Tiny Adjustments With Huge Impacts

Obesity is epidemic in this country.  Obesity is one of the great contributors to diabetes.  There are many reasons for the explosion in cases of obesity, but what is less well publicized is how tiny adjustments in one's lifestyle can have a tremendous impact on health.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="204" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

For example, an obese gentleman starting out at about 285 pounds lost 14 pounds, a mere 4.8% of his body weight, and lowered his hemoglobin A1c (which measures average blood sugar levels) from 10.1% to 7.8%, a full 22.77%!  That brought him to within striking distance of a normal blood sugar level.  Granted, he has much more weight to shed, but a tiny 14-pound weight loss on a hefty body is quite significant.

Countless studies have been done about the beneficial effects of a low-calorie diet.  Granted that a low-calorie diet may not be appealing to the majority of folks.  Nevertheless, it is instructive to note that in a recent study of diabetics, an 8-week course of a 600-calorie diet managed to reverse their disease! 

Another tiny adjustment with huge implications: Did you know that 150 calories a day amount to almost 16 pounds a year? (150 x 365/3500=15.64).  What do 150 calories represent?  A can of sugar soda; or 3 small cookies; or half glass of regular beer; or 1 pat of butter/dressing.  You get the point: It's a minute amount. 

What this means is that by "saving" 150 calories a day, either by virtue of omitting certain foods or increasing exercise, you either save yourself from gaining about 16 pounds in a year, or you lose 16 pounds in a year.  The year will pass one way or another: Your health may well improve or deteriorate based on your decisions.  And the decision to do without a mere 150 calories a day should be a simple one.