Mirror Athlete Blog Articles

January 22, 2009

New Year’s Resolution, “Activate Addictive Healthy Chemicals”

Filed under: Anti-Aging, Chronic Pain, Depression, Diet, Exercise, Fitness, Mental Health, Natural Chemicals, Weight Management, Wellness, addiction, holiday, manage depression, new year, obesity, resolution, stress, tips — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Marc Woodard @ 16:50

 The secret to living a long healthy life is to learn how to apply positive healthy activities to your lifestyle in order to generate the body’s natural release of these addictive healthy chemicals.   Of course eating a healthy diet is very important to your health.  Nutrition is covered in many other articles I write so this will not be the focus here.  Instead, I will focus on the addictive chemicals produced by the body to further stimulate will power, whereby activity is a “Major” component to healthier happier living and living longer!

You’re body produces natural and addictive chemicals that are optimally activated during exercise, or during increased activity:   1) Adrenaline a neurotransmitter and hormone produced by the adrenalin gland just above the kidneys, also known as norepinephrine and epinephrine (provides attention focus in brain).  Together these chemicals activate your fight or flight stimulation designed to get the body out of a stressful situation, or survive an injury scenario.  It acts as a natural pain killer, boosts oxygen and glucose fuel to brain, muscles and suppresses depression.  2)   Dopamine is produced and synthesized in the brain which boosts positive behavior, cognition, motor activity, motivation, sleep, mood, learning and attention.  3)  Serotonin is synthesized within the CNS (Central Nervous System).  This chemical is also found in many mushrooms, plants, fruits and vegetables.  Research shows Serotonin plays an important role in liver regeneration and induces cell division throughout the body (important for repair and healing of the body).  Serotonins role as a neurotransmitter of the brain is to modulate anger, mood, aggression, sleep, sexuality, appetite and metabolism.

 How does one find the will power to activate the body’s natural addictive health hormone chemicals and stick to a healthy activity lifestyle?  I’ve been managing chronic pain and bodyweight challenges for the last 10 years and enjoy a quality of life that would not be possible without daily activity.  I do realize what works for me may not work for you.  But with a little more insight provided to you through my example, maybe I’ll provide a plan that will resonate where other fitness activity plans have failed.

 As I stated at the beginning of this article, the secret to a healthy life plan is to develop an addictive healthy life program where natural release of feel good chemicals will make exercise and/or activity a joy instead of a burden.  Increased activity through behavioral change will trigger your addictive chemical release within 1-4 weeks, thereby increasing your will power to stick with a fitness program.  This is because each one of us has a different metabolism that may, or may not respond to activity hormone stimulation immediately, thereby challenging your will power until natural addiction occurs due to increased activity.  The requirement to maximize a healthy life program and live longer requires application of three behavioral change categories.  1)  Stop substance abuse.  2)  Eat a balanced and nutritious diet.  3) Become addicted to your body’s natural producing chemicals through exercise.  The increased activity in my life does not require a lot of will power, but does require effort; hence a small amount of will power is required.  By finding a motivator to get you moving and by slowly increasing activity activates powerful feel good and healthy chemicals.  Once you find an activity, or exercise you can start with, you can become addicted to a routine that makes you feel good on a daily basis and wanting more!  I will now provide an example of a healthy annual resolution plan I put into practice daily to improve my overall health, better quality of life, and the will power to positively motivate continuation of this process indefinitely.

 Six years ago for example, my New Year’s Resolution was to begin a walking program.  This is because that was the year I collapsed a hip during military training.  Instead of nursing my injuries for months and beginning a “cautious” low activity lifestyle, I decided this was not the direction I wanted to take and was not in my best health interest.  Without increased blood circulation and activity, pain becomes greater due to the bodies inability to stay on the mend, weight increases and then you become susceptible to all types of health risks.  Five years ago my New Year’s Resolution was to further exercise my medical health benefits and visit my primary care physician getting referrals to specialists that would provide valuable insight, tests, consulting and therapy to further learn how I could improve my physical health situation while continuing my walking exercise program.  There are a lot of people out there suffering that have benefits where further referral work could be accessed and never used, this is a big mistake!  Take your health into your hands and do something about your illness or disease before it’s too late!

