Living in Southwest, MT is a blessing. The population abounds with vibrant active people of all ages. While we are healthier than most other states in America, we are not immune to the preventable diseases that are wreaking havoc on the wellness of our country. As reported by the American Diabetes Association: “Montanans are increasingly feeling the effects of diabetes as thousands of people suffer from the disease, and many others may have diabetes and not know it! It is estimated that one out of every three children born after 2000 in the United States will be directly affected by diabetes.”
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) comparison maps show Montana as having some of the lowest rates of obesity, type II diabetes and heart disease in the country, however, over the last 3 decades the CDC reports that are all three are on the rise and steadily increasing. I’m here to tell you that we have the power to virtually eliminate every one of these diseases.
Modern Western medicine is nothing short of miraculous. If I were in a car accident and needed life support and surgery, I would be grateful to be cared for in MT, USA. However, when it comes to chronic diseases like obesity, type II diabetes, and heart disease, Western medicine often hinders rather then helps. We are prescribed pharmaceuticals that are expensive, do not provide a cure and often cause side effects that leave us worse than when we started. Obesity, type II diabetes and heart disease are usually cured through diet and lifestyle change–not a pill. Science know this.
Americans, even Montanans, opt for a band-aid rather than a cure and continue feeding and moving their bodies in self destructive ways because of conditioning. We have been conditioned to leave our health up to the professionals who have answered our problems with medication, relinquishing us from accountability and self knowledge. We have been conditioned to eat fast, cheap, tasty food from a box. Our meat sources have primarily become giant farm-factories where the conditions for workers, animals and the earth is brutal. We have been conditioned to care for material possessions like our cars, homes and portfolios while our most important vehicle, house and investment, our body, gets a diet of garbage, stress and self loathing. All this while we sit motionless in front of computers and TV’s–where sexy ads flash on the screen reminding us to take pharmaceuticals, eat toxic food and buy ourselves shiny things to make us more likable.
It is up to each one of us to change this cycle. We are all in this together. When the health of our state and country is declining, it affects us all. The more empowered and proactive we are, the more we spread that wisdom, creating a ripple effect. By shifting our own consciousness, we raise the energy and awareness of everyone we come into contact with.
As a health coach I want all of us to listen to, understand and appreciate our minds and bodies deeply, What’s one thing you can begin doing right now that will forever improve your health?
Here are a couple of practical and easy ideas:
1. Drink more water–enough that your urine looks like watered down lemonade
2. Eat the rainbow–incorporate foods that represent all colors of the rainbow into your meals
3. Move your body–take a walk with your friend or pet and breathe in the fresh mountain air
4. Experience deep gratitude–take a moment to thank your body for all of the miraculous gifts it is giving you
Incremental and manageable steps are the key to lasting lifestyle change. Choose your first step to better health now. Write it down and consciously work on it until it becomes a natural part of your daily routine. The future of yours and your country’s health depends on it. Together, we can put an end to obesity, type II diabetes and heart disease and many other diseases that come from lifestyle choices. This is not a suggestion. This is a call to action.
Jackie Rainford Corcoran is an NASM certified personal trainer and IIN certified holistic health coach. Please email her at rainfordcorcoran@gmail.com with questions or comments
