In 2015, over 30 million Americans were living with diabetes. That is almost 10% of the entire population.
Most of these people are living with type 2 diabetes, which is brought on by certain lifestyle factors.
The solution?
Teach the millions more Americans how to lead a lifestyle that will not lead to diabetes, in the first place.
The problem with that is that most people aren’t interested in a super healthy diet with regular exercise. As a result, many Americans opt for medication and a few visits to the doctor each year. Though this seems to be the popular option for many, it is extremely taxing on our healthcare system and, by the way, leads to no health improvements among the millions living with diabetes.
One man is saying that there is a way to bridge the gap between “healthy lifestyle” and “things people are willing to do.”
Small Behavioral Changes Can Help Lose Weight
A poor diet and little to no exercise can lead to diabetes. Coincidentally, it also can lead to obesity. One obesity expert, Rober Kushner, says he knows how to help people beat obesity.
Rather than overhauling a person’s entire life, he says, try overhauling a few daily habits.
One major piece of advice, for example, is to split meals when eating out. Most meals at restaurants come laden with fat, salt, and thousands of calories. All of this is detrimental to the body, especially a body on the verge of diabetes. Splitting a meal, then, helps lighten the burden. This doesn’t mean that you have to opt for steamed veggies and brown rice at a gourmet restaurant. Instead, only enjoy the meal in smaller, more appropriate quantities.
He also suggested a few other super approachable behavioral changes to help improve health:
- Get better sleep, which is something we always recommend here.
- Manage stress, such as with meditation or a hot bath.
- Go for a short walk after dinner. Or try yoga.
The main idea is that you don’t necessarily have to reprogram your entire life to improve your health. Make small behavioral changes daily and watch the body respond.
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Chicago Tribune. URL Link. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
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