It's not what you know...

Presidential Proclamation for National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

A morning walk in the neighborhood or Saturday game of catch with a child can brighten the day. Simple activities like these also contribute to our physical fitness. As the weather warms and invites us outside, I encourage Americans to consider the many simple ways to add physical fitness activities to our lives.

Incorporating these habits can put a smile on your face, and it can also improve your long-term health and well-being.

This issue deserves our attention because physical activity can help curtail the rise in chronic diseases facing our Nation today. Among children and adolescents, regular physical activity can improve bone health and muscular fitness. Physical activity also helps prevent childhood obesity, which is a serious threat to our Nation's health.

Among adults young and old, physical activity has been shown to combat obesity, while reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. Even moderate amounts of physical activity can reduce the risk of premature death. All Americans should understand the significant benefits physical activity provides.

Individuals, employers, and communities can take steps to promote physical fitness. Depending on his or her ability, every American can try to be healthier by, for example, walking or biking to work if it is nearby, being active during free time and eating healthier meals.

Employers can raise awareness and incorporate physical activity in the workplace, and communities can promote access to recreational activities and parks.

The Department of Health and Human Services' Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans are designed to help Americans of various ages and abilities engage in physical activity that can be incorporated easily into their daily lives.

More information about the Guidelines is available at: www.health.gov/paguidelines

To encourage attention to physical fitness, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports sponsors the National President's Challenge, a six-week competition to determine America's most active State. The Challenge extends from May 1 through July 24 this year.

I encourage Americans to register for the Challenge at www.presidentschallenge.org and to begin recording activity to help their State win this year's competition.

By learning about the benefits of physical fitness, staying motivated, and being active and eating healthy, more Americans can live healthier, longer, and happier lives.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2009, as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.

I call upon the American people to take control of their health and wellness by making physical activity, fitness and sports participation an important part of their daily lives. I encourage individuals, businesses, and community organizations to renew their commitment to personal fitness and health by celebrating this month with appropriate events and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
/s/ BARACK OBAMA

Are you worried about Swine Flu? - Stay Informed!

Go To: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, The New York City Department of Health

From The World Health Organization
April 27, 2009

SWINE INFLUENZA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What is Swine influenza?
• How do people become infected?
• Is it safe to eat pork and pork products?
• Which countries have been affected by outbreaks of Swine flu?
• Is there a human vaccine?
• What drugs are available for treatment?
  
• How can I protect myself from getting Swine flu?
• What should I do if I think I have been infected?
  

Giving Thanks...

On a day like today, when the sky is grey and brings lots of rain, and when the news around the world brings much of the same, give thanks for all that is bright and sane....

Read this very inspiring story: Central Park Jogger Still Running 20 Years Later

A Man Walks into a Bar...

As some of my clients, friends, and most members of my family will attest, I love to laugh - who doesn't? I also like to make other people laugh - especially my two children. When my children laugh it brings me more joy than I could ever describe with just words - or I ever thought possible. I can only hope that you have had the same experiences, and that laughter invades your daily lives and covers you and your loved one's in a blanket of joy....

So in that spirit, I would like to share this wonderful article with my readers.

Healing with humor

Doctors say a dose of laughter may help with wellness

By Lisa Larson

Published: April 16, 2009
The Spectrum
St. George, Utah

An apple a day may not be the only way to keep the doctor away; some studies show a dose of laughter will do the trick too.

Based on an idea put forth by Norman Cousins who wrote the book "Anatomy of an Illness" in 1979, whether laughter can actually assist in healing, stress relief and overall wellness has been studied by numerous scholars since.

One study conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md., linked laughter to healthy function of blood vessels, according to an article on the University of Maryland Medical Center's Web site, noting that laughter "appears to cause the tissue that forms the inner lining of blood vessels, the endothelium, to dilate or expand in order to increase blood flow."

The study confirmed what other researchers have found, a link between mental stress and the narrowing of blood vessels.

