Flying On An Airliner Fat or Fit?

I just returned from a vacation out to sun soaked southern California.  I was going to write a posting about how much easier the trip is now that I am fit; then I remembered — I already did.

I’m not sure how many of you remember the past case of film director extraordinaire Kevin Smith being bumped from a flight because, it was reported, of his weight.  I remember back in my super heavyweight days, boarding a plane and holding my breath, waiting for those dreaded words, “You are too fat to fly.”

Back in my morbidly obese days, most of my flights were not solo. I was usually accompanied by my significant other, so lifting the armrest and spilling into her seat was not an issue. However, I vividly remember for take-off and landing, with the armrests down,  I could manage to squeeze into the seat. However,  my extra mass spilled into the other seat. My body would mold itself over the top and the bottom of both armrests. Many claim that they can fit in the seat with both armrests down, but that doesn’t mean they actually fit in the seat.

I said I flew with someone most times.  There were times I flew alone and on those occasions, I was concerned about making a fellow traveler, unfortunate enough to sit next to me, uncomfortable.  I remember seeing the face of the weary person as I waddled down the aisle, it was the look that was saying, please, please walk past me.  I was not only embarrassed, but I understood their dismay; so if it was possible, I would sacrifice my comfort and sit in the front row if a seat was open. You see, in the front seats the tray is not attached to the seat-back in front, because there is no seat-back in front. So it comes from the middle armrest  and because of that placement, it is not possible to lift the armrest. I could still sit in the seat, but trust me I didn’t fit, however, I would rather be uncomfortable myself, then force someone else to tolerate being seated next to me. It wasn’t fun for me either way, but my bulk left few options.

Back at the time of the “TO FAT TO FLY EVENT” It was reported that Mr. Smith had purchased two seats, but was able to board an earlier flight. On the earlier flight two seats were not available, so he would have to sit next to someone else. Mr. Smith, it had been reported, stated at the time that “he knows he is fat, but he is not too fat to fly.”

I haven’t seen Kevin Smith lately, but in every picture and video I have seen he definitely appears more than just a bit overweight. I know back when I was three hundred and forty pounds, I never thought I was that fat. In my case and in many of those whom I work with, we never see just how overweight we actually are — or in my case was.

There are those who have metabolic and/or underlying medical conditions that cause obesity

The following  statements are not intended for those individuals.

There is a much displayed, self-absorbed logic that implies if one is overweight or obese, that is just the way it is and everyone else will just have to deal with it. I am sorry, I do not agree with that logic.

I do agree that one has the right to weigh however much one wants. I was in the morbidly obese category myself and while I did not say, “Hey I want to weigh 340 pounds,” it was still my choice. Through slothfulness and poor food consumption; it was my choice to allow myself to almost reach the 350 pound mark. So, with that said, if a person is one of the many who chooses an obese lifestyle, then one also must accept the responsibility for the limits obesity imposes.

I, on a fateful day, made a decision to accept responsibility for the self-made mound of flesh and fat I had morphed into and changed my physical condition. I don’t know how much Mr. Smith’s tips the scale these days.  I am aware that he has lost some weight, but claims he will never be thin.  If he would like to ensure that he will never again be fat, will be forever fit and enjoy a better quality of life for himself and his family,  I will make this offer:

I will give up my practice and dedicate one year of my life to help Kevin Smith shed his excess weight and improve his fitness.

Once we agree upon an  acceptable fee then, for that year, he will be my only client. I will relocate to an area of his choosing and assist him in embracing a fit lifestyle.

I doubt he will take me up on my offer, but I make one guarantee, once I get him in shape he will love his new fit lifestyle

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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.

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************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.*************

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Related articles

• Consistency: Obesity’s Conquering Key (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• First Look: Kevin Smith’s Unproduced ‘The Bionic Man’ Movie Turned Comic Book (slashfilm.com)

Coming Soon: Chiropractor Dr. Joe Leonardi’s Better Life Seminars

Chiropractor Dr. Joe Leonardi’s

Better Life Seminars

Take control of the only person you actually can; YOURSELF.
Once you do this,

you will live a healthier, more fit and happier life.

