I don’t know about you, but the recently released 2011 Obesity Report bums me out.  In fact, it downright scares me.

Clearly, there is something wrong with the way America eats.  I’m left shaking my head and wondering “what on earth are we going to do?”

We can tell people about the dangers of processed junk and frankenfoods until we are blue in the face, but ultimately – nobody changes until they are personally motivated and ready to do so.  No matter how much you’d love to see dietary habits of the nation, your family or your friends change, it is of course up to each of us to decide for ourselves what we’re going to eat and put into our bodies.

So what to do then?  Fortunately it’s easier now than ever before to educate ourselves on wellness and nutrition.  There’s a lot of conflicting information out there – no one book or website or person has all the answers.  Listen to the so-called experts, but listen to real people who seem to be getting it right too.  Do your own research and then make decisions for yourself based on your own evidence.

Take responsibility for your own health and lead by example.  Feed yourself and your family well.  Be one of those “real people”.  Be the change you wish to see in the world, as our friend Gandhi would say.

New York is ranked the 41st fattest state nation, which at first glance sounds good – but upon closer inspection you’ll find that the obesity rate has still more than doubled here in last two decades.  How does your state stack up?