Posture Perfect

My Drew

My great-nephew, Drew, is one of the most important people in my life.  We bonded almost from the time of his birth, five short years ago.  We love spending time together playing ball, racing toy cars, reading, whatever he wants to do.  I try to be a good steward of that time by teaching him something of value, although I did make the mistake of calling him a nincompoop one day and he picked right up on the word, using it at every opportunity.  I had to explain myself out of that one by telling him that he must not call anyone that, that it was just a word between him and Aunt Pam to tease each other!

We had been outside playing at his great-grandparent’s house, one Sunday afternoon.  We went inside the house for a drink of water.  While there, Drew decided he wanted to eat a piece of birthday cake.  He climbed into the chair at the kitchen table.  I sliced him a piece of cake and reached for the drawer to get him a fork.  “I don’t need a fork.” He said.  He picked up the cake with his hands, and just as he aimed for his mouth, it fell out of his hands and onto the floor, icing side down.  “That’s why you need a fork!” I explained. “Now, sit up there, because I’m going to teach you to act like somebody!”  He thought that was hilarious.

 For the next few minutes, I taught him about table manners. I reasoned why he should sit up nice and tall, with one hand in his lap.  He soaked up the information like the little sponge that he is. 

 Later that afternoon, his daddy came to pick him up.  He told his dad that “Aunt Pam taught me how to act like SOMEBODY!” 

 This reminded me of something my mother taught me. “Sit up straight!”  She would say.  “If you slump like that, your back will form that way.”  Her instructions were reinforced by my schoolteachers.  I recall my high school typing teacher telling the class that we would lose two inches off our waists if we would be aware of our posture.

Parents and teachers, we should be emphasizing this with our children. We need to be posture aware, too.  With sitting at computers all day, like many of us do, we can find ourselves in a real slump. 

Practicing good posture is an essential element of our health.  You see, when we let our spine sag, we can develop a postural deviation known as kyphosis, or hunchback.  Structural kyphosis is caused by osteoporosis, (the loss of bone mass), or can be an abnormality of the spine.  What I’m speaking of is postural kyphosis, which can be caused by poor posture, and weak abs.

Kyphosis creates an outward curvature of the spine, and a forward curve of the neck.  This creates a strain on supporting ligaments, which results in a sagging rib cage.  When the rib cage sags, it narrows the abdominal space.  When the abdominal space is decreased, the organs, such as the intestines, have nowhere to go except to protrude.  Respiratory function and heart action are restricted, and ailments like acid reflux can develop.

When we slump, our chest muscles become tight and the muscles in our back are overstretched.  Sitting at the computer isn’t the only cause of this.  Runners and cyclists can develop kyphosis if they don’t spend some time stretching the muscles of the chest and strengthening the muscles of the upper back.

Sitting for long periods of time causes tight hip flexor and hamstring muscles.  This creates a pull on the pelvis, resulting in the collapsed rib cage.  Stretching these muscles regularly will help to avoid this.

The best way to correct posture is to practice good posture.  When standing the crown of the head should be the tallest part.  At least one of your chins should be pulled in and your ears should align with your shoulders.  Chest lifted high, and shoulders pulled back and down, while holding in the abdominal muscles, result in a naturally aligned spine.

In a seated position, you should sit tall. The knees should be slightly higher than the hips.

 When walking, keep the head tall, and avoid a forward head.

 By regularly performing exercises to stretch muscles that are tight, and strengthening those that are weak, will improve your posture. Take time every hour to open up the chest with a nice stretch.  Take breaks often.  Get up and walk to improve your circulation.

 With just a little effort, you can be like Drew.  You can improve your posture and learn to act like somebody, too!

Check out Straighten Up America , and see what you can do to improve your health in just three minutes per day.

We’re Killing Ourselves

The October, 2009 issue of AARP bulletin listed the 50 most prescribed drugs in the U.S. in 2008.  At first look, one might scroll through the list and see where the prescriptions that they take fall in the line-up.  As I was reading through the list,  I saw a pattern emerging; a very disturbing one.  I totalled the numbers for prescriptions for the same ailments and came up with the four leading ones:

#4 – The number of prescriptions written for Type II Diabetes 40.1 million! = 1.78 billion dollars in pharmaceutical sales.

