Just in case...

Tomorrow I will have a tonsillectomy.  This isn't a common procedure in adults but it's been recommended for me.  While the idea of being permitted to eat ice cream without the guilt is just as appealing to my 35 year old self as it would have been to my 8 year old self, an 8 year old reportedly would recover more quickly and the procedure would be easier.  The as yet unknown level of pain is considerably less appealing than the ice cream.

I'm sharing this information because there is a "teachable moment" from my conversation with the pre-op nurse.  She called to get my medical history, find out if I'm on any medications, check on any know allergies, etc.  She then asked if I had my advance directives in place.  Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to convey your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time. In case you'd like to read more about this, click here.  To be quite honest, it isn't something I had thought about in preparation for this out patient procedure.  The reality is, there is a risk - especially under general anesthesia. 

Then I considered other reasons to have Advance Directives in place.  I love certain outdoor activities, specifically: swim, bike, run.  Each event carries its own inherent danger and accidents do happen.  Recently, a friend of mine got struck by a car while cycling.  She had several broken bones, and is recovering well, but it could have been worse and was certainly a reality check.  Every time we take to the roads we take a risk.  What if the unimaginable happens?  Do I want to be ventilated or resuscitated?  Am I to be an organ donor?  These are some of the unpleasantries that come with being an adult. 

So tonight I have one more addition to my to-do list.

Basement Bootcamp - You too can do more by 6 AM than others do all day!

Every Thursday, a friend comes over to my house and we do something that we've dubbed "Basement Bootcamp".  Basically, it's a series of calisthenics (burpees, jumping jacks, frog jumps) isometrics (planks, wall sits) and anything in between that keeps our heart rates up.  The only equipment we use is a medicine ball each, and occasionally we use elastic bands.  We do each activity for 60 seconds and will continue for 35 - 45 minutes.  It's tough.  What keeps me motivated to keep going is a great playlist full of upbeat songs. 

In week one, we shadow boxed (punched mid-air like a couple of lunatics careful not to hyperextend any joints) between each interval.  In week two, we didn't take the shadow boxing breaks, rather we cut our intervals down to 30 seconds.  In week three we knew we were getting stronger because we did each activity for a full minute - mostly.  In week four, we were there for real.  Week 5, my friend had bronchitis and a severe sinus infection so there was no bootcamp.  This brings us to today's workout, week 6.  We were ready for a shake up in the routine so, we did our activities, separated by minute-long spurts of running in place, sometimes simply jogging, other times it was more of a hop or a swing.  It was awesome.  By the time the last song came on (appropriately enough it was the Village People singing Macho Man), we just danced - channeling our best Jane Fonda.  Lots of jumping, fist pumping, it was a freestyle free for all.  And it was fun!

400 Pounds of Sheer Determination-26.2 miles and a new World Record

A new world record was set at the LA Marathon this year and it wasn't by a Kenyan.  Actually, the race was won by an Ethiopian who did set a course record, finishing in 2:06:35 - but this story isn't about the man who won the race.  It's about a man who finished the race...weighing 400 pounds, now officially the heaviest man on record to complete a marathon.  Now, I'm not suggesting that everyone rush out and tackle the 26.2.  Kelly Gneiting is an athlete - 3 time US Sumo Champion.  He has the grit and determination ingrained in him to work through the pain and discomfort that no doubt accompanies lugging 400 pounds over 26.2 miles of asphalt.  I am saying though, that the only impossibilities that exist are created in our own minds.  The race took Gneiting 9:48:52 to complete.   It takes training, dedication, and desire to complete a marathon, but regardless of your current level of phyiscal fitness or size, it is possible. 

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Sumo-wrestler-becomes-heaviest-man-to-ever-finis?urn=oly-wp14

Count Down to the Workforce Team Challenge

Daylight Savings Time has begun!  On 3/13/11 at 2 AM we officially "sprung forward".  For those of us who try to be early risers, this means waking up in the darkness.  For the vast majority of the population, however, it means that the daylight lasts longer into the evenings.  Whichever you prefer there is one undeniable fact - the days are getting longer and spring is around the corner!

What better way to let off some steam and stress of the workday than to get out and walk or run after work and enjoy the daylight?  JFA will be participating in the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge on May 19th.  This event attracts over 8,000 runners and walkers from over 400 organizations!  This Thursday marks 9 weeks of training, so it's time to break from your winter cocoon and get moving.

See you on the roads!

March Health Observances - American Heart Month is over... National Nutrition Month begins

March is a busy month for National Health Observances.

First there are the Month long designations:
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
National Nutrition Month
Save your Vision Month
Trisomy Awareness Month
Workplace Eye Wellness Month

Then you have the specially appointed weeks:
Patient Safety Awareness Week (6-12) and National School Breakfast Week (7-12), Brain Awareness Week, (14-20), National Poison Prevention Week (20-26) and World Salt Awareness Week (21-27)

Finally, there are the individually designated days:
World Kidney Day (11)
World Tuberculosis Day (24)
American Diabetes Alert Day (25)

Each Health Observance is sponsored by a special interest group or organization but being that they bring awareness through education, I fully support this type of lobbying.  I certainly can't fault them like I would, for example, the greeting card and candy companies' grand glorification of Valentines day.  Some observances get more press than others, which can certainly be attributed to the size and scope of each special interest organization.  Few people are aware of the existence of the World Action on Salt & Health, but the American Diabetes Association is quite well known. 

Which observance to focus on is a more personal decision.  Those who have been affected by colorectal cancer may choose this as their focus this month.  Parents or school faculty may want to focus on National School Breakfast Week. Whatever you choose, make it an opportunity to live well and help others to live well.  Plan a week of nutritious breakfasts for your family (some would argue it's the most important meal of the day).  Take your favorite family recipe and try to make it healthier.  Go through your home and make sure poison hazards are marked as such and out of reach from pets and children.  Individuals and companies alike can use these "Health Holidays" as valuable teaching tools and who knows, you may prevent a crisis or catch a chronic disease in its early stages.