What Is Lazy?

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Photo credit: herzogbr)

What Is Lazy?

Merriam-Webster on line defines lazy:

1 a: disinclined to activity or exertion: not energetic or vigorous

b: encouraging inactivity or indolence <a lazy summer day>

2: moving slowly: sluggish

3: droopy, lax <a rabbit with lazy ears>

4: placed on its side <lazy E livestock brand>

5: not rigorous or strict <lazy scholarship>

I never receive more criticism, anger, ire and/or hate filled emails directed toward me as I do when I use the word lazy, or any of its derivatives; sloth, idleness, indolence, etc….  I am often told how wrong I am in my opinion, even though it is simply my opinion.

I am very blessed to have both an academic and clinical background to call on when forming these opinions.  The clinical application plays perhaps the most important role, because it allows me to see day-to-day a truism that any clinician can attest to — that which is always precise in a textbook or research lab, isn’t always the case in real life.

However, in the end it is still simply my opinion. Yet, people get angry with me, which is fine, but I don’t genuinely understand it.  There are many differing theories, ideas, and yes applications of approaches concerning health, wellness, weight management, fitness, etc. — embracing one methodology doesn’t automatically discredit the tomes of available information that may not agree.

There are people out there who simply must have me, or my viewpoint, be incorrect to justify theirs.

Why?

Once again my view is just that, my view, and I am well aware that people will have differing viewpoints, some which are flat-out contradictory.  Big deal!  I don’t require someone to be wrong, for me to be correct in my thinking.  My level of confidence doesn’t require another to be erroneous; actually, my confidence allows me to accept a contradictory viewpoint.

But back to the topic — What is lazy?

When I mention laziness, I am usually referring to definitions 1 and 5, because they most accurately apply to me.  Yes, I admit it; I have a propensity towards laziness.  At this point in my life, I am very in touch with my weaknesses, and laziness is unfortunately one of them.  The demon indolence most often rears its slothful head when I am overweight and out of shape — that is why I write so much about it.  It holds me back from achieving much more than only fitness goals, and giving into it means failure in much more than being fit.

That is why I don’t live by the mantra simply do what feels right.   If that were the case, I would be completely undisciplined, eating to my heart’s content, and laying homeless on a beach somewhere.   Wait a minute —- that doesn’t sound too  …. never mind.

The facts are that I choose to exercise, I choose to eat properly and I choose not to allow obstacles stop me.

If I did whatever I felt; I wouldn’t wake up at the hour I do to go out and jog, then head to the gym to heft iron weights for various sets and repetitions — I would simply sleep until the last possible minute, hit a drive thru, plod through my day at work, eat fast food for lunch and dinner, go home and go to bed.

My lifestyle choices aren’t about weight management; they are about fitness and even more importantly, good health.  It is my view that nothing promotes better health than being physically well-conditioned.  Likewise, one can’t achieve their optimal fitness by doing a half-assed workout

Image via CrunchBase

routine whenever they feel like it.  The way to achieve one’s own ideal fitness is the same way we achieve and fulfill any ambition —- consistent,sustained and unrelenting hard work.

LeBron James didn’t earn another MVP award by practicing only when the mood hit him; Steve Jobs didn’t turn Apple into a dominant business by only showing up at his office whenever it struck his fancy; Ernest Hemingway didn’t become one of the great novelist of his time by writing one hundred or so words each week — no, each of the preceding people didn’t rely solely on their natural talents and gifts, they disciplined themselves to work hard at their chosen craft.

American Author Ernest Hemingway aboard his Yacht around 1950 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If excellence is important to us, we must make the time to strive for it; we commit the hours, efforts and resources — why wouldn’t one desire to take the same approach to improving their fitness?

Laziness is an attitude that can be driven by many factors — poor physical condition, fear, and guilt among others — unfortunately, for many, denying laziness by downplaying it as a factor in our physical decline, is more of an excuse for failure, than accepting personal responsibility for success.