"At the very least laughter offsets the impact of mental stress which is harmful to the endothelium," said Dr. Michael Miller, director of the Center for Preventative Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

"The endothelium is the first line in the development of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries," Miller said in an article on PsychologyToday.com. "So given the results of our study it is conceivable that laughing may be important to maintain a healthy endothelium, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease."

Locally, doctors like Bruce Hendrix, doctor of internal medicine with Valley View Medical Center in Cedar City, and Marty Nygaard, a pediatrician with Intermountain Medical Group at Red Rock Pediatrics in St. George, have studied the use of laughter less scientifically in their practices. Both have seen how using humor not only helps patients, but offers relief to family members and medical professionals as well.

"It's hard for us to let loose, especially for physicians," Nygaard said. "One of my callings in life is to help that along a little."

"People need to be able to laugh and have fun in their life," Hendrix said.

In the medical world, knowing when to use humor in your practice is a delicate balance, based on the patient's temperament and the severity of the situation. If the situation is serious, or if Hendrix has to deliver bad news, humor is never a part of the discussion. Other times laughter and humor can ease the tension in the room and in some cases helps the patient feel more comfortable opening up to the doctor.

Hendrix has also found humor to be helpful in dealing with his colleagues and staff, and in his life outside the medical world.

The more fun I have, the better I am as a father, husband (and) doctor," he said. "I think we adults forget that we need to have fun."

One example of Hendrix's humor is a gag he and several co-workers have participated in: duct taping an inflatable shark to the windshield of each others' cars.

"For me, personally, it's important to have some fun and laughter every day I come to the clinic," he said.

Nygaard agrees. Working with children in his practice lends itself to some youthful humorous antics, including everything from the way he dresses for work to the poems and songs he readily shares.

"I like to have fun and kids like to have fun, so it works out pretty well in that respect," Nygaard said.

Still, he doesn't get to laugh at work as much as he'd like to since many of his patients are not excited to be at the doctor to receive shots and other treatments. In order to offset the negative connotation of going to the doctor, Nygaard often wears kid-friendly ties Ñ such as Dr. Seuss themes Ñ has Goofy on his stethoscope and usually dresses up for Halloween. He also recites poems and jokes and even sings songs to entertain the children and their parents.

"I like to sing to them," he said of the parodies he creates out of recognizable tunes.

One of the favorites among his patients is a special birthday song, so much that some parents will purposely schedule their child's doctor appointment on their birthday so they can hear the song.

"We have a good time. It's a real burden to be a parent, especially if your child's sick, so we try to cheer them up," he said of his relationship with his patients' parents.

Like Hendrix, Nygaard said there is a definite balance to find when using humor with medical practice.

"We don't make light of a situation (when) somebody's really suffering," he said.

However, there are times when laughter may indeed be just what the doctor ordered.

Terri Draper, spokeswoman for Intermountain Healthcare in the Southwest Region, recalled a time when the hospital was giving away stress reliever squeeze toys called "wow cows." The mother of one of Draper's co-workers was a patient during that time and was in serious condition.

The co-worker gave one of these stress relievers to her father to lighten his mood. He started to laugh hard. He told his daughter "I feel so much better" after he tore the legs off the cow.

"It was exactly what he needed at that time," Draper said.

Whether someone is dealing with a medical problem or just getting through the stress of a day on the job, Nygaard said most people could use more humor in their life.

"I think a lot of our problems are because we take ourselves way too seriously," he said, adding that some people take the serious things too light-heartedly and vice versa.

"We can start to get down on ourselves and (humor) is a way to bring us out of those doldrums," he said. "I think (laughter is) a really important adjunct to any treatment that we have."

And, Laughter Is Indeed Good Medicine for diabetes patients.

Sugar - The new york times

Emotional Eating and Weight Loss

Did you know that April is Emotional Overeating Awareness Month?

