The report finds that heavy teens often gain a lot more weight in their 20’s. Half of obese adolescent girls and a third of obese teen boys become morbidly obese (80 to 100 pounds overweight) by their early 30’s. That’s awful! At a time when young people ought to be starting careers, new relationships, families and enjoying a connected community of friends, these young people are haunted by and challenged with diminished health and wellbeing. Adults that carry extra weight, I don’t mean morbid obesity, are bothered by and striving to lose their extra weight. If you have any doubt about that, look at the diet industry.

We know that extra weight puts people at risk for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and other life limitations.

One third of children and adolescents in the United States weigh too much. Experts worry that the majority of this generation will be overweight or obese as adults. If you’re concerned about health care now, just wait. I suspect we can’t even imagine how tough health care and service will become.

The truth is, the first opportunity for learning to eat smart lies with parents. We are the ones buying food, making or not making meals and going through drive thru restaurants…or not. Kids are watching their parents far more than listening to them. (Hasn’t that always been the case.)

A quote from Keith Ayoob, a registered dietitian who works with overweight children and their families at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York said, “he never sees children who have better eating habits than their parents.” Compelling, don’t you think?

We get to set the tone and teach our kids what fueling our body’s means. We get to set an example regarding eating fruits, vegetables, drinking water, enjoying but not indulging in sweets and fried foods. Making time for eating together is hard, yet worth the effort. Yes, my kids embarrassed me each time they went to friends’ homes and dove into their dessert cabinets claiming I tortured them by not supplying them at home. (I believe they exaggerated, we did have treats. Albeit, not as much as they would have enjoyed.) I knew they were getting the “fun” food when they were out. And, today, they differentiate and choose wisely themselves. We get to set the tone for healthy, vibrant eating habits for our families. It’s my grandkids I’ll get to spoil because those “non-fuel foods” will be a treat, not a routine.

What can you do today to better teach your children how to eat to fuel and energize their bodies, not lay the foundation for obesity? You have the privilege and opportunity to help set the trajectory for their lives beginning today.

PS. I’ve had my colonoscopy and sleep better for it.

During my breast cancer journey, I was acutely aware of the number of people I had to support and guide me emotionally, spiritually, physically and financially. Even then, I was concerned for the women who were walking this journey without the same type of loving support. I determined, if there was a way for me to offer assistance to the uninsured and underserved, I would step in to help in any way I could.

A number of months ago, a friend and colleague asked if I would share my story of what gave me hope to help create the second annual Hope Chest Calendar. Through the selfless efforts of so many, that gift to others is now being released. And YOU, can support the cause and give a present to anyone in your life that needs a calendar for next year. How cool is that!

The story behind Hope Chest is inspiring. Here is some additional information that you will find helpful. I’d love to see you Saturday too.

The scoop: The calendar release celebration is being held at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul this Saturday, Sept. 11, in conjunction with a CD release for Alison Scott. If you are interested in attending or finding out more information about the new calendar, click on the Hope Chest link: http://www.hopechest.us/year-of-hope-calendar/.  For more info on the featured artist, Alison Scott, go to alisonscott.com.

I was reminded of a previous issue of the Winning Lifestyles newsletter where I shared another great man’s life lessons and thought you might enjoy them, as well. Here is an excerpt from that article:

Have you ever thought about what you would want your obituary to say? Do you think it would read the way you hope? It did for my dear friend Andy.

Andy Detroi was a faith filled man. During his 66 years, he impacted a great many people.

His life was directed by two sets of Commandments.  The first came from the scripture, the second from his pen.

Andy wrote these guidelines to remind himself of the way he wanted to live.  He measured his daily success against his consistent adherence to these two sets of Commandments.

Because I believe he found a balance between the practical and profound, I would like to share his Ten Points To Live By.

1.  I WILL NOT WORRY

Apprehension is destructive and shows a lack of confidence in God and ones self.  It also breaks down both physical and mental health.  Worrying shatters energies and reduces effectiveness.

