You have heard the raging political debate over healthcare reform...the politicians argue the position that it is all about "care". But have you noticed that none of them debate our country’s failing personal health. To them it is much easier to stir up the voters and divide them on how to pay for the care. The problem is much deeper than just who is going to dole out the cash. Not a single one of them has discussed the primary means to reduce health care costs; self-control. It is projected that 43% of U.S. adults will become obese and they will cost the U.S. health care system $344 Billion annually. That is a huge number.

I sound like a commercial here, but seriously, personal committment to health is the single most important predictor of our future in healthcare. With that said, I truly believe anyone can lose weight, but to restore health, we need to focus on life beyond weight loss.

Where do we start? First off, we must ignore the conventional wisdom that utilizes the food pyramid to dictate what we should eat. The food pyramid is flawed for its primary reliance on carbohydrate predominant foods. Turning the food pyramid upside down does not fix the flaw either! Basic physiology tells us that carbohydrates not immediately used for energy, are converted to fat and stored in the adipose cells of the body. What is the result? Increased obesity.

Secondly, we need to make decisions and retrain ourselves that food is not for pleasure, comfort or something to do while watching television. Food is plainly and simply fuel. Yet, I am not ignorant in the fact that food tastes good. So what is the answer? Planned splurges! Sounds good so far, eh?

Thirdly, we must not forget my favorite component...EXERCISE! By combining progressive resistance training and cardiovascular conditioning, you can train your body to be a fat burning furnace! As I have stated many times in the past, I do not advocate hours of cardio in order to burn off the excess carbohydrates that you have consumed. My approach has always been to increase muscle mass through resistance training and allow the muscle to burn off your bodyfat.

This is not rocket science. With a system of proper eating and exercise YOU become the master of your appetite and tastes — they no longer master you.

So, while the politicians argue how healthcare is going to be payed for, lets start our own healthcare policy! Prevention almost always is less costly than the cure. Remember, diet alone is not the answer. Do not forget about the importance of physical education or fitness. There is no point in doing something, if you are only going to go half way!

I want end by giving a plug to my friends who do personal training and nutrition counseling:

http://www.bodyphatbyjill.com/ is owned and managed by Jill Olsen. She can be contacted via her website, email at olsenjill@yahoo.com, or by phone at 515.778.1636

Nutrisport-Full Potential Training
9992 Swanson Blvd, Clive, IA 50325
(515) 331-2141
Nutrisport FPT offers Personal Trainer, Sports Supplements, Body Sculpting Class, Bodybuilding, and Power Lifting in Des Moines, IA.
http://www.nutrisportfpt.com/

Whether you are a pro bodybuilder or simply training at home, everyone has a "first day in the gym." And, if you ask anyone who trains how he/she was inspired, you will always get a different story.

I saw my first bodybuilder when I was 13. His name was Danny. I couldn't take my eyes off him. I had never seen such big muscles before. He would wear a tank top and shorts and every muscle seemed to burst out of his skin. He was from California and he came back to Iowa to visit his family every summer.

When I was about 15, I started looking at the magazines and noticed more and more bodybuilders. My first real love of bodybuilding came when Bob Paris was on the scene. I thought he was perfectly sculpted. He had a small waist and bubbly muscles...perfect, I thought. At the time, Tonya Knight was also an up and coming female bodybuilder. I would cut out the pictures from the muscle magazines and make a little collage on hard posterboard.

I wouldn't see my first bodybuilding show until I was 26. The following year, I entered my first bodybuilding show.

Although, I would tell you I am a doctor first and a bodybuilder second, there is no doubting my passion for both of these disciplines. There are a lot of factors that determine how successful you are at bodybuilding. Training with weights, doing cardio on a daily basis, as well as following a specialized nutrition plan are the obvious factors. But, I will not forget the help I got along the way from family and friends. I hope that I have told them enough that if they are reading this right now, they would know who they are and feel the big hug I just gave each of them!

