Motivation to lose weight - To nag or not to nag?

Over the years as we age we may look like our pet or we may look like our mate, Over time we lose muscle tone, our bodies bend, thin or overweight we increase our fat tissue and often lose our muscle tissue. In my marriage, I have gone to seed and Barb still looks great.

I was reading an article from the LA Times published two days ago, Instead of nagging your spouse to lose weight, try going on a diet yourself by Karen Kaplan. I followed as well the research behind the article which is fun to do. To get my mind back into the study of statistics, research; I can almost see my brain cells rerouting new connections. Where did I put my glasses?

One of the best examples of a nagging couple is the Lockhorns. They are brilliant in their ribs at each other and somewhere we all find common ground with them. They succeed in the funny papers because both nag. Nagging in marriage isn’t always successful. 

From Proverbs

15:17 “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.”

21:9 “It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.” In Application a “quarrelsome husband” would fit too.

With married couples if one partner is obese or overweight 37% of the time the other is also obese. With the Lockhorns, Leroy and Loretta seem to mirror each other which is part of their charm. Antidotal examples like the Lockhorns or even a stats is not absolute truth. Couples come in all shapes and sizes. When weight becomes a problem in our health there are times when change is needed, but is hard to motivate the other. One of the best ways is to create positive change is to lead by example. 

Motivating our loved one to a healthier outcome is at the heart of the article. Ah, in marriage the lovely art of nagging, often it is tried and so little succeeds. Probably the best way to look at is true the funny pages. The Lockhorns come to mind.

In this study the spouses wanting to encourage a healthier diet were encouraged to enter a weight-watcher program themselves or given a handout  with information of diet and exercise. Those who entered weight-watcher lose 9.5 lbs. or 4.5% of their body weight and those who had handout loss 7 lbs. or 3.2% of their body weight. A loss of 3% of our body weight brings positive health change. 

What about their spouses? They on average loss 5 lbs. from the weight-watcher group and 4 lbs from the hand out group. That roughly calculated to 2.09% of their body weight. There were 32% of non-dieting parters achieved body mass drops by 3% benefiting from the weight loss in their health.

The participants, the dieters received $100 dollars for completing the study. A nice little behavioral motivation that had to affect the outcome. 

Leading by example rather than nagging would seem to be a better strategy. But I wonder from this study if paying people to lose weight wouldn't be a better strategy. Keep walking

We don't need assault rifles. Personal defense guy weighs in

Hit the link below for the awesome graphic.

         I don't know if you can access this page from the New York Times, but it is an amazing graphic. Chicago is #1 but note it records children killed by guns in the urban setting. Loads of data, how many are gang related? How many involve 17-23? How many are domestic? How many are legal and illegal guns? How many have a racial component? Race killings go each way not just white on black, but black on white also. With the increase of Latino there is a factor as well. Ethnic violence? How many involve mental health? Most who use a gun are not mentally ill. How many deaths were involved in a legal self defense? How many self defenses were unjustified?
        We are divided about guns with people like me would like an option against possible fatal attacks (we don't need assault rifles unless we are invaded by foreign powers, unlikely in my life time) and people who want a ban on guns. Our biggest need is for people to embrace life and hate murder. Too many have a low opinion of others.
        Responsible ownership of guns looks at the intent of the gun for self defense, hunting,

Actual weapon found in hotel room in Vegas

target shooting for sport or recreation. Murder, suicide, mass murder, crime and drugs needs law and regulation. People in the cites need to be challenged on many destructive behaviors, illegal gun running needs stiffer penalties.

       The shooting in Vegas underscores assaut rifles can be modified for greater killing potential. It is clear we need to address this type of gun. We cannot ignore it. The purpose of this gun goes beyond personal defense, hunting and sport shooting. Guns like this for military or law enforcement require discipline and training with these guns. Reagan called it common sense. 

America responded on Dec. 7, 1941. They again went into action on on Sept. 11, 2001. Assault weapons have been used in semi automatic in up close mass killings and now modified for mass destruction from a 1/4 mile away. There are people who have them and use them within the law, but the potential for mass murder requires we the people have to move with a better measures to stop what may be only the beginning. It looks like this guy was also open to use the bomb power like Timothy McVey. 

