GET INVOLVED

In Your Health Care

In early April 2010, I thought I was at my end. My health was deteriorating quickly and nobody could tell me why. I saw quite a few Doctors but no one including my Dermatologist, was able to determine why my skin was getting worse every day. I spent all day and night itching and burning with open wounds on my arms, backs legs, and face. Waking up every morning was very difficult and taking a bath or shower was pure torture. Since whenever my skin would get wet I would itch almost uncontrollably. 

I'd already stopped working out in October 2009, because I could not take the itching. In addition, I was experiencing non event injuries. Just walking or climbing stairs became an adventure since I did not know which joint was going to give out. This also contributed to me ceasing my workouts since I did not trust my body to hold and balance the weight.

I was done and I was looking for sustained relief. I really wanted to go home for a finally rest. Mentally exhausted and physically suffering, I wound up in the emergency room on Easter Sunday and subsequently saw a Doctor who was competent. See I was told I had eczema by a Board Certified Dermatologist. For years I was treated for that, and given various medications including oral and topical steroids that were destroying my body. My joints were inflamed from the oral steroids and injections and the topical creams were an expensive waste of money.

I went to a new primary physician, who I knew, because he was my primary some years earlier. I knew him to be competent, so I selected this physician. I did not hold out much hope, although I felt a little better, due to the prednisone, provided at the emergency room. However that is not a sustainable treatment plan. 

Upon entering the office, we greeted like old friends and discussed my situation. Doc instructed me to take my shirt off so he could take a look. He observed the scarring since the prednisone closed the open sores. He asked me to and I described what it was like and how it looked. "Does your skin come off in wet patches if you rub it?" I replied, “Yes” 

He showed me a picture I confirmed that, these are the symptoms, I was experiencing. He told me this is not eczema. It is bullous pemphigoid and it is easily treatable. I nearly fell on the floor. I certainly did not expect this. My mind was racing and I must have looked dumbstruck as I processed all of the difficulty, pain, discomfort and embarrassment.

Staying inside when it got hot, having to leave social affairs, because of the discomfort, and the long looks at my hand, when I offered it in greeting. Man I got more fist bumps during this time than a NBA player.

Sustainable relief was at hand and the new medications made all the difference in the world. It is not over yet but I feel so much better physically and mentally. Now when I work out I just sweat, and do not have to slow down.  Now I enjoy the beautiful sun again. My eyes are welling up as I write this. Making love to my beautiful wife who never complained about the messy sheets, or leaving the parties, is wonderful, as I am no longer preoccupied with perspiration.

Coming out of the darkness and back into a light changed my perspective on life and the people around me. No longer as critical about peculiar behaviors since I do not know what happened or is happening to them. Waiting for relief and doing your own homework is important.

DO NOT rely on the doctor’s diagnosis or treatment plan solely. You may wind up like me. Hey I have a riddle for the readers. What do you call someone who graduated last in their medical class? The first one to get it will get a free workout session or a written program for one body part.

And the last and most important, is get up, get moving, because your health, whether poor or good is not guaranteed. If you want to live well, you must seize the day and stop wasting time and energy wishing for change. Be the change you want to see in yourself. I want to see a healthier community and world. This is my passion my dream is becoming a reality in front of my face. 

I took one step towards my dream and God has taken five steps towards it. Take that step because if you do not someone else will have you taking steps towards their dream.

Stay Focused, Make It Fun and remember, "CHIT CHAT WON'T BURN FAT."

 Enjoy your weekend

Jay, 

THAT WON'T BURN FAT EITHER

Build It And They Will Come

Good Evening Readers,

I went to the gym late tonight during the prime mating ritual that takes place at the gym and it motivated me to write again tonight. I usually avoid this time at the gym like the plague. It is a time when the gym is filled with testosterone and wrought with the possibility of a macho conflict. Last week, I went late and I was introduced to a young man who appeared very fit. I asked him to spot me on a set of skull crushers and he obliged me. Once I was doing the last set of five, he commented, "Good job for an old man".

I just looked at him and smiled and moved on to my next routine, with no verbal response. He also moved on to the flat bench next to where I was doing close grips for my triceps. He looked over and saw that I was doing more weight than he was doing with a regular bench press and shook his head. So tonight he was there and he kept watching everything I did moving over each time to see what amount of weight I was using. Amusing right, I certainly found it to be. There were several other males acting out and making sure they attracted my attention and each time, I was amused instead of aggravated.

