Why? Because they simply do not want to do what it takes to get healthy. They do not want to participate in their own own health care.

The Omnipotent Doctor

Many of these fine people are under the delusion that doctors know everything and can fix anything.The first subject in our study we shall call Jim. Jim is 100 pounds overweight and walked into the hospital with a vague sense of not being well. He proceeds to undergo thousands and thousands of dollars in tests, all of which come back negative.

Great, right?

Nope. Jim is upset. He is disappointed because no serious illnesses were discovered. "Why can't you find anything?" he tells the nurse annoyed. He leaves angry, blaming "doctors and nurses" for being incompetent and not "fixing" him. Jim will go on to other doctors in search of the elusive sickness and cure - not knowing that his breakthrough is staring at him in the mirror. He holds the key to change. Jim lacks personal responsibility.

Why Can't They Find Anything?

But the fact that Jim eats all the wrong foods, does not exercise and spends most of his spare time glued to a couch with remote control in hand "does not" cross his mind as problematic. "Why can't you find anything?" he wonders. Whose job is it to keep us healthy and in shape? Is it the doctor? The nurse? Society?

The answer to these questions is obvious but not apparent for many. We are responsible. Nobody ... nobody can "fix" us. We must learn to stand in the gap and do it for ourselves. While at first we may receive some pity and support, human beings eventually will grow weary. We will be left only with ourselves.

Learn to make the tough choices NOW before life makes the PERMANENT choice of severe illness for you. Yes, taking responsibility is the easier, softer way. Don't you think?

Pass the Buck

One of the biggest challenges to weight loss is simply lack of interest for one's own well being and longevity. The biggest stumbling blocks to weight loss and health is often one's own indifference, sloth and apathy.

Agnes just learned she had Type II Diabetes.She is 60 pounds overweight, a smoker, and avid eater of fried foods and sweets - washing them down mostly with soda. Alarmed by chest pains, she goes and is admitted to the hospital for tests and observation. The nurse sits down with Agnes and attempts to explain how diabetes predisposes a person to heart disease and affects the whole body.

Agnes interrupts the nurse indicating she, "needs to call the kitchen." Her husband Sam stands by. He is visibly more than 100 pounds overweight and also smokes cigarettes. Sam does not listen to much of what was being said because he is busy eating a cheeseburger with fries and an extra large milk shake. Sam is not just eating - he is shoveling the food in his mouth almost without breathing. The nurse turns her attention back to Agnes. "Why do you have to call the kitchen?"

"Oh," Agnes replies. "They forgot to bring the chocolate cake along with the rest of the dinner." It became pretty clear to the nurse that Agnes and Sam were too busy eating and watching TV to listen to her "nagging" about diabetes, cigarettes and overeating.

But, hoping for the best, the nurse tells Agnes point-blank that she needs to eat better foods to balance her blood sugar, which is dangerously high.

Agnes' response rounds up the entire message of this article. She looks up from her dinner, angry, and tells the nurse: "Watch my blood sugar? Why do I have to do watch my blood sugar? I thought you guys were controlling it!"

Normal for Me

Sadly, this type of mentality is more common than one may think. Many diabetics believe that they are fine - so long as they take their insulin shots. So long as they do not go into diabetic shock, are going blind or are bedridden and covered with sores - they are fine. This may sound harsh, but unfortunately it is the reality for some.

Thousands will continue to die from this horrible stronghold which has seized control of their minds and bellies. Such is the power of food to hypnotize and control ... literally kill slowly and deliberately.

Fasting for weight loss, exercising, learning how to eat? Out of the question. We have seen many diabetics who say they are "used" to having high blood sugar. They are no longer alarmed and see it as "normal." "Your blood sugar is 200!" the nurse tells Rick. "Well, yes," he says. "That is high. But don't worry. It is normal for me."

Yes. It is normal to be 40, 50, 100 pounds overweight.

