San Francisco bound!

Due to my trip to San Francisco coming up very shortly, I wanted to post my write-up that I'll be presenting on at the American Public Health Association Conference on Monday, October 29th.  I appreciate all those who've supported me and continue to do so.  I hope all of you enjoy reading this as much as I have doing it.  Thank you!

Measuring Health through Awareness

By Jason D. Gillette

We can come to understand how   health is defined across cultures, populations and gender by altering how we measure awareness. This study is based on research which suggests that effective wellness programs can reduce absenteeism, sick time and improve productivity.  Wellness programs also make respective companies more attractive to future employees while reducing attrition for current staff.  Some of the most pressing issues in our society are disease and obesity.  We find the affects of these negative health outcomes far reaching and threatening across cultures, subgroups and socioeconomic stratifications.  

This research is designed to design wellness programs based on simple measurements  and to improve health awareness and implications in any community setting.  This program is low cost and yields modest improvements in overall health and health perceptions.

The objective of this study is to focus on accountability and education as the primary factors in stimulating positive health implication change.  We are held accountable in almost every aspect of our lives, whether it’s occupational, family, colleagues and/or friends.  Being held to some level of accountability is a natural occurrence and is healthy for those types of relationships.  This may help an individual excel, have higher standards or even help define what type of relationships they choose to manage.  

  

“The factor that interestingly moved their perception the most was the presence of high and consistent exercise minutes monthly.”

Two important characteristics which are not heavily used or considered with regards to improvement of a persons health, are accountability and perception.  These two aspects are vital in moving our society into a more health conscious state.  Accountability is key to finding success. By holding a participant answerable to the health information provided, we can see if they understand and/or applied the information.  

Perception is very important. It  gives the facilitator a window into the participant’s own interpretation of their health and well-being.  Their own interpretation can be compared to their anthropometrics and analyzed to see what factors drive their perception.  We’ve created a Nutritional Block Score (NBS Score) to assess a participants perception. This (3) block diagram measured their view of 1) nutrition, 2) body composition and 3) their level of fitness.  Participants were asked to choose a number between one and ten (one being poor and ten being excellent) for each category.  Once we’ve totaled these numbers, we divided them by the total number of blocks used, which gives us their NBS score.  

What we found was by gathering their anthropometrics and their own perception, we noticed correlations between high BMI and low (or poor) perceptions.  When a participants perception of their health is lower than (5) this is considered a low overall perception.  A low perception is defined as a negative perspective of a participants overall health.  The presence of high nutritional scores did not yield to high perceptions as we imagined it would initially.  The factor that interestingly moved their perception the most was the presence of high and consistent exercise minutes monthly.  We saw this consistently over all participants, even if their BMI was higher than normal weight.

Physical activity (PA) has been known to releases endorphins that alter our moods and energy levels.  This may be a key factor as to why we see positive perception change in participants with high exercise minutes.  We can see this being important, as it can help create better environments at work, school, communities and in our personal lives.  Another interesting occurrence was most female participants had significantly lower perceptions of themselves in comparison to their male counterparts, though their anthropometrics were respectably higher.  Reasons or possible causations for this occurrence were not researched further during this analysis.   

 In our time with Chicanos Por La Causa Senior Management and Executive Board Members, we discovered health was defined by facets that had little to do with biometrics and anthropometric results.  

Health included more dimensions than waist circumference and BMI.  How one perceived their energy levels, body composition and their family life seemed to affect their perception of their own health more.  One of the most important stats which seemed to be concomitant with their NBS score was the presence of exercise in each participant.  Exercise minutes most acutely had an impact on participants NBS score.  If one had low exercise minutes, their overall perception of their health was low. If the individual had respectably high exercise minutes, their NBS score reflected more positively.  

During this research program, exercise was not measured by level of intensity. This would suggest that any level of exercise would suffice in changing ones perception of their health.  This becomes all-important as varying ages and abilities can benefit from such a program.  This will aid individuals to create a more positive sense of wellness and self-worth.  Creating change in a participants lifestyle is important for weight-loss, and can reduce the likelihood of chronic disease.  Information was very influential in aiding the management team to start making changes to their overall health.  Once they were informed of how to make changes, and why, we could see improvement in dietary scores and NBS scores overall.  

My recommendation would be that the healthcare provider partnering with Chicanos Por La Causa implement a wellness program focused on creating sustainable exercise activities which promote employee or group interaction.  Holding all participants accountable by quarterly weigh-ins and monthly presentations will guarantee success, improve employee satisfaction and productivity.

In our findings, though the data is still being compiled; there is a close correlation between employees exercise minutes and increased health perceptions according to their NBS Score.  The data suggests that as little as 200 minutes per month improves our health perception 0.8 points on our NBS Score.  This is significant for the fact that our perception plays such a large role in how we manage our health and how we implement healthy living into our lives.  

Increasing our physical activity (PA) 200 minutes per month is as easy at walking for 20 minutes ten days a month, or exercising for 30 minutes more than six times a month. 

Our current objective will be to partner with Chicano Por La Causa’s healthcare provider to implement physical activity programs that will help us reach this goal and monitor the increase through further research.  The level of accountability played a large role in seeing increase in how participants reacted to the information provided.  This helped all active participants to maintain or experience moderate weight loss.  Through accountability, participants also increased exercise minutes, thus showing increases in their NBS Score over the year.  

