Are you at a healthy weight? I am sure many of us are asking ourselves that when so much is being said about the dangers of obesity.
I just recently returned from my company’s yearly convention where one of the featured speakers was Jacqui McCoy, the young woman featured on Extreme Make Over Weight Loss Edition several months ago. It was amazing to see her transformation ~ she actually was able to lose 200 pounds! She actually became the biggest weight loss by percentage in weight loss television history at above 58% lost. 
Although our particular weight loss products were not a part of her program, she did use the supplements and found them extremely helpful. As you can see from the picture on the left, she truly did transform her body.
The most serious epidemic in the United States is definitely obesity, a term referring to having considerably more weight than what is considered healthy for your height. Using your weight and your height to calculate a number called body mass index (BMI) determines this. Typically an adult with a BMI greater than 30 is considered to be obese.
Since the subject of weight loss was one of the main focuses of this convention, we were all asked to check our BMI while we were there. I enthusiastically went to the “weighing station”, feeling assured that I would easily fall into the “Normal” category of the BMI index. I was shocked to find that my weight put me right on the edge, at my height and weight, of Obese, one point away from Overweight! In order to get to Normal my weight would need to be no more than 144 pounds. (Normal at 5’4″ is between 114# and 144#).
This information really impacted my thinking about my health. As I said in last week’s post, my decision to take charge of my health 19 years ago has helped me to reach 69, prescription-free. Now I seem to have joined the ranks of those with unhealthy weight, which adds to my risk of developing future health problems.
Just this week a new study from trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute of women with stage I, II and III breast cancer emerged, stating that among women who have been treated for breast cancer, heavier women are more likely to have their disease come back AND more likely to die of cancer. Apparently certain hormones that are linked to body weight may also fuel tumor growth in the most common form of the disease, known as estrogen-receptor-positive cancer.
My concerns really grew when I read that Dr. Joseph Sparano, associate chairman of medical oncology at the Montefiore Einstein Center of Cancer Care in the Bronx, New York, stated, “Obesity seemed to carry a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence and death – even in women who were healthy at the time that they were diagnosed, and despite the fact that they received the best available chemotherapy and hormone therapy.”
This study found that despite optimal treatment, including chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, the increased body mass index — which usually corresponds to the body’s fat content — significantly increased women’s risk of cancer recurrence and death. Additionally, the more obese the patient is, the more likely they are to have breast recurrence and death from this cancer.
So what will I do with this new information? I felt like I was sent back in time, 19 years ago, when my health was diminishing at 50. I am so glad that I made the decision I did and my journey of health began. Now I am being faced with another HUGE decision….My weight and high BMI score. That is why I have made the decision to lose the necessary pounds to reach that optimal BMI and to do it before my 70th birthday!
I will be keeping track each week on my Facebook page. Drop by and check on my “transformation!” If you are interested in the clinically tested products I will be using for this weight loss journey, feel free to contact me. The program includes Leucine, a muscle-building amino acid found in protein rich foods. There are nine essential amino acids that cannot be manufactured by the body and must be obtained from our diet. The phrase “Powered by Leucine” as used with this weight loss program is trademarked by our company. It is a proprietary formula that helps you “keep the muscle you have, burn the fat you don’t need and lose inches you don’t want”. When you lose muscle, which we don’t want to do, your metabolism drops. So, you see why Leucine is so important.
Exercise, of course, is a big part of my program. Each morning my daughter and I plan to go the YMCA to walk the track and use the weight machines. It’s a great way to start the day.
I have several others who will be joining me on this “transformation journey” and we are going to be connecting each Monday evening 8:00 pm (EST) – 8:15 pm just to let each other know our challenges and triumphs! If you would like to join us, here is the link to the meet-up room, Conference call #: 218-862-6114 Access Code: 063678. These calls will begin on Monday, September 10th and continue weekly.
The choices we make every day lay a critical role in shaping our future health ~ scientific research confirms that losing weight, eating healthfully, smart supplementation, and minimizing exposure to toxic chemicals in the home can help reduce the risk of future health problems. I look forward to celebrating many years to come, enjoying my grandchildren and great grandchildren! Won’t you join me?