A few targeted the audience in the Country music crowd, but this guy was planning an analysis of a rap concert in Chicago. These killings were not the fault of Rock fans in France, or gays in Orlando, or co-workers on California. We don't know the motive, but he had one and he forced his violence on others with planning and ability to carry it out. Everybody wants to play a psychiatrist and diagnose this evil, he is nuts but he is responsible, a year to 6 months of planning. 

Back to graphic about urban violence,  each death here with the symbols needs to be accounted for. What ever your opinion this is an awesome visual to understand the complicated problem we have. The human race demonstrates our bent towards sin.I am going to do my best to chase down information in the Chicago deaths. Deaths in other urban centers may be slower to reach the body count in Las Vegas but maybe causes are similar or maybe there will be differences. These deaths are too many and do call for a different response than the usual banter. Keep walking, but be safe.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/10/06/us/las-vegas-gun-deaths.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

Linking an health article with the study on Moderate drinking

I have previously reported on the possible benefits of moderate drinking alcohol for longevity and cardiovascular health. Drinking alcohol beyond moderate drinking only proves detrimental to health. 

Why moderate drinkers (one or two drinks) live longer than nondrinkers is still a puzzle to me. I understand the benefits of red wine on the cardio vascular health and beer on bone health, it is pretty consistent that more than two drinks takes away any of the benefits and proves only detrimental to your health.

Alcohol related to cancer I have not heard of any benefits. How drink he relates to cancer is worth checking out.

In Men's Journal this month, Melaina Juntti reports four beers, or five glasses of wine a week can be linked to a risk of mental decline. Melaina had previously reported the link between cancer and alcohol. I followed up with her articles with the studies she referred to. Men's Journal has had many articles favoring moderate drinking for their audience. 

The UK study about moderate drinking leading to a possible risk a mental decline is a fairly large study over a period of 30 years. As with any study about drinking alcohol there's always a problem with drinkers understating their actual use. The participants of the study since 1985 showed moderate drinkers had a mental decline in function and viewable loss in parts of the brain. These losses have been associated with various types of dementia. 

With the cancer studies and alcohol there seems to be a strong correlation in seven types of cancer that cause 5.8% of all deaths. “There is strong evidence that alcohol causes cancer at seven sites in the body and probably others. Current estimates suggest that alcohol-attributable cancers at these sites make up 5.8% of all cancer deaths world-wide.” 

Liberty trike - Easy to assemble, biking with electric
assistance. 5 speeds up to 11 or 12 miles an hour. 

You can look at the links below yourself and decide for yourself. With heavier drinking there are different mental impairments that we should all be concerned about. If you are a moderate drinker make sure you back that up with just a drink a day and once and while two. If you don’t drink don’t start recommended by lifestyle doctors like Dr, Cooper. 

Will studies like this cause public policy to change? For example in Chicago they are trying to tax sugary drinks to reduce soda pop consumption. Alcohol and tobacco are both heavily taxed. Will alcohol be penalized like the tobacco industry bring back some sort of political prohibition? 

Health changes should be for personal and knowledgable reasons. Life as brief as it is should be enjoyed. Health enthusiasts can be overzealous and legalistic. Our tendency to do these things maybe why I kicked back against political correctness. 

What is healthy? What is beneficial? You are in control of your health. You live your life, your medical team can help you. Your careful reading may give you insights that can guide you. Choice is exactly that. Keep walking  

http://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/articles/just-5-drinks-a-week-can-damage-your-brain-w493425?utm_source=mjnewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=daily&utm_campaign=072117_11

http://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/357/bmj.j2353.full.pdf

http://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/articles/drinking-can-cause-cancer-what-you-need-to-know-w430950

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.13477/full

In the news what is fake and real - health is hard

In the news this week I read three articles that give us a realistic view of the battle we have with aging. We are making progress, yet I read another article reporting  our first decline in life expectancy since 1999.

We all know women live on average about two years according to an article from the Associated press. Both experience and many other resources have reported the gender gap in longevity. If you and your spouse make it 65, you can expect to live to 87 for guys and 89 for gals on average. If you make to 65 it is possible you are on a healthier track than those who die earlier. What the article points out is the need for the surviving spouse to need more money for end of life issues. Here we see the reality that in life there is always a struggle.

