Active Health

Fitness and Sexual Energy

fatty — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 14:27:13 +0000

When I work out I notice I get at least 10 times as horney as I am when I do not regularly work out. A friend who recently paid me to consult them about marketing recently lead me to this page

Symptoms of low testosterone are: low sex drive, low confidence, increased bodyfat, and poor outlook on life. In other words if your Testosterone levels are low, you do not feel like having sex, you let people push you around, you are overweight, and you probably think that life is lame. I rather jump off a cliff then live life like that. Forget about prozac and other ways to cover the symptoms. Get to the root cause which could very well be low T levels.

If you are not physically active it eats at your ability to enjoy life and even the desire to be alive. What’s a good rule of thumb or measuring stick for your testosterone levels?

Also men, morning erections should be a daily event if your T levels are optimal. If it only happens a few times per week, then your levels are probably okay. Once a week means your levels are bad and if less than that, you are probably not even a man anymore.

Sigh. I need to go work out and become a man again. I need to get my energy back.

Why Pastries and Fried Foods Are Bad For Your Health

fatty — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 09:59:18 +0000

It looks as though processed bakery foods and fast foods make you fatter than eating healthier food (even if the healthier food has similar caloric intake):

Monkeys fed a diet rich in trans-fats – commonly found in fast foods – grew bigger bellies than those fed a diet rich in unsaturated fats, but containing the same overall number of calories. They also developed signs of insulin resistance, which is an early indicator of diabetes.

Trans-fats, or partially hydrogenated oils, are found in many fast foods and also in baked goods and processed snacks. They dramatically increase the risk of heart disease – even more than saturated fats found in animal products.

This can be described as nothing other than brutal news to me. I have not been much of one for most fast food anymore, but I am known to eat way too many pastries.

Eating Really Good Food

fatty — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 02:57:27 +0000

I recently enjoyed a killer meal at a 5 star resort. It was about 3 times the price of a similar meal elsewhere, but it tasted over 3 times as good and was probably twice as healthy.

If you have a problem eating junk food I think it is worth it to occassionally overpay to eat something delicious. It does not matter if it is a bit calorie rich. It helps you appreciate how good food should taste the next time you consider eating junk food. It can change your perception of the calorie cost of low quality junk food.

Appreciation vs Expection of What You Deserve: Avoiding Surreal Self Destruction

fatty — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 02:53:15 +0000

So a friend of mine, who lived in many ways a similar path, but is far older and wiser, recently told me that it can be hard for people who were traditionally poor to accept that they deserve and should live an active healthy and full life.

I can think of many occassions when things were going well for me that I ended up doing dumb self desctructive things.

Recently I was flown out for an interesting high paying consulting position. They flew me out business class, and even had a person holding up my name at the airport. The hotel they put me up in was a 5 star hotel with private villas. I then got to talk to some deans at schools about creating college courses. Quite amazing, considering that I have never went to college and only began learning my subject less than 4 years ago.

I just got back to the sweet hotel, had an amazing meal, and then turned on comedy central, where the comedian on tv is one who personally insulted me last time I was in NYC. I of course loved that

Right now I feel I am getting more than I deserve, but it is an irrelevant and quite dumb worldview. To feel anything is deserved is at best presumptuous, depressing, and / or self destructive. Who helped set up your expections? Why did they guide you in that way? How do they benefit from that guidance or behavior?

When you view the world in terms of do I deserve what I have it only sets you up for disappointment.

If you are doing worse than you feel you deserve then you would not appreciate what you have.
If you are doing better than you feel you deserve then you might isolate yourself from your environment or set yourself up for self distructive behavior that puts your experience more in-line with what you feel you deserve.

The mind is limitless, so viewing the world through expectations needs to be taken with a grain of salt. I guess the point is, that no matter what you experience in life the key to being happy is to appreciate the additional perspective and opportunity each situation offers you.

The cost of Invisalign - Invisible Dental Braces

skinny — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 22:43:41 +0000

When I first heard of Invisalign, I knew it would be a hit. Because metal braces just aren’t cool anymore. Why set off a metal detector and be stuck with ugly braces when you can get this hardly decetable product t. Last time I checked, if you were using Metal braces you had to deal with rubber bands and had to use extra energy to speak properly. It sounds like a hassle. My mom had traditional metal braces and it was weird seeing her with them, mostly because when we think of braces we think of children and young adults. But now days with the advancement of technology and the help of MySpace, Digital Cameras, and Web Cams - everybody wants to look their best at all times…even if it means being more concerned about health issues.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost

I’m so glad you asked that question because I want to give you 11 things you can do with the amount of money you’d generally expect to spend on Invisalign. Maybe this will help you with you decision making process.

