Who Do I Blame Because I’m Fat?

Who do I blame because I’m fat? That is the question I get frequently. I have received this question in messages, emails, phone calls and from clients  in my office. It seems that we are all looking to place blame.

Unless you suffer from an underlying medical or hormonal condition, the onus is on ourselves.

In the last chapter of my book, I trace back to where my emotional reliance on food began.  Though I traced it back to my childhood, it was not a valid excuse. Some day, as much as we may not want to, we must all mature and accept responsibility for ourselves.

I alone was responsible for my morbid obesity.

Which brings me to the following; I received an email from a client, who was especially upset about WILK  radio talk show entertainer, Steve Corbett, who has endorsed businesses in which the food consumed can lead to obesity. This friend was ripping, not because of the commercial, but because the pious and self-righteous Steve Corbett,  constantly preaches against many unhealthy activities. The great unkempt one even goes so far as to rail against smoking, proclaiming an extreme view, that all tobacco CEO’s should be locked up.  My client one time followed a vegetarian diet solely because this radio host proclaimed it as a healthy lifestyle choice.

It amazes me at how much sway an entertainer can have over some people, but that is the nature of advertising. It is the reason that sponsors will pay exorbitant fees to have someone endorse their product.

However, the point being that no matter the hypocrisy, my client reasoned that if Corbett who portends to be all knowing  preaches other healthy habits, he must know what he is talking about. He began stopping by this establishment regularly. He had so much faith in what the host was saying, that he took all of the education he had received through our meetings and tossed it aside. Much of the gains in his health that he had made fell by the way side as his old habits reared their ugly heads.

Finally, after regaining about twenty-five pounds and feeling so cruddy because he hadn’t been in the gym in almost one month, he sent me an email. He asked for an appointment to get back on track.

Once back in my office, before he even sat down, he began assigning blame. I genuinely could not believe what I was hearing.

I stopped him mid-sentence. I repeated back to him what he was saying. After I repeated myself a few times he understood what had happened. He utilized his faith and trust in another person to justify HIS falling back into bad habits. It was easy, because someone he respected, someone in whom he had put trust, was, via a paid endorsement, implying that  it was okay to eat sugar laden junk food.

After a few weeks my client was back on track. He would soon go from fat to fit.  It only took him two weeks to take off half the weight he had regained and he is back into healthy activities in the gym.

He learned the hard way that entertainers who are paid spokespeople aren’t always correct.

 

 

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Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book,A Life Beyond Weight Loss.  He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared onWYLN TV -35′s Storm Politics with Tiffany Cloud, WILK’s The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast.

Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his web site www.betterlifeseminars.com.

———————————————————————————————————————

************The posting that I  write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition.  I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.*************

Will You Choose To Blame or Will You Choose To Overcome?

I have been watching the continuing news coverage of the Wall Street protestors and I shake my head thinking how I once was a member of the “blame the world” movement.  News accounts and local bloggers all espouse basically the same message; “It is someone else’s fault that life is bad so, lash out against them.”  I thought about my own life and how I too once had this attitude.  Due to a series of circumstances my business began to fail, my life spiraled out of control — I blamed the world and I responded by lashing out. 

To whomever would listen, I told my tale of woe.  I complained, I griped and I blamed.  It was all someone else’s fault.  It was the doctors who misdiagnosed me, it was the national republican party

me at 340 pounds

for not getting behind my run for congress, it was this person or that person’s fault that my business was failing.  I responded by eating and eating and eating.  Every day I would simply exist to eat.  As my weight ballooned up, the person on the left rapidly came into existence. Was it my fault that I had become morbidly obese?  At the time, in my blame the world state of mind — of course not!  It was the situation, it was bad luck, it was those who wronged me, ala former news person Steve Corbett, it had to be the fault of  someone else.

Much like so many do today, I lashed out.  Over WILK’s airwaves and web-site, fear monger extraordinaire Steve Corbett assigns blame to any and everyone who has earned even a modicum of success.  I find it amusing that while he spends so much time blaming others, he avows just as loudly that it is up to others to take care of those he supposedly represents.

The fact is that I had some bad luck and was the victim of bad doctoring, however, while there may have been issues, the person truly responsible for my failings was the guy staring back at me from the mirror.

It wasn’t the hard times or the actions of others that pushed me to the edge of personal and business failure; it was my reaction and inaction that put me there.  Unlike the Steve Corbett’s of the world, eventually I realized that my demise wasn’t the fault of others and my salvation wasn’t going to be the result of another’s action. It was up to me, and me alone, to resurrect my failing life.

What does this have to do with weight loss and fitness? Pretty much everything.

When we lose the drive to care for our own fitness, when we lose the respect for ourselves and allow obesity to rule our lives, and when we no longer take responsibility for our own health, we lash out.  That is why I cut out negative energy and focus on what I can do positive with each and every day of my life. I don’t envy those who have what I don’t have nor do I seek to blame others for my lot in life. Contrary to Steve Corbett’s rantings, I choose how I will respond and my choice is to take self-responsibility, self-control and self-determination of my person.

I eat and exercise as if I will live forever, however I live life as if I will die tomorrow! I have no time to focus on what can’t be done.  I choose to embrace the positive aspects of my life and opt for a positive outlook over fear fueled outrage, hate and despair.

A student of mine stated that I always work nutrition and fitness into class time and asked me why.  I told this person that when one takes control of themselves, through taking command of their own health, the other issues tend to be easier to cope with.

This student told me they would like to lose weight and get in shape, but simply didn’t have the time.  I related to this student and several others the following:

I was entering a store when I saw one of my former weight loss clients.  Well, not exactly a client,  the gentleman only came in for the initial meeting, purchased my book, and confidently proclaimed that he could do it on his own.  One look at him and I realized he wasn’t sticking to the plan.  After some conversation, I offered to give him a free restart meeting to get him on track. I guess I struck a nerve, because his response was quite defensive.  He rattled of excuse after excuse attempting to justify why he had not even started the plan.  After I rolled my eyes and gave him a look he said; “What would you know, you’re a doctor and you work for yourself, you have all the time you need to eat right and exercise.”