How to think of what we think...

When someone asks us, how we're doing? What comes to mind? Some may associate this question with either social, physical or mental health.  May we measure the current level of pain we are experiencing? Do we look at our personal circumstances, or the circumstances that are to come? Or do we think of our recent doctors visit, or the last time we went to the gym or an exercise class to answer that question? Whatever the case, we all have to base our answer to that question on something that directly affects us. Well, when we look at ALL the factors that could cross our mind when answering such a simple question, one thing is for sure, whatever the facet that forms our answer is important and an indicator to how we perceive our health. 

When we look at the presence of biomedicine in our society we tend to have a very linear way of thinking about it. Get sick, take meds, rest; if the problem persists go to the doctor. This has been the case for some time. When looking at traditional medicine we find that remedies differ from circumstance, culture and area. These aspects of medicine shape our idea of health and illness. Our perception can be easily swayed. If something works then it becomes a remedy and we find a way to frame it into our health concept. 

I say all this to frame the idea that our perception is just as important as the treatment or measures taken to bring us back to wellness. As a matter of fact, our perception shapes how we look at the treatment or how we address our health. For instance, having stress due to problems on the job may cause us to think negatively about our health, even if there are not physical or biometric signs of fatigue or stress. To take it a step further, we see instances when participants rate their health poorly based on the health of their family overall. This I find fascinating, community health affecting an individuals own perception of their health. Surprisingly, this is very common. How we define our health often affects how we manage our health. Having a varying perception of our health or an external impact effect, can modify how we feel internally. Thus, making choices on how to remedy the event, administer care or when to seek care could differ. 

The image you see here is an NBS Score or (Nutritional Block Score) this tool helps me get a small view into a persons own perception of their health. This when compared to their biometrics (blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, etc) and anthropometrics (BMI, weight, waist circumference, body fat, etc) we see distinct differences between the three. Often times the NBS Score is noticeably lower in comparison than the two. Our perception is often affected by facets outside of the biometrics and anthropometrics. Understanding what that may be is where I came in. 

When trying to understand health perception and develop a wellness program that was effective, I found many obstacles. I developed a way to measure how exercise, education and accountability improved the overall health of the participants. Creating the NBS Score, helped me to see what factors improved their perceptions the most. What was more fascinating than the components that positively changed their perception, was what altered their thinking or awareness in the first place. 

Our view of what defines health is important, it can aid us in making good or bad choices regarding our overall wellness. Being mindful of how we think of ourselves and understanding that health without accurate awareness can be destructive. We as a whole can be better informed and manage our health in a much more effective way. Defining health in a way that we as individuals can identify with and apply, is the next ystep in building a more health conscious society.

What does it take to blossom? (Part 5)

As we have talked about plants in the previous (4) installments, we've come to understand dynamic aspects of plant life and how amazing they really are.  More importantly, we can see how amazing we CAN be if we take the time to apply simple realities that a plant acts upon everyday.  In order to grow as a person we need to know where we are at the moment of change.  This growth is necessary, though, many choose not to grow.  We all want to be the best us we can, but we need direction and guidance.  Looking at a plant rather than another person, helps us to understand that we need not imitate someone's personality, viewpoints or habits.  All we need to do is put our highest quality out in front of us. Though no one is perfect, it is important that we understand that our best is measured not by men or tests, or even our own perception, but by the level of good that exude from our best efforts.        

We cannot do it alone

What we emit from us does affect others (we'll touch on that next time).  Our greatness or our best can be experienced by those we touch around us.  Having this thought in mind, if our best affects those around us, can those around us affect our best?  Well the answer is yes, they can!  This is all important as we go into the world, doing our best to define ourselves and affect the things we encounter.  Just as high levels of smog can affect our air quality and breathing, poor association can do the same.  Likewise, good people, experienced people that contribute to our lives can bring meaningful insight into our world, causing us to refine ourselves. 


In this part of how to blossom we will look at external nutrients that a plant needs to do all the things we've discussed previous.  To peer into the simplicity of a plant may seem trivial or insignificant; but only to the one not willing to see and understand the mastery of such a complex creature. The flower is something to marvel at, it has been the object of paintings, poetry, dreams (you go Freud!), politics and symbols of peace to name a few.  How has this small, light and delicate plant gain so much attention, without saying a single word?  A flowers beauty and contours; its colors and uniqueness has beckoned for our respect and admiration for centuries.  However, all of this wouldn't be up for discussion without external nutrients that affords it to grow, and evolve into what we appreciate today.  

When we think of the (3) things that plants need that they cannot provide for themselves, what comes to mind is simple.  Most second or third graders could tell you these components.  The first is the sun, then water, and lastly air, namely carbon dioxide.  These three parts are essential for a plants growth and sustainability.  So, we can see why they are so important.  Well, what about us?  What can we take from this, well, just as a plant needs these things so do we.  We need external nutrients to survive and sustain our own growth.  

If we observe how the sun affects a flower we can see the diaphanous line between helpful and harmful.  The suns warmth can be monumental in aiding a young or fragile flower reach its maturity.  In that same breathe we can see that too much sun can also be fatal.  I liken this to family, family can be extremely helpful, but also can prove to deal fatally with us and our growth.  The balance needs to be the goal in our family relationship, we need our family, there isn't any arguing that, however, we need them to the extent that they prove to be helpful.  

