More Extensive Steps Required to Battle Childhood Obesity
A recent study by University of North Carolina researchers examined whether doctors informed parents that their children were overweight. More accurately, it looked at whether or not parents remembered their doctor’s sharing this. The study analyzed government surveys of almost 5,000 parents of overweight children, and found that less than 25% of the parents recalled the doctor ever saying there was a problem.
“Even though being overweight or obese is becoming common in America, it is not a normal condition and should be easily recognized by an untrained eye,” say boomer generation health experts Dian Griesel, Ph.D., and Tom Griesel, authors of the new book TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust(April 2011, BSH).
“Being obese or overweight is widely known to come with significant health risks as well as potential negative emotional conditions,” says Tom. “Fat kids are often ostracized by their peers and this can continue into adulthood. The time to address the condition is as early as possible with the education and introduction of healthy eating and lifestyle choices. Overweight children often have overweight parents and siblings who make it seem normal or perhaps somehow genetic. This belief is wrong. Nobody is destined to be obese or overweight.”
“As individuals, parents, health care providers and a society facing escalating chronic disease and the associated healthcare costs, we all need to assume responsibility for the problem and work together at improving the situation,” adds Dian. “We all need to do everything we can to make the necessary choices which will deliver optimal health for ourselves and our children. Eliminating sugar and sweeteners along with refined and processed foods and replacing them with natural whole foods alone would make an enormous difference. In addition, not smoking and being more active would practically eliminate the incidence of most chronic diseases we experience today.”
My Review of TurboCharged
TurboCharged is a new book on the market by brother and sister team, Dian Griesel, Ph.D. and Tom Griesel. When I was asked to review this book, I was skeptical. Another diet book? I have read them all and been a life-long yo-yo dieter. I work hard to educate my children about healthy eating and getting enough exercise, because I don’t want them to struggle with their weight throughout their lives like I have. I was enticed by the prospect of something that might work to get rid of the fat for good and I appreciate the author’s efforts to educate all of us about the dangers of obesity, not just for children but for all of us. I know that my own doctor has rarely mentioned my weight or suggested that I lose weight when it is clear that I need to. The study mentioned above about how few doctors address their patients weight issues seems ridiculous, but don’t get me on my soap box about why pediatricians should be trained in nutrition. Someone has to start educating parents about how dangerous it is to have obese children, not just physically but emotionally and socially as well.
The Griesels’ book is definitely a different and perhaps controversial approach to getting lean fast. I didn’t feel like I could review the program unless I gave it a try. I followed the program for about a week. I would like to say that I followed it forever and it changed my life, but that’s not true, but that’s my fault not theirs. Here’s what I found:
1. You only eat one food group at a time, fruit, vegetables or protein and you eat mostly fruits and vegetables – no grains at all! Being gluten free and having worked with a nutritionist for years, this was not a challenge for me personally. Fortunately I love fruits and veggies! Because I am a working mom and have a lot of working lunches, it was a challenge at times to follow the plan. You will have to read the book to understand why they have you eat one food group at a time. I can tell you that my digestion loved it. I was not hungry and had lots of energy. I guarantee that if you just give up everything WHITE – sugar, bread, potatoes, junk food, etc. you will change your body. But that’s not enough.
2. You need to drink even more water than you think you do! I found that decreasing caffeine and increasing my water intake made a big difference in how I felt.
3. You have to incorporate exercise throughout your day, several shorter walks and weight training exercises like squats and lunges. I loved that they were not trying to sell me on a program or get me to by equipment. They are very clear that you have everything you need at home right now to start this program!
4. The biggest surprise for me and probably the most beneficial part of the program was the focus on losing body fat, not weight and why that matters. Since I have such a tempestuous relationship with the scale, this was a relief but it also made sense. The whole point of their plan is to reduce body fat. They show you an easy way to measure your body fat percentage at home.
After a week, I did see a decrease in my percentage of body fat. I think the most dramatic change that I have made and that has stayed with me is incorporating exercise throughout my day and drinking more water. I can find time to do 3 to 5 one-minute workout routines throughout the day. It’s easier to find 2 or 3 twenty minute breaks to go outside or get on the treadmill. TurboCharged has helped me restructure how I think about my day in positive ways.
If you are really serious about getting lean fast, I recommend you take a look at this book! I am not sure if this program would work for younger children, I would want to know more from the authors or a certified nutritionist but many of the elements can be easily incorporated into your family routine for positive changes now!
About TurboCharged
TurboCharged® is a groundbreaking 8-Step program that defies common weight-loss theories. It successfully delivers body-defining rapid fat loss, accelerates metabolism, and improves health and odds of longevity without gimmicks, supplements or special equipment. Common sense and a desire to be lean are all that is required for success at any age. For more information, log on to their website, Facebook page or Twitter page.