Four years ago I purchased a gym membership and stuck to an aerobics and stretch program after my first hip surgery and shoulder injuries.  This was a very tough year for me that pushed my physical limits in terms of sheer willpower not to be defeated mentally.  Three years ago my New Year’s resolution was to give up drinking alcohol (not that I consumed a lot of alcohol) and substitute an electrolyte drink, or regular soda once and awhile (not diet – Never Drink Diet – See my article on Aspartame the Silent Killer at the sites Health Repository).  Any alcohol with regard to my predicament was going to be a detriment to my health.  I also continued to participate in a daily walking, gym aerobic and stretch program.  Two years ago I resolved to plan and prepare for a total hip surgery on my other injured hip.  I also decided I would not have a scheduled shoulder surgery.  I instead would do the best I could to naturally rehabilitate my two shoulders through exercise therapy and nutritional supplementation (See our Wellness Company Wholesale products program).

 Last year my New Year’s Resolution was to apply all the physical therapy resources at my disposal to rehabilitate myself after a total hip replacement.  This meant being consistent with my in-home therapy exercises, to include using crutches and cane while on the mend.  I continued to go to the gym for stretching activity and instead of walking, used crutches to make small distances each day while managing pain.  I also began a total supplemental pack loaded with natural supper food quality nutrients to my daily diet (see our Wellness Wholesale Company).  Although pain management is not discussed here (visit our Chronic Pain Center) if you have acute or chronic pain, use of pharmaceuticals and natural supplementation within a pain management program can be a positive-negative experience.  The trick to good pain management using pain killers and muscle relaxants during increased activity is “not” to become addicted to these substances while managing appropriate dosages, while minimizing further health risk!

Realize there is a health risk even with moderate use of pharmaceuticals.   If you become addicted to your prescriptions, get help from your health provider!  Always consult with your physician if you will be actively conditioning your body while on the mend and using pharmaceuticals.  This year my New Year’s resolution was to get back into a fitness center as my past years membership expired.  I just signed on to a fitness membership at the beginning of the year.  When in the fitness center I work various resistive weight, stretch techniques and aerobics equipment.  Almost everyday I ensure I walk at least 30 minutes and break to do stretch exercises.

An annual healthy life resolution plan has allowed me to manage weight, pain and while significantly improving life style on a daily basis.  Achieving longer-healthier living while aging is to tap all health knowledge information and apply it to your particular situation.  Find an addictive activity passion!  If you can do this, you can stay on the mend naturally. Be excited about your life while enjoying life to the fullest!  Keep your New Year’s Resolution focused on your health each year.  Healthy body, mind and soul success will be the result of your efforts.  Now go get addicted to the natural healthy drugs produced by your body and reap the enhanced will power, longer living and happier-healthy daily rewards!

 Author:  Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2008 Copyright, All rights reserved.  Mirror Athlete Enterprises Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.com, Sign up for your free monthly eNewsletter.

December 23, 2008

New Year’s Resolution, “Will Power Weight Loss Secrets”

Filed under: Depression, Diet, Exercise, Fitness, Weight Management, holiday, new year, obesity, resolution, stress — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Marc Woodard @ 17:19

Another year has gone past and after all the festivities, one has to wonder what health resolution will we make this year that will stick?  It seems as we age we notice an ever increasing presence of body weight tipping the scale a little more each year.  And with that being said, we continually swear to eliminate our bad eating habits, begin a meaningful exercise program and do away with our unhealthy vices.  We tell ourselves we’re going to get serious this time and get fit.  I realize we all have good health intentions, this is easier said than done.  I know when I was younger like many of you we had fast metabolisms and unstoppable energy, a typical youth profile.  However, with age, we have to learn to change our habits to accommodate a slower metabolism and learn to enjoy life without the excesses, or we risk unnecessary ill-health conditions.  After all, it is now our job to fulfill the role of wise elder.  Remember our children follow our examples.  If they see us do foolish unhealthy things in our thirties and forties, they’ll most likely follow in suit.

