Let’s talk about motivation, obesity and the COVID-19, coronaphobia, fidgeting and potassium.
HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE YOURSELF TO STAY HEALTHY?
Why do you get up in the morning? Because you have to or because you want to? Why do you do anything you do… is it out of obligation, a fear of failing or negative consequences or the possibility of winning and succeeding? However you address any project or mission, you will have to deal with your underlying motivation.
When looking at your present state of health, are you happy with where you are? Do you get enough exercise and do you have a healthy diet? In order to be content with how you’re feeling, it must start with resolve, your state of mind. Often, we are our own worst enemy, easily sabotaging our goal to lose weight or exercise, but to truly arrive at where you want to be, you must have consistency of purpose.
Listening to all the experts and reading all the research and articles on health and fitness, I have arrived at point where certain principles will improve your chances for success. If you hate to exercise and love to eat ice cream every night, well then, you’re screwed. Hah! Actually, there is hope for you, but you will have to alter your state of mind. May I suggest the 80/20 rule, where 80% of your food is healthy and 20% is your “treats”. You will have to look at your calories and determine how much you ingest each day and calculate 80%, however.
As for exercise, consider what is your current fitness level, what your goals are, and what would you enjoy. Any activity that requires some physical exertion will do and that it adds up to 30 minutes three times per week minimum. This can equate to walking around your block at lunch time or evening; joining friends for a tennis game or pickleball; anything fun and enjoyable will do.
All this to say that if you are unhappy where you are at this time, it doesn’t take a major shift in lifestyle to improve your health and fitness and become happier in your own body.
ACT NOW – WOULD YOU LIKE TO TEST A STANDING DESK OR EXERCYLE – CHAIR FOR FREE? Click on the link below and read all about it:
Obesity increases the risk for severe COVID-19–associated illness.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7010e4.htm
What this study means to you:
I’m A Doctor Seeing Patients with Coronaphobia. Here’s What You Need to Know.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/coronavirus-phobia-side-effects-anxiety_n_603d18eec5b6829715023334
NUTRITION: WHY DO YOU NEED POTASSIUM?
The mineral Potassium is essential in your ability to function naturally; it helps with heart and kidney functions and helps in your intracellular fluid balance. Along with sodium, its counterpart, potassium helps you move your muscles and maintain fluid inside your cells. This is kind of important since you are about 70% water. Potassium also helps with nerve conduction to your heart. Depending on your size and age, you need between 2,000 and 3,000 mgs a day, either through diet or supplementation.
If you’re deficient, you’re going to feel fatigued, irritable and create hypertension (high blood pressure), and this is easily remedied by eating foods high in potassium such as dried apricots, dried figs, raisins, oranges; acorn squash, sweet potatoes (and white potatoes), tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, lentils, bananas, white beans, and salmon, to name a few. Remember to stay hydrated with enough water throughout the day. This will also reduce your risk of muscle cramping. BG
FLEX APPEAL STRETCHING CLASS – every Monday from 12:30 to 1:30. We stretch everything from nose to toes, easy enough for any beginner, yet challenging enough to get a complete workout.
You may sign up for this month’s stretching class by sending me the $24 for the class via VenMo -@Benjamin-Griffes-1; via PayPal – stretching4life@aol.com or Benjamin Griffes; by check, sent to Dr. Griffes, 18399 Ventura Blvd., Suite 241, Tarzana, CA 91356
Feel free to invite friends and family.
THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH
“Thank God I don’t look like what I’ve been through.” Fran Haynes
“It’s not the size of the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” Lena Horne