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Dr. Joe Leonardi is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on 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 fatthenfitnow@me.com

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************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.*************

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..

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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 

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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)

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.

Image via Wikipedia

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.

Image via Wikipedia

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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Related articles

• Lift Things Up And Put Them Down (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• More On Childhood Obesity and Bullying (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• How I Effectively Beat Obesity And Improved My Life (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)

Don’t Allow Obesity To Turn You Into A Victim

 

In my writing and speaking I focus on the positive aspects of life,  not only to be motivational, but to inspire those that are battling obesity to take charge of their own lack of self-control and in turn take command of their lives.

Often times I have been accused of being unfair, unfeeling or uncaring.  Of the three, the most often accusation leveled at me is that I am unfair.

I am criticized for not understanding the plight of those who are obese.  I am attacked for not supporting groups like the

Image via Wikipedia

National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance or worse for not be welcoming of their mission statement which reads; NAAFA is a non-profit human rights organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for fat people. 

Look at some of my before pictures.  I was an unhealthy, unfit and an undesirable three hundred and forty pounds.  What my detractors don’t understand, or perhaps just don’t like, is the fact that I shed my victim status and took responsibility for my deplorable physical condition.

As far as improving quality of life — the best way to improve quality of life is to shed body fat and embrace a fit lifestyle. I do not require, nor do I desire, an organization to justify my lack of inner-strength nor to propose legislation to force others to make accommodations for my lack of self-discipline.

There are others outside the world of weight loss and fitness who just as wholeheartedly promote people to embrace victim status.   WILK’s Steve Corbett jumps to mind as the leading local voice attempting to convince his listeners that others are responsible for both their lot in life and their salvation.

In any setting the victimizers are all the same.   They promote themselves as being the defenders of certain individuals, when in fact, they exploit those individuals to further their agenda.

The victimizers not only want, but need us to accept the role as victim.  Their own self worth, advancement of their ideals and excuses for their own weakness requires that their target audience scapegoat others for their predicaments.  The victimizers entire sense of self is dependent upon the victimization of the masses. Without people accepting victims status, they have no audience and in turn possess no tangible self worth.

In the battle over obesity how can you no longer be a victim? In the absence of an underlying medical condition, accept the fact that you are responsible for your current condition.  Once you accept that it is your choices, your responses to situations that led you to where you are; resolve to no longer be a victim of those particular choices.

Image via Wikipedia

I have written about two amazing young people; Stephanie Jallen and Bethany Hamilton.  Both of these young people could very well have been the victims of circumstance.  Yet, these women made a choice that they would NOT be victims.  They would not simply overcome their situations, but they would succeed regardless of what others would perceive as limitations.  They did not blame others for what happened to them. They accepted what fate had delivered into their lives and have gone on to great achievements.

What is most fascinating about these two incredible individuals is that they made their decisions not to be victims at young ages.  Stephanie was nine years old when she embarked on her dream of being a champion paralympic skier and Bethany was thirteen when she made the choice not allow the loss of an arm to derail her dreams to be a champion surfer.

Can we as adults learn from the examples of those so young?

Is there a situation so bleak that it requires unhealthy eating?

Are we able to overcome simple laziness to reach our fitness goals?

The answers are yes, no and yes. We are capable of learning, we are intelligent enough to realize that food will not solve any problem and we can be resolute to overcome laziness.

However, those who promote victimization would tell you just the opposite. They do not want you to believe in yourself.  They do not want you to accept individual responsibility and perhaps most importantly, they do not want you to believe that you as an individual can conquer your own inner demons. There are no more malevolent persons than those that want you to be convinced that your fate, your position or your condition is the fault of someone other than yourself.  The evil resides in their desire for you to stay fat and down and out simply to justify their existence.

Say no to being victimized.

Say no to the vicitmizers.

Say no to being a victim.

