News Taffy

If you watched the news this morning, you caught the depressing story that America’s obesity rates are steadily increasing according to a new study. By 2030, 44% of the population of all 50 states could be obese with 13 states having rates of 60%. Arkansas is predicted to be in the top 10. With that information, we have to realize there will be an increase in diabetes, heart disease and cancer, among other diseases. We are killing ourselves and our children.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Betty Bland is a friend of mine and we’d both like to share her story. Five years ago, Betty suffered from congestive heart failure and pulmonary embolism in both lungs. She almost died at that point. Betty was overweight and walked with a cane or used a motorized cart whenever possible. She was out of breath all the time, had high blood pressure and Type II diabetes. She also needed knee replacement surgery in both knees but had to lose weight before the surgeon would operate. She was placed on 10 different medications. At one point, her blood sugar level was so high, her doctor threatened to take her off oral meds and give her injections for her diabetes.

Finally, Betty began to think seriously about how she was treating her body by eating unhealthy foods and not exercising. She knew she had to make drastic changes if she wanted to see her grandchildren grow up. She tried many different diets and became a yo yo dieter, losing weight, then gaining it back by returning to her old ways of eating and not exercising. Betty says, “As I began to research about eating healthy it became apparent to me eating healthy was the only right way to a healthy lifestyle. It was like a light bulb turned on in a dark place that showed me the way out of my situation. Now I had to decide for myself if it was worth the effort to proceed with a goal plan.”

And proceed she did! She lost 30 pounds the first month and went on to lose 105 pounds over 18 months. She is off all her medications, no longer walks with a cane, no longer needs knee replacement surgery and has reversed her Type II diabetes! She adds, “I’m a new woman and feel at least 20 years younger than I was 2 years ago.”

How did Betty achieve her new life and healthy status? She gave up all the bad foods, especially sugar, and began exercising. She bought a treadmill and turned her bedroom into a personal gym. She also found a diet shake that she credits with being a huge help in losing weight. You can check out Shakeology at myshakeology.com/mycoachbetty.

Betty has also dedicated herself to helping others in their fitness and health goals. She says, “I feel we are here on this earth to help others, and it gives me much happiness when I can motivate others to make a lifestyle change as I have done.” Check out her website at beachbodycoach.com/mycoachbetty.

If Betty can do it, so can you! It does take determination and a reasonable plan to achieve your goals. Get help from friends and family, and, as always, check with your doctor before beginning any exercise or diet plan if you are in seriously bad shape.

Until next week,
Lisa