Governor Bill AnoatubbyTribe offers programs to get healthy, feel great!
By Bill Anoatubby, Governor, Chickasaw Nation
We have all heard the saying, “When you have your health, you have everything.”
At the Chickasaw Nation, we could add “and attaining good health is an achievable goal.”
Across our country, Indian people have struggled for generations with health issues that negatively impact lives and families, and can result in premature disability and death. Indians suffer from diabetes at more than twice the rate of the U. S. population in general. Stroke attacks Indians much more often than the general population, and our fatality rate from stroke is over one and one-half times as high.
We are not alone in facing these critical challenges. In Oklahoma, the population has the eighth-highest rate of obesity in the country. Oklahoma high school students have the sixth-highest obesity rate, and the state ranks 48th in overall health.
We must face these sobering facts, and we must remain totally committed to changing these statistics.
We know from experience it is easier to create a good habit than it is to get rid of a bad habit. Investing in wellness, prevention and education programs is a key for the Chickasaw Nation. It is our goal to motivate people to establish those good habits that lead to healthy, happy and fulfilling lives.
Through our wellness programs, people are encouraged to move their bodies, work their muscles and enjoy the fellowship of a good workout with neighbors and friends. Even a light or moderate regular workout can vastly improve cardiovascular and circulatory health. And we feel so much better!
And remember, a good workout is not exceedingly strenuous nor does it involve heavy weights. There are many exercises that involve primarily simple stretching and moving. These exercises do us a world of good and virtually anyone can benefit.
Please make use of our wellness centers in Ada, Ardmore and Tishomingo. You’ll be glad you did!
Another essential element in our quest for good health is healthy eating. In this modern age, it seems we are all so busy we fail to properly consider our food consumption. Today, there are so many choices available to us and, unfortunately, many of them are “empty calorie” selections. We can eat healthy and well if we will make the commitment.
The Chickasaw Nation offers a great menu of choices for those ready to learn the basics of great eating.
Our Diabetes Care Center adjacent to Carl Albert Indian Health Facility in Ada offers terrific programs in nutrition, weight loss and “diabetes friendly” cooking classes. Our “Get Fresh!” program offers wonderful nutrition education as well as fun cooking classes and demonstrations. Our Farmers’ Market nutrition programs offer vouchers to our elders so they can get the very freshest fruits and vegetables straight from the farm.
Of course, our food distribution program and nutrition centers offer a tremendous selection of healthy and satisfying food.
Your tribe wants you to know how to develop those important healthy habits. We want you to have the latest information on how best to treat your body and attain that “great feeling” that comes with good health. We want you to have access to great, healthy food that really works for your body, and the training and cooking demonstrations that show you how to make tremendous family meals.
Those old bad habits can be very hard to break, but you can do it! And starting good new habits, like exercise and healthy eating, is much easier. And you will feel so much better.
We absolutely can make a big and positive difference in our own personal health.
Let’s decide today to start on the “good habits” trail. And remember, your tribe is supporting your healthy efforts with the programs and healthy foods to make your journey successful!