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http://www.amazon.com/Obesity-Undone-Beyond-Weight-Edition/dp/1477624333

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.obesityundone.com/
———————————————————————————————————————
************The information contained herein 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

• Fate vs. Control (hatchingout.com)
• Lazy (academygirl.wordpress.com)
• The Sin of Laziness (sloth) and What the Bible Has to Say About It (momsfirstscreenn.wordpress.com)
• Sound Wisdom Launches New Book, Leverage Your Laziness: How to Do What You Love All the Time, by Jeff Goldberg and Steve Bookbinder on June 1 (prweb.com)
• Laziness Might Be Tied to Genetics (counselheal.com)

The Drew Manning fit2fat2fit experiment Revisited

On Mar 28, 2012 I did a YouTube posting on the Drew Manning experiment Fit 2 Fat 2 Fit, in which I became especially heated in calling out the farce that Drew Manning was engaging in.  I was appalled that anyone would deliberately get out of shape, and even more angered that one would do it so with some cockamamie bullshit tale claiming that it is to understand what it is like to be obese.

At that time, I never thought I would slip back to unfettered, unfit obesity — but since September of 2012, I collapsed into a huge backslide.  Now, I didn’t get my weight back up to three hundred and forty pounds, but I did get heavy and worse — I let my fitness level decline.

Unlike Drew Manning, I had not intent of getting fat and out of shape; what happened to me is the result of the lifelong battle with food, in particular a carbohydrate addiction, which resulted in my obesity.  Yes, it was and is, my fault because I had a negative response to certain situations and stressors; and yes I made the bad choices to eat junk and sit on my enlarging ass instead of exercising — but it was not with the intention of becoming obese for some stupid rationale that I needed to understand others.  I lived and live it every single day. 

The little factoid I was aware of in the past, and am now experiencing, is that it is much easier to lose weight and get in shape if the weight gain and lack of fitness has only been present for a relatively short period of time.  What occurs is, once you start eating properly and exercising, your muscle memory kicks in and your body responds rapidly to the healthful regime of a good diet and exercise.  Depending how long you have been out of shape, say for six months, it only takes a portion of that time to regain your fitness.  It does nothing to address the overweight, obese and morbidly obese whose conditions have been present for extended periods of time, and who have not had even a passing connection with fitness related activities.  Those people, who the despicable man was trying so hard to comprehend, are people in a situation he could never genuinely appreciate, because he doesn’t possess the food issues, the self-image issues, nor the suffocating feeling of being trapped in an unfit body and mindset for any prolonged period of time.   What he did and I’m sure still does understand is the marketing genius of his actions — because he may have persuaded some of them that now he, Mr. Manning, now gets it.  I think I’m gonna puke.

So, while I am not as enraged by the Drew Manning experiment as I once was, I am still outraged.  This man’s attitude for the obese is nothing short of contemptible, because he pandered to many desperate for a solution.  To now claim he understands is simply a fable; because the concerns that many of us who battle obesity daily have present, are NOT part of him or his personality.  It was a temporary situation, a situation that he was well aware would not be permanent, and worst of all; his genetic make-up, combined with his body’ set point and muscle memory, would not have held the excess weight and body fat for any extended period of time, even if he only resumed a moderate exercise routine and simply restored the diet his body and been accustomed to for so many years.

In other words, what happened easily and rapidly for him, isn’t a realistic representation for those of us who continue the struggle with our good health, wellness, fitness and obesity.

