New Year - New Healthy Plan

This year keep it simple and design a health plan that works.

We all know that we should exercise at least x3 times a week for a minimum of 20 minutes, but sometimes we just don't get it done.  When you can't get to the gym here is an alternative plan to help keep you on track:  park your car further from the door at work, at the grocery store, at the mall etc. and walk briskly (this will help reduce stress too...as you won't be fighting for those close to the door parking spots).  Next, take the stairs vs. the elevator whenever you have a choice.  Finally, limit soda and fast food... eat more vegetables, fruits, grains and drink more water.  Keep it simple and you'll succeed.

Don't Wait Until You Have a Heart Attack to Change Your Life

I've been motivating positive health habits for years.  I was one of the original StayWell Health Management Consultants.  We were ahead of the curve in the early 1980's.  At that time it was considered novel to be providing worksite health risk assessments and programs to reduce health risks within employee populations.  Today, it's finally considered a necessary component in the race to contain healthcare costs and improve our wellbeing.  Oh how I wish people could look into their future and see how their lifestyles are impacting their future health.  A dear friend of mine recently had a heart attack.  He had a family health history of heart disease.  He carried ongoing work related stress.  He smoked.  He lived like he was invincible. Don't wait until you have a heart attack to change your life.  Take a look at your family health risk factors and if you have specific risks talk with your doctor to see how you can lower those risks.  What you do today will make a difference tomorrow.  You have things you need to do, there are children you want to nurture, there is a beach you want to stroll and a dance you haven't danced.  Don't wait until you have a heart attack or other major health issue to change your lifestyle....what you do today does make a difference and I don't want you to miss a thing.

Spider Bite

Make sure to see a doctor if bitten by a spider

Late last Saturday afternoon I was watering plants outside in my yard when I felt a bite or a sting on the back of my calf.  I swated whatever it was away, but I didn't get a look at it.  I figured it was a bee sting.  I went in the house and took some benadryl.  As the evening went on my leg started to really burn.  Sunday morning the area was about 4" in diameter, swollen, red and hot.  I had company on Sunday (my grown sons and family) I showed them my leg...it was hard to miss, but they suggested that I shouldn't be such a wuss.  As the day went on the area grew to about 6" in diameter, it was more swollen, red, hot to the touch, it burned and hurt when I stood, walked or flexed my leg or ankle.  Monday morning I went to urgent care.  The area now was about 8" in diameter, blistered, extremely swollen, hot and it had become difinite that it was getting worse.  The doctor said that it was good I came in.  She said it wasn't a bee sting it was a spider bite and that I had a serious infection caused by the bite.  The doctor put markers on my leg so, I could tell without question if the infection continued to spread.  They told me that if my leg got worse I was to immediatetly go to the hospital. They bandaged the area to prevent further infection in sores caused by open blisters.  They put me on predisone to take down the swelling and they gave me a 10 day course of antibiotics for the infection.  The next morning Tuesday I could see that the medicine was reducing some of the swelling and my leg wasn't as hot, but there were a lot more blisters.  Tuesday evening the area full of blisters turned a purplish color and this was concerning, because my online research told me that sometimes spider bites cause permanent skin damage (google spider bite images).  Good news by Wednesday morning the purplish color was fading, there were fewer blisters, the swelling was almost gone and the pain was pretty much gone.  Today is Thursday and the area continues to get better.  Only (1) blister remains, the area is not hot, it doesn't hurt and the discolored area has faded to a lighter red/purplish color that is still about 6" in diameter.  My guess it will probably take another week to fully heal.  I can only imagine what might have happened to my leg had I not gotten medical attention on Monday.  Until this happened to me I didn't realize that spider bites were a problem in Minnesota.  The doctor told me she sees them pretty regularly and they can be life threatening if not medically treated.  

Positive Thoughts and Surroundings Lead to Wellbeing!

Wellness is enhanced by positive thoughts.  I believe one of the reasons that people especially woman find greater success when they have a friend to workout with is, because our conversation keeps us busy vs. us spending our workout time fixated on negative things like how we look in the mirror, how tired we are, how behind we are at work, how our house needs to be cleaned, what will we fix for dinner, etc.  When we keep our mind busy in conversation we stay on our fitness task vs. giving up and leaving our workout early to take care of other issues.  I've always liked to workout to music, because the music carries me to a place where I can zone out the turmoils of the day and I just let the music carry me through my workout, but that doesn't work for everyone.  Find a fitness plan that puts you in a positive frame of mind.  Positive thoughts will help you achieve your goals and improve your wellbeing!

Fitflops Are They For Real?

I read an article about Fitflops in my local paper The Minneapolis Star Tribune on 7/19/08.  The article stated that fitflops had a built in gym.  They look like flipflops, but supposedly they utilized med-science research in the design.  They were originally designed as a vanity product to work the buttocks and smooth the thighs, but amazing claims are also being made about lower back and hip pain reduction.  They come in an assortment of colors and when I went to Macy's to get mine they were flooded with customers who read the same article that I did.  I bought a pair they cost about $50.00 and I went on my first 30 minute walk with them today.  I couldn't imagine wanting to go for a brisk 30 minute walk in any of my traditional flipflops, but I do have to say these were comfortable and I could immediately feel new muscles being worked in my buttocks.  If they work as claimed they're amazing....I'll let you know.  If you have a story about Fitflops please, let me know.

Update 7/24/08

I've now walked the last 4 days in my new fitflops and call me crazy but, I feel taller.  Maybe, that isn't crazy the fitflops have changed my walking stance and I still feel new buttock muscles working.  I can't say that I see any physical changes yet...except I do feel taller.  I'll update you again in a few days. I'd love to hear your Fitflops story.

Update 8/01/08

Okay I endorse Fitflops.  I'm not sure they do everything promised, but they are comfortable.  Also, the mere fact that they say if you walk in them for 30 minutes a day you'll have smoother thighs & tighter buttocks is true.  Of course if you start walking 30 minutes everyday...you'll probably see results regardless of what shoes are on your feet.  The bottom line for me is during warm weather I'd rather wear them vs. a heavier tennis shoe and they're made in a way that you can wear them for a 30 minute walking workout.  I like my fitflops!

Thank You For Banning Trans Fats

Thank you, California for being the first state to ban the use of trans fats in restaurants.   I know that some people will say this is too much regulation, others will say if they're banning trans fats...why not cigarettes or are cigarettes next?  I was one of the original StayWell health managemnet consultants, I owned Health Strategies and Well Kids.  I know that cutting trans fats out of our diets will change lives.  People will live longer and healthier lives.  How can that be a bad thing?  Sometimes we all need a little help to help ourselves.