Before I get into the meat of the New Year’s Resolution and Secret to Healthier-Longer Living, I’d like to preface this article with some necessary information.  As we age, most of us tend to decrease our levels of activity, sit around more and increase food intake.  And with age, this is the worst possible habit you could get yourself into.  The human body is genetically designed to begin the dying process after the age of 25.   After the age of 25 our body’s metabolisms begin to slow down, ever so unnoticeably.  Most of us don’t notice this change in our bodies until we are in our mid thirties.   Weight and/or pain tends to increase for the majority of us as we tend to forget about our health and overindulge as a result of living a fast pace lifestyle.  It is my belief the gradual break down of the body while we age is God’s design and necessary to prepare the body, mind and soul for death.  With this being said, God makes it easier for us to let go of this life and transition into the next.  “Quality of life and life itself becomes a literal pain, at times unbearable, where the will to live is greatly challenged.  The aging process with the breakdown of the human body provides the will to die per God’s design.  “Everywhere we meet the cross!” (Quote, Fr. Steven Kain, OFM).

The only “true” way to prolong the aging process while minimizing pain and improve quality of life regardless of one’s health situation is to take control of your health.  Control of your life in this respect requires one to manage body weight, stop substance abuse, consume super food quality foods and stop overindulgence while increasing exercise and/or daily activity.  If you lose the desire, or lack will power to manage these necessary behavior health changes within your lifestyle, your life on this earth will be greatly influenced to a negative health degree.  Awareness to these health facts allows one the opportunity to plan in advance if your desire, or goal is to achieve healthy centurion, or just improve quality of health and life while on this planet.  If one does not care about such things the end result is a health profile that usually ends up impacting your life, family experience and shortening the life span.

Now I realize there are many healthy life programs to manage weight, pain and other illnesses.  I also realize there are many individual medical-health profiles that require customized weight and pain management plans, treatment, etc.  However, there is one common denominator that we all share regardless of illness or health treatment program, “the will and desire to improve quality of life.”  If your will power allows you to follow a healthy fit body plan and stick to it “you can” improve your health predicament, hence your quality of life.  It took you years to impact your health by not managing your weight, or care about other abuses placed upon your body making you ill.  Nor did you particularly care about your health until illness reared its ugly head.  This of course takes a toll on your will power to change your predicament.  After you’ve got yourself into this pickle you feel there is nothing you can change to improve your health, so you give up and say to yourself ,“Self, I can’t change, or I’m too old, or I’m going to die eventually, so the hell with it!”  You say these things not because you believe it, or want to believe it, but because you don’t have the will power to change or know how to excite or stimulate your desire to use your will power.

What would you do, or say if I could provide you valuable information and knowledge of secrets to healthier-longer living?  And if this secret involved a powerful addictive chemical equation that could give you the power of change toward a healthier you?”   “Oh, but don’t jump the gun, it’s not what you might think I’m leading up to… ” The secret is easy to master once you know the elixir, but does require action on your part.  “As a bit of will power is necessary… Nothing in this life is free without a little effort!   However, extreme effort will not be necessary once I provide you this information.   How much would you be willing to pay to get your hands on information that could improve your health and/or extend your life?  After all, I’m talking about information that could extend your normal life cycle 10-20-30 years.  Would you be flabbergasted to realize I don’t want anything to provide you this information?   And then you must ask yourself, why hasn’t anyone presented this valuable health information in a format such as this?

 I’ll tell you why, it’s always about the money!  Greed knows no boundaries.    I don’t want your money!  I want your readership where I can provide a majority of people useful health information that can be used in part, or whole to make your quality of life better and more enjoyable while on this planet.  I’ve been blessed with much in life and this is my way to give something back.  Health and wellness is a passion for me.  I want to share useful health and wellness knowledge with those that really want it.

