By Colleen Laing

I’m reading a small book that is actually an ad for a weight loss drug called Alli. I’ve never heard of this drug, know nothing about it, and am not advocating its use. The reason I spent six bucks on what is essentially an advertisement is that I began reading it while waiting for a prescription to be filled, and I realized it contains a lot of great info about having a balanced approach to eating. It’s called “Are you losing it? Losing weight without losing your mind.” Forget the drug; take the book.

Losing weight or managing a healthy weight is a strategy for a happy future. People who live with obesity in their golden years often confront a host of health and lifestyle problems. Today, an article published in JAMA presented evidence that overweight people now have improving heart health, but their obesity often interferes with the activities of everyday life.

As we reviewed the information from the JAMA article, it reminded us of one of Amy Birkner's blogs about her experience being morbidly obsese. She shared many of her thoughts from the journal she kept before having weight loss surgery. Obviously worried about her health, her happiness, and the well-being of her family, she said:

A greater amount of medications treating high cholesterol and hypertension are being prescribed to younger patients, according to a study released by Medco Health Solutions, Inc.

Good sleep is key to living a healthy life. We share all of this information because we want you to live a more healthy life.  If you can avoid diabetes you are more likely to live that healthy life. 

Recent information from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine summarizes research that showing that poor sleep habits may lead to diabetes.