Making a significant, lasting change in behavior is not a simple process.   It involves a substantial commitment of your time, effort and emotion.  Below are some tips to make you successful. Be careful with absolutes.  If your goal is to quit a serious addiction such as tobacco or alcohol an absolute is necessary.   Your goal should be to never smoke or drink again.  However, if your goal [...] Read More »

As New Year’s resolutions go this might seem pretty benign.  However, I am convinced if I can reign in some of the chaos in my life I will be healthier in both mind and body.  Below is my New Years resolution to take back control of my life. Get to the front of the line.  Often in the course of taking care of our families, the house and our responsibilities at work it is easy to put yourself [...] Read More »

Injury, injury and more injury – that’s last month’s summary of marathon training. I now have had injuries from head to toe – ankle, foot, neck, back, hip and now knee. Thought I had handled those injuries pretty well, until my coach royally chewed me out for listening to my doctor about when I should return to training. Took a few days to sort that one out, but I now understand the logic. I’d [...] Read More »

With the holiday season in full swing, shopping, decorating, parties and family gatherings can take center stage making this the one of the busiest times of the year for families. Unfortunately, the holiday season is also one of the busiest times of the year for emergency departments due to unexpected accidents and injuries. Follow these tips for keeping your kids safe during the holiday season: 1. [...] Read More »

Ever since slicing the tendon in my thumb many Thanksgivings ago while rushing to put the turkey in the oven, and spending the holiday with an orthopedic surgeon instead of my family, I’ve been keenly aware of all the distractions that come with the holiday season. When we’re rushed and distracted, the unexpected health hazards of the season can turn the most wonderful time of the year into the [...] Read More »

In 1974 William Dufty wrote a bestseller called Sugar Blues espousing the evils of sugar and proclaiming that sugar is a highly addictive pervasive ingredient causing a host of medical problems from depression to coronary thrombosis.  Nearly 2 million copies of his book have been sold.   Is Dufty right?  Is sugar the source of all our health ailments?  Should we boycott this ingredient completely? Just [...] Read More »

It goes without saying; life is hectic and busy during this time of year.  With full work schedules, added social commitments, less sleep and an abundance of high fat and sugary foods no wonder we start to feel run down.  Here are tips to keep you healthy and safe during the holiday season. Wash your hands well and often to keep yourself healthy and to prevent spreading germs. Bundle up to stay [...] Read More »

Last month, I left you on the edge about whether or not I’d actually get a flu shot. Well, I’m happy to report that, along with my other co-workers, I stuck out my arm and did the deed. Wishing a vaccine existed for the common cold now, because that’s what I’m dealing with today. This past month, I’ve also been experimenting with Vibram FiveFingers, or “rubber running slippers,” as some [...] Read More »

Like a thermostat that controls the temperature and environment in our home, the thyroid controls the temperature and environment in our body. When the thyroid gland produces adequate amounts of thyroid hormone, our body operates at optimum efficiency. When it produces too much or too little, our metabolism, weight, blood pressure, body temperature and heart rate are negatively affected. Hypothyroidism [...] Read More »

Thyroid disease is one of the most common endocrine disorders in the United States, striking mostly females.  According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), 27 million Americans have some type of thyroid disorder, although it’s estimated that half of those cases are undiagnosed. Located near the front of the neck, the thyroid is a small gland that produces a hormone [...] Read More »