The next external nutrient that we absolutely need is the refreshing and priceless source of  water.  Without this everything we know to exist would not be.  That is how vital water is to a plant and also to us.  Our water is relative to our experiences.  This aspect of those external nutrients is essential to our growth.  Though our experiences are ours alone, they are external first before we take ownership of them.  This is important as it is HOW we take ownership of our experiences that is important.  The reason being that this could either damage us or aid in our growth.  Just the way we perceive things can have an affect on us.  This is an external source that becomes ours by our being present in the moment.  

The third part is also very important, this one is the oxygen around us.  Though we cannot see the air around us, we can immediately identify it's significance by what it brings us.  This, I also liken  to our friends, or mentors; one can see externally who is your friend or mentor, but they can be identified by what they bring to us.  Our friends just like oxygen can refresh us and give us the necessary components we need to continue to thrive.  In this case we are namely speaking of carbon dioxide, and this is important to note, for the fact that this is the used air that is needed for our growth.  I like to compare this term "used" to experienced, just as carbon dioxide is "experienced" oxygen.  Those we should surround ourselves with should be experienced, able to help us and bring to us what we need to grow.  

What can all this do?  Well, it can prepare us to give our best.  Which will be proven by what it does to others.  A heart is measured only by its production or output, no matter what the condition, as long as its delivers on its purpose it's consider successful.  By having external nutrients we can grow to heights unimaginable.  Let our sun warm us, let our water refresh us and let our air prepare us.  

It's Heart to deal with...

We cannot play games with OUR heart...

Stress is an unseen opponent, that has targeted all of us.  When we talk about how powerful the mind is, we can't ignore that, that power can work both ways.  How can we sabotage ourselves mentally?  In the same way, we can sabotage ourselves physically, by allowing uninformed, and undisciplined actions determine who we are and what we do.  The mind we have is a fascinating machine, making over thirty thousand decisions a day.  Some small some major, all ours.  Defining ourselves and redefining ourselves requires that we be mentally focused and engaged at a high level.  We need to be present and attentive to ourselves and our surroundings.  That unseen opponent ironically has no voice, yet dictates our lives, health and abilities.  

Stress affects all aspects of our lives.  This is evident as more and more cases of stroke and cardio-vascular disease occur in the United States and other parts of the world.  So what is stress? "Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way. When you sense danger – whether it’s real or imagined – the body's defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction, or the stress response." (helpguide.org) The idea that the danger or stressor could be imagined is the key.  Though most occurrences are real, our minds can create others.  Having said that can our mind heighten perceived dangers to cause higher levels of stress?  

In a research article in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry in Great Britain, we found that stress has accounted for heart disease, which kills more Americans than any other disease.  What the article brings out that is interesting is that certain personalities and behaviors can trigger stressors that cause stroke.  When we see "...Behaviors that include hostility, agression, impatience and a quick temper", we can associate them with type A personalities.  I find it interesting that these traits are all responses to circumstances.  They often don't act independently of a event or incident.  Which we can also associate with a perception or viewpoint of a certain matter.  For instance, if someone said, "I don't understand you", we could internalize that and feel threatened (hostile) or offended (agression) that someone is challenging our level of intelligence or communication skills.  Rather, we could look to clarify what they meant and reiterate in a way that works for them.  Our understanding of some situations and our ability to manage them affect our stress levels.  

If you ever get a chance, read the old Chinese proverb (one of my absolute favorites), as this helps me put things into perspective on a lot of things in my life.  Do not let stress damage the wonderful person you are, and affect how we connect with others.  Please do not misunderstand me, stress is real and can have very serious affects on our physical and mental health.  Some aspects of stress can lead to depression and other serious psychological maladies.  

In this blog, we want to understand that we can create harmful circumstances for ourselves by interpreting matters in a negative light and furthermore affect our own growth.  Cognitive plyometrics is the ability to have the fitness mentally to engage our situations with the intent to understand and think critically on how to resolve them with the least resistance.  

As life gives us situations that we feel we are not equipped for, let us understand that though we may not have the answer at that exact moment we can find solace in the fact that patience and focus will lead to an answer eventually.  We are far to special and significant to allow stressors to abuse our thoughts and our body.  Stress exists in midst of unresolved problems.  We need to devote ourselves to finding answers or contingencies to alleviate the stressors and bring ourselves back to normal.  

We are wonderful, you are wonderful.  We can find our peace in anything if we want, all we need is focus and active planning to create an environment conducive to problem solving.  Our friends and family can act as our extra support through most situations.  Utilize them to aid you in finding resolutions.  Remember, "We will never be, what we never think." MG

Happy Anniversary MOTM!

Happy anniversary Movement of the Mind, I want to thank all who've taken the time to peer into my thoughts.  I do hope all have had the chance to learn and/or enjoy this blog.  I have had so much fun writing it and look forward to another year of more thought provoking information.  Remember, cognitive plyometrics is really designed to help all of us reach a level of critical thinking that can aid us in becoming more valuable and refined.  My hat goes off to all who want to be better and always see the room for growth.  Life is a journey, and we all need help along the way.  Thank you, everyone for making this such a success, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy writing this blog.  Thanks!

