Wellness

Learn to Love Running

2007-01-16T14:22:14-08:00

"Running is a great activity and I enjoy it", or "running is boring and hard", or "I injured myself while running so I don't run anymore". Those are pretty much the things I hear when I talk to my training clients about running. This article from Sparks People that I read gives some ideas on what the advantages are from a Psychological Benefit to the Physical Benefits of running. Click on the link below and start bringing running into your life.

Link: Learn to Love Running.

Employees are not as healthy as they think

2006-12-15T16:43:00-08:00

Findings from a national Employee Engagement Poll are being released today as six national employers work with Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies in a pilot health and wellness research-based initiative – Engaging Consumers@Work – to determine what motivates employees to change their lifestyle behavior.

Many employees report themselves to be in “very good” or “excellent” health, despite failing to reach even the minimum levels of physical activity and nutritional recommendations, according to the Employee Engagement Poll released by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA).

The poll found that while nearly half (44 percent) of all employees considered themselves in above average health, a surprising few (one in five employees) actually adhere to the minimum standards of healthy eating, including consuming one serving of whole grain and fruit each day. Meanwhile, only one in two employees undertake minimal physical activity such as walking or gardening for ten minutes at least four days a week.

Similarly, while many consumers understand basic health and wellness messages that good diet and exercise are important, a vast majority cannot answer specific questions about how such variables as body weight, cholesterol or blood pressure may impact quality of life

“This poll highlights an opportunity for health and wellness programs offered by employers around the country to more closely align consumer perceptions of good health with greater engagement in activities that potentially have a positive impact on quality of life and medical costs,” said BCBSA President and CEO Scott P. Serota.

BCBSA’s poll also showed that two-thirds (67 percent) of employees who do not have health and wellness programs at work would like their employers to offer them. Among all employees, meanwhile, the majority (54 percent) would appreciate more health and wellness assistance from their employer.

For companies that invest in these initiatives, employees report healthier behavior, including being more active, following a healthier diet and getting recommended health screenings. In addition, they say that they are more productive. Finally, these workers are also much more likely, on average (64 percent), to believe that their employer cares about their health. The poll, conducted by Knowledge Networks, surveyed 3,063 working men and women ages, 18 to 60.

It's not Mind over matter, but Mind in matter.

2006-11-29T21:30:50-08:00

The mind works many different ways. It tells us things we like and things we don't like. It tell us when it's to hot and when it's cold .The question I have is, is the mind us or are we the mind. take this simple test, eat something you have decided you don't like and you probably won't do it because you think you know what it taste like. But now get the place where your mind has no thought about the food....try it now.....

Why Americans Are Not Likely To Become Fitter Any Time Soon

2006-11-15T13:46:15-08:00

I read this on the Seekwellness.com site about the sad current reality about the state of fitness in the US. As a Certified Fitness Trainer I see people come and go at the club and only a small number of members are there constantly exercising. Once I figure out WHY, I will write all about it. Until then, read this interesting article.

Why Americans Are Not Likely To Become Fitter Any Time Soon
Tuesday November 14, 2006

Written by director: Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

In a few weeks, the National Wellness Instituter NWI will release position statements on physical fitness. The statements, authored by three experienced wellness characters, were designed to assess American fitness levels and offer advice. Also, the experts were asked to comment, based upon their extensive personal experience as athletes and fitness promoters, on ways that America could more effectively promote exercise to bring about a healthier culture. The three experts on the NWI panel were Robert Sweetgall, BCHE, whose speciality is Wonderful Walking Programs for Reducing Stress, Obesity, Body Fat, Osteoporosis, Aging, Diabetes and Heart Disease Risk and Barbara Harris, M.A., a veteran writer for fitness magazines. The third expert? That was me. Here is what I wrote -- my position summarizes the "icantdoit" philosophy described here on numerous occasions.

Everything Robert Sweetgall wrote in his excellent position statement about physical fitness makes perfect sense. In fact, in my first book (High Level Wellness) and subsequent books, newsletters, website essays and at least a thousand lectures over 30 plus years, I have said more or less the same things, as have legions of fitness and wellness enthusiasts (including George Sheehan, Ken Cooper, Richard Simmons, Slim Goodbody, Richard Keelor and so on). All this advice on the nature and benefits of fitness represents variations on a fine and sensible theme.