#3 – Americans must be in a lot of pain, because doctors wrote 214.7 million prescriptions for pain medications; another 1.78 billion dollars.

#2 - Apparently we needed 238 million prescriptions for depression and/or anxiety, for a cool 2.4 billion dollars for the drug industry.

#1 - And, I’ll bet you can guess what the doctors were busy scribbling on their prescription pads.  You got it!  3 billion dollars were spent on meds to treat hypertension or better known as high blood pressure.

America is sick!  And you know what the saddest fact about it is?  All four of these diseases could be avoided or controlled with an active lifestyle, regular exercise, healthy eating, rest, and de-stressing.    Now, before you jump all over me, let me say that I recognize that prescription medications are absolutely necessary in many situations.  I don’t have a thyroid, so I have to take Synthroid the rest of my life.  I am a Fibromyalgia sufferer, so without medication, my body will not function.  But, there are many meds that doctors have tried to force on me that I don’t need and refuse to take.  Others are pre-disposed, by genetics, to certain diseases. So, I do know there are those of us who require medication.  My furor and passion rests with the meds that we don’t need,  and the fact that by living healthier many could be avoided.   This is what gets me riled!

For twenty plus years, I have preached, encouraged, cajoled, and begged people to adopt these principles of healthy living.  I’m tired of it!  I’m tired of spending my hard earned tax dollars on people who don’t help themselves.  None of us can whine or pound our fists over healthcare reform.  We’ve already spoken…loud and clear…with the state of our health!  We’re LAZY, LAZY, LAZY!  In my opinion, if we aren’t personally doing anything to improve our health, we can’t expect the government to bail us out of our illness.

Just look at the billions of dollars we are spending to fund an industry that consistently rapes us.  The pharmaceutical industry spends millions of dollars per year to provide meals and other niceties to our physicians, who in turn write their prescriptions, and pass out their samples, with little or no knowledge of what that poison can ultimately do to our bodies.  Without question, we accept it.

A couple of years ago, I went to my doctor.  I told her that I wanted to come off some medication that had been prescribed a few years earlier, for menopausal symptoms and fibromyalgia.  Instead, she wanted to add two new meds!  I questioned her and refused the meds.  I had already researched those particular meds and wasn’t having anything to do with them.  I took myself off the meds and went to a natural approach.  I’m doing great!

Lower blood pressure is a walk-in-the-park, literally.  Exercise helps to decrease blood pressure.  It decreases the risk of Type II Diabetes, and if you already have it, it will decrease your need for medications.  Exercise boosts endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain killer.  Exercise improves mood, lessens feelings of depression, and decreases symptoms of pre and post-menopause.  You’ll sleep better, look better, and feel better about yourself if you will exercise.

Seventy percent of all illness is caused by stress.  De-stress!  Practice deep breathing and relaxation.  Do yoga, Pilates, go for a walk, stretch, light those candles, soak in the tub, go to a movie, dance…whatever it takes to relieve stress, do it!

Take time for your spiritual health.  My mother used to sing a song, “Whisper a prayer in the morning.  Whisper a prayer at noon.  Whisper a prayer in the evening.  It will keep your heart in tune.” 

I didn’t set out to get my preach-on , but if that’s what it takes to get you to the altar of repentance from sick habits, then it’s worth you getting upset with me.  I care about you!

I realize there is illness that we must take medications for, but I do believe that there are many ways we can avoid them.  Determine right this minute that you will make a concerted effort to do your part to get healthier by adopting a healthier lifestyle.  Think of what we could do with those billions of dollars we would save on medications.  We could pay for healthcare for those who really need it.  We could pay off some of our national debt.  We could…..

Health and Wellness Is An US Plan

There has been a lot of talk about incentives and stimulus plans. Everything from cars to furniture can be purchased at discounted prices and interest rates. Though nothing new, many companies have implemented wellness incentives to employees, in an effort to lower health insurance premiums. In an economy where every dollar matters, employees are realizing that not only does participation in a wellness program, save them money, but it improves their fitness level, increases energy to accomplish daily work, and reduces stress. 

