor why they thought it would be a good idea – but, what the heck, it’s kind of cool. They call it “a pep talk in every drop.”
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Just When You Thought You Were Healthy…
Why do flags flap on a windy day?
Believe it or not, this is just one of many questions science cannot surely resolve. There are others: What is gravity? Why do we dream? How many species inhabit our planet? Why is it that the freeway lane I choose is always the slowest? (Okay, in all fairness, I really doubt if scientists spend much time on the last question.)
Each of us has unanswered questions.
Since my field is health, I’ve often wondered why is it that we determine someone’s correct weight based on the Quetelet Index of Obesity, a formula dating back to nineteenth-century Europe? Granted, about a century later we shifted to Body Mass Index (BMI), which is weight divided by height squared. Yet the main premise remained in tact: how tall you are is virtually the sole factor to determine how much you should weigh.
That has never made sense to me. Why would a 5’ 6” forty-four year old vegan woman who enjoys yoga and jogs with regularity; and a sedentary man of equal stature who scarfs red meat, French fries, and drives his car 100 yards to the corner store; be considered healthy at the same weight? I have always thought something’s messed up.
It appears I’m correct – but I take no comfort in what I found out.
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