I personally make a New Year’s resolution every year with one added health benefit to ease acute and chronic pain while managing weight.  I don’t make resolutions other than health improvements each year.  So, I don’t resolve to spend less, save the environment, work less, spend more time with my children, be a better husband, etc.  Not that these things aren’t important, but you should already have balanced these behaviors and activities within your day and marriage.  For most adults, responsibility, accountability and discipline tend to improve with a successful life style, so I don’t focus on these things at my age… I did this when I was younger.  Not that there isn’t room for other improvements in my life.  However, at this stage of the game, health is high on the priority list.   If you have not learned to life balanced other family, or personal behavioral traits, it may be prudent to focus on two things for your New Year’s Resolution including health.  Never leave out behaviors, or quality of life improvements for you and your family’s well-being.  Nobody said life was going to be easy.

If I didn’t focus on a health resolution each year, I might create a health risk that would not be beneficial to me, or family.  It is also true if you focus on one categorical theme year-end-out, the statistical odds of success are in your favor.  And with statistical odds in your favor, that means a healthy life plan is sure to stick, or that is the hope.   If looking to select a diet plan, don’t get into “quick result” diet programs that guarantee quick results!   In short, I will say, “don’t get suckered into these gimmicks!”  You can’t defy God’s natural order of a healthy body.  Man-made products using unnatural, or denaturized foods with additive chemical products defy the nutritional requirements needed by the body and compromises the body at the cellular level, even if scientific data shows positive weight loss results.  These results are typically short lived and harmful to your health!  The diet program promoters don’t care about you and the long-term impact they’ll cause on your health.  Remember, “It’s all about the money!”   These “quick fix” diet elixir concoctions will cause more harm than good.  Visit my health repository at the home site and read previous articles I wrote on diet, diet pills and weight management.  If you chose a quick weight drop result program, you’ll incur further ill-health risk or consequence to your body.

Be sure to read the followup article to this one “New Year’s Resolution, Activate Addictive Healthy Chemicals  (get the powerful addictive chemical equation.”)    Or find it achieved within our site health repository down the road if for some reason you miss the next issue eNewsletter for continuation of this article.  To stay up to date with all MAE articles visit our home site and subscribe to our free monthly health eNewsletter, “Looking at Yourself.  Got Health?”  The Secret to Healthier-Longer Living, “An Addictive Chemical to Stimulate Will Power,” partII” is a read you’ll not want to miss.

 Author:  Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2008 Copyright, All rights reserved.  Mirror Athlete Enterprises Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.com, Sign up for your free monthly eNewsletter.

November 18, 2008

Holiday Weight Management Tips

Filed under: Diet, Weight Management, holiday, how to, new year, obesity, resolution, tips — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Marc Woodard @ 06:53

 

Holiday Weight Management Tips Video    I can’t believe how fast these end year Holiday festivities roll upon us.  I’m here today to help gear you toward weight management during these tough times.  For some, it’s almost as if we have to harden our bodies for the rigors of war.  I know overwhelming food selections, smells and tastes are enough to drive you crazy.   It’s no wonder we weaken and over consume.  What’s a body to do?  The worse part of it all, as we age our body’s metabolisms become less efficient and unable to process these rich foods out of our bodies.  Instead, our metabolisms get very efficient at storing food in the form of fat.  We all know excess body fat and weight on our bodies is directly related to many health diseases.  Some of the better know diseases directly related to obesity are diabetes, atherosclerosis, congenital heart failure, cancer manifestation, etc.

    I’m also aware that a great majority of you have made tremendous strides in melting the pounds away at the beginning of last year for your new year’s resolution.  Congratulation to those that accomplished your goals!  For those of you still struggling don’t give up!  I will provide some tips and recommendations that will help you get through this Holiday season to survive the ever present danger of adding weight back on, or worse, packing on more weight from last year’s failed weight loss program.  I’m no different than you with regard to all the tempting foods during the Holiday season, I’m greatly tempted to over consume during this time of year.  However, awareness of our weaknesses during the Holidays with a battle plan is the best deterrent to minimize the potential damage to our health.