Who is Food?

So, they tagged along with me on this trip, helping me the whole way.  I never felt alone, plus, they have the sweetest sense of humor.  I laughed, and contemplated so many things during this trip.  I cannot imagine having to go all the way here without them.  The connection made was almost as if we were designed to feed off one another.  Our personalities melded and they complimented me in so many ways.  I became the very existence of them and they, my lifeline.  I never could have imagined such unbiased, non critical, understanding and comforting friends.  When I'm upset they're there, and even when I'm celebrating key moments in my life, within arms reach I could see them peering at me with acceptance.  They give me energy to continue, and even help me find rest.  I never get tired of their company, even when I just want to be alone.  When life holds me to so many expectations, I am never judged, or held to any standards with them.  On my bad hair days, bad mornings and sometimes less than glamorous physique they always welcome me.

Can food be given life? 

Can we identify with this story?  If so, we are but a few of billions of people who exist and have a relationship with the food we eat.  The idea is that food is taking on a more prominent role in our lives, whether we know it or not.  Food gives us energy, yes, that's its basic function, however, now it does much more.  It creates relationships, calms, inspires, pleases, comforts, nourishes and the list could continue.  In the society we live in here in America, obesity is no more than a way of life.  The scary word, "epidemic" has lost its sting as obesity has rolled over it and moved on.  The reason I believe this to be the case is, we are addressing the behavior of those who are obese and not so much the relationships they sustain.  Whether, emotional eating, external eating or restrained, the relationship is most consistent and alive.  We'd do well to understand how individuals view food and how they interact with it.  The old mantra of "Energy in" is antiquated.  People are looking to this food relationship for answers and comfort circles, unknown elsewhere.  

You are what you eat, seems to still circulate throughout our culture.  When asked, a young lady who uses food as comfort, due to a lack of social interaction said, "I eat when I'm sad, because I have no one to speak with.  Food is my friend that accepts me for who I am, never judging and always there in my most quiet spaces."  Does this sound like food or a friend?  A relationship with food exist between all of us, how we manage that relationship will define a aspect of our health and diet.  

Portion control could be likened to a unbalanced relationship where we may want, or be wanted more than necessary.  Poor diet, also could be viewed as making poor choices in friends, where common sense or foresight is absent.  Restrained eating could also look like self deprivation or avoidance, which once that emotion or stint is over, we find ourselves on the other end of the spectrum.  These may help us to see that food could be a foe, though unbiased, or unconditionally accepting.  

Can our society rich with technology, be feeding this issue?  Well, here's a thought, with the presence of technology, we see a decrease in human interaction, thus social experiences could involve just one human being alone.  Can our friends be food, just as much as an online avatar or television program?

We are creatures designed to interact with one another.  We need relationships, and not everyone has the right circumstances to create healthy ones.  This is why education is vital, we need resources for those who need to reach out and get connected.  We cannot do this life alone, so one way or another we'll find someone, or something to accompany us.

What does it take to blossom? (Part 4)

In this piece we will discuss the ability to again redefine ourselves and reach a level of understanding that can truly separate us.  This blog bases its message on cognitive plyometrics which simply put is our ability to think actively and with agile insight.  Conditioning the mind is superior and primary to the body thus giving us the ability to do all that is needed to accomplish much in our respective worlds.  Our minds are stronger than our body, so focusing on cognitive development is far more challenging and also more rewarding.  

Our roots should be greater than us

This piece that is in its fourth part is delving into the roots of a plant.  Looking at the a flower (or most plants for that matter) what we don't see plays a vital role in its survival.  A plant just like our mind blossoms forth giving a byproduct that can be seen, admired and appreciated by many.  Our minds give forth ideas, plans, words and most of all actions that differentiate us and also makes us special.  Just like that flower beneath the beautiful blossomed bud, its vibrant leaves and stem, exists a system or network of roots that stretch far and deep to provide the most important nutrients that, that plant needs to give us such a wonderful flower.  

In this article we will discuss the roots as an important aspect of blossoming.  There are (4) pieces that the roots play that we will delve into.  The first being survival!  Just as a plant needs roots to survive we also need proverbial roots.  Our figurative roots are our support, our life lines (as it were).  Our survival depends on our ability to reach out and also dig deep within us to develop ourselves.  Reaching out when developing ourselves is essential.  Do we have mentors, friends who are moving in the same direction, and supportive family to give us our nutrient, whatever that may be when we need it?  Can a plant survive without roots?  Likely, we cannot grow either without support and direction.  This means our very survival, having those around us to refine us and direct us to be better.  

Next on our list is strength, the roots of a plant burrow deep in the earth to not only obtain the soils best nutrients. It also provides stability for the plant to maintain its place.  So, does our support keep us grounded to our place in life, aiding us to be ever determined not to sway towards poor thinking or bad judgement.  The more nutrients required by the plant the stronger and deeper the roots.  Digging deep within ourselves and demanding more of us strengthens our thoughts, plans and actions.  The strength of our roots will only sustains us and keep us grounded in sound thought.  The idea that iron sharpens iron, lends to the idea that just for as much as you are sharpened you need to return the favor, thus being equally strong with those who refine you.  This takes time, but is very important.  

