How to juggle it all… August 14, 2007

After being on bedrest for five months, I’m faced with the scary prospect of having an active 2 1/2 year old and a newborn under the same roof. Don’t get me wrong it will be a very rewarding/frustrating time in my life, but after sitting and watching everyone take care of the major responsibilities in my life, I’m a little afraid. Moms today have a double standard to live up to. We’re supposed to be Supermom while maintaining a job and keeping a house that doesn’t consistently collect dust bunnies. A little overwhelming, don’t you think? If you are an overwhelmed stay at home mom or full time mommy, here are some tips that we can both try to balance it all.

• Let it go… I have learned this after five months of bedrest. The house is NOT going to be perfect all the time. I find that as long as toys are somewhat picked up at the end of the day, that is good enough.
• Get over the guilt… Many working moms are laden with the guilt of being away from their children. Many studies are supporting that child care is a wonderful opportunity for children to develop great social skills while learning to be independent.
• Take a time-out… We don’t have to be Mommy martyrs. Take time for yourself, preferably daily time-outs of at least 10 minutes. I teach aerobics and I enjoy that time to move my body while not having to think about diaper changes for an hour.
• Believe in yourself… We need to believe we are doing a good job. We may not always get that praise so it needs to come from within. Are your kids (usually) happy, are they fed, is there a roof over their heads? If yes is the answer, then you are doing fine.

As we all know, being a mom is our most important job of all. Take time and appreciate the little things of this job as it changes over the years. Trust yourself!

Drop the cholesterol points, naturally… August 2, 2007

I can’t tell you how many patients I have had that have been prescribed medication to lower their cholesterol. With this new age of statin drugs, what risks do they bring? Check out the fun side effects that are listed for the “latest and greatest” drugs of choice by doctors across the country.

I must be brutally honest at this point. Many people in our society want a quick fix for their “cholesterol” problem and their doctors want to take care of it immediately. Well, instead of using a band-aid, how about we address the real reason for the problem: poor nutrition, lack of exercise and being significantly overweight.

1. Nutritionally, we need to go back to the basics. Dean Ornish, MD discussed a regimented diet that takes some getting used to, but ultimately lowers your overall cholesterol, naturally. His diet recommendations are to help lower cholesterol levels to below 150. His diet is vegetarian and does not allow more than 10% of calories to be from fat. I think one could add low fat poultry and fish to his recommendations while still achieving the desired result.
2. Weighty issues… Two thirds of the population is overweight and the problem is worsening. You need to find the incentive to take responsibility for your lack of food restraint and LOSE WEIGHT! People need to understand that they are not invincible and a heart attack CAN happen to them, not just the poor guy down the street. I think once the reality that being overweight is REALLY leading to a life of discomfort and numerous health issues with variable side effects, that our society will start to shift the country’s paradigm to take responsibility for its own overindulgence.
3. Exercising… Many of you have a mindset against exercise, that it’s work and no fun. Well, you need an attitude shift. I understand that our society makes it very easy to be sedentary. However, we can’t use that excuse forever, since our lives will begin to be shortened from poor lifestyle choices. Your body is a machine that is comprised of energy. It is meant to MOVE! You don’t have to go run a marathon but you should find a total of 30 minutes a day of physical activity that increases your heart rate. You don’t have to do it all at once, but in three increments of ten, if that works better for you. Try the stairs instead of the elevator, join in a game of tag with your kids, or go out and wash your car the old fashioned way (meaning no drive through car washes).

Our lives are surrounded by modern conveniences that make it easier to do everything from one location. When you top it all off with a fast food diet and toxic medication it’s not a wonder that our country is getting sicker. We need to take charge of our own bodies and allow them to work as they were designed to. If we give ourselves a chance, instead of relying on a pill, then we can change this obesity epidemic and be stronger because of it!