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Benefits of Planned Nutrition and A Smile
In this article:
- Creating a nutrition plan
- Benefits of good nutrition on aging
- Making a commitment to better nutrition
By Nancy J. Agnew, R. N., B. S. Ed., Institute Coordinator
What could smiling have to do with a nutritional plan and exercise program that, by the way, you can follow for life?
First, let's talk about nutritional changes most of us strongly need to consider. I do not like the word diet, which I think has a negative connotation, or immediate vibes of deprivation. That is why at the NeuroMedical Institute for Age Management (NMIAM) you will hear "nutritional plan or change."
The really strange thing about changes in behavior, (and eating habits are definitely behavioral) is that often, the initial beginning factorial word is left out.
That word is commitment. We at NMIAM believe strongly in committing to plans. This word has a place in everything else worthwhile. Why not in overall health? Neglect may be the answer. There is not much said about truly deciding that you will plan for worthwhile nutrition and exercise just as much as you will for attendance at your place of employment, events, and all other activities of daily living. Deciding to commit to a plan is the key to achievement throughout our lives. Keep the phrase "throughout our life" in mind. You will hear it again.
We know from years of experience in medical practice, that the successful individual is the informed person who is truly committed to a plan to make their life better, whether it is in the field of Neurology, weight management, stress reduction or reshaping your body to facilitate an active healthy lifestyle with anticipated high energy. It was not an accident that I placed the word Neurology before weight management in the prior sentence. With Neurology, we deal with the brain, and the central nervous system, and you know, the brain is where you live. Your brain will tell you whether you are going to do what is necessary to achieve anything - weight management, specialized educational degrees, desires for involvement in community action, politics, the listing goes on indefinitely.
Dr. Rex Anderson and I will tell you that this will not be a quick immediate fix. I believe you will see some results fairly soon, but we are talking about pending or actual health problems that will require some time for a methodical medically based approach to reverse.
There are so many diets that are impractical. If you lose in excess of about two pounds per week, you are depleting muscle mass, not fat. The very quick losses, and I know our readers have seen them advertised everywhere, are going to mainly involve fluid. And guess what. It comes back.
I've seen the effects of our program in my own life, and I know it works.
Just a few statistics, which I do not think will be boring. According to reports from the Center for Disease control, there are now 56 to 65% of overweight adults. The Surgeon General reports this translates into about 117 billion dollars spent treating problems associated with obesity. We are speaking of tax money -enormous resources. Obese people have nearly twice the number of health problems. Even more problems that those associated with tobacco, alcohol and the underprivileged population with decreased access to health care. This includes cardiac disease, some types of cancer, renal disease, osteoarthritis, hypertension and of course diabetes. Twenty percent of children are significantly overweight. It is estimated that one of three of these children will develop Type II Diabetes.
Why is this happening? Some authorities mention genetic propensity. This can surely be true in many instances. Something has to trigger that gene in the individual's environment if indeed it is present. It is rather unlikely there will be big time weight gain on a program of proper nutrition and exercise.
When you come into our Institute, you will find the nutrition program is user friendly and workable. I have a background in patient education, and know the benefits of understanding why previous programs have been less than successful. The more informed our patients and clients are, the better the results. The happiness and enthusiasm will translate into a changed lifestyle for the individual. We want you to succeed. It is important to us personally, and this is a very personal program. Each person comes in as an individual, just that, a person in their own right. Not a number or time on the schedule.
Talk with us at the NeuroMedical Institute for Age Management to further explore your opportunity to claim what we all want, a planned program to feel great at any age. We really mean that--any age. You will hear us say that the heart attack or stroke did not begin at age 65. The beginning most likely was years before. It is the same with the added pounds and sedentary life style.
I promised you that note about smiling. Well, how many of you have tried and failed, repeatedly to lose weight, and have felt the tugging of depression. We all have so many blessings that we take for granted but sometimes it is the moment that counts. You may look in the mirror and see an image that looks nothing like you may have looked not so long ago. Not much to smile about, you say. Well I believe that with a plan you can live with and make work, you are going to find smiling the most natural expression you have. You have finally committed. That is the first big smile.
Contact us and learn more:
Phone: 214-651-6161
Email: nancy.agnew@manageaging.com
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