STAY WELL & SPARKLE: Urgent Challenge  

Strong and healthy PosterMore patients come to my office seeking help to PUT ON weight than to reduce. I kid you not! As the fourth fattest country in the Caribbean, those striving to enhance and maintain their fitness stand out as shining lights. You may be one of them. Congratulations!

Listen to me carefully. This is a medical fact: Anybody can lose any amount of weight once they seriously put their minds to it. What makes me say that? Click here to see how my patient lost 1000 pounds– without surgery! This world record still stands, as documented by Discovery Channel seen around the world. What weight would you like to achieve? Or is this even a conversation worth having?

In my book, Mannafast Miracle, I describe how the epidemic of obesity leaves a tsunami of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Ma Pampo is proof that leaner people live longer. But in Dominica those who are large-and-in-charge poke fun at “Sa ki pa ni vian, soukway zo!” (Those who don’t have meat/size, shake your bones!). And they flippantly add, “I doh want to get that old anyway”…until early sickness catches up with them.

Wholesome motivation is such an elusive thing. At times, it works to take a somewhat different approach. For many readers who get excited about things that better the country, our national anthem offers some surprising clues.

Anthems around the world contain lots of references to bombs bursting in air, long live the monarch, fighting and martyrdom. Not so with Dominica’s. I believe a bolt of inspiration must have energized W.O.M. Pond when he wrote these powerful words

And our people STRONG and HEALTHY,

Full of Godly REVERENT FEAR,

May we ever seek to PRAISE Thee,

For these GIFTS so rich and rare.

Let us delve into the key words – in reverse order. They will guide us in the 5 things we need to focus on in 2016.

  1. GIFTS

The Nature Isle is a gift. It does not belong to any one of us. It belongs to all of us. The fresh air, the whales, the trails, the fertile soil refreshed by gentle showers (which Tropical Storm Erika reminded us are not always gentle). Our loved ones are gifts to cherish – not to hurt. Our talents, are we burying them, or are we using them to do good for our families and fellowmen?

  1. PRAISE

Things got so bad for Job, his wife prodded him to curse God and die. Don’t you just love his response? Job declared, ‘I know my Redeemer lives!’ Psalm 27 puts it this way: ‘I would have given up; unless I was confident in seeing the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.’

Hospitable and loving people? Think again. 2015 saw rudeness and crudeness escalate to appalling dimensions from the top down. And we are reaping a whirlwind of savagery in Dominica: horrific murders, suicides and accidents. Let us pray that God will heal our land.

The economy went down and unemployment went up. Notwithstanding this, there is much to be thankful for. When the glass is only half full, praise God instead of getting bitter and discouraged. Hope springs eternal. It is hard to change culture. However slowly and surely the church and schools will chip away at our hearts and minds, transforming us into truly nicer people.

  1. REVERENT

We are fun-loving people, but we are a religious people as well. When we truly revere God, we transcend man-made denominational barriers. Godly fear brings our littleness in sharp contrast to the awesomeness of His majesty. True worship constrains us to respect others, not condemn them to misery. It reminds us that we all must give an account. Reverence believes in a universe ruled by absolute karma and that it will strike when we least expect.

  1. HEALTHY

Health is wealth. Know anyone who wishes they could take a really big loan to pay for good health once and for all? Why not just do this instead? Eat more fruits and vegetable and walk a mile a day. This, my friend, is the key to good health. Yet, there are many for whom this is not such an easy option. They have complex medical problems, which require wise professional management beyond just another detox or bunch of herbal supplements.

Let us pledge to regularly monitor our weight and blood pressure. Know any church, school, large department or business that has its own scale and blood pressure machine? If you do not have your own or don’t have time to wait at the clinic, make use of the easily-accessible, experienced nurses across from All Saints University, near Whitchurh, Save A Lot at the Roseau Market and elsewhere. Have health professionals come in periodically for corporate health. Let us get our screening tests done before Easter: pap smear and mammogram, PSA and digital rectal exam, cholesterol and AIC (for assessing diabetic control or how close we are to becoming diabetic).

  1. STRONG

We either deserve prevailing conditions or we can pledge right now to change them. Strength is more than just lots of stamina or big muscles. It is also wisdom to know ones’ limitations and seek help to achieve clearly defined goals.

Dr. Sam 2016

Who would have thought that Isle of Beauty had so much oomph in it?! Fired-up patriots strive to keep these powerful words visible. At the next Caribbean obesity survey, I decree Dominica will attain a much better score. And let it begin with me. Challenge yourself to do this:

  • Email that information to your doctor right away. This confirms your short-term goal for January 31st and the opportunity to request your own STRONG & HEALTHY poster.
  • Make an appointment for a proper medical check up to seal the deal on your long-term goal

You read this far only because you’ve decided to make 2016 a truly amazing year. The next time we sing those verses, you will be able to whisper to yourself, “It’s me they talking about –Yes, me!”

Dr. Sam Christian is a syndicated columnist focusing on health-related development issues. Contact him at [email protected], by calling 767 440-9133 or logging onto the Urgent Care website 

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5 Comments

  1. April 24, 2020

    Nice information sir, we realy need to check our bmi for healthy weight according to our height and weight. Thank you

  2. HHsquare
    January 3, 2016

    Doc where do you get your inspiration from. Every week you write these interesting columns and this week is no exception. I will pick out one of your key words and that is Health. Christmas has just gone by so we should use the month of January as DETOX month from all the cake and ham and all the other junk we stuffed in our mouth for the season. Let’s start by forming groups at work and from the high heels to the sneakers let us hit the road. Let’s start walking folks. My sneakers in de barrel coming. …….
    I am also inspired by the video of the guy who loose over 1000 pounds. What I would have liked to see though is the end result of the guy. I can’t understand why someone like you, who have achieved so much in the USA,and who has so much to offer is not given the chance to practice at our main hospital. What a shame. One thing am happy about is that you said you ain’t goin no where

  3. Jasmine
    January 2, 2016

    Avery inspiring article Doc. I pray those of us who have read it will make a conscientious effort to be healthy in 2016,
    Jasmine

  4. January 2, 2016

    I lost 25 pounds and held it most of last year. Been afraid to check since the holidays. I’m struggling with those 10 last pounds to reach my goal weight. I don’t like to go in front of people and weigh like a cow. You know anybody who can help me with that online?

  5. Wise Medical Talent
    January 2, 2016

    Doctor Sam thanks for sharing your talent and not burying it. You are the first Dominica doctor to regularly inspire us to good health and linking ghat to our culture . I will try eat less fried food and rice, and more fish in coconut sauce and fresh local vegetables not cokes with fries. Happy new year Sir.

    Nice picture too.

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