Mayor Bloomberg Takes A Stand - The Large Soda Ban!

In an effort to address the enormous growth in people who are overweight or obese, New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed a ban on selling sodas/sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces. Sugary drinks are defined as beverages that are "sweetened with sugar or another caloric sweetener that contain more than 25 calories per 8 fluid ounces and contains less than 51 percent milk or milk substitute by volume as an ingredient."



According to the recent research studies, the public health statistics of New York indicates that 58 percent of New York City adults and nearly 40 percent of city public school students are obese or overweight. Obesity comes with many health risks, illnesses and complications which puts a burden on the cost of health care. I appreciate the Mayor's effort to take on the challenging position to help others make healthier choices and this will be quite the challenge. Unfortunately, there are so many ways that people with bad habits can get around this. Needless to say, there are those who are against the Mayor's proposal and he has been called the Nanny among other things. The plan is to ban them from restaurants and movie theaters where they sell the larger size drinks. This is not sitting well with those who enjoy going to the theater and having a large soda, to go with their big bucket of popcorn and candy. "You mean I can't have my super size soda? Why? I don't have it everyday? I don't go to the movies that often?" "What will happen to the 711 Big Gulp?" I've heard it all. However, the ultimate stand will be up to the individual to take full responsibility in what they consume and how much they will consume. Your health and wellness begins with you.

Keep in mind you can still purchase your sodas at the stores. What's your position?

How Are You Doing?

Your Health & Wellness is in your hands. Knowing your family health history is very important. It serves as a guide into understanding your own health and wellness. Many people are unaware of their family's health history due to the private manner in which it was kept. Others are unaware because they may not have access to a parent who may have died and they are not in touch with that side of the family while there are those who do not know their parent/s - due to adoption, orphanage, foster care, absent parent. Whatever, the case, it's time to know How You Are Doing.

First you should schedule and attend an annual physical with your doctor. If you do not have one, find one. Ask for a complete physical. If you have any concerns, discuss it with your doctor, ask questions (write them down if you have to). Your doctor will answer your questions and if he/she is too busy, ask if you can send them an email or call at a later time.


The doctors role is to see about your health and your role is to see about your health - you both share the same goals. You should feel free to discuss any unusual symptoms that you are experiencing. Having headaches lately, tell your doctor. Loss of appetite, do not dismiss it as though you may be stressed, yes you may but it can also be something more serious that your doctor can determine through further tests, referrals to the appropriate specialists and may even have a simple alternative such as discontinuing your current medication as it applies.


Although you may not have a family history of certain diseases/illnesses, your lifestyle may contribute to the disease/illness that you develop. An example: if you are overweight and obese, you have a greater risk of having diabetes. Of course, there are thin people with diabetes. However, the important thing here is to focus on your health and not worry or become distracted by others way of life. There are smokers who have smoked since they were 10-13 years old and are still living way into their 70's. On the other hand, there are smokers who have smoked since they were 18 years old and did not live to see their 40th or 50th birthday. Your body is unique and responds differently. What you need to do is know it and know it well.

The Fat Debate

Let's get this out on the table being skinny does not mean one is healthy and neither is being fat, overweight or obese. Lately there has been a resurgence on the topic of being overweight and the health implications. Over the years, studies have linked various diseases to being overweight or obese. Yet somehow, another study comes out to contradict the reports on being overweight or obese suggesting that it is okay to be fat and healthy. These mixed messages can really confuse or create the perfect pass for those who are struggling to accept their excess weight.

In fact, many celebrities who proudly announced that they are fat and fabulous have at some point worked on losing weight. Oprah, Carnie Wilson, Ricki Lake and Star Jones initially declared how proud and confident they were of being big. Queen Latifah enjoyed her body, Comedian Monique wrote a book Skinny Women Are Evil,hosted a show for fat models and starred in movies that confidently portrayed her character.



Furthermore, super model Tyra Banks wore a bathing suit and told her live audience as well as the television viewers how proud she was of every cellulite, dimple, curve on her body and ended with a smack to the hip and telling those who did not like it to kiss her fat @$$. Meanwhile, Tyra hosted America's Top Model show where she criticized the thin models who gained a pound or two. Well shortly after these declarations, these same proud to be "thick, women with curves" celebrities all worked on losing weight. They explained that they felt it was important to improve on their health and wellness - losing the weight included surgical intervention, signing up as a weight loss program spokesperson, dieting, etc.



There are many sites that celebrates big women, model agencies developed to accommodate the increasing demands for representation of the growing population. They stand up against discrimination and protest on seats being too small on trains,buses, airplanes and restaurants. Obviously, this is more about the embarrassment of it all. Getting to the point of the topic, being fat, overweight or obese takes a toll on the body. No matter how confident you feel about your looks, the internal system is not as confident. As fat settles in, one can develop diabetes,stroke, heart disease and even cancer.

Most importantly, one who is overweight knows it when they find that walking up the stairs can be an incredible task. Not only are they out of breath, they also experience problems with their knees, swollen ankles among other weight related stress on the body. Your body sends you the signals to warn you that all is not right on the inside.

Keeping one's weight within the guidelines for health control can be quite a challenge - one that is worth it.

Begin with Small Steps