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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. 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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Related articles

• The Triumph Of The Human Spirit; Bethany Hamilton, Soul Surfer (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Being An Overweight Child and Being Bullied (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• The Fat Acceptance Movement (everydayhealth.com)

 

Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast

I was recently a guest of low carbohydrate author medical doctor Robert Su.  Dr. Su is the author of the book Carbohydrates Can Kill.  The other guest was fitness expert Fred Hahn, as you will note Fred and I agree on the fitness big picture, but have some disagreements as well.  We were able to disagree without being disagreeable and further the conversation on living a fit and health life.

http://www.carbohydratescankill.com/2440/60-fred-hahn-dr-joseph-leonardi

 

60: Fred Hahn and Dr. Joseph Leonardi

 

Today, in the last episode of this special podcast series on obesity, Dr. Joseph Leonardi is my featured guest. I also invite back Mr. Fred Hahn to join me in the discussion on exercise program.
Dr. Leonardi is a chiropractor, who has enjoyed weightlifting since he was 12 years old. Nevertheless, he had been obese since he served in the US Navy and trained with bodybuilders. At one point, he was 340 pounds. He also began to have health problems. When he came to realize that he needed to lose weight to restore his health, He learned that restricting carbohydrates could help lose weight. After he switched to a diet with little carbohydrate, he began to lose weight. Now, he has lost more than 100 pounds. He has designed his own exercise routines, with which he has shaped his body to be much slimmer but muscular. Mr. Hahn is a physical trainer specialized in resistance training. He has appeared on this podcast in the past. With his expertise in exercise, he is going to discuss Dr. Leonardi’s exercise routine. This interview is surely going to be very interesting. Come and join me in this informative interview now!

Links:
Dr. Joseph Leonardi: www.FatThenFitNow.com
Mr. Fred Hahn: www.seriousstrength.com

Related articles

• Gary Taubes; Why We Get Fat – And Excuses Not To Exercise (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)

Being An Overweight Child and Being Bullied

I recently came across an article on Medscape concerning childhood obesity and bullying.

The opening line states; “Obese children are more likely to be bullied than their nonobese peers regardless of sex, race, socioeconomic status (SES), social skills, or academic achievement, according to a University of Michigan study published online May 3 in Pediatrics.”

My initial reaction was; I wonder if I could get some fool to hand me a bunch of  research money to study the possibility of  the ground getting wet when it rains?

In my mind, obesity and bullying  is just one of those topics that does not require any research. Ask any adult, me included, who was overweight as a child, if they experienced bullying.

I was picked on.

I was tormented.

I was mercilessly attacked, mostly verbally but sometimes physically,  for being overweight.

I am not a psychologist nor a psychiatrist, but I understand what it is like to have been picked on as an overweight child. Hell, I wasn’t even that overweight.

I was always a “big-boned” youth. Growing up, I would get a hard time about it from my friends. Mostly it was harmless, but when I entered junior high school things changed.

It was in the seventh grade that good-natured ribbing changed over to malevolent, menacing, mean-spirited bullying.  Kids from different grade schools came together in one place. I was no longer solely with the children I spent the last seven years getting to know. There were new kids I had never met, kids from the tougher parts of Greater Pittston. I was with twelve year olds that cursed, smoked and would think nothing of punching you in the face for looking at them funny.

To quote a movie, “I wasn’t in Kansas anymore.”

My torment started on the very first day, walking to school.  In an alley were a gang of kids hanging out, smoking before we had to be in the building. It was from them I heard;

“Hey Fatso! Are you going to make it up the hill?!”

It was a mild taunt.

I just kept walking.

Each day it got worse.

I tried ignoring them, but that only fueled their need to hurl even more insults.

I tried walking faster, but I couldn’t escape their shouts.

I opted to walk a different way. That worked — until they found my new route.

After that, the insults became more vicious, punctuated by threatening profanities. Added to the comments about my weight, were affronts to my courage, or as they perceived, lack thereof.