    In modifying eating behavior, it is necessary to understand why some overeat.  There are many reasons one may over consume (addiction to foods, compulsive behavior and depression are a few).   Survival necessitates consuming calories to live.  Fortunately, in the land of plenty there is no problem here.  But if we continue to over consume, our bodies accept this as a normal condition of survival and demand the same daily consumption practices, because it believes this pattern to be normal for survival.  The fact is as you age your body simply does not require excess calories as our youthful developmental growth years.   Instead adults require healthy living maintenance calories.  Maintenance calories is not considered a diet as in weight loss program, but more so a healthy food intake management program.   This does not mean you have to give up all your favorite foods.   For the most part you can consume a selection of your choosing.  Your only real requirement is to maintain healthy consumption behavioral patterns.

    Since everyone’s metabolism is different with various ages, sex, health conditions and genetics, etc., I can’t provide a one fit solution for all to manage weight during the Holiday Season.  Instead I will provide tools to assist in modifying Holiday behavioral consumption patterns.  I also won’t provide you the typical nutritional tips recommended by health experts insulting your intelligence, such as grazing tips.  This is simply ridiculous… How many of you could go to the King and Queens ball with so many scrumptious food delights and not over consume?  Come On!  Give me a break!  I’m not saying we’re all undisciplined.  I am saying there aren’t very many of us that can control our food selection and consumption habits at these types of social events.  For those of you that are disciplined enough to pace yourself and turn off the feeding frenzy… My hats off to you!  You have will power that most of us can only dream about.  For the majority of you that fall into the weak willed consumption patterns like me, I have some tips that don’t involve calorie counting or grazing tips and may help you to turn down some of those extra calories during the Holiday season.

    Let me forewarn you the tips that I provide may not work for everyone, but they seem to work for me.  Also, if you suffer from a serious health disease, my approach may not be in your best health interest.  As I stated earlier at the beginning of this article, there are many health variations and considerations with regard to age, sex, medical conditions, etc., but you may be able to modify your present consumption behavioral habits, or nutritional requirements during the Holidays to be of greater benefit without increasing health risk!  Now, let’s get to the meat of what you’ve been waiting for, here’s what I do to battle increased weight gain at seasonal events.

Tip#1 – Never!  I repeat Never!  Go to your mother, mother-in-laws, or Grandmothers home for Holiday meals hungry!  This habitual habit regardless of social event seems to be ingrained within the American culture.  I know my family, like so many others during the Holidays repeat this ritual.  It’s no wonder we can’t stop ourselves, before you know it, we’re all lying around like beached whales on a lido deck with “Hot… Hot… Hot,” playing in the background.   So, it stands to reason, you must eat a normal meal not less than 2-3 hours before you go over for the Holiday meal.  The way our digestion system processes food your stomach will not be empty for the next 4-6 hours after each meal depending on metabolism.  This figure varies with different people.  The point is when you get to the meal table, you won’t worry about “grazing selection,” instead, you just won’t eat as much, and you’ll fill up faster.
Tip#2 – Never!  I repeat Never!  Drink alcohol prior to going into the meal battle.  You don’t drink and drive do you?  Well, what makes you think you could drink and consume without injury to your body?  Although I’m being facetious, I’m also serious in the way I want to make my point.  Alcohol is a depressant, pain killer, relaxant, taste intensifier and inhibitor.  This for me is the effect alcohol plays on my body at the dinner table and many others.  The cause of over consumption is easy to understand here, eat and drink like Vikings… No pain… Much Gain!
Tip#3 – Drink plenty of water when attending Holiday meals where rich foods are served!  Water is a natural solvent, absorbs well in the stomach and intestinal lining assisting the body’s digestive system to process food intake more efficiently.  Plus, water will make you feel fuller faster.  There are many benefits to drinking more water with your meals and throughout the day.
Tip#4 – Do not stay at the dinner table after your done eating for conversation.  This is where most of us fall prey in busting our weight over our maintenance weight.  It is very difficult to resist picking at the Holiday turkey, cranberry, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pies, Champaign, olives…  “Ohhhhhh the dressing and gravy… Give me a break!  I’m dying here; I think I just made myself hungry.”  See how hard this is and I’m supposed to be giving you advice.  Look, I never said I wasn’t human, or this would be easy.  More so the reason to have a pre-meal battle plan!
Tip 5# – Take your first serving, after you consume this wait 20 minutes before you dive into seconds “seconds is not recommended,” this will be the hardest part of the battle plan!   It takes your brain approximately this much time to register whether you’ve eaten enough or not.  This is why it’s easy for someone to overeat that has starved themselves prior to going into the Holiday meal.  They tend to gorge rather than enjoy, then feel the pain!
Tip#6 – Never!  I repeat Never!  Eat desert after you’ve eaten your meal. This will only add insult to injury.  Your body simply is not designed to handle this mass assault without consequences… Like indigestion, heart burn, bloat, constipation, diarrhea, need I go on?  And how will your body absorb the excess calories [can you say fat cell absorption]?   Wait 1 hour at a minimum to see how your body reacted to the main meal before going for dessert.
Tip#7 - Never!  I repeat never!  Take home left over’s.   This can set you up for failure by eating more rich foods throughout the Holiday season.
Tip#8 – Don’t quit your exercise program during the Holiday season, this mistake is made by many.  This is very important!  When you consume excess calories, you will need to defend your body’s health and weight management with additional calorie burn activities.   I highly recommend a daily walking program at a minimum, or other aerobic activity at least 30min/day.

