Think, research and think some more

The internet is a powerful tool but also one that you have to be careful with.  Additionally, your mind is an incredibly powerful tool and it needs exercise just like other parts of your body.  Don't just look for the easy way out or the easy answer.  Sometimes it takes hard work to find the answer just like it takes an incredible amount of hard work to graduate from college, to have a successful career, to lose weight and to change your health.

The reason why I'm bringing this up is because I'm a bit of a skeptic.  The good thing is that I'm not negative.  I just don't typically believe everything I hear or read.  I usually have to do some additional research.  So, when I heard from an "expert" that I didn't need to really worry about my cholesterol, it gave me pause and forced me onto the internet to see what the heck he was talking about.  There's a ton of information out there and I encourage you to explore it. Very interesting stuff!  There are millions of people taking cholesterol medication to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.  That gives me pause as well.  I KNOW that certain industries play a major role in crafting our belief system about certain things and they do so in a way that benefits them.  Case in point, there is much marketing and advertising that goes on to support a new drug.  You've all seen them - all those commercials telling you to take this for that and then listing a long line of potential harmful side effects.  I heard one just the other day for a new asthma drug and at the end it says that the drug makes it more likely that you could die from an asthma attack.  WTH???  My opinion is that some companies prey on our need for the fast and easy fix - the miracle pill - to whatever troubles us.  I can see them sitting around a conference table reviewing reports - benefits of releasing the drug: we'll make a bunch of people feel better and make a TON of profits.  The downside is we'll kill or significantly injure some folks and have to pay out some settlements.  I can see them determining that if they will still have made a ton of cash in the process, then they can set aside a fund to address those injuries and deaths that occur.  This is why you see so many advertisements for class action lawsuits on TV now.  This really touches home for me -- a few years ago, my older sister died from an asthma attack.  It was because she took a certain new birth control pill that subsequently was the target of a class action lawsuit for causing just that.

My whole point in this rant is to suggest that you (WE) stop just taking what people are telling us - YOU have to become the expert, especially when it comes to your own health.  Research, research and research some more.  Understand what ails you - don't just accept the magic pill from the doctor.  This is in no means a suggestion that you stop taking whatever medicine you've been given.  What I try to think about it - what are the ways that I can get off of this medicine.  Or, if a doctor wants to prescribe something, I have a long list of questions including what are natural remedies for this, how long has this treatment been around, what are the side effects, why is correcting it so important.  Often times it's the hard work in our nutrition and fitness that will make a significant difference.

Speaking of hard work... today was one of those days that I probably would bail on working out.  I had an early start with a conference so I didn't get to work out this morning.  Busy all day finishing up at 5 p and really tired.... then top that off with the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night football.  Hmmmm, I could just curl up on the couch.  Well, you'll be happy to hear that I didn't do that.  I did my workout! Partly because of my commitment to myself, support from all of my friends who read my blog, but especially from my support group.  Each of the members today expressed how tired they were and how hard it was to work out, but each and everyone of them pushed through the workout and got it done.  How could I not be inspired by that??

Soooo, think, research and think some more AND get support to help you reach your goals (and it may not come from your family or closest friends).  Look for people who are doing what you are doing and connect with them.  I can only tell you that the Beachbody accountability groups are incredible.   You can always connect with me if you want more information about Beachbody products, services, or support groups.