Spreading out and having deep roots speaks more to our thoughts than our respective support system.  Our thoughts need to have a fair measure of depth, we cannot be surface (all the time).  Life requires more of us and rightfully so, if we cannot give of ourselves to a large degree, than we may not be able to grow.  Think of it this way, a tree gives of itself tirelessly in order for it to grow.  It gives us oxygen in order to receive the carbon dioxide it needs to grow.  It also supplies a home for wildlife and protection.  It provides meals and shade for both human and animal alike.  Trees also provide mulch once its life span has ended to give yet another tree the opportunity to live.  We have to be givers in both deed and thought, contributing to our respective circles relevant and valuable information that strengthens and replenishes.  Giving all the more, guarantees us our growth.  

Lastly, could you imagine a flower having only one root?  The very idea seems silly if you think about it.  Likewise, having little or no support would seem also unwise.  Or even having one thought, or concept?  This too is futile and hindering.  Branch out all you who want to grow, do not find all your company with those who think just as you do in regards to your development.  Look at contrasting ideas to affirm your own or think differently on a matter, thus adding a new root that can give you the nutrients needed to grow.  This article is not suggesting you befriend everyone, no, this is a call to find productive, refining support.  Develop and sustain numerous thoughts, both deep and not so deep that challenge and engage you.  This will give us the best chance to grow.   

What does it take to blossom?  Strong roots deep in ourselves and in others.  Thinking that is far reaching from our own ideals, to those who may not think as we do.  If the simplest flower can find success doing this, surely we can. 

Cyberspace loses weight...

     

     Online health programs have added a virtual dimension to the ongoing support to combat weight loss.  Efforts such as these has aided countless people to reach their goals and find others who have shared the same success.  With all the websites, chat rooms and forums on the internet, it is understandable to reason that more and more people are looking for ways to connect.  The internet gives us the opportunity to build a community or network of like-minded people who have our same ideas, want our same ideas.  The possibility to affect communities and groups on a broad scale seems fitting for the most powerful information system known to man.

In a recent research article out of Penn State University, Dr. Jennifer Kraschnewski found that web based weight loss programs can prove effective in aiding motivated ones to loss weight.  The immediate benefit of online programs was brought out by Dr. Kraschnewski, "Internet-based weight loss programs could help address the obesity epidemic, as they can be widely shared and used with low costs,".  The key term in this research program was "Positive Deviance", for more understanding, "Positive deviance is the idea that solutions to problems exist within a population experiencing that problem".  Dr. Kraschnewski, goes on to suggest that moderate success can be found with this formula and the average weight loss was modest, however this has much larger implications over longer stretches of time.

  

The internet adds losing weight to its resume

This is what came to mind for me, the idea of positive deviance and really understanding this term is important.  By finding successful ways to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle, this becomes the deviance that can attract populations to online programs.  Thus, giving individuals a place to find useful ways to manage their diet, incorporate exercise regularly and most important find the motivation and the focus to achieve their goals.  Weight loss has to start in the mind, which means we must find a level of understanding of what weight loss really is and how it looks to us personally.  We MUST find sustainable ways to either create positive deviances or find positive deviance around us.  The internet makes the world available to us locally, thus opening up doors, communities, thoughts, best practices and inspiration for access when we need it most.  

How do we define community?  What constitutes a social experience?  Lastly, how does accountability and encouragement affect health?  As our society becomes more technologically savvy social occurrences take on different shapes and more isolated experiences.  For instance, texting, having full conversations with someone without their presence.  FaceTime, Voxer and other social gathering applications create a distance yet close intimate social experience.  We can define a community no longer by the local inhabitants or cluster of people, but now by the ability to communicate or contact one another.  So, what constitutes a social or community experience now, may not host more than one person in one location.  Television may very well constitute a social experience as human interaction and AI technology advances.  This may mean that we are experiencing social connectivity without having to connect.  

Accountability and encouragement are extremely vital for making health changes and sustaining them.  Think about it, we are held accountable at our jobs, by our families and also our friends.  Our extracurricular activities hold us accountable and also give us a measure of encouragement.  When we are sated emotionally by encouragement or positive deviance we are strengthened to continue and progress.  Our accountability is our guide and measure to ensure we are giving our best and meeting requirements to have success.  These two aspects define our lives and how we move through them.  

Online programs create a virtual community, that give us a pseudo social experience that holds us accountable and also gives us encouragement by seeing like people accomplish goals we also have.  This helps us find people near and far that can help us live a better life, find ways to connect, find support and most importantly develop sustainable ways to achieve the healthier life all of us deserve.  

Can we be successful using such mediums as the internet to create the conditions for healthy, sustainable, long-term lifestyle change?  Well, let's not be hasty and press delete on such an idea.  It would be well worth the energy and time to copy and save this idea for future use.  The internet has cast its lot for a large stake in the obesity initiative.  Finally, we may have the Ctrl+Alt+Del for community weight-loss.  

Caffeine, Exercise and.... Me?

Love your coffee, love your exercise...

