Live a Healthier Lifestyle and Become an Everyday Champion:Make a Difference in Your Life
Posted: Wednesday, February 08, 2012
by Winifred Bragg MD
Spine and Orthopedic Pain Center
What is a champion? Many people think of a champion as someone who just won a contest. I think of a champion as anyone who accomplishes a worthwhile goal. Let me tell you about two people who were champions for their health.
Several years ago, I met a lady who had smoked cigarettes for 50 years. She indicated that cigarettes defined her life. Because of other medical problems, she knew that she had to quit smoking. But this was very difficult for her because all of her friends smoked and, when they did things together, everything seemed to be centered around cigarettes. She had reached the point that she was “scared” to quit smoking.
Let me tell you about another person who was morbidly obese with a history of sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes. She desperately needed to lose a massive amount of weight. She did not want to have surgery for weight loss. She wanted to lose weight through exercise and reducing her daily intake. The thought of surgery terrified her. Friday night was her night to drink beer and eat nachos, french fries, and hamburgers with her friends. Over the years, she had gained a great deal of weight. Due to her health problems, she realized she had to take control of her weight.
She put great effort into reducing her weight by tracking what she ate and eating all things in moderation. She also started exercising during television commercials. Every time a commercial came on, she would get up and do an exercise.
Did you know if you watch an hour-long program, commercials occupy about 20 minutes of that time? Learn from this woman. Get some 2 or 3-pound dumbbells and do boxing and kickboxing during commercials. Just walking around the room would be a good start if you haven’t been doing any exercise. What an excellent jump start to get you on your way to improving your quality of life and improving your health.
Did you know that being overweight puts you at risk for a number of conditions, such as: osteoarthritis, back pain, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart attack to name a few? Losing weight and increasing exercise help to reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Isn’t it worth your time to take steps to improve your health and reduce your risks for these conditions?
Make “you” a priority by eliminating unhealthy habits and scheduling some exercise into your daily routine.
Start today exercising during television commercials.
My prescription for becoming an everyday champion is to Take care of yourself.
Remember don’t start any exercise program without the consent of your physician.
©2012 Winifred Bragg, MD. All Rights Reserved.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)I totally agree. Unless I decide to take charge of my health, nothing else can help.Please log in to respond to this comment.Prabhojt,
Thanks for your comment.Start today taking charge of your health.
Winifred BraggPlease log in to respond to this comment.
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