Deep from my gut, propelled by the contractions of my diaphragm, a loud belly laugh escaped. Anyone who knows me, knows what I have been through.  An illness and one misdiagnosis after another caused me to be out of my office for an extended period of time. During and after this period, my business markedly declined and I lost every dime I had managed to save.  My mental weakness and my response to the situation caused me to neglect my business even further and I emotionally spiraled downward as my weight and girth ballooned upward.

However, this man didn’t know any of that.  Yet, I couldn’t contain my laughter. I think I offended, insulted or embarrassed him.  Since I don’t really understand those emotions, I can’t be sure, but I assured him I wasn’t laughing at him.

I have often said, getting fit and dropping weight are genuinely easy, however, it does require commitment and proper planning.  What better way to demonstrate the misconception than to give an account of one of my days?  So, what follows is a snapshot of one of my days.   This day was Wednesday 9/14/11.  By the way, Wednesday’s is the day of the week my office is closed, you know — my day off .

• 4:08am — Alarm sounds.  I hit the off button and say to myself several time, “Get up, get up, get up…!” I pause in the sitting position at the edge of my bed and consider laying back down.  I grab a picture of myself at 340 pounds and only need to glance at it for a moment before I spring up to my feet and head to the kitchen for coffee.
• 4:20am — Finish up my coffee, brush my teeth, shave, double-check my gear that I packed the night before, update Facebook for weight loss clients following me, get dressed and leave for the gym.
• 4:45am — Arrive at the gym.  Do my leg work out; 40 sets in just under 50 minutes, then go upstairs and do my abdominal workout.
• 6:00am — Shower, change for the day and leave the gym.
• 6:30am — Stop by my office.  Check and answer emails from Fat Then Fit Now clients, friends and students.
• 6:50am — Leave my office.
• 7:00am — Arrive for breakfast at Tony’s Diner in Kingston, had the best sausage and cheese omelet.
• 7:30am — Depart Tony’s and head to the college.
• 7:50am — Arrive at the college and get ready to teach my first class.
• 8:55am — Class dismissed; off to the office (you know, the one that is closed for the day.)
• 9:30am — Arrive at the office.  Write and publish blog post.  Answer more emails and Facebook inquires for people interested in my book.  Look over new info for the second edition of Fat Then Fit Now; A Life Beyond Weight Loss.
• 10:30am — Have a snack of mixed nuts and unsweetened iced tea.
• 10:45am — Get on Skype with the one and only Jimmy Moore and record a brief segment commemorating his 500th podcast episode.
• 11:00am — Treat two emergency patients. Ordered lunch.
• 11:30am — Stop at Leo’s Pizza where a grilled chicken salad w/blue cheese dressing is waiting for me. After lunch I head back up to the college.
• 12:15pm — Arrive at the college and teach my second class of the day.
• 1:15pm — Class dismissed.  Off to the lounge. Mix up a protein pudding (just enough water added to protein powder to give it a pudding like consistency), eat it while I enter quiz grades and do some class prep work.  Take a few moments to “discuss” politics with a colleague.
• 2:30pm — Teach third class of the day.
• 3:55pm — Class dismissed.
• 4:00pm — Teach fourth class of the day.
• 5:50pm — Class dismissed, run to lounge and warm up chicken breast stuffed with artichoke, spinach and cheese that I prepared earlier in the week. Scarfed down dinner.
• 6:00pm — Teach fifth class of the day.
• 8:45pm — Class dismissed.
• 9:15pm — Stop to see my girlfriend for a visit.
• 10:00pm — Prepare gear, clothes and choose one the already prepared meals to pack for the next day, set up the coffee maker and the timer for 5:08am (I sleep in on Tues/Thursday), put clothes in the washing machine and then finally sit down and unwind with a little television.
• 10:45pm — Go to bed, check to make sure alarm is set for 5:18am (I need to give the coffee time to brew), read until I fall asleep.

I am not one of those people, who sit around waisting {sic} their week, looking forward to Friday just so I can guzzle beer. I live each and every day to its fullest. I thrive on full, complete, productive days.  Don’t get me wrong, I like my leisure time, but even my leisure time is as active as possible. Being idle leads to indolence, which in turn, leads to an inflated physique.

The question is not whether it is possible to drop weight, get fit and recapture your health.  With the proper application of eating, exercise and mental energy through desire, determination and discipline, you not only can — you WILL achieve your goals.  The proper question to ask is;

HOW DEEP IS YOUR DESIRE TO BEAT BACK OBESITY?

———————————————————————————————————————

———————————————————————————————————————

https://www.createspace.com/3903024

http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/Dr. Marilyn Gansel on FTNS radio, Nurture and Nutrition on Blog Talk Radio, Low Carb Conversations with Jimmy Moore and Friends, BlogTalk Radio’s Toni Harris Speaks, Internet Radio: Cathie’s Talking, TV -35′s Storm Politics with Tiffany Cloud, WILK’s The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast; and the one and only Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his website http://www.betterlifeseminars.com.
———————————————————————————————————————
************The information contained herin is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting and videos do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition. I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions No guarantees are made or to be implied.************

Obesity, Occupy Wall Street & Steve Corbett

As I was mulling over today’s posting a patient of mine said, “Okay Doc, how are you going to tie these topics together?”  I told her to check back later today.

First off, I know it seems like I listen to Steve Corbett’s radio entertainment show more than I should, but I don’t.  It just so happens that WILK talk radio is my favorite local radio station and every now and again, I have the radio tuned in when I start my car or enter a room. This happened on Friday, as I was driving home after my news interview on SSPTV Channel 13 concerning childhood obesity.  I was coming over the mountain and back down into the valley when I turned my radio back on and it was already set to 103.1FM.  I reached down to change the station when I heard the caller mentioned he was going to be at an Occupy Wilkes-Barre event. Since I had been kind of following the Occupy Wall Street movement on the news, I stayed on the station.  It seems that every person I had listened to be interviewed really didn’t have a clue as to why they were taking part of the Occupation and this caller was not any different.  He muddled through a couple of, for lack of a better word, reasons; like “I’m tired of making a hundred dollars a week.  Rich people aren’t fair.  People with money don’t deserve it.”  And some other mumbo-jumbo that a third grader would have been embarrassed to articulate.