A cup of coffee please? Yes sir, is that to go?  Of course, I'm going to go exercise!  Uh... what? Yes, though this seems strange initially, caffeine has been found to improve endurance exercise performance.  As we look for ways to improve our exercise and gain a competitive edge in our training we tend to look to supplements or unorthodox methods of exercise.  These by themselves are fine.  Research out of the University of Queensland, Dr. Tina Skinner an Exercise Physiologist conducted a study that shows the effects of caffeine when exercising.

Dr. Skinner made mention that, taking in caffeine an hour prior to exercise improves athletic performance.  This is significant because we can couple this with different exercises and supplements to gain the edge we need to excel in our exercise.  How this is affects us is simple, caffeine boosts our energy levels this gives us an advantage not just on our conditioning but it also improves our ability to loss weight as well.  Caffeine hosts a multitude of purposes including enhanced cognitive functions.

For my coffee and tea drinkers, rejoice!  You're ahead of the game (so to speak).  But what else contains caffeine?  Finding caffeine supplements, chocolate and sodas and certain over-the-counter medications are easy, finding the ones right for you may prove to be a challenge.

Dr. Skinner also stated, that the amount of caffeine is not as important as the time in which the caffeine gets into our system.  So, we don't need 7 cups, pills or cans prior to working out.

What affect does this have on Movement of the Mind?  I'm glad you asked, when we think of alternative ways to succeed at anything we are exercising our mind.  There is more than one way to do things, and it takes mental ingenuity to accomplish this goal.  Can caffeine solve all our problems?  If you ask a coffee drinker, they may say yes, however in reality of course not.  It takes innovative thinkers like Dr. Skinner and others to bring refreshing ideas that helps us be better in all aspects of life, including exercise to feel complete.

A cup of joe, a swig of coke, a sip of tea or a scoop of supplements has found a new purpose.  If caffeine can truly help us move better, exert more and lose less we have no choice but to look at it closely for ourselves to see if this can give us the advantage we need.

Food and Sustainability, new concept, old ally?

With food, diet and health being all the discussion from dietitians, doctors and personal trainers of the day in our society, is there place for transdisciplinary input?  I mean, can we look to other sources that have little to do with the topic and pull from them?  With all the banal rhetoric we ingest from "experts" and TV personalities, are we ready to consult and apply multifaceted aspects to furnish new ideas to health and wellness?

Sustainability gave way to allure and expansion

Think of it this way, to better understand the injustices in women's health, we could look to anthropologists; or to get a better look at understanding the spread of chronic disease we could gain from an economist.  Using different disciplines to understand our problems or circumstances gives us strength to develop solutions that will work.  Can you gain better appreciation for the U.S. by visiting another country?  Sure.

As we turn our focus to food and its obstacles it creates, a question should be posed.  If the food you eat defined your lifestyle, what would it say?  Could the way we eat, when we eat and what we eat define us as a person; furthermore could it define our society as a whole?  Could food misrepresent us, in such a way that it masks who we really are?  These questions though more abstract than not, do lend to the idea that food isn't just fuel for the body.  Food might just be a living, breathing thing that accompanies us on life's journey.

Can food and sustainability have any real reason or merit for being discussed together?  If so, how?  Andrew Ross recently wrote a book called, Bird On Fire and while reading this book, I am finding that sustainability is very much the type of conversations we need to be having regarding food.  When we talk about "dieting" and "food plans" we need to ask, Is this sustainable?  To take that idea a step further, what would be the affects of sustaining such a regimen?  These questions are deeply important.

In a research article published in 2007, Dr. Elfhag and Dr. Morey, wrote about eating behaviors (excellent paper).  One comment made is that poor self image, and low self discipline played towards poor eating habits.  Thus, dieting or healthy eating could not be sustainable in these populations due to emotional distress or inhibitions.  We would first find how to sustain our emotional well-being, then work to create sustainable dietary changes.

What can we keep doing?  This is sustainability at its foundation, the sustainability must of course be to our betterment.  The rhetoric in Andrew Ross' book talks to the history of Phoenix and how previous cultures and civilizations fell to unsustainable conditions and thus no longer exist.  Can we learn from their example?  Absolutely, our diets or eating habits can bring about negative impacts in our lives, and unforeseen misfortunes can and often will befall us.  Understanding the complexities of food and having a broad knowledge of types of foods and how to access them, can create more sustainable lifestyles for us.

There are three points of food sustainability we can tie into our lives.  (1) Food "Technology", are the foods we're eating surpassing our needs or lifestyle?  In the book, civilizations fell due to their limited technology, which was unable to support the changes they would face.  Does our bodies utilize the resources we give it?  Are we eating to sustain the life we currently live, or the one we hope to live soon, or neither?  (2) Food "Resplendency", Do we really know what we're eating?  Or are we being consumed ourselves by what poor food does to us?  Shiny wrappers, salty splendor, sweet escapes and fat fancy drives us to consume what could be harmful.  Lastly, (3) Food Brilliance, the canals used even today in Phoenix to irrigate this desert land were made thousands of years ago by a civilization that fell to lack of sustainability.  However, the message is that wisdom supersedes all.  What worked in the past can work now and in the future.  Wisdom in how we eat is simple, stay natural, keep color and be informed on how these foods work.

In closing, sustainability and food are complementary of one another.  If we understand how to sustain proper eating habits, then we can become healthier, stronger, and also inspire someone else to do the same.