To my readers who have never experienced a "first day in the gym," I urge you to try it on for size. I think you will find that it fits just right!

One way to understand body composition is to divide your body into three basic parts - fat, bone and lean body mass.

Fat Mass is usually referred to as body fat percentage. This number tells you how much of your total body weight is actual fat. Observing change in body fat is the best way to measure "weight" loss.

Lean Mass is everything else that makes up your weight. It includes muscle, bones, organs, water, and all non-fatty tissues. One pound of muscle takes up much less space than one pound of fat. So, as you exercise consistently and build up strength, your total body weight may actually increase. This can be confusing (and sometimes scary), but you are gaining muscle, while maintaining or even losing fat. Gains in muscle mass will increase your metabolism, thus enabling you to burn more calories during every activity—even sitting!

There are no exercises you can do to speed up fat burn in any particular area. Cardio activity, utilizing large muscle groups, burns fat all over the body. So, don’t waste your time doing lots of crunches to lose the belly fat, or boxing to lose your arm jiggle.

Scientists ascertained that there are three specific body shapes:

The android, or apple shape, is common among men. Fat deposits on the middle section of the body, mostly on the abdomen.

The gynoid, or pear shape, is more common among women. Fat is deposited on the hips and bottom.

A third type of body shape, the ovoid, does not differentiate between men and women. Here we can speak of an overall general coverage of body fat.

Fat distribution is influenced by age, genetic inheritance, race, but to a greater extent by gender-specific hormones. They are responsible for the distribution of fat on certain areas of our bodies. Estrogens, for example, which are responsible for the typical female sexual characteristics, will influence fat deposit in the "pear" format. They deposit on the hips, thighs, and belly, while testosterone will "lead" fat mostly towards the stomach and upper body.

In the United States, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men, after skin, prostate, and lung cancer. It is also the fourth most common cancer in women, after skin, breast, and lung cancer.

October 9, 2010, I attended the Des Moines Get Your Rear in Gear 5K Run/Walk at Raccoon River Park with friends, survivors, and loved ones of survivors.

"Get Your Rear in Gear" is bigger than just a message for colon cancer; it is a message for all of us to take action, lead longer healthier lives, go to the doctor regularly, to listen to our bodies when something isn’t right and to get the right answers, regardless of age.

The event was a huge success. Included in today's post are a few pictures.





One of the reasons I have Wednesdays' off is so I can have someone do touch-ups on what is considered a work in progress! This past Wednesday, I ventured over to the Southside to get my shaggy head revitalized.  I capitalize "SOUTH" since my nurse says it has significant meaning. She and her family are all southsiders.

Below are the before and after pics from Mazza & Co Salon located on Thorton and SW 9th.

A little make-up and a new dress and I was ready for a night out on the town!

My family just got a lot furrier! It has been a VERY exciting weekend for me as I became a Godmother to the cutest little love angel, named Squeeker. She is unbearably adorable! At just 7 weeks she was brought home with mom and dad and spent most of her first day in the lap of luxery as mom lovingly cradled her all night by the campfire.

Today, we (Squeeker and I) posed for pictures. Truth be told, I am total mush bucket over this little girl.



Shortly after pictures, we all watched as Squeeks chased after leaves, big sister (Smoochie), and other imaginary things since puppies do not see very well, nor hear or smell very well either. In fact, there are many things very unique to Squeeks and other puppies just like her. Did you know that puppies cannot hold their bladders for more than about 2 hours? Or that puppies do not know when they are going to poop until it is about to come out? A puppy is like most 8 month old human babies. They sleep and they eat; and they pee after eating, playing, sleeping, and drinking. Then, they pee in between all that!

I think Squeeker is going to have a great life. She has loving parents (pleural) and loving cousins (Nitro, Squirt, and Tucker).

Meanwhile, back at home, Squirt is sacked out across my arms on my desk as I try to blog. I think she just cut a stinker. Wooeeee, stinky!

Nighty Night everyone!