 The http://www.wsj.com/articles/women-face-20-higher-health-care-costs-in-retirement-survey-finds-1481086801?tesla=y

Gretchen Reynolds updates important information we need to have in way of strategy as we get older. To maintain independence and quality of life we need to do resistance training. With work and max lifts where it hard to complete 8 to 12 reps we can actually add muscle to our body well into our 80’s. Lighter resistance will slow down the rate of lose and will give us the ability to carry on like we are used too. Max workouts will add muscle. Even in wrinkles muscle looks better in our clothes than fat. Invest in resistant training, you will like it when you are moving in your 80’s.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/12/02/can-you-regain-muscle-mass-after-age-60/?mabReward=CTM3&recp=0&moduleDetail=recommendations-0&action=click&contentCollection=Pro%20Football&region=Footer&module=WhatsNext&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&src=recg&pgtype=article

Don't give up

The Times reports of a woman beating colon cancer with her own immunity cells. With melanoma this therapy has proven about 20% percent effective. It seems she is one of the few where this has worked against colon cancer. If it can be repeated there can be hope for people fighting this cancer. They are learning things to make it more successful. But like heart, diabetes, senility, cancer if a tough foe. In all health studies you are working to improve the odds. I think that is the difference between fake news to hook you and real news that puts you in the fight. What do you think?

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/health/cancer-immunotherapy.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth&action=click&contentCollection=health&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

Keep walking

The internet can be good

One of the newspaper postings I get links stories from the Washington Post on health. One helpful article is titled, "It Is Family Not Friends Who May Help You Live Longer." Within the article linked were two studies supporting how longevity is improved with family and also friends. 

When we retire being alone can be one of our biggest enemies. We can benefit from reduced stress from work, but I suspect there is a people element in our work that is good for us. Studies in health are often a numbers game. Exercise, Family, Friends, or lack of has an impact on our longevity.

Two of the studies followed people 6 years after retirement. The other study look at social connection throughout life.

Often social media and the Internet is criticized for people posting off-the-wall kind of stuff and bad information. In my own way, I like to push back a little bit and look for many of the good benefits of social media and internet research. In the fatman blog I focus on things that concern an old man about life and health. 

In my Liberian posts I am pursuing my passions to help Liberians fulfilling a lifetime ambition to serve the Lord anyway I can and show His love and care. I trained to be a missionary in psychology and pastoral care. As a missionary, education and medicine play a part.

As we age it is good to know what helps us and what doesn’t. 

If we are connected to the family only 6% of us will die in our first six years. If we do not have a good family connection then it is 14% more likely that we will die in the first six years. 

Being a cub fan I have seen the Cubs under bad management. There were so many mistakes every game and that added up to more losses then wins. This year we have good players but I've also seen the difference in having a good manager. 

In health I have seen an analogy that we are players. The coaches and manager could be our health team. If we look at good reports and information, we have a better ability to make good decisions on the field of life. No doctor or manager can replace our involvement in our health plan. 

Having a strong family

One of my health advisers

supporting us can improve our chance to survive six years after retirement by 8%. There is no guarantee, but if we know the numbers, that may help us pay attention to the importance of family when we get older. 

We are better off being connected socially with others in church or other interest groups. Loneliness can be like sedimentary living, bad eating habits, and smoking. If we make the right choices concerning these things we improve our chances. 

I think you will find the following articles from the Washington Post interesting. This connection was made possible by the Internet. Think of the Internet is a tool. If we learn to use it can be a great benefit. As always keep walking
Reviewed by Barb Reeves RN.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/08/22/its-family-not-friends-who-may-help-you-live-longer-study-says/?wpisrc=nl_lean&wpmm=1

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/01/05/your-relationships-are-just-as-important-to-your-health-as-exercising-and-eating-well/?tid=a_inl

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/02/16/joining-a-book-club-church-or-sports-group-linked-to-longer-life-after-retirement/?tid=a_inl

Losing our Marbles, what is on your mind?

Where did I put my marbles?

Losing our Marbles

Memory and mental functioning as we get older is on our minds. How many times have you heard, “I am having a senior moment?” I am good at trivial pursuit. I seem to know a lot of everything. When I can’t remember something I wonder why? When I think about it I remind myself why I should know some little fragment of useless trivia and there are still a lot of things I don’t know. Forgetting and recall should be normal in a life that keeps moving. Our brains are always making new pathways over older non used pathways that are natural and because one has lived long enough for this to happen should be expected.

