I have a good friend in Australia whose son was recently diagnosed with diabetes. Initially he was devastated. He, himself, has been an example of strength and fitness all his life. He raised his family on an ethic of respect for fitness and health and has two strapping boys and a healthy strong wife. So the news that one of his boys has diabetes forced a reckoning in their lives, to never , ever take life, strength and health for granted.

As a school teacher I come across many students with diabetes. While a few of them are, like my friend's son in Australia, examples of fitness and vitality, the majority are not. Many have obesity problems, low energy and are extremely unmotivated to manage their disease. This shocked me.

Given the enormous amount of information and education around diabetes on how to manage or prevent it, I am struck dumb by the way people flirt with their strength and vitality. Many become overweight and weak, then are prone to UNNECESSARY diseases, such as diabetes.

The other, often forgotten piece to this UNNECESSARY nightmare, is the high financial cost to not only the victims and their families, but also to the  nation as a whole. It is estimated that the current national medical bill to maintain, treat and regulate diabetes annually is in the vicinity of between $92 billion to $112 billion.

In the light of recent world disasters such as the devastation in Haiti from an earthquake, or the ongoing poverty in Africa and China the planet's medical bill is looking more and more unmanageable. Given how vast a problem the next generation is facing in terms of health alone, I cannot but reflect on how much each one of us, alone, has a responsibility to change things at the micro or personal level, in order to affect change in the macro or system level.

You alone must make the difference. We no longer have the luxury of waiting for someone else to change the way things are. Each one of us must become a revolutionary in our own lives, changing poor and costly habits. Take your health into your own hands, manage it as best as you can, look for and get support from others, and we can start to turn things around.

There is no time. Start now.

Stay Strong,

Lawrence

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The only diet and fitness program developed in conjunction with doctors, certified diabetes educators, and the American Diabetes Association, Project: YOU! Type 2 is the first all-in-one solution to help manage diabetes, reduce your risk for diabetes complications, and get back in control of your life! 

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I was driving to Boston along the Mass Pike to attend a Team Beachbody coaching conference when I popped in my ipod to the radio receiver to listen to a podcast. It was called Fitness Rocks. The announcer, Dr. Monty has a mission  to change the health and fitness of the world.  He interviews various scientists, doctors and health professionals about the current health crisis. Monty has a curious mind and pulls out some subtle distinctions that helped me appreciate the extremity of the calamity we face as a nation  through ill health.

Speaking to one Doctor from Stanford University, Monty mentioned that the younger generation today will suffer from heart disease, diabetes and brain disorders at earlier ages than ever before in human history because we have created a toxic environment for ourselves.

At first I thought he meant from polluted air and water, but it was much closer and more insidious than that. It was from the choices we are making every day. We are actually creating a toxic environment based on  the activites we choose, and the food we decide to consume.

This toxic environment is supported in gross and subtle ways by the media, the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry and even the Health Industry! But, despite all of these influential and powerful groups trying to woo or sway us to adopt toxic habits, in the end you and I have the power to say "no". We have the ultimate power. We can make different choices.

Now before I go further, I want you to know that, like Dr Monty, I am passionate about helping people regain their vibrance and thrive at all levels – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have a unique life coaching system to help people achieve success in all of these dimensions in order to go forward to achieve their goals (more info).

In this blog I will make some suggestions for you about the choices I have tried that work regarding nutrition. I mean really work based on my own results. There is a plethora of choices out there. They range from those that work wonders  to  out right deceptions.

There are at least 4 dimensions you need to adopt to regain a strong core foundation and clean up the toxic habits that you may have started. This includes eating right, exercise, not smoking and weight management. Each places signifcant life-enhancing, or life-detracting choices in your own hands. Shockingly, their research showed a mere 3% of the nation lived within the zone of all 4 indicators, that is: were non smokers; within the right mass body index for their height, gender and age; eating at least 5 servings of fruit or vegetables daily; and working out at a moderate level 3-6 times per week for 1/2 an hour. Only 3% of people are following these 4 simple steps to create more opportunities to grow old gracefully and relatively free from pain and chronic disorders. 3%!

I want to look at one dimension with you today in this blog – nutrition. Nutrition is foundational to your longevity, daily vibrance, sustained energy flows and freedom from pain.

Are you or your friends and family eating the right food, every day? Are you creating a toxic waste dump inside your bodies for fats, sugars, and low return calories? Are you eating foods which don't sustain your energy throughout the day?

What if I said to you that within a few days you would notice a completely new and energized feeling if you started to change your eating habits? Would you believe it? Would you care? Would you be grateful to know you have a choice? Would it help you to have a way to get your family  on the right nutritional track? Would you put it off to the future? Would you be skeptical?

I want you to consider changing your perspective on food as a precursor to changing your food. Consider the truth of the research that your children, or their children, are likely to have their first heart attack in their twenties instead of their forties or fifties. This is primarily  based on their food and exercise habits – not genetic. While genetics plays a role in all of this, it is important to understand that our main genetic disposition, that has helped us survive for 100 000 years as a species, depended upon food and exercise as essential components for you to function healthily.

What is the right food? Fruit and vegetables are essential components for your body. They are not always cheap or easy to get but they are worth the cost and effort to include within your diet. You may pay some extra for good food, but, and this is important, you will pay the price for cheap, bad food as you grow older. And that price is getting more and more expensive every year.

 As a busy professional and dedicated to becoming and staying fit I have researched food extensively to find the right sources to remain energetic and vibrant throughout my day. I start with a big breakfast incorporating protein and complex carbohydrates (usually eggs (as I am vegetarian) on multi grain toast). See my article on big breakfasts for more details.

One amazing source of protein, vegetables, fruit, digestive enzymes, minerals and probiotics I have come across is shakeology. It has simplified my daily search for fruits and vegetables as in this one drink alone I get more fruit and vegetable servings than I could ever eat in a day. My energy and vitality has increased remarkably and the price is comparable to one latte per day! As I use it to replace one meal every day it ends up being truly economical.

 As a TBB coach  I do receive a commission from people who buy it from my website, but I only recommend it to you because it is of the highest nutritional value you will come across.

Stay Strong,

Laurie

More details

WHATS IN IT

More than 70 different ingredients were chosen from around the world for their potency and bioavailability (the ability to deliver the nutrients your body needs). Here are the key nutrient groups that these ingredients deliver:*

Protein and Essential Amino Acids to help build long, lean muscles and reduce food cravings

Prebiotics and Digestive Enzymes, which aid in improving digestion, regularity, and nutrient absorption

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients to help counteract free radical damage that can lead to degenerative diseases

Vitamins and Minerals your body needs to function for optimal health.

A TESTIMONIAL LIKE NO OTHER Dr Mark Cheng gives blistering praise and acknowledgement to Shakeology. Check it out.

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