Go From Simply Existing To Truly Living!

How and why I went from simply existing to truly living; my trip from fat to fit!
Do you walk into a restaurant and look for a table because you can't fit in a booth?
Do you always take an elevator because even one flight of stairs leaves you exhausted and out of breath?
Is the simple act of tying your shoes a contortionistic maneuver?
Not all that long ago, my answers to the above questions would have been a resounding and embarrassing — yes!
I had finally tired of compromising my life, so on a fateful day in March of 2008, for the first time in two years, I hopped upon my dust-covered scale. The spring moaned and groaned as the needle revolved past the end of its’ limit and ventured into the “additional” numbers printed smaller and in red. The pointer bounced several times in a range of about ten pounds. I hoped it would stop at the lower end — it didn’t. I held my breath and peered down over the beach ball ballooning from my abdomen — I couldn’t quite see the rather large and over-sized dial. With a gale forced inhalation I sucked in my gut and strained once again to see the dreaded digits.
There it was, scales don’t lie, 3... 4... 0... That is not a typo; three hundred and forty ponderous, pachydermian pounds. In just over a pair of years I had added more than one hundred pounds to my previously well proportioned frame. I released my breath and heaved a heavy sigh. At least I could console myself with the ten pounds that clothing adds — never-mind; I was only wearing a pair of light cotton shorts.
Eventually, I stepped back. I paced the floor in stunned disbelieve. I knew I had gained weight, but there was no way I was over 300 pounds, let alone close to 350. Surely, after so long without use the scale must be out of calibration. That was the answer. I looked around and found a forty pound dumbbell. I placed it upon the platform expecting the number to possibly reach 80. No such luck — the indicator stopped spot on at 40.

ME, BACK IN 2008,  SIMPLY EXISTING

It was official — in medical terms I was morbidly obese. In layman’s terms, I was fat.

The initial step to overcoming many problems is to first admit you have a problem. Even with the numbers staring me in the face — I still wasn’t ready to admit it. Later that day I arrived at my practice and had my office manager, Linda, photograph me from the front and the side. I downloaded the pics to my PC and was prepared to see just a large, big-boned guy staring back at me — what I saw was anything but. Staring back was a pin sized head atop a rotund, pear-shaped body.
I was ready to admit it — I had a problem.
When I arrived home, I dug deep into the closet and found some old clothes. On the bed I placed them side by side with my current wardrobe. It was eye-opening. There is a stark contrast between a size 38 and a size 54 pants, between a size 56 and a size 46 sports coat, and you wouldn’t believe the difference in the lengths of the belts. I shook my head wondering how this could have happened. Oh yeah, then I remembered, plenty of burgers, fries, pizza and pasta, followed each night by two servings of ice cream — blasted Ben and Jerry for those single serving containers.
The next day I headed down to Danko’s and reactivated my long dormant membership. The owner, Larry Danko, cheerfully greeted me. I told him I had to get back in shape and with an optimistic and confident tone he told me, “You can do it.”
The date was March 5,2008.
I have recaptured my physique, but more importantly, I have recaptured my wellness. Being a health care professional I am very aware of the potential damage I may have done to myself. However, I am blessed with being cared for by a cadre of skilled physicians. Dr. Sordoni, my general practitioner, has ensured my overall well-being with complete and thorough exams. Dr. D’Alessandro, my cardiologist, has run me through ECG’s, EKG’s, a stress test and even a cardiac catherization, encouraging me that my heart is okay. And Dr. Juan Gaia, of Valley Open MRI, read my coronary CT scan adding his reassurance that, at least for now, there are no apparent signs of damage.
I find it extremely difficult to swallow when overweight people tell me that they are happy the way they are; God knows I dropped that line myself enough times. It is impossible to be happy going through life struggling with simple, every day tasks. More importantly though, is that I have lessened my risk for obesity related maladies.
Obesity is a direct cause of some serious diseases; serious, PREVENTABLE, diseases. Obesity is not just a concern among adults. It is a growing, dare I use the word, epidemic concern with our youth. Type II diabetes, which is commonly referred to as adult onset diabetes, is showing up in children as young as ten years old. We have a grave public health problem, one that does not need to exist.

ME NOW TRULY LIVING

Utilizing what I like to call the three D’s; desire, determination and discipline, if you suffer from the ailment of obesity, you too can conquer it. I didn’t have surgery. I didn’t use any drugs. I changed my eating habits and I exercise seven days a week. It isn’t glamorous, it isn’t hip, what it “is” is just old school logic and self-control.
I was asked recently that if now that I lost the weight, I thought I was going to live longer. I pondered the question and paused before I spoke.
I said, “I honestly don’t know, however I do know one thing, I am living better.”
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Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, A Life Beyond Weight Loss.  He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on WILK’s The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his web site www.betterlifeseminars.com.
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************The posting that I  write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition.  I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.*************

How Will You Choose To Respond To Adversity?

