Al Sharpton – Ordained Minister Of Health

For many years, we’ve seen a “full figured” Rev. Al Sharpton in the news… marching on behalf of the oppressed. Currently, at 57 years of age, he is not the man he used to be… by more than a hundred pounds! His extraordinary results speak to the power of healthy lifestyle changes – truly a fountain of youth! Now, he’s committed to helping others learn about and experience similar health benefits.

How did he lose the weight?

A former self-described “fried chicken junkie” and “walking potential for a heart attack”, Rev. Sharpton explained in recent interviews on 60 Minutes and The Wendy Williams Show (May 2011 and October 2011 respectively) that he now generally avoids red meat and fried foods, in favor of fruits, veggies and fish. He also exercises regularly, several times each week. When choosing a hotel, he now looks into the quality of the fitness center before other amenities.

It is noteworthy that Rev. Sharpton did not opt for a fad diet or surgery to lose the weight. Plenty of celebrities have used these approaches with varying degrees of success.  Sharpton’s approach to weight loss has been to change his entire lifestyle….for the long run. He has indicated that he’s received more attention from the ladies since his weight loss.  Furthermore, he’s finally overcome his addiction to fatty, salty, and sugary foods — and by eating healthful foods he feels much better and will likely live longer.

Another famous, formerly “Fat Al” named Roker chose surgery (gastric bypass) to lose weight, which worked well for him. Although there are some situations where such surgery is needed, it should generally be a last resort, because there are possible complications, including death. Furthermore, losing the weight alone does not protect from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancers. In the end, you still have to eat more healthful foods and less fatty, salty, sugary foods, in order to prevent disease. It is my understanding that Mr. Roker has fortunately now become much more conscientious about his daily food choices.

Why now?

Rev. Sharpton describes that he recalls losing weight about ten years ago, while fasting in a Puerto Rico prison (related to a protest)  and how he liked looking leaner.  Although he gained much of the weight back, he never forgot that experience.

More recently, his daughter asked him why he was “so fat” and why he wore (baggy) jogging suits so often, hinting that his appearance may have been embarrassing to her. That was the last straw. He was determined to get fit.

As African Americans, we generally die younger than whites, often due to preventable diseases. Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity permeate our family trees, resulting in much suffering and early death. Rev. Sharpton’s transformation should serve as an example of the power of lifestyle changes – truly a fountain of youth!  Too often we rely upon medication and surgery, but do not address the root cause of disease, which is most often based on the daily dietary and lifestyle choices we make.

Also worthy of note is Rev. Sharpton’s decision to take to the airwaves his message on the importance of dietary choices for disease prevention – in essence, a ministry of healthy lifestyle healing from which we can all benefit, enjoying healthier, longer lives.

By Dr. Ed James, BDO Healthy Lifestyle Expert

Dr. Ed James draws inspiration from his personal experiences with healthy lifestyle changes, having overcome prediabetes and obesity several years ago. In 2011, he founded Heal2BFree to focus on helping individuals and organizations to develop and implement action plans that help close the health disparities gap between blacks and whites.

Dr. James has given many presentations, including the 2011 National Medical Association Colloquium and regularly contributes preventive health-related articles to some of the nation’s top health publications. He is also the primary author and co-editor of Getting into Medical School – A Planning Guide for Minority Students.

He received his BS in Biology from Bucknell University and earned his MD and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania as a participant in the Penn Med Scholars combined degree program.

For more healthy lifestyle tips and news, visit Dr. Ed at Heal 2B Free!