ON July 22, 2015 the largest Zumba class was assembled in Cebu, Philippines. A total of 12,975 participants all dressed in yellow came together to dance and set the Guinness World Record, breaking the previous record set in 2014 with 8,232 attendees in the same city. You can read more about this on the Guinness World Records site.
This is probably no surprise to many of us. I’m convinced it’s in our bloodlines to move naturally to rhythm and we thrive most when we are in community. In fact, many academicians have theorized about an aspect of Filipino psychology that encourages togetherness. The late Virgilio Enriquez long ago identified “kapwa,” or “shared self” as one of three Filipino core values. And I believe kapwa is the best tool we have to fight chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease plaguing our community today, both here in the United States and in the Philippines.
During a recent two-week trip to the Philippines through the Filipino-American Youth Leadership Program (FYLPRO), I was struck by how many fast food restaurants now line streets of Manila – a stark contrast to what I remember from 1988 (I was quite the fast food researcher as a kid). I became curious about the current state of health in the country and learned that the Philippines ranks 15 globally for diabetes prevalence. Four million people are diagnosed with the disease but many more may be unaware that they are actually living with it (International Diabetes Foundation). According to the World Health Organization, 33 percent of deaths in 2014 were from cardiovascular disease (188,430) and 6 percent from diabetes (34,260). And sadly, many studies in the US also point to high incidences of hypertension and diabetes among Filipino-Americans.
Why are these statistics troubling? For one, diabetes and heart disease are preventable. And trust me, this is a difficult fact to swallow especially when you lose a loved one to such illnesses. I’m too familiar with the feeling because I lost my grandmother to complications of diabetes at 69 and my mother just last year. With proper nutrition, regular activity, and reduced stress, however, you can avoid these diseases, but first you must make the decision to take ownership of leading a healthy lifestyle. Even after diagnosis, you can still impact your outcome and many doctors will tell you it’s possible to reverse symptoms using the same principles for prevention.
So how does community play a role in preventing and treating these diseases? I am much more accountable when I share a goal with someone I trust. Imagine if you created a community whose shared goal is to thrive! This is exactly how we can leverage our kapwa value to lead our community to good health. It’s what I have done in my health coaching practice to keep my clients and myself accountable. I find myself choosing healthier options knowing someone will call me out when I don’t!
How to start your own accountability group:
1. Find people you trust who share similar health goals such as: 1) exercise more, 2) create more work/life balance, 3) eat more home-cooked meals, 4) sleep more (yes, this should be a goal since many of us are sleep deprived and are walking around like zombies)
2. Decide when and how often you will connect – in person/via email/on Facebook. One of my favorite ways to meet up with my own accountability group is by trying a new exercise together. Whether it’s yoga, Zumba, or even CrossFit — it’s much more fun to sweat with your kumare or high school BFF. And it beats having a nasty hangover the next day.
3. Set your SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-specific) goals – what do you want to accomplish by the end of your accountability calendar? Rather than weight, I focus on the simple changes or habits I want to develop that set me up for success. Examples are: learn three new healthy recipes by the end of the month or walk 30 minutes a day starting next week.
4. Check in – In your community of two or 20, it’s important to check on your progress and CELEBRATE! Your journey to health will have ups and downs, and it’s important to acknowledge both. Celebrate your victories and share challenges. More than likely, others in your group experience the same challenges and can give you some tips, or at least offer some support.
I’m currently forming my own accountability group and if you’re interested, you can join me and other people like you who want to take charge of their health and thrive. I’m also hosting a 15 Day End of Summer Detox starting August 16th during which you’ll learn which foods are right for your body without counting calories or points, and instead enjoying what nature has already provided. Email me at [email protected] or visit my website at www.annamariecruz.com for more info.
To your health and happiness!
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Anna Marie Cruz is a Certified Holistic Health Coach in Los Angeles who works with busy professionals and entrepreneurs to create more balance, reach their ideal weight, and reduce stress through small lifestyle changes.