Then there are many who are not diabetic (yet), but still are severely overweight and in danger of contracting this killer illness. Obesity threatens to cut their lives short. Could this be you? What is your attitude toward your health and fitness?

What are some of the belief systems that keep you from taking action? How important or "not important" is it for you to be healthy, lean and live to a ripe, old age? One dear friend of mine, may he rest in peace, refused to lose weight and died last year at the stairs of his house from a sudden massive heart attack. His wife was pregnant with their first son. Cases like these are seen with more and more frequency.

Many premature deaths can be prevented by doing a 7-to 14-day juice or water fast at least once every two years, in addition to shorter fasts every six months. Some choose to fast once a week with wonderful, life-giving results.

The very best thing many of us can do is to stop eating for at least three days on a regular basis and give the digestive system time to regroup, rest, heal and detoxify. Fasting saves lives. Fasting is a direct, one-way pathway to better health, dramatic weight loss and longevity.

Fasting Torture

But to arrive at this realization some people must first overcome their apparent blindness to self responsibility. Take Al for example. He came to the hospital complaining of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

His digestive system was found to be in severe turmoil from years of destructive overeating. Al is 80 pounds overweight and suffers from hypoglycemia. The doctor puts him on an NPO or "Nothing by Mouth" regimen for 24 hours. In other words, he is put on an involuntary fast.

Within three hours, however, Al is ringing the "call" bell to the nurses' station frantically and very angry.

He wants to know why he is being "tortured." "Why can't I eat? Why can't I eat? They won't let me eat! For God's sake, they won't let me eat!" Al is blind to his plight. All that matters if food. The reality of his obesity and sickness totally escapes him.

Your Life

Fasting "rests" the organ that is injured or abused. Period. If you sprain your ankle, you would not go out jogging that same day, right? Well, why is it then that we insist on continuing to eat when we are obese and toxic? The harsh reality is that THIS IS NOT Aunt Mary's tea party.

Fasting and calorie restriction is a way to reverse years of damage to your body. But most persons simply are unwilling to go through a little discomfort, even if it represents healing and much-needed weight loss.

These persons may be doomed. They do not want to do anything that, even for a season, removes them from absolute comfort and instant gratification. Such was the state of the Roman empire prior to its fall.

The equation is the same today. Walk through some discomfort and embrace change. Or face consequences. Be consumed by the sword of one's own folly. Which of these indivisible and certain harvests do you wish to reap?

Remember: This is real life. YOUR LIFE. It is your responsibility to do whatever it takes to improve your health, especially (and with added urgency) if you are overweight and toxic. Doctors and hospitals are there to help us and are very valuable, but they should certainly not be seen as the "cure" for what ails us. Medications exist to treat mostly symptoms. Prevention is the best medicine.

Prevention is in your hands. It gives you the power to direct your health towards the most optimum outcome. Such is the way of the mature. Such is the way of the courageous and the wise.

The Health Bank

Fasting and calorie restriction is a way to reverse years of damage to your body. Your health is like a bank account. You have to make deposits. Fasting, dieting, eating right, exercising... all of those disciplines make deposits into your health account.

One day you may need to make a withdrawal from that wellness account. If you have made no deposits ... guess what? What will happen to you? There will be nothing in there. A day of tragedy, darkness and gnashing of teeth.

It is the primary point of this article to be direct and to-the-point with real life experiences so that you, dear reader, DO NOT have to go through adverse health consequences. You can do that by admitting that you are responsible.

What needs to change in your health? How much weight do you need to lose? For how long have you been putting it off? What has become more important than your health?

Start fasting, start NOW! You do not have to be a record-breaker or fast for days and days and days. Fast one day per week. Fast even half a day per week. Work your way up from there. But do it. It works. And you are worth it!

Message to Ponder On:: Your personal food choices each day & in each situation will determine the quality of your health. Doctors and hospitals are NOT responsible for your wellness. You are responsible. Fasting can take you there. Are you ready?