2.  I WILL TREAT EVERY HUMAN BEING WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT

Everyone is worthy of my best efforts.  Finding fault is destructive and self-defeating.  There is something worthwhile in every person.

3.  I WILL CONTINUE TO IMPORVE MYSELF

Anyone without a continuing program for improvement will, inevitably, regress.  This applies not only to learning new disciplines but also to the quest for emotional maturity as well as to the way we relate to people.  I will try to improve in the things I presently do.  I will also attempt new and different endeavors from time to time to avoid becoming mentally stale and intellectually one sided.

4.  I WILL GUARD MY HEALTH

I believe that physical health is best maintained by preventive methods such as proper handling of stress, progressive, regular exercise and adherence to principles of good nutrition.

5.  I WILL EXERCISE SELF DISCIPLINE

It is imperative that I avoid rationalizing to abandon routine, scheduled activities.  I must be faithful to schedules that relate to work, study, exercise, etc.  I will try to tackle something difficult every day.

6.  I WILL NOT BE IDLE

Time is life.  It is not to be wasted!  I believe that all of one’s time should be spent in one of three activities:  constructive work, worthwhile, pleasurable recreation or needed rest.

7.  BEING IS A STATE OF CHANGE

I recognize that nothing about us stands still.  I must be willing to change constantly if I am to remain effective and well adjusted.  Happiness is not a station we arrive at but, rather, a manner of traveling.  The journey is the reward.

8.  PEOPLE ARE WHAT THE WORLD IS ABOUT

Whatever I may achieve in life, I am a human being first.  If I fail as such then all else I have done was in vain.  Being of real service to others is what real success is measured by.  All other achievements are of a lower order and this applies foremost to my family.

9.  MY FIRST LOYALTY AFTER GOD BELONGS TO MY WIFE

She is my partner in all things.  She is also an individual.  I love her to realize her own best potential and pursue her own interests rather than become an extension of our family and myself.  She has always been loyal, loving and good to me.  I will do my best to enrich her life in every possible way.

“Success in marriage is more than finding the right person – it’s a matter of being the right person.”

10.  THE LORD’S PLAN IS PERFECT

I can never measure up to that, but I want His ways to be my guiding light.  I will endeavor to be a giver rather than a taker.  It is easy to be critical of the people and the world around us but far more worthwhile to empathize and contribute.  I will try to be an asset to every situation I find myself in.  I wish to leave my world a little better place for having been in it.

When he died Andy was beginning a “new” career after a lifetime in aviation.  Yes, he did leave this world a better place.

Pick one ‘Point’ a day and evaluate yourself on it.  You may have to change the language a little, but adjust the concept to fit your life.  For instance, #5 I WILL EXERCISE SELF DISCIPLINE; I am trying to not moan, complain or whine about the responsibilities in my life.  Our culture makes it easy to moan and complain. I catch myself more quickly, however, habits are challenging to break. Well…I should get better, I get to practice again tomorrow.

This will be of interest to those of you who provide services to your clients. Consultants, coaches, sales professionals, speakers, lawyers, you get the idea. If you are committed to making a difference in other people’s lives and in their businesses, Lencioni’s concepts for how to show up, how to work and collaborate with clients is spot on. I don’t believe in living in fear or anxiety and while those ugly emotions strive to work their way into my psyche, the approaches described in this book work. I know because I’ve tried them. Lencioni has just described them well in his tale.

Getting Naked is about being vulnerable with clients. Being authentic, down-to-earth, competent and willing to explore are attributes that positively impact your relationships with clients. Humans tend to not want to appear vulnerable or uncertain. Yet, it’s the consultant, sales person, lawyer, coach (insert the professional that comes to mind for you) who shows up and acts like they “know it all” that turns off many potential clients. There is powerful value in being competent and informed, yet willing to say I don’t know, what else should I understand and here’s a hard truth you probably need to hear.

Here are the three fears he explores in this fable; Fear of Losing the Business, the Fear of Being Embarrassed and the Fear of Feeling Inferior. If you’ve ever experienced any of these fears, you will gain great insight and direction from this reading.