One area school system offers teachers’ wellness points for taking charge of their health. Points are awarded for having an annual eye exam, mammogram, gynecological exam, dental check-ups, and glucose screenings. Those teachers who earned four points were eligible for a drawing. The prize was one year FREE health insurance. The logic behind the incentive is that taking care of yourself through regular health screening, results in your chances of early detection and diagnosis of illness will improve your chance for full recovery. The flip side to the contest is that if you don’t take care of yourself by doing such things as, losing your excess weight, or doing what you can to reduce your risk for developing diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, you risk losing your insurance coverage.  Other incentive programs include exercising a required number of times per week.

If all companies came on board with health initiatives, and employees’ gave full participation, it could be phenomenal how we could lower medical costs as a whole. Our government can supply all the health plans it wants, but these won’t make our nation healthier. Our health and wellness is in our own hands! We must assume more responsibility to take care of our health. Every day we make decisions that impact us in a negative or positive way. Every day we make directions about our health. Maintaining heart and bone health is a choice! What we weigh is a choice! Making exercise part of our daily routine is a choice!  Handling stress in a positive way is a choice! What we feed our bodies and minds is a choice! Neglecting our spiritual life is a choice! When we make healthy choices, we get positive results.

In a goal oriented society, one would think that it is a no-brainer to make choices that result in positive outcomes. Aside from illness and diseases, over which we have no control, health and wellness is a choice. I don’t know about you, but that’s incentive enough for me.

Roller Coasters, Water Parks, and Cellulite

Dollywood Grist Mill

As a bona fide thrill seeker, roller coasters are at the top of my to-do list for summer entertainment.  Anything with a steep drop qualifies.  Dolly Parton’s Dollywood and Splash Country are a short drive, so I purchase a season pass each year.  It makes for a fun day trip.  They are located side-by-side, which makes it convenient to go to both parks on the same day.  Dollywood has better food choices, so I like to go there in the morning and ride coasters until lunch time.  After lunch, I go to Splash County and enjoy the water slides.

 Having been cooped up in my office for most of the summer, I decided that I would go to the theme parks yesterday.  None of my friends could go, so I hopped in the car by myself and headed down I-81 to Dollywood.  Driving down the interstate I began to anticipate the day.  I would make my way directly to the Mystery Mine for my favorite coaster ride.  The attraction is popular, so it’s best to run straight back to it and get in line.

 

The Mystery Mine

It was in the 90’s yesterday.  The thought of cooling waters rushing over my body was just what I needed.  Ah yes, I could float in the lazy river.  The wave pool would lull my brain to a state of tranquil idleness.  For an entire day, I wouldn’t have to cut and paste, chase a mouse, or delete.   The smell of chlorine was enticing me to drive a little faster.I arrived at the gate at Dollywood. 

The Lazy River

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didn’t drive far into the parking lot until I decided the lines were going to be way longer than I wanted to wait.  I made a u-turn and headed to Splash Country.  There were plenty of things to do there; I didn’t have to have a coaster fix, I told myself.  The only thing about Splash Country, or any water park, or water sport, it requires the wearing of swimwear.  The thought of it evokes feelings of dread and insecurity for most of us.  The only thing worse than putting on a swimsuit and venturing into public view, is shopping for one, but that’s another story for another day.  I mean, really.  Don’t you feel this way?

Don’t you have some jelly in your belly?  How about a little junk in your trunk?  Does the varicose in your veins look like a Rand McNally Road Atlas?  Perhaps your glow-in-the-dark skin tones are too blinding to venture into the sunshine.  Don’t feel bad about it.  One sure fire way to overcome your self-consciousness about your body is to go to a water park!

From the moment I walked into the park area, I saw more crack then any cocaine addict, and it had nothing to do with drugs.  PEOPLE…pull up your pants!  ARG!  Jelly in the belly?  Holy cow, there was so much adipose tissue bouncing around that I wondered if these folks could even submerge themselves in the water.  From my observation, it seemed like everyone was having a great time just “hanging out”.  Nobody seemed to give a hoot about displaying cellulite; they had become best friends with it.

As I looked around at the mass of flesh surrounding me, I felt less self-conscious.  Now, granted I’m no young thing anymore, and certainly no bathing beauty, but I did feel better knowing that I have some muscle tone and not a lot on my body that shakes.  The experience makes me more determined to amp up the squats, lunges, and push ups.  Seeing the need for fitness all around me, I am inspired to crank up my cardio, and cut some more fat out of my diet.