    Hopefully, I’ve provided enough ammo prior to the Holiday meals by providing you tools to help with your consumption habits; without feeling you lost out on a meal event, or worse, compromised your taste buds!  I prefer to go in prepared for Holiday meal events as I’m too familiar with a miserable outcome.  We can enjoy meals during the Holidays.  It simply requires us to build in behavioral tools that provide a “will power edge.”  Who said will power has to be such a tough thing if armed with tools to make the Holiday meal battle easier on us without compromising a great meal experience!

 

Author:  Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2008 Copyright, All rights reserved.  Mirror Athlete Enterprises Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.com, Sign up for your free monthly eNewsletter.

October 25, 2008

Aging Gracefully is it Possible?

Filed under: Anti-Aging, Dare to Walk, Depression, Exercise, Fitness, Men's Health, Mental Health, Natural Chemicals, Prevention, Women's Health, body activity, how to, manage depression, resolution, secrets, tips, well-being — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Marc Woodard @ 07:02

To answer a question such as “how does one age gracefully” can be for some as perplexing as what is the meaning of life? Or how far does space and time reach? Is there a God? Are we the only life force in the universe? And so on.

For each one of these questions and many more like them seem to have more questions arise when attempting to answer without a solid conclusion. I find it interesting and fascinating to witness these time old adages continue on with todays youth as did with our ancestors. There is absolutely no difference in the types of questions and answer sessions as when I was a kid “these questions are universal within all languages and cultures.” To understand and attempt to find answers to perplexing and mind boggling unknowns outside of our sphere of control is a normal process from childhood through adulthood. Ask a family member, or friend any one of the proverbial questions and you’ll quickly see the curiosity and willingness to chime in on the topic if you don’t catch them in a rush. Now not everyone will find these time old adages of any consequence. For those few, “I believe they have the mind and body functioning without a finely tuned soul.” Remember, my mirror athlete philosophy incorporates the soul with mind and body to balance all good things in life, including our health and ability to make the most out of our lives and others around us.

Just yesterday, my daughter mentioned how she and friends were having a great discussion on attempting to understand the meaning of the universe, God, extraterrestrials, and such. Boy did this hit a cord with me and my childhood. The body, mind and soul are in an “ever quest” to find the meaning of life, “in this case at the ripe old age of thirteen!”  We are at our greatest intuitive state in our early developing years. Some how we understand and relate to our soul as a critical support function to mind and body. I believe with children, this is true because they are born innocent and then influenced negatively by a culture where values and beliefs are tough to maintain discipline. I must point out, because of our fast pace culture a lot of people tend to tune out the communicative soul port in the teen phase through our working years. This is mostly due to a “Me First,Win American culture,” where wants rule.Most of us… Once we receive our wants tend to further enhance & develop our health & spiritual needs looking for centurion healthy goal answers.

