A Unified Battlecry

We need to weather the storm and stand united as one voice, in unison proclaiming a war on Obesity. This may sound very dramatic, over the top and a tad zealous but when you consider that 36% of Americans are obese, I think we need to take this epidemic extremely serious. And that percentage is only growing. According to the Journal of Preventive Medicine, that number could be estimated around 42% by the year 2030. Seems like a long way off doesn't it? It's not. And the really scary part of all this, is that we have the knowledge, resources, tools and people to "End the Trend" of obesity but it's still rising.

There are so many ailments - heart disease, diabetes, high cholestrol, among a slew of others - that are magnified by being overweight. There isn't a cure all, the perfect diet, or a magical pill that makes people healthier. We just don't wake up one morning and start to lose the fat from our bodies. Making that decision to lead a healthier life is a process that never stops. For many of us "fitness buffs", we know how grueling, demanding and hard it can be. But, reaping the benefits is a cost we all are willing to make. Sure, not everyone is doing P90X, TurboFire, Insanity or Les Mills Pump. There are those who walk around the lake as their primary source of exercise. Others go to their local gyms and jump into the pool for low intensity exercise. And then there are the people at the gym who look like they've got muscles on top of muscles growing more muscles. What I am getting at is that every person has a different intensity level and opinion on what "healthy" looks like. But I can bet you this, all those people who are fitness buffs, they have one thing in common: eating healthy.

In America specifically, we have every resource available to become a healthier society. But we also have an over abundance of reasons why we aren't healthy. In nearly every American city, you can find MacDonalds, Taco Bell, Burger King, and many other fast food joints. At gas stations, the fountain drink sizes are getting increasingly larger and offer foods "fresh off the grill" like hotdogs, breakfast sandwiches, burgers, and pre-made deli sandwiches. Restaurants aren't any better, either. The portion sizes are too large, but the price is decent so we feel compelled to eat everything. At Target, Wal-Mart or other large retailers, you can't help but feel the pull of deep fried frozen foods, candy bars packed with empty calories, snacks loaded with sugar or the latest diet in a box craze that leads to unfulfilled dreams and broken hearts. I'm not solely blaming any of these companies, places, or people who may work with them, but they're all part of the problem. 

American society has morphed into the "I want it now" society. This generation, unlike any other in the past, wants/needs that instant gratification and convienence of having everything at their fingertips. Think about it ... Need to see where the big party is at? We send out a text. The most current news, sports, and global information doesn't come from the television anymore. Sorry folks, the days of huddling around the television to watch the nightly news is over. Now, we can get the latest news via social media. We can find out what's happening half way across the globe on Twitter and give them our opinion. Don't agree with what the Mike & Mike Show on ESPN is talking about? Send them a "tweet" and get your name on the airwaves instantly! How about Facebook? Yep, the king of social media is Facebook. We can reconnect with relatives, classmates, co-workers and even "that guy" no one really actually likes within a few seconds.

So how does this all tie into a Nation of Obesity? Simple. We want it now - in every aspect of our lives including health and fitness. Most who don't see immediate results just give up. Not getting bulging biceps, quads the size of monster tire trucks, and six pack abs within a week? What!?! I'm not doing it then. Can't you give me a pill to look like that? The answer to both is no. You don't get to have six pack abs after a week of doing sit ups. You don't get bulging biceps or monster quads within a week. Sorry bub, it doesn't quite work like that.

Like I said before, being healthy just doesn't happen over night. It's a process that requires dedication, commitment, humility and ... ... the desire for help. Most of us didn't start out as health freaks, fitness buffs or workout warriors. We all probably had that one person who gently nudged us in the right direction. Or perhaps it was one person's irresistable passion that got your attention (the light bulb goes off and you say, "I want what that person has"). Maybe it was a humbling realization that feeling sluggish, not being able to partake in physical activity, or reaching a low point in life that set you on the path of health. Whatever the reason(s), we all need help. I don't care if you're the scrawny kid looking to gain muscle or just looking to drop pounds, we all need help. And that is where you come into the grand scheme of things.

If you read my posts on Facebook, I recently put up a picture of a black Les Mills bracelet with two simple words ono it: ONE TRIBE. I tagged a few people who I thought would understand the picture and the written post accompanied by it. The reaction ("likes" and comments) I got was nothing short of amazing to me. Currently, its "liked" by damn near 60 people, most of whom I have never met or even chatted with (in person or online). Why is this so amazing and important to me? It's just a picture of a bracelet! No it's not, at least not how I view it. There are coaches from Team Beachbody, a Personal Wellness Coach for Herbalife, Group Fitness Instructors for Les Mills, Agoura Fitness Instructors, BodyCombat Instructors and many others who have "liked" this picture. And my point? Even though we may work with (and for) different health/wellness/fitness companies, we are all part of a larger, global family that can create a serious dent in he Obesity Epidemic. Ladies and gentlemen, this epidemic isn't centralized in only the United States ... it's a worldwide problem brother. And it's not going to fade into the night's breeze without a nasty fight. We need a unifed voice, a single mindset to turn the tides of battle against Obseity! Honestly, I don't want to see what America looks like at 42% obesity. That scares the living hell out of me. I don't want to see Obesity be the ultimate fail of humankind. Regardless of affilation - Les Mills, Beachbody, Herbalife, certified trainers, etc - we need to band together for the good of our world. I don't care if you're a hardcore Team Beachbody person and you're a Herbalife rep. Or if you over there are a Les Mills BodyCombat trainer. Doesn't matter to me cause all of you have one goal, one reason, one passion for doing what you do: TO CREATE A BETTER TOMORROW. Or as one of the Les Mills slogans says, FOR A FITTER PLANET. Or if you prefer Beachbody, "DECIDE. COMMMIT. SUCCEED." Whatever your battlecry, our goals are the same. The methods, products, business models may vary, but when the sun sets, we all want to make a difference in this world. That is why a simple picture of a black bracelet means so much to me. That is why I believe we need to be a unified voice on the battlefield. Together we can make a difference, alone we are only scatter voices shouting into the skies with our message falling on deaf ears.

This is why I believe in that picture. And this is why I want you to become part of this family. Put aside affilation, competitive nature for customers, who has the best programs/supplements, and all that junk. It isn't about selling. It isn't about getting more customers each week to increase your bottom line. And it's definitely not about only you. Our world needs .. nay, deserves much better than that. Our world deserves that we give our best each and everyday to hopefully impact those around us with positivity, hope and the chance for a new beginning. We're not saviors, superheroes or celebrated warriors. We are the inspiration, motivation and fire that leads to astonishing transformation.

So I say, raise your fist with pride knowing that you can bring forth a wave of change in the lives of many. Not one or two can do this alone, but together, we can accomplish the unthinkable. We can stir up some trouble on the battlefied and turn the tide against Obesity - TOGETHER!

#TakeOnTheWorld as #OneVoice for a better tomorrow - GO GET YOURS TODAY!

**If you're reading this, please leave a comment so I know that someone, anyone reads these things, thank you**