Numbers that will break your heart

I know I'm a data driven, logical, methodical engineer by training (and upbringing!) so I am always looking at the latest data, graph, chart, table...if it's got numbers relating to something important to me, I'm probably checking it out. You get the idea. Often though, when I read this data, my "engineer mind" takes over. For those of you who aren't engineers...let me explain.

Numbers, data, physics...these are all logical things. If you drop an apple (or round frictionless chicken for my engineer friends who know that joke) it will fall at a speed that you can accurately calculate given the right data. Engineers are trained to look at the raw, verifiable data and determine the best solution to a given problem. Emotion, feelings, and many human factors be darned! This is why so many brilliant engineers make (just being honest here) lousy managers. We have conversations many don't understand because we remove many human reactions or expectations. I can't tell you how many times my family, friends and colleagues have had conversations that would not be deemed appropriate in "normal society" because we consider ways to improve government, social systems, and other societal problems in ways that are completely logical yet would fail once you add "nusances" like jealousy, human desire, the need to feel needed, etc... It's not because we don't care about people...it's simply that we're thinking in terms of facts and logic.

So when I look at this data, even though I approach it as an engineer, I am heartbroken. I can't remove the human factor from these numbers! Across the country, there are only two states where less than 10% of children are obese. Most states report that 10-15% of children are obese! That means that in a child's class of 30 students 3-5 of them are obese...and this number has TRIPLED since 1980. If this trend keeps up, assuming you have young children now (or will have them soon), your grandchildren have a 1 in 2 chance of being obese!! That's sickening and heartbreaking to me! Isn't it to you? Do you want your children and grandchildren to experience joint pain, cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and other health risks ...not to mention the self confidence and emotional damage that can come from weight problems? I didn't think so...but as an engineer I will tell you, math doesn't lie!

With this information in hand I implore you to think about those you love especially children who look up to you. What kind of example are you setting? Are you showing them that HEALTH is an option and balance between living fun and living healthy is completely possible? Are you showing them that their first priority and one of the most selfless habits they can develop is taking the time and energy to be healthy? How? How often?

I'm not going to tell you that you have to be a Beachbody coach to set this example but I will tell you that coaching keeps you accountable to your actions. You may have other ways of staying accountable...through your own workout programs, through fitness programs with your spouse or another loved one, or through a group of a friends. For me, Beachbody has worked better than any of these. Where else are you going to find 60,000 other people committed to the same kind of healthy, balanced lifestyle? Not to mention, 60,000 nationally recognized coaches! (see more on that soon!) Please think about coaching if you don't already have a good network around you...and even if you do! We need to end this trend...this terrible terrible trend. The next generation deserves better!

One last thought...a friend of mine recently posted a status on Facebook that I think can push us to think. She said "Those of you who complain about the habits and behaviour of this generation, please take a long look at the people who raised them". This is our call to action. I don't have children yet but I know that my behaviour and my actions are visible to those around me. A child may emulate one of my eating habits and pick up a healthier habit directly from me...or a parent may become inspired to go out for a walk every evening because of the choices they know I make and the success they see me achieve which in turn shows a child that it's never too late to learn a new healthy habit. This kind of influence is a great power and as Spiderman knows, with great power comes great responsibility. Seize and embrace that responsibility! Find a way to make an impact in the lives of those around you. I could go on for days about how a healthier community is a better community in so many ways but I'll put away my soap box for now and ask you to click on both of the links below.

The first link is the information from the CDC which shows these frightening and heartbreaking trends in the health of our children and the second link includes information regarding becoming a Beachbody coach. Please contact me for more info as there is a FREE webinar each week with the top coaches in this incredible company and I'd love for you to hear their point of view too!

This is your chance...will you seize it?

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/data.html

http://gabriellah99.blogspot.com/p/lets-end-trend-together.html