And it's all futile, with a few exceptions now and then. The reality for most people who read this stuff, who attend the lectures, go to the fitness clinics and otherwise encounter "The Word" about fitness and give it a try, time and time again, is "ICANTDOIT." As Ecclesiastes expressed it, "This also is vanity and a chasing after wind." "Icantdoit" is a concept Dr. Grant Donovan and I have described extensively in the past year. I'm as much of an enthusiast for fitness and wellness as ever, but I have reluctantly come to the realization that most people cannot sustain exercise patterns over time, or manage their weight, or succeed at any number of goals they cherish. Like myself all these years, they underestimate the barriers to wellness. Nearly everyone would like to achieve fitness but cannot for a host of reasons, including genetics, culture, habit patterns and much more. The odds against success at becoming and remaining fit are overwhelming. Good advice, such as is available in these observations from Bob, Barbara and yours truly, won't be enough.

Yes, once upon a time, as Bob notes, "physical activity came naturally as a way of life, survival and just doing daily chores." But, not today. Gimmicks and toys (heart rate monitors, exercise prescriptions, aerobics classes, black spandex, etc.) won't do it, either. The reason a "majority of Americans have become sedentary and fatter," as Bob reports, is that they are underprepared, undersupported and underqualified to sustain a high degree of fitness. Everything Bob and Barb say makes sense. I share their enthusiasm and commitment to fitness, for myself and as something good for everyone else. Yet, advising people to "Now go play!" will never do the trick. Not even close. Why is this so?

It's because becoming and remaining fit, living healthfully and succeeding in life is too demanding; most are not prepared for the obstacles that stand in the way.

We first made the case for icantdoit in an essay in June 2005. At present, fourteen articles are now available at my website SeekWellness describing how icantdoit applies for almost everyone. Think of it -- If you COULD choose, put into practice and sustain healthy choices, you would. You would accept responsibility for the quality of your life and exercise vigorously on a regular basis, eat well, manage stress, think critically and do all the rest. Who wouldn't? After all, wellness is fun, romantic and hip, sexy and free. It's a richer way to be alive. You'd be a little crazy not to live this way--IF YOU COULD. However, the sorry situation for most is "I cant." Varied barriers block thinking and behaving in ways consistent with sound lifestyle practices. Nearly everyone would be better off accepting an icantdoit credo.

Napoleon Hill, author of the famous Andrew Carnegie formula for money-making entitled Think and Grow Rich: The Andrew Carnegie formula for money making, studied several thousand people -- and concluded 98 percent of them were failures. This might be a little harsh and an overestimate. Still, it was interesting to think about the thirty major reasons he thought accounted for why so many fail.

When Grant and I looked at Hill's explanations for explaining failure at making money, we concluded that twenty of Hills reasons apply as well to attempts to maintain physical fitness, along the advanced lines of wellness lifestyles.

1. Unfavorable Hereditary Background -- Many people are born with a deficiency in brainpower or lack of physical capacity -- and there is nothing they candoaboutit. For some, exercise is NOT fun - it's an ordeal.

2. Lack of Ambition to Aim Above Mediocrity -- icantdoit people lack ambition and are not willing to put in the considerable effort required for success. Attaining and sustaining a respectable level of fitness, especially as you age, is hard work and takes time and extensive discipline.

3. Insufficient Education -- Hill argues that the "the best-educated people are often those who are self-educated and get whatever they want in life without violating the rights of others." Many icantdoit people have school-based knowledge but lack the capacity to effectively and persistently apply their knowledge. As Hill notes, "men are paid, not merely for what they know, but more particularly for what they do with that which they know."

4. Lack of Self-discipline -- Most people cantdoit because they lack the discipline required for self-control. Hill argues, "if you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by it. You may see at one and the same time both your best friend and your greatest enemy, by stepping in front of a mirror."

5. Ill Health -- Hill postulates, "No person may enjoy outstanding success without good health." Most of those Hill studied overate foods not conducive to such favored health status, lacked sufficient physical exercise, rarely breathed fresh air and generally had poor habits of thought. Sound familiar?