I was just about to hit the scan button when good old Steve chimed in, he tried to pin him down to a reason, but funny thing was that Corbett, while encouraging him, couldn’t offer up a single reason himself.  Then he gave this young man some of the most ridiculous advice I have ever heard in my life.  Advice so ludicrous, that I have concluded that the unicellular amoeba that causes dysentery may generate a greater intellectual output than Steve Corbett; although they both produce the same end result.

Image by austinevan via Flickr

What was this piece of wisdom from the sage Mr. Corbett?  Brace yourself for this one, even I who hold Steve Corbett in low regard was shocked by this.  I guess Corbett was trying to quote pseudo-intellectual Woody Allen in some sort of way. He told the young man he did NOT need any definitive goals, nor did he need a plan.  No he told this young man, a man obviously without direction, to just show up.  Really Steve? So, this person and others, should just show up and work toward no goal, no defined end result?

I can hear my regular readers out there now.  You all know where I am going with this don’t you?  For those who are not regular readers, you are probably wondering; What does this have to do with weight loss, fitness or obesity? The answer is a resounding — EVERYTHING!

There is no greater path to failure in reaching fitness and weight loss than not setting goals, nor devising a plan.  I can’t tell you how many people I have observed over the years who just show up at the gym.  They go through the motions, moving from machine to machine and exercise to exercise with out rhyme or reason.  They don’t have a specific routine, they don’t have regular days, as I said they just show up.  And the sad fact is that the only thing that is leaner for their efforts are their bank accounts.  They make no improvement in their physique, they don’t drop any weight and they don’t improve their fitness level.

Image by Steven-L-Johnson via Flickr

These folks that just show up apply a similar haphazard and lackadaisical approach to their diet.  Now remember a diet is not defined as a plan you go on and off; diet for our purposes, is whatever food you shove down your gullet. If you eat a low carbohydrate, close to natural state diet, you have a good diet.  If the food you consume is full of starches, sugars, refined and prepackaged foods; you have a garbage diet.  Either way, those that just show up usually will claim to be on a diet, although they never tell you which type of diet.  They are quiet humorous to watch, because I am pretty sure that no matter what school of thought you apply to diet and fitness — the foods Steve Corbett regularly endorses: pastries, rolls, pizza, beer and wine aren’t exactly what is considered healthy eating.  But it seems that those who simply show up for eating and exercise tend to consume a very poor diet.  They too, make no improvement to their overall health and fitness, and if they are attempting to lose weight, well guess what?  That’s right, they don’t drop any weight either.

The Steve Corbett’s of the world are much more concerned with whining and complaining about what others may have than what they themselves are doing.  They are more than willing to engage in negative rhetoric and not only harm their own well being with negativity, but inflict it, like a contagion, upon others.

You can make a difference in your life by doing more than just showing up. You can take charge of your life, you can take command of you physical well being and the result will be an improved quality of life.

———————————————————————————————————————

https://www.createspace.com/3903024

http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/Dr. Marilyn Gansel on FTNS radio, Nurture and Nutrition on Blog Talk Radio, Low Carb Conversations with Jimmy Moore and Friends, BlogTalk Radio’s Toni Harris Speaks, Internet Radio: Cathie’s Talking, TV -35′s Storm Politics with Tiffany Cloud, WILK’s The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast; and the one and only Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his website http://www.betterlifeseminars.com.
———————————————————————————————————————
************The information contained herin is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting and videos do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition. I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions No guarantees are made or to be implied.************

Related articles

• Steve Corbett: NEPA’s Enemy of the State of Health and Fitness (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• How Do Alcoholic Beverages Fit Into Fitness? (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Occupy Wall Street: An Anthem (hotair.com)

Lash Out or Look Inward — Blame Others or Take Responsibility For Your Own Health

Image via Wikipedia

I have been watching the news about the Wall Street protestors and I shake my head thinking how I once was a member of the “blame the world” movement.  I read a blog by our local hate and fear monger Steve Corbett,  news accounts and local bloggers and they all basically espouse basically the same message; “It is someone else’s fault that life is bad so, lash out against them.”  I thought about my own life and how I too once had this attitude.  Due to a series of circumstances my business began to fail, my life spiraled out of control and I blamed the world.

I responded by lashing out. 

To whomever would listen, I told my tale of woe.  I complained, I griped and I blamed.  It was all someone else’s fault.  It was the doctors who misdiagnosed me, it was the national republican party for not getting behind my run for congress, it was this person or that person’s fault that my business was failing.  I responded by eating and eating and eating.  Every day I would simply exist to eat.  As my weight ballooned up was it my own fault?  At the time, in my blame the world mind — of course not!  It was the situation, it was bad luck, it was those who wronged me.

Much like so many do today, I lashed out .  All over the internet there are all sorts of blogs, vblogs and YouTube videos blaming everyone else.  Although, I always find it funny that while they are blaming others, they are saying it is up to others to take care of them.  That always makes me scratch my head.

Image by ninahale via Flickr

What does this have to do with weight loss and fitness? Pretty much everything.

When we lose the drive to care for our own fitness, when we lose the respect for ourselves to allow obesity to rule our lives and when we no longer take responsibility for our own health, we lash out.  That is why I cut out negative energy and focus on what I can do positive with my life each and every day. I don’t envy those that have what I don’t have nor do I seek to blame others for my lot in life.

I eat and exercise as if I will live forever, however I live like I will die tomorrow!

A student of mine stated that I always work nutrition and fitness into class time and asked me why.  I told this person that when one takes control of themselves, through taking command of their own health, the other issues tend to be easier to cope with.

This student told me they would like to lose weight and get in shape, but simply didn’t have the time.  I related to this student and several others the following:

I was going in to a store when I saw one of my former weight loss clients.  Well, not exactly a client,  the gentleman only came in for the initial meeting, purchased my book, and confidently proclaimed that he could do it on his own.  Well, one look at him and I realized he wasn’t sticking to the plan.  After some conversation, I offered to give him a free restart meeting to get him on track. I guess I struck a nerve, because his response was quite defensive.  He rattled of excuse after excuse about why he had not even started the plan.  After I rolled my eyes and gave him a look he said; “What would you know, you’re a doctor and you work for yourself, you have all the time you need to eat right and exercise.”