I once tried to fight, but that was fruitless. I just got my ass kicked and gave the bullies more ammunition. These daily confrontations went on for all of seventh and eighth grade — for two long years, silently, I endured.

In ninth grade, things changed. I had been lifting weights with my best friend Francis for two years on and off, but that summer I became serious about it. I started to get more physically active. I even went out for football. The summer program of running and drills combined with weightlifting and better eating presented an unrecognizable person the following year.

I weighed more, but that weight was distributed differently. Though I still couldn’t fight my way out of a paper bag, those that bullied me no longer took me for an easy mark. While I am not sure if they would have understood the meaning of the word respect, they treated me differently and no longer taunted me.

One of the conclusions of the article is that parents should not use bullying to coerce a child into losing weight. Even considering my childhood, it is a conclusion with which I whole-heartedly agree. Besides, often times parents, guardians and even teachers may not even be aware there is a situation. My parents never knew I was being bullied.  I never uttered a word. Even when it became physical, I would just shrug it off as a fight.   (When I was a kid getting into an occasional scuffle did not raise any alarms)

However, parents need to be aware that if their child is overweight or worse, obese, that child is more than likely, to some degree being picked on.

It is happening.

Image via Wikipedia

It may be as mild as being called names or it could be much worse. Though I 100% agree with the conclusion that any degree of bullying should not be used as motivation for the child, it could be used as motivation for the parent. As I have written before — obesity is not a complex problem, however when it comes to children, they must be properly guided. They must be handled with care. Their emotions and body image can be negatively influenced if they perceive that their own parents regard them as different.

They need direction.

They require affection and love.

They must have parental involvement.

In my youth my parents helped in both little and big ways. They purchased a weight set as a gift. My mom would prepare foods that would not adversely effect my weight. They allowed me to pursue my new passions. They supported and encouraged me.

I wasn’t any good at the sports I participated in, but my parents were in the stands for each and every game.

They came in the rain.

They came in the cold.

They came in the heat.

They sat for hours, just to watch me sit on the bench. It didn’t matter to them whether I played or not. They were proud and they showed it by being there. Most importantly —  I knew they were there.

It is time for all of us to not only start to do battle with the epidemic of childhood obesity, but to emerge victorious. The victims are too young, they are too precious and they are too important for us not to.

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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.

He is available to speak at no charge to any school or any youth group. He will make himself available to 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.

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Related articles

• Are You Being Bullied or Teased Because of Your Weight? (education.com)
• Is Your Child a Target of Weight Bias? (education.com)
• Bullying Among Children and Youth with Disabilities and Special Needs (education.com)

Michelle Obama’s “Splurge” Meal Maelstrom

Image via Wikipedia

Even though I don’t agree with the First Lady’s dietary suggestions, nor her personal use of cleanses, for improving health and defeating obesity, I commend her efforts, especially her let’s move initiative.  Sixty minutes a day of physical activity for children, hell for adults as well,  is something we should all strive to attain.  Get the children moving and they will not only increase their wellness and fitness, but they will more than likely no longer crave unhealthy foods.

Image via Wikipedia

Unfortunately, the First Lady is beholden to push the fat storing USDA’s food pyramid or as it is now known the MyPlate Program.  It is flawed on many levels, arguably most importantly on its reliance of starchy carbohydrates as the primary meal choice. Alas, the difficulty of being the spouse of a politician is that you must put politics above sound judgement and participate in the special interest pandering that propels your spouses political bank accounts.

The media has reported, and media opponents of the President have seized upon, the First Lady’s meal choice at a newly opened Shake Shack in Washington, D.C..  Of course Rush “Rotund” Limbaugh and Sean “Soft Around the Middle” Hannity jumped all over the story calling Mrs. Obama a hypocrite.

In my book; FAT THEN FIT NOW; A LIFE BEYOND WEIGHT LOSS, I actually encouraged planned “splurge” meals. Food is one of the great joys of life and since I eat properly and exercise vigorously to enjoy life, once in a while, a little loosening of eating discipline isn’t going to sabotage my overall fitness. I emphasize in the book that this must be thought out and done only occasionally and that you must be vigilant not to fall back into old habits that will not only rob you of your progress, but destroy your health and wellness.

