Is it Life or Death?

I attended the International Chief of Police convention with my husband last weekend. I didn't just party (though I did some of that, too), I also attended a few presentations as well. One that I found very interesting was "The Intersection of Psychology and Nutritional Science in Law Enforcement." Basically, how does diet influence your job performance and your self confidence.

The first part of the presentation included BMI information about new recruits in LA and the information was startling. I know the general population is 66% overweight, but these are men and women who have physical fitness requirements to get on the job, yet many of them couldn't pass the physical fitness test or BMI requirements! They are usually young, and know what a demanding job law enforcement is, both on the body and the mind, so they needed to be ready. They needed to pass the tests to get the job, but they didn't know what to do.

So, the LA police department developed a program for those police academy recruits who could not pass the PT requirement. The improvements were dramatic. The problems also extend to currents members of the LA police, so the department hired a nutritionist to work with the department psychologists. The goal was to create a plan for the department to live a healthier lifestyle, which would improve job performance and overall well being. Obviously, stress plays a big roll in creating health problems and so does realities of working out of squad car with no set schedules. The recommendations had to work with the realities of the law enforcement lifestyle. They wanted to focus on progress, not perfection. If only every department could have these resources!

Being in shape for a police officer can mean the difference between life and death for both him or her and for the public they are hired to protect. Life or death.

Do you think, because you don't chase "bad boys" at your job, that your health doesn't matter at your work place or home? You are not separate from you body. You carry it with you. Everywhere. How can you be the best {fill in the blank} if you feel like junk. Don't you deserve to be at your best every day? Shouldn't we be grateful for the opportunity to "choose" to live a healthy life. That's why you choose to be a Weight Watcher. Let us help you make better choices within the realities of YOUR life.

Yes, living a healthy lifestyle and being at a healthy weight is a matter of life and death.

Yours.