It is important that people feel good about themselves.  We don’t have to be obsessed about our bodies to be more fit and healthy.  If these same people, that were in the water park yesterday, would put forth as much physical effort as they were yesterday, just three times per week, it would make a huge difference in the way they look and feel.

I’ve been trying to motivate people to a more active lifestyle for more than twenty years.  I haven’t found the secret formula to accomplish this yet.  The best that I can do is to be a better example for them. 

Fitness is like a roller coaster. 

Thunderhead at Dollywood

We go through ups and downs in our exercise routines, but if we stay active on some level, we’ll arrive at the depot with a lot less load in the train.  However, if we drift along in the lazy river for most of our lives, we will find ourselves drowning in a sea of physical problems.

I love the thrill of the ride, won’t you take the plunge with me?

Fire Tower Falls

Fitness Isn’t A Size

Eat less, exercise more.  Don’t eat carbs, do eat carbs. High protein diets help you lose weight. Don’t eat sweets, breads, or starches.  You could lose weight if you just did these things.  Take Alli, phentermine, acai berry, drink this shake, or take this supplement.  Think yourself thin, meditate yourself lean, and stretch yourself slender.

Have any of these really worked for you?  Maybe some do, short term, but not every time.

Losing weight, or maintaining a healthy body weight, is a challenge for most of us.  For those lucky minority, it isn’t an issue, but for the majority of obese America, it is a challenge.  One would have to have been living in a cave in Antarctica not to be reasonably educated about the things we should and shouldn’t eat, and how much exercise we need.   If we eat more calories per day than we burn off, we gain weight.  Calories in, energy out.  It’s called the Energy Balance Equation. 

It should be so simple as eating right, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and de-stressing.  But the reality is that it isn’t a simple thing at all.  The body is a complex machine.  Not all machines are alike.  Like cars, each body is built differently.  We all the have the same basic components, but let one or more of these get out of kilter, and the machine doesn’t function to it’s potential.

Medications, blood glucose, various auto-immune illnesses, stress, menopause, hormonal changes, lack of rest, all impact our metabolism.  Imbalances in our endocrine system can play havoc with our weight, too.

We need to educate ourselves regarding these overweight issues.  It isn’t a matter of whether or not someone has will power, as to whether they can get lean and mean.  It isn’t always as simple as diet and exercise.  Certainly eating right, exercising, and getting enough rest are compononents to being healthy, but these are not an automatic, punched ticket to slimming down.  Fit isn’t a size! 

If you have done everything you know to slim down, and are discouraged because noting is budging, make an appointment with your doctor for a physical.  Do research about any medications you are taking regarding the side effects.  If you can get to the cause, you and your doctor can work together for the solution.

I would much rather have the 5 lbs of lean muscle (it’s smaller), than the 5 lbs of fat, wouldn’t you? 

Don’t get discouraged, if you find the scale isn’t going down.  Know that there is a reason, and don’t stop until you find out what it is.

Healthcare Is a Wild Goose Chase and Our Goose Is Cooked!

I don’t know how it is where you live, but I am put out, put off, disappointed in, disturbed by, and disillusioned with health care in our area. I have lost two friends this year, due to negligent care. Both had serious medical issues. In one case, they couldn’t get the doctor’s office to return their phone calls for follow-up care that was needed. She died waiting for the doctor to call back. In the other case, the doctor passed it off as an ongoing heart problem, without looking further to find that the real issue was the liver. I’m not a doctor, but yellow eyes would have been a clue to me that something was up with the liver!

Two of my daughters have had serious medical problems as well. One of them tried for weeks to see her primary care doctor, going so far as to stage a sit-in in his office to try to see him. She was in pain. Her foot had turned purple up to her leg, was ice cold, and painful. She couldn’t walk on it. He ordered tests without looking at her, had his nurse call with “normal” results and passed her off. Through her perseverance, and NO help from her physician, she was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, a diagnosis if left untreated, spreads to other limbs. It took nearly a month of calling doctors, visiting the ER, and staying on top of things until she got a diagnosis and treatment.