After all I have been through life continues throwing me some heavy-duty, Rocky Balboa type, rib-breaking body blows. Compared to many I am blessed, but on occasion --- I don’t feel that way. The reality of owning a business in these current economic times can weigh heavy upon one's psyche.  Very real pressure can crush even the strongest and broadest shoulders.  Some days, I feel much like I did a few years ago. Similar situations caused apathy, which in turn led to laziness. The result was that my weight ballooned to a ponderous, pachydermian three hundred and forty pounds and my fitness levels plummeted to previously unforeseen depths.

On a morning a few days back, when the alarm clock sounded, for the first time in a long time, I had the desire to unplug the chronograph, roll back over and continue my slumber. Reawakened by my current situation, my inner demons reared their ugly heads.

Visions of carbohydrate crammed foods danced in  my head.  Pancakes, home fries, doughnuts and waffles for breakfast started bubbling to the forefront of my brain. Later, I could go for a pizza and a nice pot of macaroni. Then, in the evening, maybe a pie and a pint or two of ice cream.  Ah yes, the comfort foods would work their soothing magic.

The demons screamed into my skull:
Why exercise?
Why eat right?
What is the point?
Think of how nice it would be to sleep, on a full belly, an extra few hours each and every morning.

I knew that the combination of sloth and gluttony would once again isolate me from the outside world. The calming influences of empty calorie, nutrient devoid foods would help me sleep. The lack of exercise would convert the excess consumption into a protective lard layer and I would once again be isolated from the rest of the human race.

I felt like I was being held from Hell's fires by a proverbial rope.  I glanced up and studied the rope that has kept me afloat in even the worse situations. I noticed that the repair jobs from the previous occasions in which life almost took me down, were once again frayed. The gremlins and graveling, which are busily hacking away at the rope, are now more than half way through.

As my gazed remain fixed; I pondered a few thoughts: Will the rope give all together? Will my life and future plummet into a great abyss? It very well might. When it desires, life can be a cold and heartless bastard. The big question is:


Will I embrace my inner demons  and willingly hasten my demise?

I stayed in bed and wondered what it would be like to have had a charmed life. I asked myself more questions.
How different would it have been if my father hadn’t been forced onto disability by a life altering injury?
How would it have been if my parents could have afforded to send me straight to college out of high school?
Was my judgment to enter the Navy, to alleviate the burden of at least one child to care for, the correct decision?

Yes, the self-doubt and self-pity of despair were being cheered on by the demons. Much like the negative focused naysayers, my inner mischievous sprites are acting as the harbingers of doom — joyfully, fanning my flames of despair, discontent, doubt and disillusionment.

How easy would it be to embrace their self-destructive message!
How simple would it be to return back to my former indolence!
How effortless would it be to add a hefty burden to the rope!

As these thoughts ran through my head, a truck driver outside my window slammed on the brakes. As the tractor-trailer came to a very loud halt, its cargo violently shifted and I was jarred by a thunderous clang. My still sleeping brain interpreted the clamor into the clang of iron plates being dropped onto the gym floor.
Thoughts of clanging and banging iron sent a familiar shiver through my body.

I jumped from my bed.  The demons hid in terror.  I would not give into their cursed cheering.

There is no time for self-pity.
There is no time for self-sorrow.
There is no time for self-destruction.

The rope is starting to show threads and I am not sure how long it will hold out. However, I will not increase its burden by adding weight to my frame.

As much as we tend to think otherwise, there is very little in our lives over which we have control.

Well run businesses fail.
Bad, at times awful, things happen to good people.
Politicians pass laws regardless of the actual outcomes.
Hard working, loyal employees often find themselves without a job.
Is adversity a setback or an opportunity?

It is all in  how we choose to view it. We can allow bad luck, bad decisions and just flat out bad situations dominate, control and beat us down, or  ---  we can choose how we respond.

You see, I choose how I respond. I choose not to allow those demons that are screaming effect me.  And, I choose to tell those demons to go straight back to hell!

The one thing we can control is ourselves.
We can control our mental attitude.
We can control our fitness level.
We can control what we eat.


In spite of Gary Taubes's anti exercise writings, I continue my endeavors in exercise. I am confident that by being physically fit and strong, if that rope does give out, I will be powerful enough to reach up, grab the remaining end and support myself
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Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, A Life Beyond Weight Loss.  He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on WILK's The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his web site www.betterlifeseminars.com.
———————————————————————————————————————
************The posting that I  write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition.  I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.*************
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Consistency: The Key To Success In The Pursuite Of A Better Life

Monday, Wednesday and Friday my alarms awakens me a little after 4 a.m., Tuesday and Thursday just after 5 a.m., Saturdays about 6 a.m. and Sundays it doesn't sound at all, but I am usually awake by 7.  Each and every morning I bound out of bed, head to the kitchen and pour myself a cup of coffee.  I check my gym bag to make sure that I have all necessary items to shower and dress after my workout. 

