The Far-Reaching Effects of Obesity

by Rochelle Griffin

I was reading an article the other day on FoxNews.com that took me by surprise. It was about how very few Americans could actually list all of the risks of obesity. While people can easily rattle off heart disease or diabetes as known complications (as it’s been drilled into us,) few could list the many other risks.

Truthfully, this concerns me. I’ve been an advocate of health for over 20 years. I’ve seen more than my share of the consequences of obesity: changed the bandage of the new amputee, consoled the widow whose spouse died suddenly from a stroke, injected the morphine to help the mom with the cancer pain. The sad part of all of it is that obesity is preventable and curable. Perhaps if people were better educated about more of the risks, they would be more apt to want to prevent them.

Some of the lesser-known risks include high blood pressure, joint issues, infertility, cancer, high cholesterol, stroke, sleep apnea, and asthma…and I’m giving you the short list. As you can see, carrying extra weight can affect so much more than just your heart and blood sugar…or how you look in clothes.

Do any of these risk factors surprise you?

Our body systems are very complex and truly, we can’t separate them out. What affects one system can and typically will affect other systems. For example, let’s say that you are carrying an extra 50 lbs. on your body frame. The extra weight puts pressure on your knee joints, making it difficult and potentially painful to walk. If you are having difficulty walking, you will be more sedentary. If you are more sedentary, you have less chance to drop the weight, therefore putting more pressure on your cardiovascular system to function (cue the high blood pressure.) High blood pressure can lead to strokes.

See how obesity can affect you? Shoot, if you are trying to conceive, obesity can prevent you from meeting your future child. There truly are consequences for carrying the extra weight.

Part of the problem is that if your immediate family is obese, it becomes “normal.” The foods that you eat become part of your family culture, the norm, and are acceptable, even if unhealthy. Of course, this perpetuates the issue.

So what can you do to help break the cycle and stay healthy?

I suggest baby-steps. If you attempt to change everything like gangbusters, you are setting yourself up to fail.

Here are just a few easy tips to get you started:

1. Always talk with your physician first to be sure that it’s safe for you to exercise and make these changes. Depending on your health, your doc may want to monitor you while on your journey.

2. Start to move slowly once you’ve been cleared by your doc. Walking is a great place to start if you haven’t exercised in a while. When you are ready, add in more strenuous cardio and some strength training. No, you don’t have to go to a gym. You can choose from many DVDs and work out in the comfort of your own home.

3. Give your refrigerator a makeover. Again, I’m not asking you to make major changes at first and throw out everything in your pantry. Perhaps give up one soda per day and drink water instead. Or have a fresh salad for lunch instead of a frozen meal. Or grill the meat instead of frying it.

While you may be looking for drastic changes because you are tired of how you feel, making too many changes quickly is a recipe for failure.  You will find yourself on overload. Remember…you want changes that will stick for life.

As you implement the above 3 tips, I’d love for you to contact me. I want to hear how you’re doing, if you are struggling, what is working, etc. I’d also be honored to help you take the next steps as well.

I want you to be successful!

To Living Your Best Life,

Rochelle Griffin, RN BSN FDN-P

Rochelle Griffin, The Wellness Detective™, is a Registered Nurse (with over 22 years experience) & a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition™ Practitioner who has transitioned her love for fitness, health, & freedom into a 7-figure International company that now helps others live Their Best Life.

She founded Your Best Life, Inc with her husband Keith after stepping onto the edge of physical ruin with her health & the health of their young son. Having experienced a complete turn-around, they now desire to give hope & support to those who are dissatisfied with their current situation.

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