In keeping with the Walking with the fat man are there things I can do to keep the brain healthy and functioning as I age? Here are some ideas I have found the last 7 years:

·       Walking and moving makes our brains grow more than crossword puzzles

·       Eating a heart healthy diet helps our blood vessels to stay open and prevent strokes and prevent development of dementia

·       Learning new things helps our brains to keep changing and growing.

·       Making new friends and experiences help our brain

·       Coping with stress is good for our brain

·       Staying hydrated helps the brain

·       Forgetting is part of life. Remember when you couldn’t recall something when you were young. Well you are still capable of forgetting. That’s life!

I was just reading WebMD an article by Dennis Thompson, “(Health Day News) -- Elderly people who participate in "brain training" classes to keep their minds sharp continue to see positive benefits 10 years after the training, according to a new study.” Particularly problem solving does better than memory. If we live long enough our brains will have wear and tear like the rest of our bodies but we can through life style changes do better along the way. Keep walking

Mery Daniels rehabing with hand bike, more ways to walk

Mery Daniels is one of the 267 casualties at the Boston marathon. Three wonderful people lost their lives including an 8 year old child. For Mery’s part she lost part of her lower leg and now uses a prosthetic leg.

Islamic terror has left its’ mark once again. Like the aftermath in Kenya, where people are dedicated to destruction of others rather than reaching out to human need and care. When it comes to religious belief we need to look at the actions. People can say what they want but their actions point to what they really believe.

In reading the article by there is no mention of religion or faith in Mery’s life. That doesn’t mean there is or isn’t faith. But what we do see is Mery’s actions being totally the opposite of the terrorists whose bombs hurt so many. Mery Daniels came to our country from Haiti at the age of 13. She now has to learn to balance on her prosthetic leg. Her therapist introduced her to hand peddled bike where the balance is provided by the design of the bike. I know the wonders of a recumbent bike that allows me to ride trails. Mery bounced back and became a racier with a hand peddle bike. In the races she has entered she has raise money for veterans and those who deal with autism. She is doing something that helps her to rehab and benefit others. She has herself become a racer and the injuries have motivated her to new activity. Mery is helping others and show true courage and she rebuilds her life.  

The challenge for the people of Islam is, Can they be a part of rooting out evil that kills innocents? Can they like Mery, help others in need who may be different in belief? Are they doing better in their relationship with Hindus, Christians, Jews, atheists, agnostics, and animists? Actions not words will tell us. Keep walking

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/01/mery-daniel-boston-marathon-life-goes-on_n_3527090.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/boston-marathon-bomb-victim-racing-losing-leg/story?id=20494727

 

Professor's past catches up to him - my take on the story

A very interesting story hit the news this week. I think it invokes our fears about mental illness when it turns violent. James Wolcott, now Dr. St James a man who is my age, killed his family 46 years ago. It rings clearly of premeditation and his own testimony he stated his hatred of his family and planned their death for a week. At 15 he was declared insane and released according to the news accounts 6 years later as sane. One news discussion I heard stated he was paranoid schizophrenia. 
He earns a masters, begins a successful teaching career of 27 years, earning a doctorate at U of Ill. Now his past catches up to him. On one hand he does what you hope someone would do in turning his life around. On the other hand the murders were brutal and the photos chilling and he hid that from the University. He is well liked and respected there, but now the truth has been discovered. 
This story presents us with a lot of things; a horrific crime, an untold story of an unfortunate family, mental illness all covered in a lie that shows a life that turned to good. For me I have questions about the diagnosis? Paranoid schizophrenia was over diagnosed back then dressed in Freudian theory.  His emotional state, family dynamics and drug use I believe play a stronger role in understanding his behavior. If he was schizophrenic you don't just walk away, it would have been seen. 
In the series Perception on the TNT network you have a popular professor of psychology who suffers from Schizophrenia who despite his brilliance regularly hallucinates. For him the hallucinations  follow the plot of the story. I actually wouldn't mind having some of his hallucinations. Or maybe it would be nice to have a pal like Harvey in a Jimmy Steward movie. In real life it doesn't work that way. 
Can we be mentally ill and have a life? What happens if people find out? Add to this can we do things that are horrific and face justice and find redemption, forgiveness and a chance for a fresh start? It is all the stuff movies and life are made of, but a hell of a lot harder in real life. 
Dr. St. James had 27 years. The hiding of his past is a big thing. It was illegal and as this story moves forward I fear there are dynamics that may unravel his world. He should be dismissed but he could if he has really become a different person, write his story of who he has really become. I am sure it would be a New York Times best seller. 
We are hard of the labels of mental illness. For whatever it is worth I choose to be up front about  my struggles with anxiety and depression. My story deals with post traumatic stress. I have worked in people business over 40 years. I am planning my own retirement in a few years. Having the Lord as the rock of my salvation I can not understate, we live a cynical times but I am glad, "He has told you O man what to do, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8  Keep walking