I call up Facebook on my smart-phone and make a simple posting: GOOD MORNING, COFFEE, JOG THEN GYM.  The simple posting is intended for all my Facebook friends, but also specifically for those who have purchased my book, are clients of Better Life Seminars and have contacted me relating that I have inspired or motivated them to lose weight.  I post on Facebook to demonstrate one of the keys to conquering obesity --- consistency.  One of my Facebook friends picked up on that by commenting; "You are so fantastically predictable, thank you for your daily consistency."

When it comes to almost anything in life, to make gains in a positive manner, consistency is key.  Inversely, if you are consistently inconsistent, your progress will be slowed or reversed.  To improve your fitness level, you must consistently follow your exercise program.  To lose body fat, you must consistently eat a reduced carbohydrate diet.  The key is to be consistent, because consistency is what will brings you your desired results.  Again, if you are consistently inconsistent, you will have results, however they may not be the results you desire.

If you exercise one day one week; two days the next, six the following, then don't work out for two weeks and pick up with another work out...you get the picture.... you will not improve your fitness level or your physique.
If you eat properly for five days in a row, then on the sixth day have pancakes for breakfast, pasta and bread for lunch, breaded chicken and french fries for dinner interspersed with snacks of bagels, doughnuts and ice cream; okay I may no longer be morbidly obese and I don't eat like that any more, but my mouth is starting to water a little bit .... Okay the cravings passed, the point is, eating good a few days and eating garbage for another day or two  or three isn't going to improve your health and help you shed excess body fat.

To shed excess body fat and remodel your physique, you must do some type of exercise each and every day, you must eat properly each and every day and you must stay focused and keep your mental energy positive each and every day.  Consistent effort will produce consistent results.  Consistency is the key to conquering obesity and enjoying a more healthful, active and fit life.  As I have said often; I don't take care of myself to live longer ---- I take care of myself to live better, and via consistenteffort, I have achieved that goal.

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Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, A Life Beyond Weight Loss.  He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his web site www.betterlifeseminars.com.

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************The posting that I  write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition.  I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.*************

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The Obesity-Complexity Myth

The Obesity-Complexity Myth

There has been much talk and debate about national health care. I am not going to discuss politics or the pros and cons of universal health care, that is in the control of the politicians.

I am going to discuss one of the major risk factors to our health, one major risk that we, ourselves, can actually control – obesity.

 

I heard on the news that obesity (I believe they stated specifically childhood obesity) was a complex problem that did not have simple solutions.

Okay, let’s examine this ludicrous statement. Generally speaking, unless a person has an underlying medical or hormonal condition, there is no reason for one to be overweight or obese. I’m sorry to burst many people’s excuse-seeking bubbles but that is a fact.

We control our bodies.

We control what goes in.

We control the amount of exercise we put out.

The problem is not complex: it is too much sugar, too much high fructose corn syrup, too much processed fast foods, not enough lean proteins, not enough fresh raw vegetables and not enough getting from behind the computer and moving.

The solution itself is also simple: cut the sugar, cut out the high fructose corn syrup, get rid of the highly processed refined garbage Americans are shoveling down their gullets and replace them with lean proteins, raw fresh vegetables, healthy fats, low glycemic fruits and get up and get moving.

Today we have more obese people in the United States than those who are simply overweight.

This is a real problem.

This problem will lead to real diseases.

The morbidly obese are going to stress the U.S. health care system to a degree that not all the private or public health insurance money will be able to handle.

A local school district was given a grant from the State Education Department to fight childhood obesity. I don’t know why they needed $5,000. I will tell them how to do it for half that. Has anyone ever seen school menus today? While healthy options are available, there is still plenty of sugar laden and processed junk on the menu. Side note: if your school still has soda machines, get ’em out.

Physical education must be a five-day-a-week class and a regimented exercise program is a necessity. We need to teach children fitness as a lifestyle from their earliest and most formative years. I will even come in and design it.

My good friend, the Yonk, at his highly influential blog The Lu Lac Political Letter, mentioned how a company had an incentive program for its employees. The employees were paid for taking steps to be responsible for their own wellness. Sounds like a good plan, but what passes for dietary guidelines and exercise plans really do very little for the morbidly obese. Again, I can design the program and then I will make sure people stick to it. If you want to pay people to take care of themselves okay, but give them the guidance and the accountability to stick to it.

I remember when HMOs and PPOs first started in the mid 1980s. One of the great parts about my plan was that my gym membership was paid in full by the health insurance company. I used that membership. However, I knew many who joined but then were out of the gym within a month. The result was that the good intentions of helping their insured get fit, ended up just costing the insurance company more money than it saved and they changed the benefit to a discount and then eventually did away with it.

In the United States, we are focused on our healthcare crisis. We are trying to figure out how to pay for care. I am sure that there will be something in one form or another by the end of the year; however, we really need to stop focusing solely on the “care” part of health care and start putting an emphasis on “health.” Unless we act today, for some, tomorrow may be very bleak.

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Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, A Life Beyond Weight Loss.  He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his web site www.betterlifeseminars.com.

—————————————————————————————————————
************The posting that I  write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition.  I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.*************