The other daughter has seen 6 doctors, two of whom are specialists, to try and diagnose what is wrong with her eyes. The pressure in them is excessive, plus they have an overabundance of white blood cells in them. One specialist went so far as to say that he doesn’t know what is causing it, only that it can’t be good, so let’s try to keep your symptoms under control. Three years of steroid drops later, she is getting worse daily, and losing vision. She now has holes in her vision.

My medical insurance wouldn’t approve an MRI, or rotator cuff surgery, until I had gone through physical therapy. I couldn’t complete the P.T., due to the pain. It was weeks before I was finally able to get my primary care physician to order the MRI. She told me she would put in an urgent request for it. A week later I had to call the office to remind them that she was supposed to set that up. My pharmacy called her office twice and faxed it once to get permission to renew a prescription. I called the office again to say that the doctor had told me she would have my prescriptions sent electronically, so that when I needed them they would be ready for the pharmacy to fill. By this time, I was irritated, but I was nice when I called. A few weeks later, I received a letter from the doctor telling me to find another doctor…outside of their group. I had been fired!

As it turned out, it was the best medicine for me, because I found a doctor who is independent of a group. He is thorough, approachable, and caring. I do believe that I can trust what he tells me. He found the cause and a solution. There are many reputable doctors in our area. I have a top- notch orthopedic surgeon, and two other excellent physicians. I’m sure there are others. However, I have personally had more doctors who treat symptoms rather than cause. I could continue to cite examples of personal experiences, and those of people I have talked to.

There are lots of people talking about the state of our health care! The point is, “we aren’t in Kansas anymore Toto!” Gone are the days when we could completely rely on what our physician told us. Long past is the time that we can take their word for everything. The time has come that we must take our health care in our own hands. If we aren’t getting satisfactory answers, we need to do our own research. We must be persistent in finding diagnosis and remedies.

What’s the problem with health care in the U.S.? Are there too many people and too few physicians? Are the insurance companies to blame? Is it because the doctors are so regulated by insurance companies, and so threatened with malpractice, that they are afraid to practice medicine? Are their hands so tightly tied with red tape that they can’t be healers anymore? One thing is for certain, it’s getting worse. This isn’t health care! How can you treat something when you don’t know what is causing it? Way too many deaths can be accounted for, using this type of reasoning. And do you know what? We put up with it.

What can we do to change things? Our current administration has made lots of promises to us. How can he fix or change a mindset? We must take control of our own health care. We can no longer expect anyone else to do it for us. We must not accept a diagnosis or misdiagnosis. We shouldn’t self-diagnose, but we should be pro-active in our diagnosis and care. Our lives depend on it.

Be a Mentor for Beginning Exercisers

Developing the habit of exercising daily is not a priority for most people, as is evidenced by our national obesity rate. Some cite the lack of time, others don’t know where to begin, and the rest of us don’t have the motivation to do anything about it. It couldn’t be from the lack of knowledge or awareness that a sedentary lifestyle is the highest risk factor for developing physical problems that keeps our seats firmly planted on our sofas, or at our computers.

When I first started exercising regularly, I found that having someone to share the experience with was the key to my sticking with it. Going to an aerobics class with a group of my girlfriends, proved to be just what I needed to motivate me. We moaned and groaned in unison. We laughed and danced our way to a healthier more toned body. The best benefit of it all, at least to us, was the camaraderie. We left that class feeling energized and ready to face the day. We burned calories and our elevated metabolism lasted for hours after we finished the workout. We stayed slim and trim, too.

I’ve been thinking that maybe those of us who are physically active need to mentor someone. We can get them started, and give them the tools that will keep them going; mainly the tool of learning to love exercise. When I was running, I didn’t particularly love the way I felt while doing it, but I surely did love how I felt afterward. I had a feeling of accomplishment. I knew I had burned off at least one meal, so I didn’t have to be so concerned about how much I ate.

There is a group of dedicated exercise enthusiasts who are mentoring lots of folks in our city of Kingsport, Tennessee. Each year, the State of Franklin Track Club leads a group of beginning walkers/runners in a progressive training program, in preparation for the Crazy 8’s Road Race and the Eastman Rd. Race. The Crazy 8’s events, including the 8k race, the 3K Neil’s Walk, and the Little 8’s, Special 8s, and Crazy Mile are part of Fun Fest. These events drew 3,500 participants last year, and are expected to increase in numbers this year, with about that many people on the sidelines cheering them on.