"Regimen is superior to medicine" - Voltaire

Diabesity... A new household name

As our country hastily moves more and more towards healthier foods, exercise classes and organic everything; our nation still declines.  It is no surprise that the health industry is a multi-billion dollar racket.  So, why are we still the subject of all that is wrong in health?  We see children struggling with their weight, we see young toddlers who are overweight inching towards obesity, while parents struggle to provide nutrient rich meals for them.  I find that we tend to believe that health is something we do, or something we live by.  This is not exactly the case, health and anything we act upon is based solely on our resolve.

This blogs purpose is to strengthen and exercise the mind, it is with the idea that once the mind is made over, the body can and will comply.  Though Rene Descartes, "I think therefore, I am" meant something a little different, it does imply that the genesis of all starts cognitively.  Our mind needs to be made new in things we want to see take shape.  This point is very important, "we will never be what we never think."


Movement of the mind is cognitive plyometrics geared towards developing what we see, how we see it, why you see it that way, and what really moves us to move...

As I digress, the health state we live in is poor (to say the least).  We have diet industries, exercise industries, health industries and wellness industries making small dents in a large challenge.  Mainly because the population in which we are aiding isn't thinking in the same way their healthier contemporaries are.  If we as unhealthy people aren't convinced to change then change will not come.

The new household name; diabesity actually is quite easy to adopt.  It rolls off the tongue as if obesity and diabetes proceeded IT.  Obviously the origin is clear, however the effects and the cause are not.  Dr. Mark Hyman a medical doctor from Massachusetts wrote a article in a Experience Life magazine about this topic.

The initial statement I loved was the fact that Dr. Hyman dispelled the "diabetes gene".  I often wondered how professionals taught that this hereditary disease, caused by personal lifestyle choices came from our parents.  Understanding our body is so important and, this article helps explain what insulin is and it's roll in diabesity.  He talked to the point that high energy and poor nutrient foods numb our cells and make them slow to respond or non-responsive to insulin, thus our pancreas has to produce more insulin to obtain the same effect, thus increasing diabesity in a person.

Dr. Hyman's article also states, "High insulin levels drive inflammation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor sex drive, infertility, and increased risk of cancer, Alzheimer's and depression."  These are very serious side effects of insulin resistance.  Now keep in mind that our youth populations with high insulin levels will experience the same symptoms.

The article brings out (7) steps to reducing or treating diabesity.
- Boost your nutrition
- Regulate your Hormones
- Reduce Inflammation
- Improve Digestion
- Maximize Detoxification
- Enhance Energy Metabolism
- Sooth your mind

These (7) aspects overall will not only treat diabesity but even reverse it!  Taking back our health takes a mental resolve that starts by understanding and complying with information that empowers us to change.

I found the article fascinating and engaging.  Though, this isn't the answer, I feel that it's the best step yet in the right direction.  We still need programs in place that treat and test for pre-diabetes, we also need more community education and training on how to make better choices health-wise or this will be nothing more than an interesting article in a popular magazine.

Tell me what you think?

What does it take to blossom? (Part 3)

In this section of blossoming we will look at (2) aspects of the flower that could aid us in defining who we are to become.  A thought came to me while driving, it made me think and I find it appropriate for our discussion.  "Reality can exists in fantasy by our aptitude of believing", I found this thought provoking and warming in the same sense.  What we believe can manifest itself in our realm of reality.  The power of thought is often taught and lauded over, but never realized or practiced.

In this discussion on blossoming we will cover (2) aspects, radiance and attractiveness.  To become someone who exemplified these qualities, one would most definitely have to think in a fashion that was both brilliant and inviting.  To think in that way, we would have to know what those qualities looked like.  Brilliance is often reserved for diamonds and the absolutely finer things in life, so in our case being brilliant means thinking and being greater than our contemporaries and using our efforts to set the precedent for which all others must be measured.

Radiance, the name radiance almost shines coming out of our mouths and evoke a standard that is most unfamiliar to the majority of us.  Just as a diamond shines its brightest from within, so should we.  However, our exterior is important as well, no matter how bright the light, if blocked by an object or shaded, its light is lessened.

Attractiveness is inviting and pleasant, thinking about our previous discussion our scent can attract people, this portion of attractiveness may be able to keep people.  It is who we have designed ourselves to be in our mind and convinced ourselves of it in our hearts.  An attractive flower needs no name, nor does it require an introduction, in the same manner we would need to set ourselves apart not so much by what we say, but what we're known for.

 Looking at a flower and appreciating its attractiveness and admiring its brilliance seems natural, and it is.  Each flower has its unique brilliance and we do as well.  Finding our own strengths and choosing to be ourselves beautifully makes all the difference.

Be brilliant, and know you are attractive by means of how you think.  These qualities cannot be taken, but given away by poor choices and hurtful decisions.  If it is our resolve, let us always use our cognitive abilities to move us progressively towards brilliance.  Let us not act as if we have no direction, and let us not move as someone unwise.

Has the answer been inside us all this time?

