As I found myself on the treadmill last night, I couldn’t help but look at one of the many flat screens that adorn the gym ceiling. Playing on the television was Wife Swap. Not a program that I care to watch however, when you are not as motivated as you should be while on the treadmill your attention starts to wander. And, so it wandered onto this particular program.

Of course, I could have watched the news or sports, however the fat, black family on Wife Swap caught my attention. What can I say, outside of the homeless I get fascinated by big fat, black people.

I point out the blackness and the fatness because for a long time being thick was also seen as being healthy amongst black folk. But now a days being fat is equated with being unhealthy (and for some poor.)

While I’m trying to get fit (remember I’m on the treadmill) I see this overweight married father of one, salivating over a 12-foot sub. Don’t get me wrong, I too like to eat, and eat a lot I do. But I can fit through an NYC turnstile without turning sideways (unlike these folks who may need to use the gate). I also can see my belt and everything else that is below it (i.e., feet, reproducing organ.)

This particular episode (which I would find out later was a re-run) matched this overweight family (Booker Family) with a family filled with fit individuals (the Alcorn Family). As you know may or may not know on Wife Swap, the wife switches homes (hence the name). In this particular case the mother, Jennifer, of the fit family happened to be a trainer.

As Jennifer entered the home she realized she had her work cut out for her. This family lived a very unhealthy life. She somehow talked, Eric, the father of the black family, into getting fit and losing weight. She also was able to get the son, Brandon, to get fit as well. Brandon at 13, weighs around 200 pounds easy. His father, Eric, age 37, has to be over 300 pounds (and that’s putting it lightly.)

It’s a sad fact: America is fat. Some of us sit around thinking that it’s cute and OK and others say they have no choice but to be fat. They don’t think they can get on the treadmill or eat a salad, and actually take care of themselves.

At the conclusion of Jennifer’s stay with the Booker’s, she’s left a lasting impression on them. The Booker family continued on their health crusade. Knowing that there is a better way to eat and live (and that salad is OK.)

When we finally realize that the best Health Care is Self-Care, we will then truly understand how much we can do without doctors. We can actually learn to heal ourselves instead of waiting to get sick and then try to recover our losses.