Deep from my gut, propelled by the contractions of my diaphragm, a loud belly laugh escaped. Anyone who knows me, knows what I have been through.  An illness and one misdiagnosis after another caused me to be out of my office for an extended period of time. During and after this period, my business markedly declined and I lost every dime I had managed to save.   My mental weakness and response to the situation caused me to neglect my business even further and  I emotionally spiraled downward as my weight and girth ballooned upward.

However, this man didn’t know any of that.  Yet, I couldn’t contain my laughter. I think I offended, insulted or embarrassed him.  Since I don’t really understand those emotions, I can’t be sure, but I assured him I wasn’t laughing at him.

I have often said, getting fit and dropping weight are genuinely easy, however, it does require commitment and proper planning.  What better way to demonstrate the misconception than to give an account of one of my days?  So, what follows is a snapshot of one of my days.   This day was Wednesday 9/14/11.  By the way, Wednesday’s is the day of the week my office is closed, you know — my day off .

• 4:08am — Alarm sounds.  I hit the off button and say to myself several time, “Get up, get up, get up…!” I pause in the sitting position at the edge of my bed and consider laying back down.  I grab a picture of myself at 340 pounds and only need to glance at it for a moment before I spring up to my feet and head to the kitchen for coffee.
• 4:20am — Finish up my coffee, brush my teeth, shave, double-check my gear that I packed the night before, update Facebook for weight loss clients following me, get dressed and then leave for the gym.
• 4:45am — Arrive at the gym.  Do my leg work out; 40 sets in just under 50 minutes, then go upstairs and do my abdominal workout.
• 6:10am — Shower, change for the day and leave the gym.
• 6:30am — Stop by my office.  Check and answer emails from Fat Then Fit Now clients, friends and students.
• 6:50am — Leave my office.
• 7:00am — Arrive for breakfast at Tony’s Diner in Kingston, had the best sausage and cheese omelet.
• 7:30am — Depart Tony’s and head to the college.
• 7:50am — Arrive at the college and get ready to teach my first class.
• 8:55am — Class dismissed; off to the office (you know, the one that is closed for the day.)
• 9:30am — Arrive at the office.  Write and publish blog post.  Answer more emails and Facebook inquires for people interested in my book.  Look over new info for the second edition of Fat Then Fit Now; A Life Beyond Weight Loss.
• 10:30am — Have a snack of mixed nuts and unsweetened iced tea.
• 10:45am — Get on Skype with the one and only Jimmy Moore and record a brief segment commemorating his 500th podcast episode.
• 11:00am — Treat two emergency patients. Ordered lunch.
• 11:30am — Stop at Leo’s Pizza where a grilled chicken salad w/blue cheese dressing is waiting for me. After lunch I head back up to the college.
• 12:15pm — Arrive at the college and teach my second class of the day.
• 1:15pm — Class dismissed.  Off to the lounge. Mix up a protein pudding (just enough water added to protein powder to give it a pudding like consistency) and eat it while I enter quiz grades and do some class prep work.  Take a few moments to “discuss” politics with a colleague.
• 2:30pm — Teach third class of the day.
• 3:55pm — Class dismissed.
• 4:00pm — Teach fourth class of the day.
• 5:50pm — Class dismissed, run to lounge and warm up chicken breast stuffed with artichoke, spinach and cheese that I prepared earlier in the week. Scarfed down dinner.
• 6:00pm — Teach fifth class of the day.
• 8:45pm — Class dismissed.
• 9:15pm — Stop to see my girlfriend for a visit.
• 10:00pm — Prepare gear, clothes and chose one the already prepared meals to pack for the next day, set up the coffee maker and the timer for 5:08am (I sleep in on Tues/Thursday), put clothes in the washing machine and then finally sit down and unwind with a little television.
• 10:45pm — Go to bed, check to make sure alarm is set for 5:18am (I need to give the coffee time to brew), read until I fall asleep.

I am not one of those people, who sit around waisting {sic} their week, looking forward to Friday just so I can guzzle beer. I live each and every day to its fullest. I thrive on full, complete, productive days.  Don’t get me wrong, I like my leisure time, but even my leisure time is as active as possible. Being idle leads to indolence, which in turn, leads to an inflated physique.

The question is not whether it is possible to drop weight, get fit and recapture your health.  With the proper application of eating, exercise and mental energy through desire, determination and discipline, you not only can — you WILL achieve your goals.  The proper question to ask is; HOW DEEP IS YOUR DESIRE TO BEAT BACK OBESITY?

———————————————————————————————————————

https://www.createspace.com/3903024

http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/Dr. Marilyn Gansel on FTNS radio, Nurture and Nutrition on Blog Talk Radio, Low Carb Conversations with Jimmy Moore and Friends, BlogTalk Radio’s Toni Harris Speaks, Internet Radio: Cathie’s Talking, TV -35′s Storm Politics with Tiffany Cloud, WILK’s The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast; and the one and only Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his website http://www.betterlifeseminars.com.
———————————————————————————————————————
************The information contained herin is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting and videos do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition. I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions No guarantees are made or to be implied.************

 

Related articles

• Steve Corbett: NEPA’s Enemy of the State of Health and Fitness (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Herman Cain To Protesters: It’s Your Fault If You Don’t Have A Job And Haven’t Succeeded (alan.com)
• Don’t Allow Obesity To Turn You Into A Victim (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)

Adversity — Setback or Opportunity?

Lately, life continues throwing me some heavy-duty, rib-breaking body blows.

Image via Wikipedia

Compared to many I am blessed, but recently — I don’t feel that way. The reality of owning a business in these current economic times can impact us all. I feel much like I did a few years ago. Similar situations caused apathy, which in turn led to laziness. The result was that my weight ballooned to a ponderous, pachydermian three hundred and forty pounds and my fitness levels plummeted to previously unforeseen depths.