6. Unfavorable Environmental Influences During Childhood -- Most people acquire bad habits from poor environments and improper associates during childhood. They spend the rest of their impoverished lives blaming others because they cantdoit. If your exposure to exercise as a child was negative, this becomes a formidable barrier during adulthood.

7. Procrastination -- Hill's research led him to conclude that icantdoit people are always waiting for the 'time to be just right' to start doing something worthwhile. And, of course, the time is never just right. There is always something to do that is more enjoyable, restful, pleasurable or otherwise attractive than sweating and breathing heavily.

8. Lack of Persistence -- Most people start well but finish poorly. They are icantdoit people because they are prone to giving up at the first signs of defeat. Getting started with exercise and fitness is the hardest part.

9. Negative Personality -- Most people don't like each other and cantdoit because they repel each other. Hill argues that "success comes through the application of power, and power is attained through the cooperative efforts of other people. A negative personality will not induce cooperation."

10. Uncontrolled Desired for Something for Nothing -- Most icantdoit people have a gambling instinct and a desire to be rich without effort, hence the worldwide success of casinos and lottery groups. There is a price (time/effort) to pay, every day, to stay fit.

11. Lack of a Well-Defined Power of Decision -- Hill believed "successful people reach decisions promptly and change them, if at all, very slowly." icantdoit people reach decisions very slowly and change them frequently.

12. Wrong Selection of a Mate in Marriage -- Poor mate selection aids and abets icantdoit because such relationships are energy-sapping and destroy most ambitions. If your spouse considers exercise a diversion from things that are far more important, how long are you going to stay with exercise routines? (What you should remove from your life is the non-supportive spouse.)

13. Superstition -- Superstition is a sign of ignorance. Most people cantdoit because they believe many foolish things unsupported by evidence or reason. Ever heard someone say, "Joggers never look happy jogging?" (The happiness or at least satisfaction expressions come later, when they FINISH the exercise activity.)

14. Wrong Selection of a Vocation -- The chances of success are not good in work environments that are disliked. Or that leave one too famished, frustrated or flummoxed to exercise.)

15. Lack of Concentration of Effort -- Most people cantdoit because they are easily distracted. They fail to focus efforts on one definite aim.

16. The Habit of Indiscriminate Spending -- This is the big one in Western society. Most people cantdoit because they are forever standing on the precipice of poverty by spending (not investing) more than they earn.

17. Intolerance -- The icantdoit person is normally close-minded, acquires little knowledge and easily becomes religiously, racially and politically intolerant.

18. Inability to Cooperate with Others -- More icantdoit people lose opportunities in life because they lack the capacity to work effectively with others.

19. Guessing Instead of Thinking -- Hill suggests, "most people are too indifferent or lazy to acquire facts with which to think accurately. They prefer to act on opinions created by guesswork or snap-judgments."

20. Lack of Capital -- Most people start out and travel through life without sufficient capital to absorb the shock of mistakes.

Donovan and I do not hold that these twenty factors are THE most critical variables for everyone. Yet, these twenty do explain why so many find it so hard to sustain good intentions to live healthfully. By familiarizing yourself with this list, you may develop a greater appreciation of the seriousness of the barriers or obstacles to wellness, and thereby increase the extent of your commitment. It takes a great deal of devotion and intention to continue over time to invest the required energy to sustain a fitness regimen and a larger wellness lifestyle. Maybe you are an exception. Maybe you can do it. I doubt it, but I'd love to be wrong, in your case and everyone else's. Be well.

Sleep is the way to peace of mind.

2006-11-01T12:08:26-08:00

We is the US seem to think that lack of sleep is some sort of a 'badge of honor' I notice that the idea of getting to sleep for 7 to 8 hours is a luxury, it says that your not busy enough. I listen to it at our clients locations as well as when I am training people at the club...'I am just tired'. Life is amazing when you...

Welcome to The Wellness Blog

2006-09-19T13:48:54-07:00

Welcome to The Wellness Blog. Here you will read and listen to blog post from contributing professionals in the wellness community. This creates a well diversified pool of ideas on subjects that effect the Wellness industry We also want the readers to post comments to articles they read to increase interaction between members.

The blog is part of the CollaborativeHUB Blog Network.

Introduction to The Wellness Blog

2006-09-18T14:52:36-07:00

Intro to "The Wellness Blog"

MP3 File