more of us are moving...what about the way we eat

Let's be wise

Are we exercising more yet still gaining weight? Apparently yes according to a study published this week. How we change the way we eat has more to do with weight loss? Years ago I knew you can't out run a big mac. It is easy to out eat our movement.
But let us not lose sight of a good habit of exercise, walking, running, swimming, biking, yard work, and other workouts. Burning calories is good for us. Aerobic activity most days of the week improves our health, and helps with blood sugar, high blood pressure, artery health, immune system.
Leslie Sansone often reminds us one good habit can lead to another. Moving and being fat is better than not moving and being skinny. I have read many times that being sedimentary is like smoking a pack of cigarettes. We have a problem with obesity and losing weight I believe is harder than  we think. So let's think about our diet. Are we willing to learn what amount of food we need to maintain or lose weight? Are we willing to trade unhealthy fat for taste in the way we prepare food? Are we willing to prepare our own foods and eat out less? Are we willing to change and not go back to eating that got us fat in the first place? These are hard questions?
Have we given up? We will never look like______, so who cares! We may look better at least in our clothes, but we can feel better. We may need help with being older or why we eat food for comfort rather than life. Let's move forward and change both our exercise and diet. Keep walking
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-americans-exercise-not-losing-weight-20130709,0,1516487.story

Marathons have encouraged millions to live better, Terror continues to show evil and lack of respect for fellow

Running a marathon has encourage many to get healthier and more fit. Many have picked up walking, jogging, swimming because of the sport's popularity that we all compete against our personal goals. While the first marathon had military motivation, the modern marathon has brought people together. The Boston marathon stands out as unique. People competing, others cheering the best of the human spirit. The terrorist attack twisted for their own sinful end has no justification. Loss of life and injury can not be replaced. Yet what do we see again, but hero's saving lives, risking their own, defiantly moving to show good can over come evil. The low lives who did this I hope reap what they sowed. For these we lost may millions around the globe be inspired to run, walk in their place for life.
This week I am keeping track of my workout times with the goal of 150 minutes in a week. In 5 days I have 135 minutes. Thanks Don for the workout today. Praying for those in Boston, keep walking
 

Health in the news, information fuels our walks

Found several articles on line with my morning coffee. The Chicago Tribune shares when to exercise outdoors when sick
http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/504/article/p2p-74374522/
Electro shock treatments get an update. Back in the 70's I assisted in the care of hundreds of people in EST. then it was controlled somewhat annestigia. Before that images of "One Flew over the Cookoo's Nest comes to mind. If you never seen that film or read the book do so. It will show you how far we have come in treating mental illness. Danny Devito's character is priceless. EST in the 70's was still very invasive, it was better than suicide, but it wasn't for the faint of heart to observe. Still today medicatthion and therapy won't help some who are depressed. Inavasive low currents are now given that with medication sertraline may help serious depressed people. There are those that aren't convinced. See the article 
http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/504/article/p2p-74318555/
One of my favorite vacation times is cruising. You can eat healthy and get plenty of exercise along the way. It is easy to plan a snorkeling outing or a hike. Walking and running easily fit days when you are traveling on the water. Enjoying the food and drink doesn't have to mean over eating.
http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/504/article/p2p-74321073/
This next article is a tough one. When do we give up the fight fight off life and accept the reality that death's door is at hand. I am all for a caring approach that honors life, but sees the reality that the body is dying. What I fear is the decision won't be based on respect for life and the benefit of a reasonable fight, but on cost and older people have lost their value. As you think on these things weigh in on the article.
http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/504/article/p2p-74321073/
Baby boomers we aren't as healthy as our parents. No surprise here. But can we change our ways? Mobility is very important.
http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/504/article/p2p-74290542/
Keep walking