The mind thinks with the souls influence then controls the body. Without a soul the mind and body relationship “CAN” create havoc [toxic and unhealthy activities] within the other two components of “being.”  Many negative stresses [physical, greed, addiction, emotion, stress on all planes, etc.,] could occur within “being” if maintenance of the soul is not in sync with life events. Without development and proper maintenance of these 3 very important components making up “being,” a person will experience less quality of life, and less healthy as one would otherwise. As we age, development of this “Triassic” (body, mind, soul) relationship must occur, or we simply deal with our own present mortality in a “less” healthy way due to improper stress coping techniques. I believe, if this Triassic relationship is not learned at an early age and developed into adulthood, some of us unintentionally ostracize ourselves from our greatest life potentials!  I know this sounds heavy and this type of philosophy could go wild in discussion, however, I will only brush the possibilities within the Triassic and health context with my take on how to age gracefully making my point.

Without closure to mortality questions where man can not provide definite answers to, “you simply must find answers by-way of the soul to fulfill this unknown” thirst for knowledge. Including, “what does it mean to age gracefully?”  There are those that can answer these types of questions with absolute certainty because their constitution is better than blind faith. This is because the day they were born, intuitively they knew they had purpose and there was something much bigger then any one of us!  And with this inner connection breeds “healthy calm” as the universe makes sense learned first at a very young age.  Everyone is in search of answers that can not readily be provided by a man made answer, or solution. Man looks for a scientific explanation for everything, but even man will “never” unlock God’s universal secrets. Instead, each one of us can unlock every proverbial secret that the soul “will, can and does bear.”  Each and everyone of us has the ability to tap into the soul where all answers are provided. It is through the Triassic connection we begin to understand the universe, our place in it and existence in life followed by the next.

It takes a life time to understand how each one of these questions applies, or does not apply to each one of us. I began by asking the question “How does one age gracefully?”  I can not provide a single answer as a fit for all. Each one of you will have to examine your own beliefs, connection and reality within your being. Instead, I can only paint one meaningful relationship that I understand to be an answer to this question without digging myself deeper into a never ending quagmire. It should be understood with age comes limitations of the mind, body and “NOT soul,” the soul never dies. Every decade and every 5 years after 25, one must examine their lives course. The “Triassic Being” and healthy proverbial development as we age is an important relationship as to how we see ourselves and the value perceived by all influences (Triassic Being, families, friends, employers, etc.) and the effect it has on our bodies health and souls mindset. If who you are now defines you 10 years from today without significant adjustment to mental, physical and spiritual stress planes as you age, can you age gracefully? “Ah, that is the question!”

Maybe, yes, maybe no. It depends on how your body, mind and soul are holding up. If ANY of these three elements are “breaking, or are broke,” one must change the game plan. To not change the way one operates within this worlds reality creates a health risk due to negative stress forces on any, or all 3 planes which make up “being.”  Without reexamination of our lives every 5-10 years (and more frequent review as we age) and not making healthy life choice decisions in tune with our “Triassic Being,” we put great stress on our mind, body and soul. To risk “being” without periodic examination of the Triassic relationship “is not to age gracefully!” And not to age gracefully, is not the philosophy, or mindset of a Mirror Athlete!

Author:  Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2008 Copyright.  All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing, www.mirrorathlete.com,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

August 25, 2008

How to Deal With Depression

Filed under: Depression, Exercise, Men's Health, Mental Health, Natural Chemicals, Women's Health, how to, manage depression, resolution, stress — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Marc Woodard @ 09:36
 Q. I deal with depression on a daily basis and I’m not sure why I feel so negative.  I just don’t feel like doing anything and nothing really interests me anymore.  Do you have any recommendations on how I can be more positive about life and get out of this funk?
 
