USE IT OR LOSE IT

    For quite some time now I have been guilty of not practicing what I preach.  Apparently my hypocrisy knows no bounds.  I used to jog and otherwise keep myself in shape by not eating like a pig.

    I have let myself go.  I have gone to seed.

    I have used every excuse in the book.  It's too hot, it's too cold, it's raining, I don't have time, I'm too fat (hmm, I wonder why!), my legs hurt, my back hurts, I'm hungry, I'm too old, I'm too busy.  Have I left out any thing?

    Someone once said that the human body is the only machine that works better the more you use it.  I know from experience that this is true.  The corollary is also true that the less you use your body the less well it works.

    Inertia is the tendency of a body at rest to remain at rest (I can relate to that), and of a body in motion to remain in motion.  Has your body, like mine, been at rest too long?  Have you become fat and lazy like I have?

    There is definitely a predominance of fat people in my ER, and some of us work there!  Obesity is rampant.  People who exercise regularly and take care of their bodies in other ways seldom get sick and come see me.  It's simple, really.  If you are now in the condition in which I find myself, or worse, and you want to do something about it just eat less and move more.

    Could it really be that simple?

    Could exercise and eating less than you do now really have health benefits?

    Even simple exercise like walking a mile or two each day can do wonders.  Not only does such activity get you feeling better physically and mentally, it also strengthens the immune system thereby helping you avoid illness. The more you exercise the better.  If you are really out of shape, you can start in small ways, like walking around the block.  If you're so far gone that you haven't walked farther than to the dinner table lately start by walking around inside your house or apartment and then go outdoors and walk part of a block.  Anything is better than nothing.

    I find that taking along a portable CD player or MP3 player and listening to books on CD or to music makes the exercising more fun, encourages me to walk or run farther than I would otherwise go and allows me to learn something while I'm getting in shape.

    Walking outdoors, instead of on an indoor track or on a treadmill, allows you to also benefit from sunshine.  As you might know the sun converts a substance in our skin into Vitamin D.  Vitamin D is necessary for building and maintaining healthy bones, is thought to protect against cancers and has other beneficial effects on the body.  Be aware, though, that sunscreens that block UV B radiation will interfere with Vitamin D production.  Save the sunscreen for those rare occasions when you cannot avoid prolonged exposure to the sun that could result in sunburn.

    Resistance training is very beneficial. It not only builds muscle, it strengthens bone, and is one of the best things women can do to protect against osteoporosis.  Sure you can hurt yourself if you don't know what you're doing in the beginning but there are many books available at your local library to educate you on the proper way to get started.  You might decide to join a gym or your local YMCA, as I did.  There you will find many other people in your situation, as well as others who are in shape and serve as inspiration, and a number of workers available to get you started on an exercise program ideally suited to you.

    Many patients I see in the ER are obese.  In fact I would estimate that the majority are in this category. Obesity brings with it a whole parade of health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, blood clots, strokes, cancer, skin infections and depression.

Polypharmacy, the taking of many different medications, also usually accompanies it. So why would any of us choose to be obese?

    Now, before you make a fool of yourself by saying out loud that obesity and all the pathology that goes with it is not your own fault, ask yourself whose fault it is.  Who shoved the food down your throat and made you sit on the couch instead of going for a walk?

    Hey, I'll make a deal with you.  I'll assume full responsibility for what I've done to my body if you'll accept responsibility for what you've done to yours. Deal?

    So let's stop making excuses and get moving.  I'll see you at the gym and on the walking trail!

Marlene Buckler, MD, FACEP           www.StayOutOfMyER.com

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