We all know that we should not eat greasy, fried food and that late-night binge eating is a sure way to pack on unwanted pounds. So why does it sometimes take a doctor’s report to convince us to change these destructive habits? For some, even a scary prognosis fails to produce enough motivation to dump our junk food-fueled lifestyles. The result? Unnecessary suffering that could have been prevented! Let’s take a look at what all those calorie-fests could really cost you:
Standard Ambulance ride: Depending on where you live, anywhere from $100 to $1,500.
Massive Heart Attack: ER room, visit, testing, etc. $500 to $10,000.
Heart Bypass Surgery: A person in the Houston, Texas area racked up a bill of $169,000.00. Medicare covered most of the cost but the patient was responsible for a balance of approximately $34,000.00. In similar cases the balance needing to be paid by the patient was as high as $70,000.
Co Pays: averages $5 to $50 per visit. The cost of two visits (at the average $25 co-pay) per month for a year: $600.
Clinical depression: In one recent study, the total treatment cost per person per year, including the cost of housing, was $60,000.
Institutional care can cost as much as $130,000.
Early Death: IMMEASURABLE.
While one could argue that the financial consequences for many individuals are minimized by their insurance companies, let’s not forget that the true costs are eventually paid by everyone else when
insurance rates rise. The increasing demand for weight-related health treatments is also contributing to more national debt. “The economic impact of heart attacks and strokes in the U.S. alone totals
nearly $403 billion in medical care and lost productivity annually,” said Dr. Peter Lindgren of Stockholm Health Economics.
And what about the emotional consequences? Imagine receiving the news that a dear friend or family member just suffered a heart attack or stroke. Circumstances like these take their toll on the psyche. Mental disorders including anxiety and depression affect one in ten working-age adults each year, resulting in a loss of approximately 200 million working days a year.
What is the bottom line? Our unhealthy lifestyles carry a high price tag, and we have limited resources to pay it. The only rational solution, then, is to break free from our unhealthy lifestyle. In over a decade as a personal trainer and life coach, I have observed four key principles that empower this kind of radical change:
KEY 1: REVELATION
Fortunately, the body is like a big Band-Aid. It longs to heal itself. But that doesn’t mean the choices we make today won’t scar our bodies for years to come. Nothing in your life will change until the consequences become real to you. Revelation is about seeing and believing the truth. This is the key to prevention. For example, before (this is the “pre” in “prevention”) you develop Diabetes, a debilitating blood sugar disorder which affects about 8% of the population, close your eyes and imagine giving yourself daily insulin injections, losing your vision, or even losing a limb. How would you feel then? How would your family feel? Think about missing out on your grandchildren because you suffered a massive heart attack fueled by decades of fast food and a sedentary lifestyle. These things happen every day.
For many, this reality check finally hits home when they’re confined to a hospital bed awaiting bypass surgery—but it doesn’t have to be that way. Your revelation can start the moment you read this article or hear the early warnings from your doctor. Your life will change when the source of your decision-making drops 12 inches—from your head to your heart. This is how you convert information into realization. Become passionately involved in a decision, and you’re more likely to act on it rather than just letting it sit on a shelf.
KEY 2: DECLARATION
Control your mouth, and you control your whole body. If you want to find out who you really believe you are, listen to yourself talk. As you speak with others, pay attention to your own words. You could even record your side of phone conversations for a couple of days, wait a week or two, and then play your words back. You may be surprised and even shocked at what you hear coming out of your mouth! Our words reveal what we honor. Are your conversations littered with phrases like, “I can’t do this… I always fail… My mom was built this way and my metabolism is slow, so I’ll never lose the weight?” Focus on replacing these negative words with positive declarations like, “I am blessed…I am an overcomer, and I am overcoming this…I’m getting healthier every day.” You will be amazed to discover the creative power of your own words, both for your good and for your harm.
KEY 3: APPLICATION
Do you do what you don’t want to do, and don’t do what you want to do? It sounds like a tongue twister, but this dilemma defines almost everyone trapped in an unhealthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, the solution to this problem is simple but not easy. You ignore what you want to do in favor of what realization has told you—what you MUST do. Truth without action simply doesn’t work. But here’s the great news: as you apply truth to your life day after day, your desires will start to change. You will want more of the good and healthy things. Simple exercise and walks in the park will instantly spike your metabolism, not to mention decreasing your biological aging by almost 10 YEARS! The rewards are sweet, and you will reach a point where you will truly desire them more than you desire that giant slice of cake.
Exercises like walking and weight training with a simple exercise band not only prevent heart disease, diabetes and obesity, they reduce your risk of 35 other diseases and 12 cancers! If that’s not a great
return on your investment, I don’t know what is. Get moving, apply yourself, and watch what happens.
KEY 4: MANIFISTATION (IN 30 SECONDS!)
Don’t just talk about your dreams, live them! While I do advocate writing your 6 week goals down on paper (in concert with Key 3), manifest that 6 week goal today–this very moment (you know, In 30
Seconds). Do you have a goal to lose 30 pounds or unclog some of those arteries? Well, do it today. Don’t eat any fried food—TODAY. Go for a walk- TODAY. Pass on the sweets—TODAY! You will literally see a manifestation of your 6 week goal happening right before your eyes.
The satisfaction of SAYING NO will give you such confidence and peace that you will be ready for day 2, 3 and 44! Go for your dreams and live it one day at a time. You are worth the investment. Your 30 second focus/short term goal for the week: Did you remember to write down your goals last week. If you forgot to Take a few moments THIS MOMENT and write down one thing that you would like to accomplish this week/ this month and this year! We are 5 months into 2010, and despite what may have happened in 2009, 2010 is going to be an exceeding abundant year for you and your heath. You can prevent disaster by making 30 second decisions to Change. Get ready for next months’ article: Empowering Extraordinary Life. E-mail me! Love and Blessings, Ron.
Ron KardashianRon Kardashian is a published author, fitness expert, life success coach, national television and radio personality, and NSCA-certified strength and conditioning coach. One of America’s first life coaches, for the past 15 years, Ron’s wellness organization has inspired hundreds to reach their full physical, mental and spiritual potential.
With over 12,000 hours of coaching under his belt, Kardashian has received two consecutive nominations for Personal Trainer of the Year and has been an honored speaker for the National Strength and Conditioning Association, one of the largest institutions of health and fitness in the U.S. In short, Ron is one of the nation’s leading life coaches, sharing the stage with some of America’s top advisors. Indeed, he has become a coach’s coach! His work is pivotal in empowering executives and individuals to operate at peak performance personally, professionally, and most important—spiritually.
In addition to authoring books and other educational resources, Ron has been pursuing his ultimate passion: philanthropy. He operates a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that is relentless in its efforts to communicate the power of bringing optimal health to all walks of life. This organization’s mission is to fight obesity and all related diseases on a global scale. Across the globe, Kardashian’s integrated, holistic approach has garnered amazing results, making him a powerful, compelling voice of change for professional athletes, CEOs, political leaders, clergymen and people of every age, religion, and creed.
Ron is now accepting new clients to achieve their dreams in his proven “Coached to Win Program,” system of success. As Ron says, “These classes are a reasonable investment for you to manifest your talents in any economy. You have got what it takes. Sometimes it takes a coach to bring out the best in you. Every athlete has had one, so why not you?” You can reach Ron Kardashian at 1.888.918.HEAL or at www.kardshian.tv