 A. Depression is a very tough mental health condition to control and manage on a daily basis, but for the majority that has mild (severe depression – seek professional help) forms of depression can be managed by incorporating some life style change habits.  There are many life factors that can depress 1 of 3 elements that make up a person (body, mind and soul).  I can say with conviction if you can work to improve one of the 3 elements that make up your total being, you can improve your depressed state.  By managing depression your demeanor will become more positive, your body more healthy!  Listed below are some activity  recommendations that “can and will” provide happiness and wellbeing while thwarting depression.  You’ll note in the recommendations I don’t list TV, or movie activities as a positive life habit.  This is because if you simply watch something as opposed to putting yourself into the actual activity (exercise, travel, etc.), or virtual mental role (a good book, or game that provides a working positive mental experience) it is very tough to beat depression otherwise.  I think good books can be a very positive experience.  What’s the difference between a book and a movie?  Movies require no imagination.  On the other hand books stimulate the imagination [works the brain], by gaining information, makes you think, which also stimulate knowledge seeking from other sources.  Initially, books are an individual healthy mental activity that can/do lead to human exchange, mental stimulation and/or spiritual growth  brain function.  Communication with others has a very positive effect on those that suffer mild forms of depression. 

Remember, positive stimulus of the mind where it is exercised through two-way communication (input/output) plays a combatant role against depression healing the mind & body [body and mind are connected].  I believe certain game stations (computerized virtual activities) can provide a positive mental and physical benefit [as a good book].  However, I think games are better exercised with others… Like cards, game boards, etc.  Select one, or two ideals listed below and work towards accomplishing a project, goal, objective, etc.  If you make anyone of these activities a continuous life habit, I can guarantee your depression and anxiety levels will decrease or disappear. 

  1.  Find an activity that you enjoy.  For example, walking, nutritious cooking, reading, draw, paint, home improvement, gardening, interior design, gym membership, aerobics class, cycling class, travel abroad, fishing, hiking, camping, etc.  Each one of these types of activities provides an interactive personal experience to further know oneself and find other experiences outside of your comfort zone.
  2. Incorporate a healthy diet into your lifestyle.  For example, ensure you get plenty of fresh fish, meat, poultry, vegetables, fruits and fiber.  Supplement your diet with a good daily supplement if your schedule simply will not allow you to consume 3 to 4 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.  Also if your over 45 years of age, or older, you should seriously consider supplementing your diet with other nutrients that we no longer receive from our foods, due to poor crop rotation farming practices, pesticides, herbicides and steroids now found in our foods [organic farms produce live stock and all other natural foods without these poor farming practises].
  3. See your primary physician.  Ask for a referral to speak with a mental health consultant. This does not mean you are crazy!   Pychologists and psychiatrists simply have much more information and tools to offer.  Although I promote natural foods & supplements to deal with depression, I also realize there are other “short term” benefits that can be derived through use of pharmaceuticals.  I believe the goal should be to find a “natural long term” solution(s) to deal with depression as opposed to long term pharmaceutical use.
  4. Stay in touch with family and close friends.  The worst thing you could possibly do is to isolate yourself.  I understand you may feel like you don’t have a friend in the world.  This simply is not true!  Don’t try to deal with depression on your own.  Find someone you can talk to.  Family and friends are your best source of support.  If you can not find this support in your own family, or close circle of friends, call a depression hot line, seek other public health, or mental health service centers and churches in your area, see your physician.  You simply must discuss your depression issues with someone if you can not help yourself.  To go it alone is very difficult and needs not to be this way.
  5. Find the meaning of life.  This is very perplexing, personal and is as old as time itself.  I believe the meaning of life is a personal experience for each individual and where each one of us is scripted to fulfill a role in this life time and beyond.  To not understand your souls spirituality is to not understand your purpose in life and passage to the next (soul is the third component that makes up human).  To not understand your purpose in this life and afterlife can be a very depressing proposition.  I highly recommend you go on a spiritual journey to understand your purpose here in this life.  Choose book topics to expand your souls spirituality by reading biblical studies and prophecy, historical philosophers, current spiritual scholars, authors, ministers, etc., study scripture, afterlife experiences, personal conversations with God, the after world and so forth.  Please don’t limit yourself to any one religion as God is universal.  With a little effort, you will quickly define your purpose here on this planet which will provide a positive mental health experience for you.  Also visit our site Wellness Company page.  We offer excellent “NATURAL” products scientifically formulated to remove chemical toxin allergies from your home.

Author: Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET. 2008 Copyright. All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing, www.mirrorathlete.com   Sign up for your Free Monthly Health eNewsletter.

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