Though, Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist sounds like it would fit between hydrogenated oil and High Fructose corn syrup, this substance is found within all of us.  Located in our intestines this hormone can perform many interesting functions. This hormone is released when we eat and suppresses glucagon secretion and stimulates insulin.  Researchers at the University of Copenhagen set out to further understand GLP-1R agonist and its effects on patients with diabetes.  They found that this hormone not only aided with insulin and glucagon, but also helped with weight loss.  Its effects on blood pressure and cholesterol and liver enzymes is still being studied.  The article goes on to suggest that GLP-1R agonist may benefit populations with diabetes.

 This is fascinating news for the fact that this hormone is naturally produced in the body and also helps maintain a "cornerstone" of overall health which is diet and an active lifestyle.  Further research is necessary, however this discovery could prove to help populations with chronic disease and suffer from morbid obesity.  The article goes on to state that, "The benefit was seen for patient's with and without type 2 diabetes, but may be more pronounced in patients without diabetes."  This suggests that this hormone could be used for commercial weight loss in populations that don't struggle with cardio-vasculture (CVD) or type II diabetes.

My opinion on the matter, though, this discover is fascinating and seems from the onset to be a great tool in the construction of a healthier and more well people, we need to keep in mind two points.  (1) This hormone is secreted from the body when needed and does an effective job, so, could the presence of too much of this hormone create unsafe and unpredictable effects to the body.  (2) Does the idea of creating GLP-1 as a weight loss supplement add or take away from the cornerstone of health and wellness?  This is important as our society is looking for "easy" ways to remove dieting and exercise from their lives in hopes to loose the pounds and keep the habits.

Overall, I find that once more evidence based literature emerges we can see a clearer picture of how GLP-1 will effect the lives of those struggling with CVD or diabetes and obesity.  Until then, I feel this hormone can be affective in populations suffering from obese related co-morbidities.  Education is the key to health and wellness, once educated our perception is changed or impacted which is our own understanding of our health.  This is most important as health is defined by those who can access it, as oppose to all who deserve it.

What does it take to blossom? (Part 2)

The movement of the mind asks the questions that provoke thought.  It is no more our right to think than it is our duty to.  In this (7) part series on blossoming we want to look at how we can change our perceptions to induce positive action most effectively.

Learning from the environment around us serves a two part purpose.  The first being our ability to be present in life and the moment, letting each instant teach us with each passing minute.  The second, is allowing humility to reside in us to learn from lesser things and experiences to further our understanding.

In this second part of blossoming we will discuss the scent of a blossom and how this can pertain to us and how we think of ourselves.  As in the first part flowering this too will speak to points that deal with one of the most simplest and yet most beautiful of creations, the flower.


The scent of a flower can tell us a lot about it, just as our scent (or personality) can tell others a lot about us.  Let's look at how a flowers scent defines it.  When we think of a rose we think of the vibrant hues and almost divine symmetry of its curves and folds.  Yet it's scent draws us even more and keeps us even longer.  It is the scent of a rose that makes it approachable even over it's thorny stems.  Jasmine with its exotic aroma and bright appearance, it too draws us near and keeps us in its presence.  The scent of a flower can overcome it's appearance, and its size.


Our personality in the same manner can do similar things.  We can attract other towards us and we can also cover imperfections, brought on by imperfections themselves.  Our personality is the gateway to our being, though some would argue, our personality can be affected by our experiences.  What we think can affect (either positively or negatively) what our personalities will become.  This is why it is important for us to comprehend and continue striving to understand before opinions are ever formed.


If our outer appearance would bring someone to us, our personality will keep them close.  Having said that the opposite must be true, our personality can repel those away.  Just as a foul stench could turn away even the most pleasant of odors, so too can a poor personality do the same.  Cultivating such an attractive personality takes humility, courage and effort on our part.  We cannot do any task, unless we think first of our ability to accomplish it.  Thus, change is first thought out, planned, then implemented.  


The three aspects of our personality that this part will focus on are kindness, understanding and positivity.  The first being kindness, this rare trait is often shown on occasion, but not practiced.  Being kind is a resolve not an action.  Who are we when we are tried or pressed lends to our personality at our moments of weakness.  Do we resolve to be kind come what may?  Or do we choose to be kind when circumstances feed such an action?  Our personality should be kind consistently, this takes patience and effort, but is not impossible.


Understanding is essential to all these qualities.  Our personality needs to reflect understanding, this allows us to accept others and learn more.  "To agree or disagree is human decision, but to understand is true wisdom", anyone can agree with a view or point, or disagree for that matter, but rarely do we look to understand.  This takes effort and wisdom to do so.  If we strive to understand, whether or not we agree or disagree becomes irrelevant.  Do our views shun understanding, or do we look to learn, knowing that we can understand a contrasting point and not have to agree with it.


Lastly, positivity makes for the cautiousness of our personality.  A Chinese proverb lends to a series of events that happened to a old man and his response was both positive and cautious.  This is how our personality should be, we ourselves should be positive. All circumstances are just that; circumstances, just as there is no good or bad luck.  We define them as good or bad based on our limited understanding of what is to come.  Patients alone isn't enough, positive patients is sufficient.


Can our scent, our personality define us, can we be noticed from a far by our personality, just as an enchanting smell from far away can find us?  If so, what scent do we emit?  What does it cause those smelling to do or say?  Redefining ourselves takes efforts, our personalities should aid in creating a better person.  Let us not be comfortable yet, with who we are until who we are is complete.