So it inspired me to write about a few other things that won't burn fat.

1.      Flexing in the mirror won't burn fat and when you are not really where you think you are, you look ridiculous.

2.     Texting won't burn fat stay focused on your plan if you have one. If you do not you are wasting your time.

3.      DO NOT SIT on the equipment, talking to your friends on the phone and expect people to wait to use. If you encounter this ask the person to move. If you have not encountered this behavior, than it is you who is doing it

4.      If you want to learn, ask me for my help, advice whatever but do not hate. Use it as motivation to get better.

5.     Pay attention and do not assume anything, it may keep you from stick your foot in your mouth and embarrassing yourself. I got your old man.

6.     Do not let your friend's, and acquaintances stop you from reaching your goals. Give them a coke and smile and keep your work out moving. They want you to talk because they do not really want to work hard. Keep it moving.

7.     Get a plan or get some help. Wandering is not acceptable and interferes with the flow of those with a real plan. "Move Get Out of the Way"

8.     And last but not least, take it from an "Old Man", "BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME". Stop the inane and ridiculous attempts to pick up a mate. You get yourself right and it will take far less posing and save us all the time and effort of being embarrassed for you

Get up get moving and remember, 'CHIT CHAT WON'T BURN FAT"

Peace, I will talk to you tomorrow. Good luck and have a great evening and a great workout

WEIGHT TRAINING MYTHS

There is No Good Reason

Not to Weight Train

Good Afternoon Readers,

When I talk to people about weight training I hear many reasons for not doing it and almost all are myths they have heard from people who do not weight train about the "dangers" or "undesired outcomes" of weight training. Well I am here to tell you they are not accurate. I have listed 12 of the most common myths here and a rebuttal for each.

Myth #1: Using Free Weight is Dangerous. Machines have the reputation to be safer than free weights. But studies tell a different story.  Weight lifting does not produce more injuries compared to machines. Weight lifting injury rates are lower than in any other sport.

Myth #2: Weight Lifting is bad For Your Joints. Weight lifting is less stressful on your joints than running: it involves controlled, non-impact movements...Weight lifting and especially strength training will increase the health of your joints by strengthening the muscles & ligaments that keep them together.

Myth #3: Weight Lifting Causes High Blood Pressure. Your blood pressure increases when you lift heavy weights. But it returns to normal after finishing your set. This is how lifting may improve your cardiovascular fitness.

Myth #4: Weight Lifting Makes You Bulky. Muscle is denser than fat. You'll look slimmer at the same body-weight if you increase your muscle mass. The huge guys in muscle magazines are usually supplementing. Many thin people train 6x’s per week but struggle to gain weight. Why?  They may not be eating enough and/or getting enough rest. Your body grows at rest.

Myth #5: Weight Lifting Makes Women Bulky. Those muscular women you can find in muscle magazines had to use steroids to get to that point. A woman you my build muscle, get stronger and improve your physique. But you'll never build as much muscle mass as men can because you have lower testosterone levels. You'll always stay feminine unless you use steroids.

Myth #6: Weight Lifting Stunts Growth. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, Dave Draper, Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson, Karl Malone, and Michael Vick, etc. all started lifting weights in their early teens and are +6′ /1m82 tall. Supervise youth lifting weights. Enforce proper technique and discourage ego. Note that some believe weight lifting can actually stimulate growth because it increases bone mineralization.

Myth #7: Weight Lifting Decreases Flexibility. One of the realizations people who begin weight training learn is how inflexible they are. Years of sedentary lifestyle may have tightened your hips, preventing you from moving correctly. Weight training may help you regain your flexibility and maintain it. But increasing your muscle mass or strength won't reduce your flexibility at all.

Myth #8: Weight Lifting Makes You Slow. Strong muscles contract faster and generate more power. That's why professional athletes like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neil or Tiger Woods do weight lifting. Strength training makes you faster and quicker.

Myth #9: Weight Lifting Causes Hemorrhoids. Straining, holding your breath and pushing against your anal sphincter may cause hemorrhoids but not weight training in and of it.