Let’s look at what the reports said she ordered; a burger, fries, chocolate shake and a diet soda.  Okay, can we all agree that if you are going to consume that type of meal you may as well have the regular soda.  The artificial calorie free sweetener is probably more harmful than the artificial high fructose corn syrup in the non-diet soda. The press and the ”experts” have all honed in on the calorie and fat content of the meal.  For those of us in the know, we know how far from identifying the real culprits these folks are. This meal is a nutrient wasteland of carbohydrate loaded, sugar shock inducing, lard layering concoctions of blood glucose raising garbage. I would assume the burger is in a white flour based bun, the french fries are nothing but deep fried polysaccharides and the shake, well why didn’t she just open a sugar bag and move a spoon from the bag to her mouth.  The only portion of this meal that would not add fat to her figure would have been the hamburger, minus the bun and certain condiments.

What all of this highlights is that in the world of politics, even genuine and well intentioned goals can be marred by the process. Can you imagine if the President’s wife spoke out against grains, corn and high fructose corn syrup?  Just look at some of the biggest lobbyists in this country and the answer will be apparent — she won’t.

Image via Wikipedia

On the other side, is it really appropriate for Rush Limbaugh to speak at all on obesity?  Of course not, he is one of the biggest enemies of the state of health and fitness.  All one needs to do is listen to his views on health and wellness to realize that he is as uninformed as he is bombastic.

However, Michelle Obama opens the door for these criticims when her efforts are not really going to do anything to make a dent in our overwhelming obesity epidemic.  If Michelle Obama is sincere, and I believe that she is, I offer my services to help her in reaching her goal to reduce our childhood obesity numbers.  I have the credentials and the experience to assist her in making a real difference during the roughly seventeen months left in her husband presidency.  She can email me at fatthenfitnow@me.com, or she can call me at (570) 760-6121.

To win battles one must do more than talk!

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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.

He is available to speak at no charge to any school or any youth group. He will make himself available to 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.

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Hard Work; A Lesson Learned From My Youth

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I wasn’t an athletic youth, but I always participated in sports related activities.  As kids we didn’t have video games, Facebook, computers or five hundred cable channels to occupy our time.  We played outside; in the parks, in the streets or in vacant lots — anywhere we could find a spot, we played sports.  Football, baseball and basketball where the big three.  But we also made up games that involved physical activity, we even had our own neighborhood Olympic Games.  Being overweight, I wasn’t the best,  I was often picked last, but still — I participated.

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Over the summer between eighth and ninth grade I decided I was going to go out for football.  No matter how ridiculous it sounds in retrospect, I was going to play for the Pittston Area Patriots, Penn State Nitnany Lions and finally I would play in the National Football League.

Summer program was the first step along my path.  My mom dropped me off at the front entrance to the high school.  Instead of turning right and going into the gym, I went straight. Beyond a second set of glass doors my gaze was fixed on the trophy case.  Little statuettes of championship seasons stared back at me, but it was the center item that had my full attention — the number 44 jersey worn by Jimmy Cefalo.

I daydreamed about playing on the gridiron wearing the Pittston red, white a blue.  I didn’t see nor hear anything else. Suddenly my day slumber was broken by a large hand that had fallen over my shoulder, it was that of legendary head football coach Bob Barbieri.  “You are going to be part of this son.”

I just nodded my head.  It was as if the hand of God himself had touched me.  He continued, “Jimmy was the best, a natural talent, but do you know what made him great?”

I couldn’t speak.  I simply stared at the jersey and then the coach.  “He worked and practiced harder than anyone else.”  He paused for a moment,  ”In his time here he set track records as well as football, but no matter what he did, he didn’t rely solely on his natural abilities.”  Still awestruck I said nothing. Coach Barbieri led me down to the gym.