The author wraps his message up in an engaging story that begins with the buy-out of a competitive business that needs to be merged into an existing firm.

Patrick Lencioni is the author of many books I used in business, you may know some of them already; The Five Temptations of a CEO, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and Death by Meeting. Another fun fact, I just learned Patrick is a part of my sister’s parish in California and he’s as solid a guy as the ideas he presents. A man with personal and business integrity; now that’s someone I want to learn from!

SunShine Hampton challenged her dad, O’Neal to participate in The Biggest Loser show this season. While they didn’t win the season finale, they sure did win in real life. O’Neal went from 389 pounds to 230 pounds and SunShine went from 275 pounds to 161 pounds, and she’s still losing weight. My heart sang for O’Neal as I read he had previously taken up to 10 pills a day (a day!) for diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol and kidneys and had been unable to walk up stairs for 30 years. Today, he is not taking any pills and walks stairs with ease.  And, SunShine? Well, you should see her sass and confidence as she proudly encourages others.

The impact of one choice, one step, one small change at a time makes me smile every time I think of them weeks after I read the article. Their story is about perseverance, teamwork, family, hope and resilience. (O’Neal lost two siblings to cancer and a stroke while on the show.) And, they are stepping up to help Minnesota’s larger companies help employees become healthy winners in their own way. (Companies mentioned were Target, Medtronic and General Mills.) And, the positive impact keeps rippling out; the employers of the winners will give a donation to Second Harvest Heartland.

I wonder if each of us were to make those small choices, beginning today, what success we would experience and who would be impacted by the ripple effect of our changed behaviors and attitudes. What is one small smart choice you could make today that would be a loving challenge to yourself?

I’m following through with my small choice today and I’ll post the outcome the next time I write. I’d love to hear what yours is.

There are times, seasons of life, which call for letting things slide or wait. Yes, I would like to have been consistent in blogging, but the cost of lost time was not worth it. I was compelled to go have some fun and take care of chores. I hardly think you noticed, either way.

What would you like to or benefit from disappearing from? Even if for only a week, a day, or an hour? It’s okay. The world will not end, life will not halt. And, you may feel rejuvenated, relieved, joy-filled and inspired by giving yourself permission to let go.

I have been gathering thoughts and insights to share with you, so I will be back again soon.

Negative talk saps our energy, determination, tenacity and creativity. It also breeds dissatisfaction and hopeless—at work and at home. Listen in to your self-talk. Tune into your inner radio station and decide if you’re listening to the channel that most fuels and encourages you. It takes practice, and it’s worth the time you put into it. When you become aware of your negative tone and emotional words, you can choose to change them to more positive, encouraging, proactive words. It’s the truth behind the quote attributed to Henry Ford, “Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.”

Tune in to your self-talk and you’ll know ahead of time whether you will accomplish your goal, change your health, connect with other people or be successful in your endeavor. It’s your choice.

When I had a home office, I had a hydraulic desk (which I loved) that allowed me to stand or sit when working. Now I’m in a more corporate office and my hydraulic desk just didn’t match the décor, so I left it at home. I’ve been missing the health and back benefits until now…

I ordered two new “chairs” for myself and my Office Manager, Judy. Our Ball Chairs arrived and we have been rolling and loving it ever since. I knew that the stability ball is smart for sitting with perfect posture. (I’m all about good posture.) It helps with deep, full breathing throughout the day, utilizes the back muscles and I think makes me look smarter and taller. (Okay, maybe just a bit smarter and taller.)

However, I didn’t realize how much fun they could be. Judy, says she’s sitting and  strengthening her ab (core) muscles and is hoping to not get caught bouncing on it by people walking by our front windows. It’s too tempting, trust me I know. And, I’ve been somewhat surprised at how much my low back muscles have to work—in a good way.

They have at least three styles of chairs with various colors and prices.

So, do yourself a favor and order a chair. You’ll have no excuse for not improving your posture, core muscles and for having some fun while working.

Happy Bouncing!