Myth #10: Muscle Turns to Fat If You Stop Weight Lifting. Muscle never turns to fat. They're different tissues. If you stop weight lifting, you also have to eat less than before otherwise you'll get fat.

Myth #11: Weight Lifting Increases Waist Size. This myth comes from looking at some Power Lifters in the heaviest classes. Their waist is big because they're fat. And they're fat is because they only care about getting stronger.

Myth #12: Weight Lifting is Boring. It is if you go the gym without a plan, don't pay attention to what you do when lifting and don't get results. But it won't if you have a plan, get results and focus on how your body moves during a lift.

Weight lifting is a technical and intellectual sport. You shouldn't have time to get bored since you have many things to pay attention to during the workout. And the constant challenge to add weight is anything but boring.

Remember it is okay to just say I do not want to do that but stop spreading the myths. Get up get moving and remember, "CHIT CHAT WON'T BURN FAT". Have a great day and a great workout.

Coaching For Success

Is Required

As we go through life many of us try to do it on our own, and the reality is this is the American way. "Pull yourself up by your boot straps" is the quote I believe made famous by our republican party. And that may be fine for some, but when we venture into personally unfamiliar territory, we probably could use a coach.

I worked at Philadelphia. Dept. of Human Services, for over 26 and other places, and you may think I would know that. But ego is a powerful barrier to break through and it can be the biggest barrier to our success.

Going back, I can remember my coaches in sports. Most successful people have a coach. Someone to push, criticize, motivate and instruct them along the way. There are good ones and bad ones. Mike had a coach, Tiger has a coach, the Donald has a coach, Oprah has a coach, all successful people have one and these people are considered the greats of their industry.

In 1996, I was on the front line of DHS, and a woman from Kansas decided to be my coach and within 4 years I ascended to levels, I never dreamed. I was fortunate to interact with other leaders, and travel around the country as a Keynote speaker, presenter as far as London and Africa. In our first encounter, I stated that I could move from the corner to the boardroom without a hitch.

In my most transforming encounter with her, she asked me, "What do you want to be when you grow up". Understand she was Caucasian, from Kansas with a different lifestyle and several years younger than me. My ego jumped forward and I thought, Who the ____ is she talking too. But something in me said, wait a minute she may be for real. She was and she changed my life forever, for the better. She may blush and, I will not give her name but her initials are DLA. We stay in touch to this day

So be clear money is not the issue. It is a choice, spend money on rims, nails, liquor, hair, but you will pay someone. Make a choice pay, Doctors who treat symptoms and prescribe medicines that create a need for additional prescriptions or get a coach and get well. Whether it is me or someone else you will have to pay. The choice is what do you want, what are buying and is it helping to reach your goal, to be well or using the same strategy the street dealers use to get you addicted to Pharmaceuticals. Pay attention and awake to a real and dynamic lifestyle.

2 Videos that may help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZlXWp6vFdE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_wyBftd8gk&list=PL71F2F080ECD0028A&feature=mh_lolz

Get up get moving and remember, "CHIT CHAT WON:T BURN FAT".

Obesity's Impact on Women

Being Over Weight Impacts Breast

Good Day Readers,

No the answer is not the size of the breast we are talking about here although that may be so in some women it is not true in all. What I am speaking of is a study that came out in March 2012? Not sure many were aware of this since It just hit the major media market last week. It is breast cancer, yes breast cancer. You ask how well right now more research needs to be completed before they are able to answer that question. 

What they do know is being over weight or obese increases the chances of re occurrence of the cancer in the breast. The rate of first time breast cancer is high with over 230,000 detected in the U.S. in 2011. Projected rates of obesity in the U.S. is estimate to soar to over 40% by 2030. These numbers are not good and may suggest some strong reasons for all of us to begin a training regime that will reduce our risk for many diseases. 

Men you are not off the hook, in 2011, over 2100 men were diagnosed with breast cancer. No study exist as yet regarding being overweight or obese but I feel safe in saying it is not healthy. And there are studies that link obesity to erectile dysfunction. Read for your self but note that the authors admit they do not know if losing the weight will reverse the impact.

 Here is the link

http://www.everydayhealth.com/info/v1ss/obesity-and-breast-cancer