Hank Brown started the training program in the early 1990’s. He wrote the program, which the track club still uses. He has mentored many beginning and wanna be runners over the past twenty or so years. For years, he has organized and overseen the Crazy 8’s events. Now he owns the events, which has garnered several prestigious awards. The road race features former Olympians, and runners from all over the world, including Kenya and Ethiopia. It is a thrill to see these runners in motion. You have to watch in fast-forward, otherwise you will miss them. These elite runners appear to glide effortlessly along the road, barely breathing hard.

Neil’s Walk is a 3k health walk,  in memory of Neil Danehy. This event raises a significant amount of money for the Neil Danehy heart foundation. All of the money from this benefit remains in the Tri-Cities area.

Having been a member of The State of Franklin Track Club, I know Hank. I have been an eye-witness as his vision became reality. He had lots of help along the way. People like Al Kress, Sam Culbertson, Tandy Fleming, Ernie Dickson, Bob Townsend, Janice Hicks, Harriet Locke, Frank Kibler, and many other SFTC members who supported the track club, ran the races, and mentored runners throughout the years. These folks are still very active participants in the club.

It might seem to you that I went off on a wild goose chase with this article, but I can assure you that I didn’t. The reason I have mentioned Hank, and these other dedicated runners, is to show, by example, how one person started by mentoring one other person, and grew that day-by-day, year-by-year into an international event. Think of the lives and bodies that have been changed as a result of their efforts.

 They would probably tell you that they were just doing what they love, and that’s true, but it is their eagerness to share this healthy lifestyle, so that others can experience the benefits. That is the real running force behind it!

You can buddy up with someone and set them on a path to a healthier lifestyle, and a better quality of life. You can make a difference, just like these runners have. It doesn’t have to be running. It can be any kind of regular exercise. When you do this, you will find that sticking to your own program is a lot easier, and more fun.

This years events take place on July 11th, so if you would like to participate, log on to the Crazy 8’s web site to register.

Another story about being a mentor, Homespun Highlights

Test Your Food and Diet Knowledge

Okay, I have a quiz for you.  It’s a health and fitness quiz that tests your knowledge of what’s current in exercise and diet.  I like to stay up on what’s happening in the world, don’t you?  So, why not be up on what is better for us to eat, drink, and fun ways to exercise?  Some of the answers may surprise you.

1. If you are calorie and fat gram counting, which of the following choices from Chick-Fil-A should you make

 a. Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich

b. Chicken Strips Salad

c. Chicken Chargrilled Cool Wrap

2. A 16 oz. serving of a specialty drink at Starbucks contains calories.  Which one of the following has hte least amount of fat grams?

a. Vanilla Latte

b. Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte

c. Orange Mango Banana Blend

3. Drinking one can per day of sugar sweetened soft drinks will add 15 lbs. per year to our weight.  Why do researchers say that diet soft drinks are bad for us?

a. The chemicals in the cans can cause cancer.

b. They still contain calories.

c. They condition our taste buds to crave super-sweet foods.

4.  Most calorie burning norms are based on a 150 lb. person.  The more you weigh, the more calories you burn per activity.  Based on the 150lb norm, which of the following leisure activities burns more calories per hour?

a. Singles Tennis

b. Golf, using a power cart

c. Shooting baskets, Basketball

5.  What is the newest, hottest group exercise craze?

a. Indoor Cycling

b. Zumba

c. Hula Hoop Dance

 

Answers:

1.  (a) The Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich.  It has 260 cal./3 grams of fat, as opposed to the Chargrilled Chicken Cool Wrap with 410 cal./12 grams of fat, or the Chicken Strips Salad with 450 cal./ 22 grams of fat. http://www.chickfila.com/#nutrition

2. (b) Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte 130 cal./ 0 fat.  The Orange Mango Banana Blend has 250 cal./2 grams of fat, and the Vanilla Latte has 250 cal./6 grams of fat. http://www.starbucks.com/retail/nutrition_info.asp

3. (c) They condition our taste buds to crave super-sweet foods.   http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/

4. ( a.) Singles Tennis   Shooting baskets – 306 cal. per hr., Golf using a power cart = 238 per hour.  http://caloriecount.about.com/activities-sports-ac15

5. It depends on who you ask, as to what the hottest fitness craze is, but the newest hot one is (b)Zumba http://www.zumba.com You can see my take on Zumba at http://archerfitpress.wordpress.com/2008/04/11/zumba-rhumba/

A five question fitness quiz is short, but if you follow all the links, you will be on information overload and can come up with your own quizzes.  Our food and drink is full of unhealthy ingredients.  A heads up beats ignorance hands down.