On a recent morning, when the alarm clock sounded, for the first time in a long time, I had the desire to shut the buzzer off and roll back over. Reawakened by my current situation, my inner demons reared their ugly heads.

Thoughts of pancakes, home fries, doughnuts and waffles for breakfast started bubbling to the forefront of my brain. Later, I could go for a pizza and a nice pot of pasta. Then, in the evening, maybe a pie and a pint or two of ice cream. The comfort foods would work their soothing magic.

The demons screamed into my skull:

Why exercise?
Why eat right?
What is the point?
Think of how nice it would be to sleep, on a full belly, an extra three hours each morning.

I knew that the combination of sloth and gluttony would once again isolate me from the outside world. The calming influences of empty calorie, carbohydrate loaded foods would help me sleep. The lack of exercise would convert the excess consumption into a protective layer of fat and I would once again be isolated from the rest of the human race.

Image via Wikipedia

I look up and studied the proverbial rope that is keeping me from plunging into Hell’s fires. The repair jobs, from the previous occasions in which life almost took me down, were once again frayed. The gremlins and gravelings, which are busily hacking away at the rope, are now more than half way through.

Will the rope give all together? Will my life and future plummet into a great abyss? It very well might. When it desires, life can be a cold and heartless bastard. The big question is:

Will I embrace my inner demons  and willingly hasten my demise?

I stayed in bed and wondered what it would be like to have had a charmed life. I asked myself:

How different would it have been if my father hadn’t been forced on to disability by a life altering injury?

How would it have been if my parents could have afforded to send me straight to college out of high school?

Was my judgment to enter the Navy, to alleviate the burden of at least one child to care for, the correct decision?

Yes, the self-doubt and self-pity of despair were being cheered on by the demons. Much like WILK talk radio host Steve Corbett, my inner mischievous sprites are acting as the harbingers of doom — joyfully, fanning my flames of despair, discontent, doubt and disillusionment.

How easy would it be to embrace their self-destructive message!
How simple would it be to return back to my former indolence!
How effortless would it be to add a hefty burden to the rope!

As these thoughts ran through my head, a truck driver outside my window slammed on the brakes. As the tractor-trailer came to a very loud halt, its cargo violently shifted and I was jarred by a thunderous clang. My still sleeping brain interpreted the clamor into the clang of iron plates being dropped onto the gym floor.

Thoughts of clanging and banging iron sent a familiar shiver through my body. I jumped from my bed and the demons hid in terror. I would not give into their cursed cheering.

There is no time for self-pity.
There is no time for self-sorrow.
There is no time for self-destruction.

The rope is starting to show threads.
I am not sure how long it will hold out.
I will not increase its burden by adding weight to my frame.

As much as we tend to think otherwise, there is very little in our lives over which we have control.

Well run businesses fail everyday.
Bad, at times awful, things happen to good people.
Politicians pass laws regardless of the actual outcomes.
Hard working, loyal employees often find themselves without a job.

Is adversity a setback or an opportunity?

It is all in  how we choose to view it. We can allow bad luck, bad decisions and just flat out bad situations dominate, control and beat us down —  or we can choose how we respond.

For the last two weeks injury, medication side-effects and an illness have kept me from the gym.  Tomorrow morning I can’t wait to get back.

You see, I choose how I respond. I choose not to allow those demons that were screaming effect me.  And, I choose to tell those demons to go straight back to hell!

The one thing we can control is ourselves.

We can control our mental attitude.
We can control our fitness level.
We can control what we eat.

In spite of Gary Taubes’s anti exercise writings, I will continue my endeavors in exercise. Because, by being physically fit and strong, if that rope does give out, I will be powerful enough to reach up, grab the remaining end and support myself.

Don’t quit on being fit!

———————————————————————————————————————

https://www.createspace.com/3903024

http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/Dr. Marilyn Gansel on FTNS radio, Nurture and Nutrition on Blog Talk Radio, Low Carb Conversations with Jimmy Moore and Friends, BlogTalk Radio’s Toni Harris Speaks, Internet Radio: Cathie’s Talking, TV -35′s Storm Politics with Tiffany Cloud, WILK’s The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast; and the one and only Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his website http://www.betterlifeseminars.com.
———————————————————————————————————————
************The information contained herin is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting and videos do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition. I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions No guarantees are made or to be implied.************

 

Related articles

• Can The Gym Be Your Church For Physical Well-being? (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• I Was Martin Kessman (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Effective Methodology For Losing Weight and Achieving Fitness (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)

Steve Corbett: NEPA’s Enemy of the State of Health and Fitness

I used to write a weekly post entitled Enemies of the State of Health & Fitness (ESHF). The weekly posting was a serious look at public people I viewed, in my opinion,  as contributing to our nation’s obesity epidemic.  I received a lot of flack because of what was perceived as personal attacks.  The posts were taking to task certain individuals for their contributory words or actions that were detrimental to people’s health and wellness.  So, in an effort to take the edge of my image I made a conscious effort to dial it down a bit and even discontinued my ESHF weekly postings.

The kinder and gentler version Fat Then Fit Now’s respect for others has been met with mostly negative reviews.  People have emailed and called me telling me they like the my harder edged comments and writings.  I was told that in an effort to be nicer, I allowed others to give unchallenged and often times, erroneous information.

I thought long and hard about both the compliments and criticisms I received.  I did give other viewpoints due respect, even when that point of view was well of the mark and perhaps, unintentionally gave the perception that I agreed with the misinformation.   Well those days are over.  While I will continue to aspire to be respectful, I will no longer bite my tongue to the point that my taste buds are covered in scar tissue.

So, without further delay, I bring back ENEMIES OF THE STATE OF HEALTH & FITNESS . Today, I reboot the franchise with WILK talk jock Steve Corbett. Perhaps the worst kept secret in my little world is the low regard in which I hold Steve Corbett.  His negativity and hate based entertainment talk show is perhaps the prime example of how a bottom feeder plays into other people’s fears and lot in life to boost one’s own interest.  I have written extensively on the negative effects negative energy produces.  Today, his negativity is not the reason for his heading the new and improved ESHF.  No, the reason Steve Corbett heads the reintroduction of ESHF is because of his healthful eating hypocrisy and over the top promotion of lard layering food and drink.