I only was on the team for two seasons.  I never started, heck I barely played, but I worked hard and enjoyed the game.  However, I took from those two years valuable lessons about hard work, maximizing potential and that winners were more than born — that even the best still had to practice.

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If you live or lived in Northeast Pennsylvania and are around my age then you are acquainted with the names Jimmy Cefalo and Bob Barbieri.  I never knew Jimmy Cefalo beyond a handful of meetings,  but in addition to being Coach, Bob Barbieri was an teacher at the school.  His lessons extended beyond the football field and beyond the classroom, they extended into life.  They are lessons I used getting through boot camp, college, business and in overcoming obesity.  His words about Jimmy Cefalo echoed in my head when I began my journey  from Fat Then to Fit Now and I was determined to achieve my goals and work harder than anyone else.

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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.

He is available to speak at no charge to any school or any youth group. He will make himself available to any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Lisa Davis’ Your health radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast.

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It Is Time To Win The Battle Over Obesity!

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You can’t go a single day without hearing or reading something about the Obesity Epidemic. Even the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, is involved. Make no mistake about it, there is an obesity epidemic.  Unfortunately, either no one is listening or the information they are listening to is incorrect — either way the obesity epidemic is getting worse.

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Awareness is great but alone, it is not the solution. We have been aware of the fattening of the United States for more than a century.  Bernarr McFadden was sounding the warning cry as far back as 1902. In his his magazine Physical Culture, he declared that weakness was a crime and implored his readers not to be criminals.  Most people did not hear, let alone pay attention, however some peole listened.  One of those was an Italian immigrant who resided in New York, Angelo Siciliano, who became famous as Charles Atlas.    Another who had heard McFadden’s message was a young, sugar addicted sickly young west coast resident.  He not only heard the message, he listened and changed his life.  That young boy became a chiropractor and without a doubt the leading fitness enthusiasts to walk the planet earth. The young boy was Jack LaLanne. Many listened to Dr. Jack LaLanne, however still many did not.

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For more than one hundred years people have been sounding the alarm; shouting  from coast to coast that obesity is coming, obesity is coming and unlike the colonist  of revolutionary America, citizens of the United States chose not to listen.  The result is a population with people unable to bend over and tie their own shoes; a population of diabetics who will make owners of dialysis centers wealthy beyond imagination; a population that has given rise to big and tall and plus size stores; a population whose young now require insulin to live and perhaps worst of all — a generation that may not live as long as their parents.

Who is to blame?  The list is long and distinquished.

-the government with ridicuolous carbohydrate laden food guidlines.

-Ancel Keys, M.D., whose fat headed ideas regarding dietary fat has led to fatter and fatter people.

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-George McGovern, whose personal bias and nanny state political ideals led to the dietary fat is bad mantra from the federal government.

-agribusinesses which have placed a glut of nutrient deficient foods on the tables of the world.

-scientists who invented high fructose corn syrup.

I could take up an entire posting with those who are to blame, however, the most important person on the list is the only one that matters.

THE INDIVIDUAL!

That’s correct, the person that stares back at us in the mirror.  If you are one of the overweight, obese and unfit without an underlying medical condition, then you are the one who is responsible and you are the one who can take control and do something about it.  I know, I was one of you.  I lumbered about carrying a ponderous, pachydermian three hundred and fifty pounds upon my frame.  I took control of myself and in turn my fitness level and you can do it too.

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However, there are still many who sabotage our efforts.  They could be those we are close to personally, or they could be those who we never meet in person, but they are there.  People as famous as Rush Limbaugh and President Obama to Wilkes-Barre Scranton personalities like Steve Corbett and L.A. Tarone. The enemies of the state of health and fitnessare out there at every level and on Fridays I will endeavor to call them out.  It is important to recognize the enemies in this battle, not to assign blame, but to recognize who they are and defeat them so that we can in turn win the battle over obesity!

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

He is available to speak  to any school, association or group. He will make himself available to any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; 94.3 FM’s Tough Talk With Joe Peters; Lisa Davis’ Your health radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast among many personal speaking engagements.

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