 

 

——————————————————————–

http://www.amazon.com/Obesity-Undone-Beyond-Weight-Edition/dp/1477624333

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.obesityundone.com/

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

************The information contained herein 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

• I am fat and I know it!! (ijassdie.wordpress.com)
• The Carb Cloud Has Crested (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• The Introspection Triology (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• A Detailed Look at Obesity in America (creditloan.com)
• New National Obesity Statistics are Troublesome says Children’s Obesity Fund (prweb.com)
• Live in fitness camp (liveinfitnesscampx.wordpress.com)
• To Beat Obesity: It’s You vs. You. (ygenmed.wordpress.com)
• Midwest candor about obesity? Fat chance (kansascity.com)

The Comeback: Episode 132 “A Minor Obstacle”

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 herein 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.************

 

 

——————————————————————————————————————
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 podcast or television outlet.
He has appeared on 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.*************

Rush Limbaugh Is Wrong So Many Times and Needs To Continue With His Apologies

Rush Limbaugh, Not a Health and Fitness Expert, he should apologize for playing one on the radio!

I listen to Rush Limbaugh daily.  I respect his success as a broadcast entertainer — in that realm he is without peer.  He is the most listened to and highest paid radio entertainer today.  Before Rush came along, AM radio was on death’s doorstep. His innovative approach; combining the persona of an FM disc jockey with political punditry saved the AM band and paved the way for every high and low paid radio talker today.

Now that the niceties are out-of-the-way, when it comes to health, fitness and wellness he don’t know Jack!

Rush Limbaugh’s comments concerning Jack LaLanne demonstrate his complete lack of intellectual or common sense insight.  Those of us who promote healthy living are not impressed that Jack LaLanne existed until he was 96 years old.  What is impressive is that he LIVED until he was 96 years old — a distinction that must be understood to be appreciated.

A few years ago, I wrote  a newspaper column concerning my battle with obesity.  I closed out the column with the following sentences:

I was asked recently that if now that I lost the weight, I thought I was going to live longer. For a moment I pondered the question then

Image via Wikipedia

answered, “I honestly don’t know, however I do know one thing, I am living better.”

Since that column appeared, in any radio, television, newspaper or internet interview I have given,  I am asked about those two sentences.  It is those two sentences that Rush Limbaugh just doesn’t understand.

I don’t know Rush Limbaugh any deeper than what he allows us to glimpse.  However, from the

glimpses he gives, he is a man of excesses and lacks self-control.  He eats to excess, he smokes to excess (formerly cigarettes, now cigars) and that excessive personality led to an unfortunate drug dependency.

His lack of self-control continues to be an impediment to truly enjoying his incredible success and wealth.

How could I make such a claim of someone I do not know?  Two factors lead me to that conclusion.

One, I, as Rush Limbaugh is, was morbidly obese and two, he continues to try to lose weight.

If he were happy being obese, he would have stopped trying.  The reason for Rush’s continued failure in taking care of his health, is that he does NOT embrace fitness.  Everyone who has ever met me, or whom I have ever motivated has heard me say, WEIGHT  LOSS IS A SIDE EFFECT OF FITNESS.

When Jack LaLanne was Rush Limbaugh’s age, he swam the length of the Golden Gate Bridge — under water — towing one thousand pounds. By the way, he was handcuffed.  What does Rush do at the age of sixty?  He gets winded walking from a golf cart to his golf ball a few yards away.

Here is a simple truth of life;  all living things die! There is no escaping that fate.  It is how well you live that genuinely matters.

If Rush Limbaugh would like, I will take one year off from my practice and enter his employ.  I will move to Florida, I will monitor his eating, I will take him through proper exercise and I will motivate him.  After that year, I will have given him the greatest value for his money any person as ever received.  Rather than an existence, I will give him an active, living life!

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

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 podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 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.*************

Guest Post: Fight Cancer With Physical Fitness– The Power is Yours by David Haas

The below posting is from David Haas, a cancer patient advocate for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. He writes and does research for the betterment of cancer patients around the United States.

 

Fight Cancer With Physical Fitness– The Power is Yours

For many, physical fitness is part of leading a healthy and active lifestyle. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, if you are undergoing treatment for cancer, or if you are in remission from the disease, regular physical activity should be an important part of your ongoing fight for fitness.

So what are the benefits of physical fitness for a person with cancer?

