Food Addiction is a real thing....

Over the last few months people have opened up to me about what they eat. They had to. I offer my help, your payment will be honesty! I offer confidential encouragement. (Don't worry, names are changed to protect the innocent.)

In light of hearing some of the same things from different people, it is apparent that many have a food addiction. Some have one so strong that even 2 years of personal training may not cure. Only because the addiction was not called out on the carpet and dealt with. You have to look at what you eat, why you eat it, how you feel before & after you eat the foods you do, and whether or not you hide it.

Note: I am not a doctor. And this is not to make you feel awful, powerless, or weak. If you keep up with my posts on FB & blog, you know that I swear by transparency & honesty. ONLY when we are honest with ourselves and others, can we get help. ONLY when we admit we have a problem can there be accountability & change. So are you ready to change?

Here is a quick list of questions for you to be honest with yourself - answer these YES or NO:

1. Do you eat alone?                                                                            
2. Do you lie about how much you eat?
3. Do you eat more than your friends?
4. Do you eat more than you used to?
5. Do you eat to calm your nerves?
6. Do you suffer problems (health or others) because of your eating?
7. Is food & consumption of it affecting relationships with loved one?

This was actually a list of questions for warning signs of alcoholism and I just exchanged 'eat' for the word 'drink'. So while you may have been skeptical if you had a problem, now you realize that when you put food in the place of 'alcohol'...you have a problem if you are answering YES to these questions. And it is as serious as alcoholism.

Did you answer yes to 3 or more? If so, then you should research this topic of Food Addiction further. In fact, there is a resource for you, FAA (Food Addicts Anonymous). I actually have it on my to-do list for the week, to contact them and see if we can get a meeting here in Bakersfield. Especially since 29% of Kern County is obese!

Folks, I've posted up posts on obesity statistics and stats on preventable disease. YOU ARE NOT ALONE in your food addiction. If 65% of Americans are overweight & obese, I'm sure it is safe to say that over 1/2 of the U.S. are food addicts.

I know, I know...the word ADDICT is such a harsh word right. We think of crackheads, potheads, the red-faced alcoholic...but your addiction is even more apparent than theirs if you think about it. But we can change it together. With a plan of diet and exercise, accoutability, and help - you CAN conquer this!

Either contact the FAA, or me. I want to help you get from where you are to where you want to be!


For more on this topic:
Google: Food Addicts Anonymous. Also look for books regarding Food Addiction, Recovery from Food Addiction.

I also want to add, that if you struggle with an eating disorder of bulimia or anorexia, then contact these people as well. You have a food addiction problem that doesn't leave you big on the outside, you're tiny on the outside. You feel big when you look in the mirror and you are slowly killing yourself as well. Please reach out for help & free yourself of this obsession with food/purging!!!! Please!!!

Shocking Statistics of Obesity (Childhood Obesity)

I love truth! Don't you? It's when we face the truth of ourselves that we can change. It's when we admit the truths about our family, that our family tree can change.

Folks, we have a serious problem. A serious one. The gravity of obesity needs to impact your hearts today Whether you are obese/overweight, your kids are, your loved ones are - we need to take action a.s.a.p.

With the statistics of 65% of American Adults Overweight/Obese & 33% of American Children Overweight/Obese - HOW CAN WE IGNORE OBESITY ANY LONGER?

I heard a councilwoman say it last month that "America is eating herself to death"...and that's a fact.

Here's some truth - some statistics I collected for you.

Locally here, in Kern Co. CA, in 2008, adults of age 20+:

• 29% were obese,
• 7% have diabetes
• 24% are inactive

Across the nation:

• 81% of the counties in Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia have high rates of Obesity & Diabetes.
• 75% of counties in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and S. Carolina have high rates of Obesity & Diabetes.

In 2009:

• California: 24.8% of population - obese
• Tennessee: 32.4% of pop. - obese
• Colorado: 18.6% - obese...wins the award for 'skinniest state'
• Mississippi: 34.4% - obese....wins award for 'fattest state'

So what's this talk about Diabetes (Type 2)? Google it...learn about it. Long story short, YOU DON'T WANT IT!!!! Type 2 Diabetes is the preventable one.

Here's some numbers on this miserable condition that is PREVENTABLE!

• 3.7% of 20-44 yr. olds have it.
• 13.7% of 25-64 yr. olds have it.
• 26.9% of 65+ have it.

Conclusion: How you eat and don't exercise from ages 20-65, will determine your fate at 65.
Solution: Eat healthy and exercise while you have your youth & vigor!

In 2010, the new cases of diagnosed diabetes, by age follows:

• 20-44: 465,000 NEW cases
• 45-64: 1,052,000 NEW cases --- what?????
• 65+: 390,000 NEW cases

What I conclude is that the 45-64 year old group is high risk! Are you in this catagory? I think it would be safe to say that people are getting this horrible disease at a younger age than in the past. So really, narrow it down from youth to 45 (when you have the energy and time) to take care of yourself with diet & exercise - it will SAVE YOUR LIFE & HEALTH!

_________________________LET'S TALK ABOUT OUR KIDS NOW______________________

How many of you who are overweight say, "look at my mom...it's in my genes to be big"? I think the only thing kids inherit from their parents that leads to being overweight/obes is the parents' BAD EATING HABITS & LAZINESS. Think about it.

Daniel's pediatrician just told me yesterday that 1 in 4 children are obese. I've heard the statistic of 33% of American children are overweight and obese. Why? Because it's the 65% of American parents feeding their kids the same thing they eat!

Childhood obesity put the youth, our children at risk for:

1. Cardiovascular disease
2. Bone & joint problems
3. Sleep Apnea
4. Social & Psych. Problems, like low self-esteem

Obese youth are more likely to become obese adults, tragically being diagnosed with:

1. Heart disease 
2. Type 2 Diabetes
3. Stroke
4. Several types of Cancers
5. Osteoarthritis

This is my plea for you as a parent, if you are overweight and/or your kids are overweight - PLEASE DO SOMETHING NOW!!!

As a parent, we are responsible for our kids. What they eat, how much activity they get - it's our job to lead by example and teach them to be healthy. It's our job to teach them great exercise habits, teach them that our bodies need water (not sodas, Kool-Aid, sweet teas, lemonades - daily). It's our job to prepare healthy meals for them, and NOT be lazy and do the drive-thru meals all the time.

I know kids who get McD's breakfast: soggy, greasy hashbrown w/ the sausage McMuffin for breakfast. Then have some fatty McD's happy McHighCalorie meal for lunch, followed by a 'take-out' greasy pizza...all followed by some sugary drink. THIS IS PART OF THE PROBLEM. Needless to say, these are the same kids that are left in front of the t.v. all day, then go from t.v. to some handheld game, then to the computer for more games.

What happened to the good ol' days when kids were outside on their bikes, playing ball, climbing trees? Don't let the advancement of technology and the luxury of your kids being entertained lull your family/kids into OBESITY!

"Houston, we have a problem!" - But the solution is simple: healthy foods & activity 1 hr./day can prevent this state of emergency. Seriously, that's it to save their lives. Please help me create a coalition against obesity today! Email me at jennifermorin@beachbodycoach.com if you want to play a role in saving our youth from early disease & death.