Commentary: Say it loud: ‘I snack, I’m proud’          Maj. Thomas Hundley    Moncrief Army Community Hospital

 Growing up in the South, my life was shaped and molded by my exposure to three influential people. My mother exposed me to God, my father exposed me to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Don Cornelius (from Soul Train) exposed me to the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. I would watch James Brown perform dance moves on a wooden stage wearing platform shoes, moves that I could not perform on a linoleum floor wearing socks.  I remember grabbing my church shoes (a.k.a. dress shoes for all Northerners), putting on my James Brown eight-track, and wetting the floor with Mop & Glow so I could practice the moves of my American idol.  OK, if my mother is reading this, I apologize for making you think we had a water leak in the kitchen. Today, I am going to use some of the songs and lyrics of James Brown to help address our ever-growing overweight problem. It is a fact that more than 50 percent of Americans are overweight. Studies also reveal that we simply snack too much.  How many people do you know with a candy dish sitting right on their desks? How many co-workers do you know who always has a desk drawer full of snacks? How many people do you see and you wonder if their names should be Mr. Milk E. Way, Pvt. Potat O. Chips or Capt. Crunch N. Munch.   Don’t let me exclude my personal favorite, Rev. Reece S. Pieces. You see, this American obesity problem is an equal opportunity employer.  It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed. Many of our favorite snacks and junk foods are loaded with sugars and saturated fats.  These two ingredients alone can wreak havoc on your waistline and your mid-section.  So, if you are ready to shed a few pounds and improve your health, repeat after me, “Say it Loud, I Snack and I’m Proud!” Now that you have vocalized your problem, let’s embrace the words of the Godfather of Soul. Papa Got a Brand New Bag (of Potato Chips) There’s nothing better than watching the NCAA Championship while munching on a bag of nacho-cheese flavored Doritos. It always seems as though the best tasting chips are always at the bottom of the bag.  The only way to get to the bottom is to work your way from the top.  But my friends, we have to change the look and size of our chips if we want to change the look and size of our pants. My recommendation is to begin eating more chips of the multi-grain variety. They are healthier for you without loss of much of the flavor you crave. But please be mindful, it does not help if you eat the whole bag at one sitting.    I Got That Feeling (I Ate Too Much) Most of us never stop eating when we get full. We just keep eating until we get tired. Have you ever eaten so much that you had to stop, take a deep breath and say, “Whew!” Or have you eaten until you had to undo your belt or your pants so your stomach could expand. If so, commit this next sentence to memory: I ate too much.  To prevent overeating, pour a portion of the snacks you want to eat in a container and put the remainder away. When the portion is gone, you are done. Wash those snacks down with 32 ounces of water. Remember, out of sight means out of mind.  Papa Don’t Take No Mess (Papa Don’t Eat No Mess) One of the hardest things to do in losing weight is to give up those delicious snacks we love. It seems as though the day is not right until we get that chocolate fix.  Can I get a witness? But for the next few weeks, I want you to try to replace those doughnuts and Snickers with more fruits and vegetables. Strawberries, pineapples and peaches make very sweet and delicious substitutes. I also recommend trying a few baby carrots with low fat dipping sauces. Get Up Offa That Thing (And Dance Until You Feel Better) I believe that James Brown was being a visionary when he wrote this song. One of the major contributors to our obesity problem is our sedentary lifestyles. It is time for us to get off the couch and get into a physical activity. Simply put, if you are exercising, then you are not snacking. Start with a short daily walk and work your way up to a short daily jog.  Even a small amount of exercise can do wonders for your body and your overall health. If you really want a challenge, pull out your James Brown CD (or eight-track, if you still have one) and practice some of his most notable moves. I Feel Good (Cause I Eat Like I Should) This is the song that you will be singing when you have mastered the art of snacking. All it takes is a small change in how you eat, what you eat, how much you eat and some exercise on the side. Your body will thank you for dropping those unwanted pounds and inches before the summer. Just in case you forgot, it gets hot in South Carolina. Otherwise, my James Brown’s words to you will be “Please, Please, Please,” get out of my office before the extra-large “Hot Pants” you’re wearing makes you have a “Cold Sweat” that “Makes It Funky.”   Next time I will tell share with you what I learned from M.C. Hammer.  I Feel Good. HEEEEYYYY!