Cancer can be depressing. Just knowing that you are living with a disease that could shorten your lifespan is a constant wear to mental health. Regular physical activity such as strength training, aerobic exercise, biking, or hiking is a great way to relieve depression and to ease your worries. Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly are less depressed than those who lead sedentary lives. Cancer patients who exercise are therefore giving themselves a mental health edge by taking care of their physical fitness.

Physical fitness helps to boost your overall immune system. When you have cancer, you need all the help you can get with battling the disease. Regular exercise gives you the extra energy your body needs to fight the disease of cancer. Being physically fit helps all the major organs in your body that aid and support you as you cope with cancer.

The National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health says that there is strong evidence that physical fitness may reduce the risk of developing colon, breast, lung, endometrial, and prostate cancers.

The NCI also has information about how exercise may positively impact on the rate of cancer survivorship. Some studies seem to suggest that those patients, who exercised regularly after cancer diagnosis lived longer, lead a better quality of life, and had a more positive outlook for their recovery.

Many who have cancer take drugs or therapies that can, in some ways, be as devastating as the disease itself. Another advantage of physical fitness is that exercise has no contraindications or negative side effects, unless you overdo the physical activity.

Regular physical exercise can help keep you balanced in body, mind, and spirit. If you have cancer, if you are undergoing mesothelioma treatment, or if your cancer is in remission, physical exercise should be an important and regular part of taking very good care of yourself.

 

By Embracing Physical Fitness, NO Sugar and Low Carb, Paleolithic Style Eating —- I Went From Fat To Fit!

How and why I went from simply existing to truly living; my trip from fat to fit!

Do you walk into a restaurant and look for a table because you can’t fit in a booth?

Do you always take an elevator because even one flight of stairs leaves you exhausted and out of breath?

Is the simple act of tying your shoes a contortionistic maneuver?

Not all that long ago, my answers to the above questions would have been a resounding and embarrassing — yes!

I had finally tired of compromising my life, so on a fateful day in March of 2008, for the first time in two years, I hopped upon my dust-covered scale. The spring moaned and groaned as the needle revolved past the end of its’ limit and ventured into the “additional” numbers printed smaller and in red. The pointer bounced several times in a range of about ten pounds. I hoped it would stop at the lower end — it didn’t. I held my breath and peered down over the beach ball ballooning from my abdomen — I couldn’t quite see the rather large and over-sized dial. With a gale forced inhalation I sucked in my gut and strained once again to see the dreaded digits.

There it was, scales don’t lie, 3… 4… 0…

That is not a typo; three hundred and forty ponderous, pachydermian pounds. In just over a pair of years I had added more than one hundred pounds to my previously well proportioned frame. I released my breath and heaved a heavy sigh. At least I could console myself with the ten pounds that clothing adds — never-mind; I was only wearing a pair of light cotton shorts.

Eventually, I stepped back. I paced the floor stunned and in disbelieve. I knew I had gained weight, but there was no way I was over 300 pounds, let alone close to 350. Surely, after so long without use, the scale must be out of calibration. Yes! That was the answer. I looked around and found a forty pound dumbbell. I placed it upon the platform expecting the number to possibly reach 80. No such luck — the indicator stopped spot on at 40.

It was official — in medical terms I was morbidly obese.

In layman’s terms, I was just plain fat.

The initial step to overcoming many problems is to first admit you have a problem. Even with the numbers staring me in the face — I still wasn’t ready to admit it. Later that day I arrived at my practice and had my office manager photograph me from the front and the side. I downloaded the pics to my PC and was prepared to see just a large, big-boned guy staring back at me — what I saw was anything but.

340lbs 3/1/2008

The visage on the left is what I saw.  There I was with a stupid grin on my face; a pin sized head atop a rotund, pear-shaped body.

Finally, reluctantly and sadly I was ready to admit it — I had a problem.  I closed the door to my office and for almost a full hour I sobbed, sullen in self-pity.  Then I stood up, looked at the photo and shouted, “Wipe that smile off your face and get ready to disappear!”