Aerosol Dining

An  Harvard professor, David Edwards, has invented inhaleable chocolate.  Le Whif’, as he calls it, made it’s debut at All Candy Expo, in Chicago.  Edwards also assisted in developing  inhaleable insulin and is working on an inhaleable TB vaccine.  He states that he believes that there will be a new way of eating in the future..by aerosol!

Now I am a believer in the health benefits of eating dark chocolate.  You know the benefits…antioxidants, improved mood, tastes good, but seriously…if I am going to inhale any particle of food, it is going to be in chunks, inserted into my mouth, not my nose!  My daughter, at age 2, tried to inhale a Sweet Tart.  It cost me $25 to get that removed from her nostril and now they encourage inhaling food? 

I can see where they are going with this radical idea of food inhalers.  There would be no need for dishes, silverware, pots or pans.  No stoves, ovens or microwaves.  We could just line up our inhalers and aerosol spray veggies, meat, bread, and desserts on shelves in the pantry.  We could pack our lunch in our pockets and purses, and in our child’s lunchbox. 

I wonder if they have done any research on the long-term effects of the sinuses and lining of the nostrils?  Twenty years from now, will we be blogging about how to keep your nose from falling off your face, due to constant irritants navigating their way through the tunnels of it?  What would this do to restaurants or grocery stores?  Can you imagine an aerosol drive through?

Surely they will save this inhaleable eating plan for astronauts, because the idea is over the moon.   Eating should be a pleasant and relaxed experience.  It should be down time, not down it time.  This is one convenience we can live without.  We are in too much of a hurry.  Stress fills our day already.  Meal time shouldn’t be squirting up on the subway.  That couldn’t be good for us.

Food inhalers and aerosol sprays?  For me, this idea stinks!

How to Avoid Work-at-Home Isolation

Working from ones home has many advantages.   I’ve been a work from my home entrepreneur for years, so I can speak from experience of both the pros and the cons of it.  Flexibility of schedule is the best!  I put in many hours per week, but I can elect to work by day or by night.  I can take the day off…any day, if I’m caught up. I don’t have to have a closet full of career clothing.  I can work in lounging clothes, and I can sans the make-up, if I so choose.  Fuel cost is not so much an issue, because I am not driving to work every day.

All these things are great, but being at home all day can make you feel isolated.  This can lead to mild depression.  Some of the ways that I have found to deal with this feeling of isolation, might also help you:

• Get out of the house!  Go outdoors and eat your lunch or snacks, instead of sitting at your desk.  That brief change of scenery can improve your mood, and give your brain a rest.  Plus, you won’t have all of those crumbs in your computer.
• Take a walk around your neighborhood.  Not only is this good for your physical well-being, but you can stop and say hello to another human being.
• Phone a friend.  Be selective about who you call.  Make sure they are a positive,  upbeat person that you can laugh and have meaningful conversation with, else you will be upset when you get off the phone.  This would defeat the purpose of the call.
• Have lunch with someone.  Make regular lunch appointments to get you out of the house, and around other people.
• Join your local Chamber of Commerce, BNI, or civic organization.  The interaction with other business people keeps you on your toes.  Being active in these groups gives you a chance to give back to the community as well.
• Get involved in Social Networking Web sites like Twitter, Linkedn, Naymz, Facebook, and many others, allow you the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, and connect professionally.  You will build a network of people who will help you grow your business, and connect to those you need to meet.  I needed some vendor recommendations for the D.C. and Roanoke areas.  I posted it on Twitter, and within seconds had references for both markets!  Warning:  These sites can be addictive, so set your alarm so that you won’t let them rob your valuable work and family time.  One person on Twitter said that she was un-following Twitter in order to follow her family.

The next time you are feeling a little blue, try one or two of these suggestions and see if you don’t feel more motivated to get the job done.