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August 15, 2008

Area deejay found help at Edmond fitness center

Mark Schlachtenhaufen

EDMOND — Late last year, in December, Chris Hale made a New Year’s resolution.

Since high school, with some ups and downs in between, Hale’s weight had risen to 275 pounds. The local deejay was approaching his 40th birthday and he wanted to get his life in order.

Hale, who had otherwise been fairly healthy, said he knew some of the potential health risks of being overweight, which include diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and sleep apnea.

Besides being overweight, Hale suffered from a lack of energy. Several attempts to lose weight were unsuccessful, he said. Given the potential realities, he knew he had to do something.



Costs of being unhealthy

Paul Brown, a personal trainer and manager of Edmond’s Results Fitness and Nutrition Center, said 60 percent of Americans today are obese — 30 pounds or more overweight with a body mass index of 30 or higher.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, being overweight and obesity are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. About 300,000 deaths annually may be attributed to obesity. The total economic cost of obesity in the United States is up to $117 billion per year, including more than $60 billion in avoidable medical costs.

“The worst trend today is an increase in children with weight problems,” Brown said.

In the past 20 years, obesity has doubled in 6- to 11-year-olds and tripled in 12- to 19-year-olds, Brown said.

“We see more young adults with diabetes and hypertension,” he said. “Also, knee, hip and low back injuries are becoming common with more clients under 40 years old.”

Government sources say other unhealthy habits include smoking tobacco, which is linked to problems such as heart disease and different types of cancer, and drinking too much alcohol, which has been linked to driving deaths and weight gain.



Getting over the hump

Last fall, Hale met Brian Attebery, founder and owner of Edmond’s Results Fitness and Nutrition Center. Attebery’s enthusiasm, Hale said, got him pumped up about losing weight.

Since being put on a tailor-made fitness program, Hale, who is 6-feet tall, has lost 60 pounds, with 10-15 more to go to reach his target weight of 200 pounds.

“I was tired and suffered from a lack of energy,” Hale said. “Now I’m ‘bouncing’ off walls.”

Hale said he compared the costs of eating out and other unhealthy habits and redirected some of his finances toward working with a personal trainer.

“It’s not as difficult as you make it out to be,” Hale said. “It’s 90 percent mental. You have to make that commitment to yourself.”

Brown said individuals must set realistic short-, medium- and long-term goals.

“Don’t be afraid or intimidated to get started on being a healthier you,” Brown said.

An example of a short-term goal is to gradually cut non-diet softdrink consumption and not worry about weight the first few weeks. A medium-range goal would be to drop two dress sizes during the next three months. A long-term goal would be to lose 50 pounds this year, or maybe being able to stop taking medicine for high blood pressure this year; the final decision on that would be made by a physician.

Brown said benefits of exercise include reducing the risks of many chronic diseases, better insurance rates, more energy, increased confidence and better self esteem, improved balance and healthier relationships.



NEXT WEEK’S TOPIC: How to save money on health insurance.

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