Proactive

July 3, 2016 – 

We are all human and I am the first to admit my diet is less than perfect. One such photograph on my Facebook page shows me elbow deep in a Chicken Fried Steak. Honestly that kind of sabotage is rare and I felt the effects of the oil, the salt, and the meat for the next 48 hours. My guess is that decision would be equal to several hours of cardio or hard work to offset just that one dinner. And no, it was not worth it. Here is the true irony of my decision; on Thursday last week I met with my Doctor for my annual physical. The gist of his concerns was that my cholesterol numbers were unacceptable. Indeed there is a genetic element to consider but I did admit my exercise had decreased this year and Brisket, Pulled Pork, and Ribs intake had increased with the mastery of my Big Green Egg. Nonetheless, my decision-making was NOT proactive. I know better and now I will fix the cholesterol numbers and overeating.

Enough about me, let’s talk about you. Who are you? Are you the person who has small bones and has consistently been losing muscle for the last decade? Or, are you the person who slumps over that computer or has two hands wrapped around that phone texting too many hours of your day? Or, are you the person who avoids water, fruit, or green leafy vegetables? All of ‘You’ above have possible health risk factors.

Big red flag for the skinny (ectomorph) person with long limbs, slim skeleton, and stringy musculature who is not lifting weights. You might find your body losing bone mass and lean weight. Not the good weight loss, instead of losing fat weight you might be losing bone mass from a honeycombing of the bones. Not good, if this might be you, it’s time to get FIT. Let’s build some bone!

Big red flag for the person sitting in a chair for hours on end slumping over a desk, head leaning foreword with hands extended out in front of you inside your sagittal plane (shoulder width.) Your extensor muscles may be suffering from back and neck pain. Your posture muscles extend your hips and retract your shoulders, and once posture suffers … so will you. It’s time to get FIT posture.

Big red flag for the person who just does not know that water is your friend. And for those of you living in Texas, where over the next few months the heat index is going up, up, up … you NEED water. I sweat a lot so I drink a lot and drink a lot (of water too.) Have a beer, have a water and, proactive thinking since beer is a diuretic. Your body will cool itself off with perspiration (the endocrine system doing its job) and your body needs water to function properly. How much? Drink 1 ounce of water per 2 pounds of bodyweight. So, if you weigh 140 pounds that requires 70 ounces of water to hydrate that body, or about SIX 12ounce glasses. Yes, a 6-pack of water. Click Here to Calculate Your Daily Water Intake.

Fruit and green leafy vegetables are important, I will leave it at that. You know it. For a good reference, here are a few documentaries that do a good job regarding nutrition (much better than I ever could). Forks over Knives, Food Matters, Hungry for Change.

To be proactive; PROACTIVE – to control an expected occurrence or situation. Most of us are already aware of our genetics and lifestyle choices, so start (and work) a plan to guide your health. If you do not know what to do, ask your Doctor. And come see me, because no matter your genetics functional movement is important for everyone. Oh, almost forgot … Happy (almost) 4th of July!!!

In good health,

Bob

“Recast your current problems into proactive goals.” Suze Orman