Hello, America. We are in trouble.

The CDC released its latest report on obesity in America. The facts are not good: 

• Between 2007 and 2009, 2.4 million more people are obese
• Nine states now have obesity rates over 30%
• Obesity rates have tripled in children
• Medical costs associated with obesity are estimated at $147 billion

This is not someone else's problem. This is our problem; my problem and your problem. Each and every one of us, at the very least, should know the facts and the impact of obesity on our country. And, more importantly, we should know where we are. 

Are you obese? Here is a rough guideline: if you are a  5-foot-4 woman who weighs 174 pounds or more, or a 5-foot-10 man who weighs 209 pounds or more has a BMI of 30, you are considered obese. This calculator will give you personalized results. If you're not obese, are you overweight? If so, now is the time to do something about it. 

What should you do? 

Step 1: Eat less. Regardless of what you eat and, what you can afford to eat, eat less of it. 

Step 2: Exercise more. If you don't exercise at all, check with your doctor and start small. 

Step 3: Drink only water. Stop drinking anything else. It doesn't matter if it says zero calories. The only thing with zero calories that won't have some kind of negative impact on your entire body is water. Period. 

Step 4: Enlist support. Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers. Tell the people around you about your mission to get healthy. Ask them to help you with encouragement and a reminder when you reach for the donut. 

We've created Cybercise to help people get healthy. Our program, Move.Eat.Be., guides our members, each week for 24 weeks. We include plans for how to exercise and how to eat well. And during the 24 weeks, we help you figure out how to be well, and in being well, you can avoid backsliding into obesity. A full, unlimited membership for Cybercise is $10 per month. We intentionally made Cybercise affordable so we could reach the very people who need it the most. If you are really committed to your health and to doing something about your obesity, you'll find the $10 a month. If you truly can't afford $10 a month, write to me and tell me your story. 

The only thing stopping you from taking the first step is your own refusal to do so. If you are resisting, spend some time thinking about how much better your life will be when you are healthy. In your heart, you know. It is time to listen to your heart.