#vi shake

For decades, obesity has been sitting in the shadows. Like many of the people suffering from the disease itself, the epidemic has been ignored for far too long.

We put on benefit concerts and telethons to fight cancer.

We throw galas and Walkathons to support aids research.

We even have celebrity fashion shows to benefit heart disease charities.

So why do those battling obesity still sit in silence? Why is no one fighting on their behalf? Why—in a country where we would never think of belittling a sick child—is it not unusual to hear of an overweight child being mocked or bullied?

The truth is that when it comes to people being overweight, there just isn’t much empathy. We would never judge someone for having cancer, but when it comes to diseases where addiction can play a part—like obesity or alcoholism—many people view the illness as a choice.

OBESITY: DISEASE OR DECISION?

It often seems that being overweight has become one of the last acceptable forms of open discrimination. And while there’s no denying that the constant consumption of fast food would cause one’s weight to soar, this isn’t the only road to obesity.

Kathleen Kleefisch, Director of the Family Nurse Practitioner program at the Purdue University Calumet School of Nursing, says that personal choice is a factor in obesity—but isn’t the only factor.

“Thin people make the same unhealthy choices, but they wear their unhealthy decisions on the inside,” she said. “Obese people wear their unhealthy choices on the outside—on their hips, thighs and abdomen—where it is so easily judged.”

Bariatric surgeon and medical director of Healthy4Life, Dr. Paul Stanish says that the reasons people gain and carry weight involve more than just eating. Sleep, stress, access to healthful food, a decrease in movement due to technology, people’s genes and even what a mother eats when she’s pregnant all impact the weight of adults.

For these reasons and more, The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention both consider obesity a disease.

THE GOOD NEWS

The good news is that obesity is preventable. Just like some other deadly diseases, obesity is avoidable with the right education. Predetermined factors can make it harder for some people to lose weight—but with healthy direction and motivation, it is 100% possible.

Knowing that the problem is fixable, while acknowledging that laziness or a lack of will power aren’t solely to blame, is a huge step in the right direction. Educating ourselves about being healthy and living a balanced lifestyle are fundamental. From there, we can teach families and communities—who can pass on the knowledge to their children and future generations.

WHAT WE ARE DOING ABOUT IT?

ViSalus® is committed to taking Weight off the WorldTM. We’re fighting this global epidemic head on. We’re pulling obesity out of the shadows and giving it a face—
one person at a time, 10 lbs. at a time. ViSalus is facing obesity.

Today, food lobbyists use money and power to influence the national nutrition policy—the same tactics that the tobacco industry has used for decades. Obesity didn’t become an epidemic overnight: It has taken big companies with big money to create this problem. It’s going to take a company with big momentum and even bigger motivation to put an end to it… Enter, ViSalus!

In 2012, 1.5 million people made the decision to make their health a priority by taking on the Body by Vi ChallengeTM. Through Project 10TM, and with the confidence that
the secret to successful weight loss is in the first 10 lbs., ViSalus gives away a total of $10,000 to 10 people who lose 10 lbs. every week.

To take it a step further, Project 10 kids was born to educate communities on childhood obesity. For every PROJECT 10 results submission, ViSalus donates 30 Vi-Shape® shake meals to an at-risk or obese child in need of better nourishment.

FACES OF OBESITY

Whether it’s a friend, family member or yourself, the results of unhealthy eating habits have touched us all. At only 4 weeks old, Mikyl Khraishi’s weight and head size were already considered 110% larger than the average 1-month old.

“By the age of 6, he was gaining nearly 20 lbs. a year,” say his mother Tina. Just when Tina thought there were no other options for her son, she heard about PROJECT 10—and Mikyl liked the idea.

Today, Mikyl is a healthy 5th grader. At 10 years old and under the watchful eye of his doctor, he has lost 50 lbs. over three 90-day Body by Vi Challenges!

As a teenager, Laykyn Owczarzak topped the scales at 320 lbs.—bullied by kids and even teachers. After she was subjected to a school prank that involved a boy she had a crush on, Laykyn decided she’d had enough.

She took on The Challenge and after one year, has lost more than half her body weight and was even crowned the Body by ViTM Female Champion. Today she says, “I will live past 40, I will go skydiving, I will ride a roller coaster… To think that just a meal replacement shake could save someone from the pain I went through blows my mind!”

ViSalus is on a global mission. Take part in the movement and help fight the obesity epidemic today.

Vi-nana (Banana) Bread

2 Scoops Vi-Shake Mix ■1 Banana Health flavor pk. (optional) ■1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon and 2 teaspoons flax seed meal ■4 ripe bananas, mashed ( if using banana health flavor pk only use 2-3 bananas) ■3 tablespoons and 1/2 teaspoon skim milk ■3 tablespoons and 1/2 teaspoon low-fat/fat free sour cream ■1-1/2 teaspoons egg whites ■1-1/2 cups and 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour ■3/4 teaspoon baking soda ■1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and a 9x5 inch loaf pan. 2. In a medium bowl, mix together the Vi-Shake mix, flax meal, bananas, milk, sour cream and egg whites until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda and nutmeg; stir into the banana mixture until moistened. Spoon into prepared loaf pan. 3. Bake for 45 -60 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the crown of the loaf comes out clean. Nutritional Information: Amount Per Serving

I'm sick. Now I know why I wasn't feeling good all week, it was just building up into this bullshit today. All I've got is racking coughs, but they're horrible enough to make me super sad and keep me from moving too much...

Despite all that and being super depressing today, I've still managed to not eat shit like I normally do when I'm sick. 

So.

Breakfast was Quaker Oats Oatmeal, I added two scoops of the Vi protein powder to make it more beneficial, a bit of cinnamon sugar, and some honey for deliciousness.

Lunch was an Apricot Orange Oatmeal Smoothie. Pretty good, but halfway through I just couldn't stomach anymore...

Thusly, I ate my snack a bit earlier, but it consisted of one half of a cucumber and pita bread with a bit of pesto.

I also was convinced to try this new drink. Aloe Vera King. It's pretty good and very healthy. Only 90 calories a bottle. Pretty awesome.

Dinner, I made something special since Victor came over to make me feel better. I made sausage tortellini in an onion, garlic and tomato sauce with sauteed spinach and a yeast roll. Delicious.