Image via Wikipedia

From Steve Corbett’s mouth a fountain of misinformation flows forth spouting the supposed virtues of his extreme vegetarian views.  He proclaims with pseudo-expert aplomb that meat is bad and soy based tofu is good.  He promotes this in the face of many studies that demonstrate that soy’s benefits have been overstated and that in men, soy can have many detrimental effects including; thyroid issues, estrogen like effects and decreased testosterone levels. Even if I believed that a vegetarian diet was in fact healthful; Steve does not present an outward appearance of physical vitality such as high carb, vegan advocate Harley “DurianRider” Johnstone.

However, what is worse is that the self proclaimed promoter of healthful living spends so much of his programing promoting unhealthy eating and drinking choices.  He waxes poetic about drinking wine nightly, for a few pieces of silver he endorses foods that are nothing more than over-processed starch and sugar products and extolls his haphazard exercise regiment. Combined, his attitudes will promote the ever expanding waistlines of Northeast Pennsylvania’s citizens, leading them to the fate of obesity, type II diabetes and a lower quality of life.

Image via Wikipedia

Steve will vilify the sport of mixed martial arts, desiring to ban contests in the entire country.  Yet, he will ignore the simple fact that fewer people will die or suffer life changing injuries  in an MMA contest  than will suffer and die from obesity related ailments.  So I ask, how responsible is it for someone, who so desires a Nanny State of America to protect every citizen’s health and well being, to outwardly glorify the consumption of obesity causing foods and drinks?

——————————————————————————————————————–

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book,A Life Beyond Weight Loss and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/Dr. Marilyn Gansel on FTNS radio, Nurture and Nutrition on Blog Talk Radio, Low Carb Conversations with Jimmy Moore and Friends, BlogTalk Radio’s Toni Harris Speaks, Internet Radio: Cathie’s Talking, TV -35′s Storm Politics with Tiffany Cloud, WILK’s The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast; and the one and only Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his website http://www.betterlifeseminars.com.
———————————————————————————————————————
*************The posting that I  write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition.  I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.************

Related articles

• How Do Alcoholic Beverages Fit Into Fitness? (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Don’t Allow Obesity To Turn You Into A Victim (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Consistency: Obesity’s Conquering Key (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)

How Deep Is Your Desire To Beat Back Obesity?

I’m not sure if it my age; turning 47 next week, or having 3 genuine brushes with death, but I don’t get offended, insulted or embarrassed — to me, they are wasted emotions and signs of a weakness I have finally overcome.  However, occasionally, some things do, to varying degrees, get my “Sicilian Up.”

Someone said something to me this morning that didn’t really fire me up, but it did make me think about the best way to clear up a misconception and demonstrate how much I desired to beat back obesity.

I was going in to a store when I saw one of my former weight loss clients.  Well, not exactly a client,  the gentleman only came in for the initial meeting, purchased my book, and confidently proclaimed that he could do it on his own.  Well, one look at him and I realized he wasn’t sticking to the plan.  After some conversation, I offered to give him a free restart meeting to get him on track. I guess I struck a nerve, because his response was quite defensive.  He rattled of excuse after excuse about why he had not even started the plan.  After I rolled my eyes and gave him a look he said; “What would you know, your a doctor and you work for yourself, you have all the time you need to eat right and exercise.”

As I said, sometimes situations do get my Sicilian up, but this wasn’t one of them.  Deep from my gut, propelled by the contractions of my diaphragm, a loud belly laugh escaped my body. Anyone who knows me, knows what I have been through.  An illness and series of misdiagnoses caused me to be out of my office for an extended period of time. During and after this period, my business markedly declined and I lost every dime I had managed to save.   My mental weakness and response to the situation caused me to neglect my business even further and  I emotionally spiraled downward as my weight and girth ballooned upward.

However, this man didn’t know any of that, yet, I couldn’t contain my laughter. I think I offended, insulted or embarrassed him, since I don’t really get those emotions, I can’t be sure.  I assured him I wasn’t laughing at him and  I told him to read my blog later today in which I would respond to his claim.

I have often said, getting fit and dropping weight are genuinely easy, however, it does require commitment and proper planning.  What better way to demonstrate the misconception than to give an account of one of my days?  So, what follows is my day yesterday, Wednesday 9/14/11.  By the way, Wednesday’s is the day of the week my office is closed, you know — my off day.

• 4:08am — Alarm sounds.  I hit the off button and say to myself several time, “Get up, get up, get up…!” I pause in the sitting position at the edge of my bed and consider laying back down.  I grab a picture of myself at 340 pounds and only need to glance at it for a moment before I spring up to my feet and head to the kitchen for coffee.
• 4:20am — Finish up my coffee, brush my teeth, shave, double check my gear that I packed the night before, update Facebook for weight loss clients following me, get dressed and then leave for the gym.
• 4:45am — Arrive at the gym.  Do my leg work out; 40 sets in just under 50 minutes, then go upstairs and do my abdominal workout.
• 6:10am — Shower, change for the day and leave the gym.
• 6:30am — Stop by my office.  Check and answer emails from Fat Then Fit Now clients, friends and students.
• 6:50am — Leave my office.
• 7:00am — Arrive for breakfast at Tony’s Diner in Kingston, had the best sausage and cheese omelet.
• 7:30am — Depart Tony’s and head to the college.
• 7:50am — Arrive at the college and get ready to teach my first class.
• 8:55am — Class dismissed; off to the office (you know, the one that is closed for the day.)
• 9:30am — Arrive at the office.  Write and publish blog post.  Answer more emails and Facebook inquires for people interested in my book.  Look over new info for the second edition of Fat Then Fit Now; A Life Beyond Weight Loss.
• 10:30am — Have a snack of mixed nuts and unsweetened iced tea.
• 10:45am — Get on Skype with the one and only Jimmy Moore and record a brief segment commemorating his 500th podcast episode.
• 11:00am — Treat two emergency patients. Ordered lunch.
• 11:30am — Stop at Leo’s Pizza where a grilled chicken salad w/blue cheese dressing is waiting for me. After lunch I head back up to the college.
• 12:15pm — Arrive at the college and teach my second class of the day.
• 1:15pm — Class dismissed.  Off to the lounge. Mix up a protein pudding (just enough water added to protein powder to give it a pudding like consistency) and eat it while I enter quiz grades and do some class prep work.  Take a few moments to “discuss” politics with a colleague.
• 2:30pm — Teach third class of the day.
• 3:55pm — Class dismissed.
• 4:00pm — Teach fourth class of the day.
• 5:50pm — Class dismissed, run to lounge and warm up chicken breast stuffed with artichoke, spinach and cheese that I prepared earlier in the week. Scarfed down dinner.
• 6:00pm — Teach fifth class of the day.
• 8:45pm — Class dismissed.
• 9:15pm — Stop to see my girlfriend for a visit.
• 10:00pm — Prepare gear, clothes and chose one the already prepared meals to pack for the next day, set up the coffee maker and the timer for 5:08am (I sleep in on Tues/Thursday), put clothes in the washing machine and then finally sit down and unwind with a little television.
• 10:45pm — Go to bed, check to make sure alarm is set for 5:18am (I need to give the coffee time to brew), read until I fall asleep.

