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Our
Culture's Lifestyle Change Stories
Our society would
greatly benefit from successful lifestyle change. The
following stories illustrate some of the current
challenges and hoped for benefits.
- Two days of
resolve and now a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.
After the ice cream, Carmen felt that all hope was
lost. She wanted the fat to disappear, but just
couldn’t keep herself on track.
- Jim knew that
his wife, Linda, was going to be angry. This was the
third day this week he had stopped at a bar after
work. He had promised Linda he’d quit drinking.
Alcohol really was making his life miserable, but
maybe he hadn’t hit bottom yet.
- The phone
rang and it was another creditor. Jack knew these
credit cards were a trap. He thought to himself,
“How could I be so stupid? I’ve been here before.
I’m making good money. Why can’t I live within my
budget?”
- Dr. Larch
felt helpless. This was his third young patient with
diabetes this week and he couldn’t understand why.
Pediatricians aren’t supposed to treat type 2
diabetes. Weren’t these kids supposed to be eating
their vegetables and riding their bikes? Dr. Larch
hoped that his advice to parents would sink in, but
he could see that they too were out of shape.
- Al kept
nodding off. He nearly went off the road, but was
able to pull the big truck off the shoulder and back
into the lane. These night hours were murder. The
company seminar had warned him of the dangers of
sleep deprivation. If only he could get some sleep
when off work during the daytime.
- Jane hoped
the new health promotion program would meet the
needs of her aging workforce. As director of human
resources she understood that employees were
counting on getting medical insurance. Still, this
year’s premium increase would erase all hope for a
profit. The CEO and shareholders will not be happy
with her report.
- Governor
Smith wanted to be known as fiscally conservative,
but the rise in state employee insurance, Medicaid
and Medicare costs were going to cause real pain in
discretionary funding. Still, a tax increase was out
of the question. Something had to give. A statewide
health promotion program was an option, but Governor
Smith was unsure about an effective strategy.
- Rosita was
pleased with her husband Juan’s medical report. The
physical therapy was going smoothly. The doctor said
that, now after the second heart attack, Juan would
really have to eat healthier and get into shape. A
heart attack should be a wake up call, but the last
time Juan just couldn’t shake his bad habits. This
time would be different, or so Rosita hoped.
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