A Price Tag on Health...

It is impossible to put a price tag on good, quality health.

However, we can to some degree measure the toll that poor health takes on our personal and professional lives.

Professional: It can affect wages lost, reduced productivity, time away from work, and don’t forget added medical expenses.

Personal: Poor health can attribute to reduced functioning and a decreased quality of life, which in turn can place an enormous burden on your family members.

Lifestyle habits can increase or prevent certain diseases.

Some risk factors are beyond our control, like age, gender, ethnicity, family history – while other factors are modifiable, such as smoking, drinking, drug use, physical activity, food choices, and weight.

Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cancer are linked to poor long-term lifestyle behaviors; this includes poor diet, inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol or drug use.

The more risk factors one has, the greater chance there is for developing disease.

As these lifestyle diseases wreak havoc on the American population, the burden it has on our economic situation is astonishing.

How, you ask?

Americans are paying more out of pocket expenses for medical care and prescription drugs than ever before.

Employers are feeling this effect trickle down into their companies due to decreased productivity, increased number of sick days being used for illnesses, lack of energy employees have, and in their bottom line due to the huge jump in insurance health care costs.

Did you know that only one in three people exercise on a regular basis? One in four does not exercise at all. Two of every three are overweight or obese. Nearly 40% of adults spend the majority of the day sitting; eight of ten people recognize the benefits of exercise, but only two exercise enough to meet physical activity guidelines.  WOW!

If the number of obese and overweight people in the US continues to grow as it has over the past three decades, nearly 9 out of 10 will be considered overweight or obese by 2030. Scary thought, right?

What is the solution? There is no one answer for that, but it is very clear that most chronic diseases can be prevented with good, healthy food choices and a regular exercise regimen. Instead of seeking out costly “cures” (and I use the word cure loosely), we need to act on the knowledge that exercise and good food choices are powerful, effective, and affordable.

Studies have shown that modest investments in your health can bear considerable results physically, mentally, and financially.

If all the inactive people in the US were to begin an exercise regimen and eat better, we as a nation could see a savings of $77 BILLION in direct medical costs every year! Yes, I said 77 BILLION.

Medical spending is everybody’s problem!

Consider being part of the solution instead of being part of the problem. Don't rely on pharmaceutical drugs to "cure" what ales you. Take charge of your own health today!!

Start eating better...demand healthier foods become more readily available and start exercising!

If you can't run...than walk....if you can't walk go for a swim...but DO something.

EZ Coach Programming has the solution. Let EZ Coach educate you, so you can take control and responsibility of your health. Only YOU can be accountable for YOU.

-Laurie Gouley – Health Coach
www.myezcoach.com 

Resources: Department of Health and Human Services. National Center for Health Statistics. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

My Wake-Up Call

Why I Got Started

It all started with that awful time of year for any woman. Yup. It was time for my yearly gynecologist visit. Ugh, boy was I dreading it. I knew I had gained weight but when I stepped on that scale and saw my weight was at 148, I died inside. Now you are probably thinking, "148 pounds so what?" Well, I am only 5'2", so 148 is pretty hefty to say the least.

Also, I had just turned 37, and my doctor suggested I have some blood work done. That came back with what I considered "old people diseases" and I was not old. 

My blood pressure was high, my weight was high, my cholesterol was high, I was pre-diabetic and my doctor was recommending blood pressure pills, cholesterol pills and I was already on Paxil and Quetiapine!

Holy cow, I left the doctor's office in a whirlwind within my mind. I was actually talking to myself in the car, "What the hell happened to me and how did I get to this point in my life?"

So, the next day I went to work and talked with a co-worker about my "conditions." She perked up immediately and told me I should go visit this guy named Rocco Boulay at Integrity. I was skeptical at first, and thought to myself, "Really? A gym is going to 'cure' what ails me?" So I agreed to go just to "shut her up" about it.

It kept nagging at me though…maybe I should go…what did I have to lose? It can't hurt to go check it out. At the rate I was going, I was going to be put on more medications. I wanted to be off the ones I was on!

Before... 

How I Did It

I gathered up my courage and went to the Bedford NH Integrity Location. I was actually the first customer. Integrity had been open in Londonderry NH for many years but Rocco had just branched out with a franchise of Integrity, and Bedford was the second location.

As I walked in I immediately felt like "I should not be here. I'm not fat." but then I laughed to myself and thought,"Umm…yes, you are and you should be here." That intimidated feeling left as quickly as it came. I was instantly greeted by a health coach and Rocco Boulay, the founder and owner of Integrity. They both made me feel so welcome and at ease.

Rocco personally gave me a tour of the club, and I explained my "problems" to him - he listened with much patience. I felt like I rambled on for hours! I told him I wanted to be skinny, sexy, and medication free.

He responded "Ok, here's how." He proceeded to tell me what I needed to do. I laughed and said, "That's it? All I have to do is exercise and eat better?"

He said, "Yep," so I said, "Ok, sign me up!" So, I signed up and one of the health coaches took me into a private room where they did an evaluation of my vitals and body fat.

My body fat was a whopping 42.6%, which is considered morbidly obese. Yikes, it was worse than I had originally thought and mentally I was glad to be there. Grateful to be there - I think had I kept going down the path I was going I probably would have suffered a heart attack or stroke or worse.

So my journey began. I had my evaluation done, my workout program was created just for me, and I received advice from the health coaches and meal plans. I slowly weaned myself off the Paxil and Quetiapine. It was not easy to say the least. I suffered from terrible withdrawals. I had many days with tears and anger but I kept at it.

If I needed support all I had to do was call or go down to Integrity and someone was there to support me in one way or another. Whether by the health coaches standing near me as I worked out, or just listening, or even a hug; they supported me 100% with what I was going through. I'll say it again, "It was not easy".

www.integrityfit.com 

Now it was time, my 8 week re-evaluation day. I was so nervous, but excited to see how well I did. I kind of knew I was doing something right because people were commenting about my weight loss and they were also commenting that I looked refreshed and not as tired.

In 8 weeks, my weight was down to 135 and my body fat was down to 32%. I screamed with sheer delight. In 8 weeks! Only working out every other day, I had dramatic improvements! The numbers were in. I saw results!

Also, I was completely off my meds. I wasn't on blood pressure meds or cholesterol meds and I didn't have to start taking insulin! 

By joining Integrity I have actually saved money. No more meds meant no more co-pays to the doctor's office, and no more co-pays for the drugs!

I had my blood work redone after my 8 week evaluation and all of my blood work is completely within the normal ranges. Amazing, exercise and good food choices were my saving grace.

With my new found education on food, health, and wellness, I can honestly say that I am making better food choices, which have resulted in my children and my husband eating better in return; it has caused them to be more conscious in their eating habits as well. Live by example!

Where am I now? I'm 41, Weight 115, Body Fat 21%. No medications what-so-ever.

I feel incredible! I'm more energetic and I can complete tasks in less time. I look refreshed and 10 years younger. I feel sexy! My husband is thunderstruck with my new body.

I could not have done it without the support I received from Integrity. In the end though "I" had to make a choice, did I want to live a healthy, quality-filled life or did I want to be always tired and a slave to medications?

I'm a Health Coach now!

I know I definitely made the right choice in taking charge of my own health. I choose to live healthy and medication free. I choose to educate my children to live the best possible life.

I have also become a Certified Personal Trainer so I can help other people feel as fantastic as I do!

My Certification!

Certified for EZ Coach as well.