When I was at the launch of the Fayette Healthy Community Partnership I stopped by one of the exhibits at the Kroger store and spoke with Denise Bennett, Diabetes Education Coordinator at Piedmont Fayette Hospital. Denise was educating the community on nutrition. Her table was scattered with rubber models of food items, showing healthy choices and healthy portions. Next to the fake food items was something that caught my eye - a rubber model of a glob of human fat - five pounds to be exact.
Denise Bennett, Diabetes Education Coordinator at Piedmont Fayette Hospital
with the model of five pounds of fat.
I was surprised at how much volume five pounds of fat actually is. Having been hooked on "The Biggest Loser" show this past season and seeing dramatic weight loss I began underestimating the impact of losing 1 to 2 pounds a week. That slow, steady pace had worked for me but somehow I lost that message. We tend to set weight loss goals that set us up for failure. Losing weight when one is overweight, even modest amounts, has a positive impact. Studies show that if overweight individuals with diabetes loses 5% to 10% of their weight, they will significantly reduce their blood sugar. Weight loss can also lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Appreciate the impact a few pounds of weight loss a week can have, how this steady pace can add up to a significant change in your health status, and stay the course.
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