I keep hearing conflicting reports. Some experts say obesity has plateaued. Some say obesity is declining in kids and teens. Yet the CDC just released stats that obesity now exists in every state of the U.S. In a self-reported study, results show among others:

• No state has less than 20% obesity

• 19 states show obesity at 30%-35%

• Arkansas, Mississippi and West Virginia, always the winners, are the fattest states

• Colorado once again has the least amount of obesity

Just being obese, while uncomfortable and for most people shaming, isn’t a disease in itself. Or is it? There’s a debate going on about that as well. But for a great many people, obesity leads to medical conditions like diabetes, joint problems, sleep apnea, heart attack and more.

If you are trying to lose weight, get in shape or looking to protect your heart, here are a few resources that may help.

Diabetes Meal Plans and Healthy Diet

Heart-healthy diet

Exercise for heart health

How to avoid having a heart attack/quiz

Every year without fail I go to my ophthalmologist, my eye doctor. And every year, along with checks for vision and glaucoma, I get a dilated eye exam. Someone will put a drop of liquid in each of your eyes, you wait 20 minutes for your pupils to get bigger, and then the doctor will take photographs of the back of your eye looking to see if there’s any damage.

High blood sugar can cause the small blood vessels in the back of your eye to burst or leak. This can cause big diabetes eye diseases, like retinopathy or macular edema, not to mention vision problems. But don’t expect vision problems to warn you there’s trouble brewing. Often at the start of a diabetes eye disease you won’t notice anything. So it’s really important for a qualified eye doctor – ophthalmologist or optometrist – to perform a dilated eye exam.

Eye get it. There’s a ton to do if you have diabetes to keep yourself well. But don’t overlook your eyes. The non profit organization, EyeCanDoit.org, has a great site for eye education. I pulled this photo above from one of their fun and thorough educational presentations.

You owe it to yourself to invest a few minutes to learn about taking care of your eyes and eye health. Then make an appointment with an eye specialist if you haven’t seen one in more than a year and request a dilated eye exam.

I made a little eye video myself for dLife earlier this year – look after your eyes.

Take the test you can’t fail. Get moving for 14 minutes – walking, gardening, skating, biking, dancing, trampolining – and watch your blood sugar come down. That’s the power of movement on your blood glucose. If you have type 2 diabetes, it’s one of the few ways to bring down high blood sugar.

The Big Blue Test is a grassroots movement begun 7 years ago by the Diabetes Hands Foundation. Big Blue is a way for people with diabetes to see in minutes the value of exercise. And it’s a way to benefit those less fortunate. By recording your blood sugar before and after your 14 minutes of movement, $1 will be donated to people with diabetes living in need. Thousands of dollars, have been raised. Vital supplies have been given. Let your effort help someone who may not even have access to medicine.

Log in, take the test. Do a little good today for yourself – and someone else.