I am not one of those people, who sit around waisting {sic} their week, looking forward to Friday just so I can guzzle beer. I live each and every day to its fullest. I thrive on full, complete, productive days.  Don’t get me wrong, I like my leisure time, but even my leisure time is as active as possible. Being idle leads to indolence, which in turn, leads to an inflated physique.

The question is not whether it is possible to drop weight, get fit and recapture your health.  With the proper application of eating, exercise and mental energy through desire, determination and discipline, you not only can — you WILL achieve your goals.  The proper question to ask is; HOW DEEP IS YOUR DESIRE TO BEAT BACK OBESITY?

——————————————————————————————————

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet. His web site www.ObesityUndone.com is available to help you reach your goals.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, Bounce Back to Your Brilliance w/Angel Tyree, What’s Weighing You Downw/Dr. Marilyn Gansel on FTNS radio, Nurture and Nutrition on Blog Talk Radio, Low Carb Conversations with Jimmy Moore and Friends, BlogTalk Radio’s Toni Harris Speaks, Internet Radio: Cathie’s Talking, TV -35′s Storm Politics with Tiffany Cloud, WILK’s The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast; and the one and only Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his website www.betterlifeseminars.com.
———————————————————————————————————————
************The information in the videos is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting that I write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition. I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.************

 

Related articles

• Excuses Hamper Obesity’s Defeat (via Fat Then Fit Now) (joeleonardi.wordpress.com)
• I Was Obese and Out Of Shape – I Was Martin Kessman (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Obesity Victimization Does Not Defeat Obesity (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Consistency: Obesity’s Conquering Key (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)

Obesity Victimization Does Not Defeat Obesity

The recent earthquake and hurricane that effected the northeast part of the country reminded me of the horrific tragedies in Japan and started me thinking and reflecting.

In my Navy days I visited Japan on several occasions.  I have fond memories of both the country and the people.  Those I was honored to have met possessed a strong character and an incredible work ethic.  They demonstrated  a widespread respect for people and an apparent dislike for personal weakness.  Those I had become acquainted with were not excuse makers; they were doers.  Although currently,  they remain genuine victims of horrific natural and now man-made disasters, with incredible resolve they have taken the steps necessary to deal with their very real adversity.

Observing their strength led me to think about the victim mentality so prevalent here in our own country. There are those that are merchants of victimhood whose sole goal is to convince others that they are victims and that they need to:

-One; blame someone

-Two; rely on someone else to relieve their victim status

Image by kiddharma via Flickr

Locally here in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, PA, WILK  Newsradio’s talk jock Steve Corbett is a classic example of victimhood peddling.  Utilizing desperation, delusion and demagoguery he attempts to convince people that their lot in life is the result of one group and their salvation is in the hands of another group.

What would drive someone to knock the downtrodden further down?

When did we lose the inner power of the Rugged American Individual?

What does any of this have to do with weight loss or fitness?  Perhaps nothing, but more than likely — everything.

I started wondering about differences between true victims and people who are convinced to become victims.  Concerning obesity, this victim mentality comes from movements like the Fat Acceptance Movement or Fat Rights groups. These organizations want people to feel victimized because of their choices.  I emphasize, I am not referring to those whose obesity is caused by a genuine underlying medical condition. I am speaking of those who do not take the appropriate steps to control their weight and fitness levels, yet wish to take control.

Image via Wikipedia

I have heard more excuses than I can recall as to why one is obese and out of shape.  Hell, I used most of those same excuses myself.  However, there must come a time when you look in the mirror an accept responsibility for your current physical condition.  Yes, there is some general, genuine blame to go around:

-Dr. Ancel  Keys

-Senator George McGovern

-The U.S.D.A. Food Pyramid

-And others I’m sure

However, blaming others only increases your victimization.  By placing blame, you also are looking for someone else to fix the problem.  Here is the cold, hard reality.

• You are responsible for gorging on the foods you should not eat.
• You are responsible for not getting up and moving around. 
• You, and only you, are responsible to improve your physical condition.

I understand how hard, cruel and unfair life is.  Much of my life is collapsing around me.  Not to go into specifics, but things in a large part of my world are not good.  If not for the mental discipline that allowed me to take control of my physical condition and weight, I can only imagine how much worse matters would be.

Image by wallyg via Flickr

Like the primordial titan Atlas supporting the earth’s sky, it is the strength of my mind, combined with the healthiness of my body, that will not allow my legs to collapse under the crushing weight upon my shoulders.  We are capable of commanding only one factor in life — ourselves.  So, take charge and don’t allow anyone to manipulate you into a becoming a victim of obesity..

———————————————————————————————————————

Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book; Fat Then Fit Now;  A life beyond weight loss.

Dr. Joe Leonardi is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast.

Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at fatthenfitnow@me.com 

———————————————————————————————————————

Related articles

• Childhood Obesity and Bullying on Blog Talk Radio (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Consistency: Obesity’s Conquering Key (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Excuses Hamper Obesity’s Defeat (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)

Steve Corbett: NEPA’s Enemy of the State of Health and Fitness

I used to write a weekly post entitled Enemies of the State of Health & Fitness (ESHF). The weekly posting was a serious look at public people I viewed, in my opinion,  as contributing to our nation’s obesity epidemic.  I received a lot of flack because of what was perceived as personal attacks.  The posts were taking to task certain individuals for their contributory words or actions that were detrimental to people’s health and wellness.  So, in an effort to take the edge of my image I made a conscious effort to dial it down a bit and even discontinued my ESHF weekly postings.

The kinder and gentler version Fat Then Fit Now’s respect for others has been met with mostly negative reviews.  People have emailed and called me telling me they like the my harder edged comments and writings.  I was told that in an effort to be nicer, I allowed others to give unchallenged and often times, erroneous information.

I thought long and hard about both the compliments and criticisms I received.  I did give other viewpoints due respect, even when that point of view was well of the mark and perhaps, unintentionally gave the perception that I agreed with the misinformation.   Well those days are over.  While I will continue to aspire to be respectful, I will no longer bite my tongue to the point that my taste buds are covered in scar tissue.

So, without further delay, I bring back ENEMIES OF THE STATE OF HEALTH & FITNESS . Today, I reboot the franchise with WILK talk jock Steve Corbett. Perhaps the worst kept secret in my little world is the low regard in which I hold Steve Corbett.  His negativity and hate based entertainment show is perhaps the prime example of how a bottom feeder plays into other people’s fears and lot in life to boost one’s own interest.  I have written extensively on the negative effects negative energy produces.  Today, his negativity is not the reason for his heading the new and improved ESHF.  No, the reason Steve Corbett heads the reintroduction of ESHF is because of his healthful eating hypocrisy and over the top promotion of lard layering food and drink.

Image via Wikipedia

From Steve Corbett’s mouth a fountain of misinformation flows forth spouting the supposed virtues of his extreme vegetarian views.  He proclaims with pseudo-expert aplomb that meat is bad and soy based tofu is good.  He promotes this in the face of many studies that demonstrate that soy’s benefits have been overstated and that in men, soy can have many detrimental effects including; thyroid issues, estrogen like effects and decreased testosterone levels. Even if I believed that a vegetarian diet was in fact healthy; Steve does not present an outward appearance of physical vitality such as high carb, vegan advocate Harley “DurianRider” Johnstone.

However, what is worse is that the self proclaimed promoter of healthful living spends so much of his programing promoting unhealthy eating and drinking choices.  He waxes poetic about drinking wine nightly, for a few pieces of silver he endorses foods that are nothing more than over-processed starch and sugar products and extolls his haphazard exercise regiment. Combined, his attitudes will promote the ever expanding waistlines of Northeast Pennsylvania’s citizens, leading them to the fate of obesity, type II diabetes and a lower quality of life.

Image via Wikipedia

Steve will vilify the sport of mixed martial arts, desiring to ban contests in the entire country.  Yet, he will ignore the simple fact that fewer people will die or suffer life changing injuries  in an MMA contest  than will suffer and die from obesity related ailments.  So I ask, how responsible is it for someone, who so desires a Nanny State of America to protect every citizen’s health and well being, to outwardly glorify the consumption of obesity causing foods and drinks?

———————————————————————————————————————

Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book; Fat Then Fit Now;  A life beyond wight loss.

Dr. Joe Leonardi is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast.

Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at fatthenfitnow@me.com 

———————————————————————————————————————

Related articles

• How Do Alcoholic Beverages Fit Into Fitness? (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Don’t Allow Obesity To Turn You Into A Victim (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Consistency: Obesity’s Conquering Key (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)

Consistency: Obesity’s Conquering Key

Image via CrunchBase

Monday thru Friday my alarms awakens me a little after 4 a.m., Saturdays about 6 a.m. and Sundays it doesn’t sound at all, but I am usually awake by 7.  Each and every morning I bound out of bed, head to the kitchen and pour myself a cup of coffee.  I check my gym bag to make sure that I have all necessary items to shower and dress after my workout.  I call up Facebook on my smart-phone and make a simple posting: GOOD MORNING, JOG THEN GYM.  The simple posting is intended for all my Facebook friends, but also specifically for those who have purchased my book, are clients of Fat Then Fit Now and who have contacted me and told me I have inspired or motivated them to lose weight.  I post on Facebook to demonstrate one of the keys to conquering obesity — consistency.  One of my Facebook friends picked up on that by commenting; “You are so fantastically predictable, thank you for your daily consistency.”

When it comes to anything in life, to make gains in a positive manner, consistency is key.  Inversely, if you are consistently inconsistent, your progress will be slowed or reversed.  To improve your fitness level, you must consistently follow your exercise program.  To lose body fat, you must consistently eat a reduced carbohydrate diet.  The key is to be consistent, because consistency is what will brings you your desired results.  Again, if you are consistently inconsistent, you will have results, however they may not be the results you desire.

If you exercise one day one week; two days the next, six the following then don’t work out for two weeks and pick up with another work out…you get the picture…. you will not improve your fitness level or your physique.

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If you eat properly for five days in a row, then on the sixth day have pancakes for breakfast, pasta and bread for lunch, breaded chicken and french fries for dinner interspersed with snacks of bagels, doughnuts and ice cream; okay I may no longer be morbidly obese and I don’t eat like that any more, but my mouth is starting to water a little bit …. Okay the cravings passed, the point is, eating good a few days and eating garbage for another day or two  or three isn’t going to improve your health and help you shed excess body fat.

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To shed fat and remodel your physique, you must do some type of exercise each and every day, you must eat properly each and every day and you must stay focused and keep your mental energy positive each and every day.  Consistent effort will produce consistent results.  Consistency is the key to conquering obesity and enjoying a more healthful, active and fit life.  As I have said often; I don’t take care of myself to live longer —- I take care of myself to live better, and via consistent effort, I have achieved that goal.

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Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book; Fat Then Fit Now;  A life beyond wight loss.

Dr. Joe Leonardi is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast.

Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at fatthenfitnow@me.com 

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