When I arrived home, I dug deep into the closet and found some old clothes. On the bed I placed them side by side with my current wardrobe. It was eye-opening. There is a stark contrast between a size 38 and a size 54 pants, between a size 56 and a size 46 sports coat, and you wouldn’t believe the difference in the lengths of the belts. I shook my head wondering how this could have happened. Oh yeah, then I remembered, plenty sugar, starchy over processed burgers, fries, pizza and pasta, followed each night by two servings of ice cream — blasted Ben and Jerry for those single serving container.

I went through my kitchen cabinets and refrigerator.  Every bit of food that was processed, sugared up, a starchy carbohydrate was removed and dumped in the trash.  I took out a sheet of paper and wrote up a grocery list of natural, whole low carbohydrate foods.  Then, on another sheet of paper, calling upon my education and experience, I drew up an outline for a daily menu broken out into 3 main meals and 3 small snacks.  Finally, on one last sheet of paper, I wrote out an exercise program that included both progressive resistance and endurance exercises.  I knew this was about much more than appearance; it was both literally and figuratively a choice between fat and fit, illness and wellness and as cliche’ as it sounds; between life and death.

I wrote in blue marker, on the bottom of each sheet of paper: WEIGHT LOSS IS A SIDE EFFECT OF FITNESS; FITNESS IS NOT AN END RESULT OF WEIGHT LOSS!

The very next day I headed down to Danko’s and reactivated my long dormant membership. The owner, Larry Danko, cheerfully greeted me. I told him I had to get back in shape and with an optimistic and confident tone he told me, “You can do it.”

The date was March 5,2008.

I have recaptured my physique, but more importantly, I have recaptured my wellness. Being a health care professional I am very aware of the potential damage I may have done to myself. However, I am blessed with being cared for by a cadre of skilled physicians. Dr. Sordoni, my general practitioner, has ensured my overall well-being with complete and thorough exams. Dr. D’Alessandro, my cardiologist, has run me through ECG’s, EKG’s, a stress test and even a cardiac catherization, encouraging me that my heart is okay. And Dr. Juan Gaia, of Valley Open MRI, read my coronary CT scan adding his reassurance that, at least for now, there are no apparent signs of damage.

I find it extremely difficult to swallow when overweight people tell me that they are happy the way they are; God knows I dropped that line myself enough times. It is impossible to be happy going through life struggling with simple, every day tasks. More importantly though, is that I have lessened my risk for obesity related maladies.

Obesity is a direct cause of some serious diseases; serious, PREVENTABLE, diseases. Obesity is not just a concern among adults. It is a growing, dare I use the word, epidemic concern with our youth. Type II diabetes, which is commonly referred to as adult onset diabetes, is showing up in children as young as ten years old. We have a grave public health problem, one that does not need to exist.

Utilizing what I like to call the three D’s; desire, determination and discipline, if you suffer from the ailment of obesity, you too can conquer it. I didn’t have surgery. I didn’t use any drugs. I changed my eating habits and I exercise seven days a week. It isn’t glamorous, it isn’t hip, what it “is” is just old school logic and self-control.

I was asked recently that if now that I lost the weight, I thought I was going to live longer. I pondered the question and paused before I spoke.

I said, “I honestly don’t know, however I do know one thing, I am living better.”

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

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 on 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.*************

Related articles

• Dump The Fad – Focus On Fitness For A BetterLife (betterlifeseminars.wordpress.com)
• Living Low-Carb (everydayhealth.com)

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.

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

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I Am Glad I Did NOT Accept MY Obesity!

{When it comes to anything I write, I do not have cowardly policies as Dr. Melina Jampolis and others may have.  If you disagree or even dislike anything I write, feel free to comment here or on my facebook page.  All I ask is that you don’t use vulgarity, nor insult or attack anyone else.  If you would like to insult me, go ahead.  I can take it, unlike other so-called experts I am not thin skinned.  Joe Leonardi, D.C. }

In regards to a previous Enemies of the State of Good Health posting, I was sent a message from one of my readers asking me, in reagards to the Fat Acceptance Movement being included,  what is wrong with the acceptance of larger people?