To learn more about Emotional Eating and how we use food to cope with certain feelings and emotions, and how Emotional Eating can lead to overeating and weight gain - Go to: www.webmd.com/diet/emotional-eating

And while you're there, try the new interactive diet and fitness tools: Diet Health Check, Food and Fitness Planner and The Portion Size Plate Guide all from the WebMD Experts!

The Recession and Anxiety

On the cover of today's New York Times, there is a story about how anxiety brought on by the recession is starting to permeate and spread to families who are otherwise doing well during these tough economic times. And how that anxiety is producing an enormous amount of stress, leading to depression, sleeplessness and panic attacks - and could potentially lead to substance abuse and suicide.

To read the entire article Go To: www.nytimes.com/2009/04/09/health/09stress.html

Managing Your Stress in Tough Economic Times

The American Psychological Association

As talk of the banking crisis, falling housing prices, rising consumer debt and declining retail sales bring up worries about the nation’s economic health, more Americans feel additional stress and anxiety about their financial future.

Money is often on the minds of most Americans. In fact, money and the state of the economy are two of the top sources of stress for 80 percent of Americans, according to the American Psychological Association’s 2008 Stress in America survey. Add to the mix headlines about closing businesses and job losses, and many begin to fear how they can handle any further financial crunch.

But, like most of our everyday stress, this extra tension can be managed. Psychologists first recommend taking pause and not panicking. While there are some unknown effects in every economic downturn, our nation has experienced recessions before. There are also healthy strategies available for managing stress during tough economic times.

The American Psychological Association offers these tips to help deal with your stress about money and the economy:

Pause but don’t panic. There are many negative stories in newspapers and on television about the state of the economy. Pay attention to what’s happening around you, but refrain from getting caught up in doom-and-gloom hype, which can lead to high levels of anxiety and bad decision making. Avoid the tendency to overreact or to become passive. Remain calm and stay focused.

Identify your financial stressors and make a plan. Take stock of your particular financial situation and what causes you stress. Write down specific ways you and your family can reduce expenses or manage your finances more efficiently. Then commit to a specific plan and review it regularly. Although this can be anxiety-provoking in the short term, putting things down on paper and committing to a plan can reduce stress. If you are having trouble paying bills or staying on top of debt, reach out for help by calling your bank, utilities or credit card company.

Recognize how you deal with stress related to money. In tough economic times some people are more likely to relieve stress by turning to unhealthy activities like smoking, drinking, gambling or emotional eating. The strain can also lead to more conflict and arguments between partners. Be alert to these behaviors—if they are causing you trouble, consider seeking help from a psychologist or community mental health clinic before the problem gets worse.

Turn these challenging times into opportunities for real growth and change. Times like this, while difficult, can offer opportunities to take stock of your current situation and make needed changes. Think of ways that these economic challenges can motivate you to find healthier ways to deal with stress. Try taking a walk—it’s an inexpensive way to get good exercise. Having dinner at home with your family may not only save you money, but help bring you closer together. Consider learning a new skill. Take a course through your employer or look into low-cost resources in your community that can lead to a better job. The key is to use this time to think outside the box and try new ways of managing your life.

Ask for professional support. Credit counseling services and financial planners are available to help you take control over your money situation. If you continue to be overwhelmed by the stress, you may want to talk with a psychologist who can help you address the emotions behind your financial worries, manage stress, and change unhealthy behaviors.

To read my previous post on dealing with stress - Go To: motivatedandfit.blogspot.com/2008/10/stress.html

Other resources: Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, The American Psychological Association

Liquid Calories

Many people who workout and are trying to watch what they eat, or are cutting back on the number of calories they eat, may be doing themselves a disservice by turning to sports drinks and vitamin enhanced water in order to supplement and/or replace nutrients that they would otherwise be getting from whole foods.

This may be a "BIG" mistake...

Many of these drinks are loaded with sugar. Are completely unnecessary for the average exerciser, and in my opinion are a complete waste of money.

