Florida Agenda

By Andy Kress

There is no doubt that American has an obesity crisis with nearly 70 percent of the total population overweight or morbidly obese!

America’s overstuffed individuals have been taking over our hospitals and health care facilities, as well as the news. Overeating and the resulting obesity it caused has plunged America into a health insurance and care emergency without any historical reference.

The most startling concerns are the economic impacts that all of these obese people are having on our US economy. America is changing to meet the needs of these obese persons, but at an astronomical cost, currently estimated to be $190 billion. That’s $190,000,000,000!

The Number one economic impact obesity is having on America relates to the healthcare system. Rising insurance costs have skyrocketed to meet the demands for providing care to these individuals over the past ten years. Until 2010 employers of the obese had to bite the bullet and pay the rising costs obese workers ensued. But after 2010 the US healthcare reform bill allowed employers to charge 30-50% more for insurance unless they enrolled themselves in a qualified wellness program. This helped America’s employers try to save money and stay in business during rough economic times. Obesity support groups advocate this law saying they are being”discriminated against,” but the truth of the matter is there lifestyle choice is effecting more than themselves.

Number two is construction costs to accommodate these plus-sized individuals. US hospitals have to rip out wall-mounted toilets and replace them with floor-mounted toilets costing additional expense to already rising healthcare costs. US hospitals also have to rip down walls, widen door frames and have hydraulic hoists to ease the access of handling these patients. Public seats have to be widened in local sports stadium, to the seats at the bus stop and at airports, costing millions just to make room for the overwhelming amount of obese people using these services. The cost of these changes has been so high that some companies had collapsed under the added expense, with transportation or services to be cut as an expense

Number three is explosively higher costs for transportation. The Federal Transit Administration is spending hundreds of thousands testing and studying the impact obese people are having on the steering and braking of public buses and transit vehicles. Cars are burning billions of gallons of more gasoline per year hauling this increased weight of individuals over the road. The larger vehicles that haul these obese passengers burn much more gas than regular vehicles. Wear and tear to obese people vehicles adds to rising costs over the road. Because most vehicle parts were not made to handle such stress they wear out and need to be replaced more often than originally should.

Yet, the reality is that almost all of this is easily corrected, with the resulting costs avoided completely. Small lifestyle changes can reduce obesity drastically. Taking the time to watch your calorie intake through reduced portion size is a simple and easy way to enjoy what you love to eat, just slight less of it. Cutting back on unhealthy fatty foods is another small change that adds up to a lot in the long run, saving individuals an array of deleterious health problems and obesity.

Watching your sugar intake can have a major impact on keeping your weight down—and this includes what you are drinking. Sugary beverages and alcohol destroy your waistline and add to obesity. Being aware of everything you put in your mouth can curb obesity before and after it happens. Please choose wisely.

Andy Kress is a certified fitness trainer, yoga instructor and nutritional counselor in Fort Lauderdale, FL. For more nutritional tips or inspired exercise routines, reach him at 954-789-3930 or via email at andyfitnesstrainer@gmail.com

By Andy Kress

Photo: Salmon is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids

Fat. Just the sound of the word makes people shudder. We have been told one of two things about fat in this life: fat is horrible for you, or fat equals taste. No one can argue that fat equals taste, because so many of the foods we love are loaded with the stuff. The statement that fat is horrible for you is further from the truth however. If you know your fats and how they react with your body and internal system, then you will know that fats are essential to your diet and your health.

Most of us have at least heard about trans fat and saturated fat, as they are so glorified on the news, restaurant menus or product labels. In studies, trans fats have been linked to obesity, heart disease and other related health problems when over-consumed. Many cakes, pies, potato chips and other processed foods people love are loaded with fatty acids. These are found in the hydrogenated oils and margarine used in these products to extend shelf life and keep them from going rancid, wreaking havoc on our insides as we attempt to breakdown such foods.

Saturated fat is not far behind in doing its damage to our internal system. Many of the meats we choose to eat are high in saturated fats, even though you can’t always see them. Butters, cheeses and other dairies can be high in saturated fats as well, so read your labels. Palm and coconut oils are very popular here in South Florida. Since both are very high in saturated fat, these should be consumed sparingly.

Enjoy your treats, but use common sense and try to limit the quantity to the suggested serving size. Remember: trans fat and saturated fat are the first to show themselves at the waistline, the last place we want to see them!