That is a very valid question.

One that deserves a response.

There isn’t any problem.

I don’t like or dislike someone based upon their weight or appearance.  Overweight, large or obese people were not the subject, nor enemies of the state of good health.  The “enemy” was the organization and others like it.

My dislike for the Fat Acceptance Movement has nothing to do with individuals who are struggling with weight issues. My dislike for the movement,  stems from having been morbidly obese at one time and having thought that the world should accommodate my girth because of my lack of self-control and self-discipline.  The Fat Acceptance Movement promotes an almost civil rights tone, pushing for obese people to be treated like a minority.  I simply disagree.  As I have stated many times, in the absence of an underlying condition, being overweight or obese is a choice.  It may not be a conscious choice, but it is a choice.

me at 340 pounds on March 1, 2008

My former incarnation, Joe.340, thought as what I have read are the beliefs which the Fat Acceptance Movement  promotes.  I was appalled that booths in restaurants were not more spacious.  I genuinely believed that movie theater seats should be roomier.   Also, why couldn’t they have less seats on an airplane and make them all as big as first class? It was my personal belief that others should conform and adapt to me.

Well, that is the problem and that is my main issue.  The Fat Acceptance Movement wants the world to change for them and in turn promote an unhealthy life.  And despite some exceptions, most people who are obese are NOT healthy.

I never suggest to a person that they should lose weight.  I was recently emailed someone’s height and weight and asked whether or not I thought they should lose weight.  I responded to the person that I help those who want to lose weight and recapture their health.   I do not decide for someone if they need to lose weight, even if it the answer is obvious.  It is up to an individual to decide, not only if they need to lose weight, but more importantly, that they want to lose weight.

I live by the mantra that weight loss is a side effect of fitness.  The primary goal of what I do is to get people to embrace fitness, eating low carbohydrate foods found as close to their natural state as possible (a paleolithic model) and good health.  People who have read or heard about me seek me out to lose weight and I help them do that, yet I don’t make the weight loss the only motivation nor the only goal.  The numbers on the scale are a useful feedback tool to reach the most important goal; improvement of their overall health.

Most people who are overweight or obese are not in an optimal state of health and fitness. Yes, I am aware that there are exceptions to the rule, but I am not even sure about those exceptions. Additionally, I am by no means saying that if you are not overweight, you are fit.  There are plenty of folks who do not have a weight problem that are pure physical wrecks.  I am willing to help them as well.  However, I can only relate personal experiences and that is what I try to share.

Back to being overweight, yet fit. Years ago, before I had gotten up to three hundred and forty pounds, I may have fallen,  kind of — sort of,  into that category.  I was in the gym religiously, focusing mostly on strength training and doing very little endurance exercises.  I was stronger than I had been in my entire life.  I weighed about two hundred and eighty pounds, I was carrying around excess fat, but muscular development was obvious.  The joke at the gym where I trained was, I could lift the entire gym… I just couldn’t walk around it.

Was I fit because I was strong?

Was I healthy because my lab work was all good?

Was I fit because my vital signs fell within normal ranges?

You better believe that I was convinced I was fit.  In my delusional mind, I didn’t need to lose weight.  I could not have been more wrong.  That excuse-making, rationalizing mindset was a direct factor in the birth of Joe.340.

I am also not saying we should judge anyone based upon appearance.   What I AM saying is that I do not believe that we should accept our own self-imposed limitations.  We have the power to improve our health and we should not allow a group, no matter how well intentioned,  to dis-empower us.

340lbs 3/1/2008

When I was obese, I could not tie my own shoes.

When I was obese, I could not rise out of a chair without pushing off the arm rests.

When I was obese, I could not get up out of a low couch without rolling over on my stomach, placing my knees on the floor and pushing myself to a standing position.