According to The Berkley Wellness Newsletter, the average American adult consumes 28 ounces of sugary liquids (sports drinks, soda...) a day, which adds up to about 300 calories a day. If you multiply that by 365 days, you would get a total of 109,500 calories.

It would take a 150lb man 209 days, running at 10mph, for an hour every day, to burn-off all of those sugar calories - that's over six months!

To learn more about the dangers of liquid calories -
Go To: You Are Also What You Drink, Fewer Sugary Drinks Key To Weight Loss, Do Energy, Sports Drinks Live Up To The Hype? and Diet Tip: Watch What You Drink. Also read Dr. Melina Jampolis's (Physician Nutrition Specialist for CNN) answer to this question: Can drinking lots of water help you lose weight?

On A Mission...

I found this to be less of a Success Story, and more of an inspiring but also a very honest and straight-forward account of one person's pursuit of a better and more fulfilling life.

Giyen's past struggles with her weight and her desire to pursue her dreams mirror the obstacles that many of us face everyday.

By Elizabeth Landau

CNN

In April, at age 34, Giyen Kim of Seattle, Washington, dropped a 60-hour-a-week job to follow her childhood dream of becoming a writer. Now, she's primed to clear her next personal hurdles: making money from writing, and losing weight.

"I made a lot of changes last year and I just really started to focus on the things that were important to me, my passions, and just really flipped my life upside down," she said. "When this year came around, I just thought my weight has been an issue for a really long time, and this just seemed the year to conquer it."

Her resolutions come after a year of personal and professional upheaval.

For 10 years, Kim worked at a nonprofit organization, and was serving as a director until April. She felt stressed in the job, and didn't like the boss who had replaced her previous boss. But one sleepless night changed everything.

"I did something I had never done since I was a kid, which was: I prayed about it. And I'm not religious at all, but I was just concentrated, meditating on what I should do next. And I finally fell asleep, I woke up, and I said, 'I have to quit my job!' And that was it," she said.

Initially, after leaving the job, she had a "freak-out period" in which she constantly questioned what she was doing, but writing down her thoughts just for herself got her through the tough time.

Now, Kim is a freelance writer, blogger, and a nonprofit consultant on the side. She's also working on a book about her life.

She said she's more happy than she's been in her adult life, although still worries about finances.

Working at home, she has a lot more time to dedicate to exercise, cooking and other "self-care stuff" she had put aside when she worked 60 hours a week.

When she was a child in Coos Bay, Oregon, Kim knew she wanted to be a journalist or a writer one day, but her parents wanted her to go into a more lucrative career such as law or medicine.

Kim's own 14-year-old daughter, on the other hand, is "totally freewheeling -- she knows she can do whatever she wants," she said.

"I think that growing up Asian, and as a woman, you're totally raised with this notion that you should keep it all inside and not have a lot of self-expression," she said. Blogging "gives me the freedom to branch out," Kim said.

Her blog, Bacon is My Enemy, serves as her online diary, in text and video. She recently posted a list of 28 things she's proud of or thankful for from 2008.

This year she hopes to earn an income from writing and blogging, she said. The blog's name came about because she's trying to lose weight -- but still loves those pork strips.

She also set up a Flickr page in November called "Shrinking Giyen" to chronicle her weight loss journey in photos.

While she has been trying to lose weight for years, her strategy for 2009 is to focus on small goals, not quick fixes. She aims to lose one or two pounds a month, which will add up over the course of the year.

She counts her calories diligently using the Web site calorieking.com, which allows users to tabulate the calories for the foods they eat each day. Kim finds this effective -- "I will stop myself from snacking because I don't want to put it in the computer," she said.

She aims to lose more than 60 pounds, which would put her back at her pre-pregnancy weight of 120 pounds, but the number isn't so important, she said.

"I will stop when I feel good about my body or feel that I've lost enough weight," she said. "I don't want to chase a number, I just want to feel like I can climb a mountain without feeling like I am going to die."

To read Giyen Kim's updates - Go To: GiyenKims.update#1, update#2, update#3

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Happy New Year!