On the other hand, some fats are not only good for you, they are absolutely essential for good health. Monounsaturated fats are needed in a well-balanced diet. Primary sources are olive and canola oils, nuts, and some seeds. Another excellent source (and the healthiest for you) is grown right here in Florida–our state avocado. The Florida avocado is twice the size as the Hass

avocado and half the calories, making this a wise choice for your body while helping to support your local economy. Polyunsaturated fats coming from products such as corn and other vegetable oils are common and healthy for you, as well as fish oils and oily fish. These foods have two essential fatty acids the body needs to function.

There are a couple of other fats not to be forgotten. Fatty acids that are derived from linoleic acids produced by Omega-6 and Omega-3 fats are crucial to a healthy diet when used in the proper amount. These two fats play a vital role in improving mental clarity, uplifting our moods and improving our overall sense of well-being.

Good sources of Omega-6 fats are in corn, safflower, sunflower and soy bean oils. Using any of these oils in cooking really bring out new flavors to that same old dish, so don’t be afraid to try something new and healthy.

Omega-3 fats come in a variety of different foods. Walnuts, evening primrose and rapeseed oils, as well as oily fish, such as sardines, mackerel and salmon are great sources of this essential fatty acid, which cannot be produced by the body.

Omega XL®, a supplement from Great HealthWorks (headquarted right here in Hollywood, Florida) is a very convenient and affordable way to ensure adequate Omega-3 intake, and includes 30-essential fatty acids in each small capsule.  Since it does not interact with any medications, this product is the safest supplement that you can find on the market, and the only one I personally take and endorse.

Fat. You didn’t cringe so much this time, did you? Now knowing your facts on fats can mean making healthier choices in the grocery store. Your body will thank you every day.

Andy Kress, CFT, SET, is a nationally certified fitness trainer and nutritional counselor in South Florida. He can be reached at andyfitnesstrainer@gmail.com or 954-789-3930.

Ways to Avoid this Unwanted Baggage

By Tom Bonanti

It’s a given that most guys consider a six pack to be sexy. Yet a strong, toned midsection is also important because  it helps to anchor your lower back. Exercises like crunches and leg raises are essential to developing killer abs and a healthy lower back, but that’s not all you need. The obliques (although they are so deep that you’ll never see them even on the leanest physique) are also an important part of your core as they  girdle the abdomen on both sides of  the body. As such, these babies require a program of their own.

“Love handles” are the term “affectionately” used to describe those problem areas where fat accumulates around the waist and oblique areas. To avoid the unwanted baggage, you must, of course, watch your nutrition –that’s 80% of the battle! In addition, you must keep these muscles strong and toned with such movements as twists, bends and lunges. The following exercises employ a broom handle or a smaller weight-free barbell. Perform repetitions slowly. Put 2 or 3 of these exercises into your ab routine and complete 25 to 50 reps on each side and you’ll soon see and feel the difference.

Standing twists are the most basic. Stand grasping a bar behind your head on the upper traps, with feet shoulder-width apart. Keeping the lower body stationary, proceed to twist to the right, pause, and then twist to the left.

For variation, try bent-over twists. Stand grasping a bar behind your head on the upper traps, with feet shoulder-width apart. Bend over carefully until your torso is parallel to the floor, then proceed to twist to the right, pause, then twist to the left.

Seated twists help to isolate the obliques a little better than the above. Sit on a bench – or better yet, an exercise ball. Grasp a bar behind your head on the upper traps with legs together. Keeping the lower body stationary, proceed to twist to the right, pause, then twist to the left. You can also do these holding a medicine ball in front of you. From the same position, twist your torso as you pass the ball rapidly from one side to the other side.

Twisting lunges allow you to put your ass (more technically, your glutes) to work as well as your obliques. Stand grasping a bar on the upper back, with feet wide apart. Proceed to bend the left knee and twist down that side. Pause, then rise to starting position and perform the next repetition to the right.

Twisting waves get your upper body more involved. Stand grasping a bar out in front of you with feet wide apart. Proceed to bend the right knee and simultaneously lower the left hand across your body while raising the right hand. Pause, then rise to starting position and perform the next rep to the left.

While the terms “love handles” and “muffin top” may sound cute, the realities are not. If you watch your nutrition and perform these oblique routines regularly, you will build a healthy core and tight lean midsection. For more tips on core fitness contact Tom?Bonanti at  TrainerTomB@aol.com.

Tom Bonanti, is a certified personal trainer and owner of Pump’n Inc gym at 1271 NE 9th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Email: TrainerTomB@aol.com  Facebook: TrainerTomB.  www.pumpnincgym.com