Were any of the above examples really acceptable?  Unfortunately, for me, they were —- for far too long.

I have been accused of being harsh.

I have been accused of being unyielding.

I have been accused of being unsympathetic.

Well, let me tell you a few things:

200lbs 3/6/2009

I am harsh!  I wish someone was more harsh with me. I don’t want someone to have to be sitting in the emergency room with chest pains, as I was, to realize they need to do something now.

I am unyielding!  I have heard all the excuses, I have used most of them, giving in to the excuses will only make the situation worse.

I am NOT unsympathetic!  Trust me, I was there, I am very sympathetic.  However, I don’t express my sympathy by encouraging lackadaisical behaviors.  I show my sympathy by assisting those who seek my help to reach their goals.

It is my life’s mission, to help those who wish to take control of their poor eating and exercise habits. It is my desire that through fitness, everyone enjoy an improved quality of life.

And, if I am lucky, I will save a life or two along the way.

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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 on 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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• I Was Martin Kessman (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month! Who Knew?

I was doing my usual perusing of internet articles and news stories on obesity, when I came across an article that stated, September, this month is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.  With summer winding down, school starting and the Labor Day holiday, this very important information seemed to get lost in the mix and it should not have.  Among the many issues we set aside a special month for, defeating childhood obesity is perhaps one of the most important.

Image by London Summit via Flickr

I reviewed the relevant news information and learned that President Obama did in fact kick off the month with a proclamation.  I read over the reports on the proclamation and found this particular line interesting.  From TheHill.com, “By taking action to address the issue of childhood obesity,” the president said, “we can help America’s next generation reach their full potential.”

I find this political hypocrisy on a grand scale.  Yes, I am aware that the President of the United States has many pressing issues that he has mishandled since his election.  However, this one is a no-brainer and yet, his inaction on childhood obesity is epic.

Image via Wikipedia

Time and time again the President has only given lip service to The First Lady’s signature initiative.

Two prime examples of the President’s insincerity come immediately to my mind.

One brings us all the way back to the President’s first year in office, it took him just about one year to fill positions on the President’s Council on Fitness, Sport and Nutrition.  I understand that ceremonial positions have no genuine power, however, the lack of concern in filling these positions demonstrates a lack of importance, and in turn lack of regard the President has for the health and fitness of this nation.  This President places so much importance on reforming health care and providing care, he totally dismisses the importance of maintaining health.  Childhood and adult obesity are becoming more and more prevalent in the last several years, yet, instead of focusing on one of the most dominant preventable causes of many diseases, the President chose to place this council on the farthest back burner he could locate.

Image via Wikipedia

Second, and just as disturbing, if not more, is President Obama’s complete lack of leading by example when it comes to proper eating and exercise.  I did a Google search for President Obama and exercise, the bulk of the results hadn’t revealed any recent coverage except for mentioning that the President was sometimes playing basketball.  The majority of the stories date back to 2008.  For all of his predecessor’s many failings, President George W. Bush made his personal health and fitness a high priority.  His scheduled exercise times were often used to show how disconnected the former President was, instead of lauding him for his dedication to maintaining his wellness in even the most stressful times.  Additionally, there is the crap for food that President Obama is consistently shoveling into his body.  Often times his dietary choices are foods that are better to have never been conceived, let alone prepared, much less consumed, yet he is photographed gleefully gorging himself.

Image via Wikipedia

Again, I understand that the President of the United States of America has many very real and very pressing issues and situations that require his attention, however, is it really too much to ask that a leader lead through example?  The President has access to fitness equipment and a culinary staff that will prepare him low carbohydrate and extremely healthy meals.  Is it really all that difficult to make 60-90 minutes a day to exercise (especially when his office is downstairs from his residence) and to provide his body with healthy fuel?

It is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, instead of simply being aware, let’s do something our political class seems extremely unable or incapable of doing —- let’s take some action!

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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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