1997 Used Acura CL
Apple’s high-end PowerPC G5 Computer with a 23″ flat Panel Display
Samsung 61 inch High Defenition (Flat Panel) TV - with 1 year warranty and $1,000 LEFT OVER
Seven (7) nights during 4th of July Week (July 3-July 10th) at Trump International Hotel & Tower

Executive Cityview Suite/700 sq ft/With one queen or king size bed/Full kitchen/Fax/DVD/ CD Player.Features Cityview overlooking Brdwy

Walt Disney World [Swan] Vacation for 5 nights including Park Tickets, Accomodations, and Babysitting!
7 Night Western Caribbean Trip for 4 - Including plane tickets
7 Strapless beaded satin full wedding gowns from David’s Bridal w/ chapel train - sizes 2-18
1 months rent for (2) Seperate Two-Bedroom Apartments in Midtown Manhattan
16 Flat Screen Computer Monitors
Personal Spa - 59 jet w/air injected therapy seat - Seats 8 people and holds 435 Gallons of Water
3 months of your own personal chef

The thing with these is that they are designed to work with teeth that are crowded, too far apart, or have shifted since wearing braces. In other words, be really careful and consult with your doctor heavily if your teeth need major realignment. The typical cost is Five-Thousand United States Dollars ($5,000) USD. You can probably spend anywhere from $4,000 - $7,000 for the orthadontic treatment. It will vary depending on the individual needs - how much movement is required to get your teeth straightened.

The good news is that most dental offices will offer and recommend a payment plan that works with your budget. If you review your medical benefits and have orthodontic coverage, Insurance should cover Invisalign.
The clear plastic aligners are custom made and worn all the time except for brushing and eating. That’s a huge advantage over metal braces already. You wear the aligners for 2-3 weeks and your teeth gradually make shifts millimeter by millimeter. Of course you regularly go in and visit your doctor for check-ups. I understand that the average time to completion can vary from 6-12 months. Which isn’t bad.

I highly recommend watching the Invisalign Google Video if you haven’t seen it already and also visit the Invisalign Website. Of course they’re not going to go into details about cost, but….anytime someone mentions an “affordable payment plan”, you should expect to pay more than a couple thousand dollars for that particular product or service. You will also need to check with your dentist to verify their fees associated with implementing Invisalign. The following link is the best resource on Invisalign, in my opinion. If you’re in Nebraska, I think Dr. Dan Peterson seems like a wise choice. But I am NOT a certified doctor or licensed [pick a dental career] professional.

National Headache Awareness Week 2006

skinny — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 16:36:08 +0000

I don’t usually get headaches but it’s amazing to learn about the different issues that people face on a day to day basis when others never have to worry about them. I do not drink coffee but instead I take Vivarin Pills to keep me up and alert when I’m working hard. When I’ve raelly pushed myself hard, lost about 24+ hours of sleep - I sometimes get a headache after taking a “Short” nap.

Over Forty-Five (45) million people surrfer from headaches. This week June 4-10 is National Headache Awareness week. This year’s theme is “Headache Relief: 12 Tips for a Headache Free Year“. The title is definitely interesting and the NHF (National Headache Foundation) has segmented the tips into Work, Home, and Play. Below you’ll find helpful information if you’re interested in some quick knowledge about headaches and scheduled activities. This information is available from Headache.org - but not easily accessible.

June 4 Activities

Television Program
Peoples Health Magazine, St. Louis, MO
Channel 21
Topic: Headaches and Migraine
8:00 p.m. CT
For More Information call 314-361-8840 x228
4-10
NHAW Podcast
Accessible at National Headache Foundation’s website
www.headaches.org
4-10
Headache Prevention Techniques and Public Education Program
Complexions Medi Spa, 6 Metro Park Rd., Albany, NY
Chair Massages, Aromatherapy and Literature Display
6/4 - 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – 6/5-8- 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
6/9 - 9:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m. – 6/10 - 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET
To register call 518-489-5231
4-10
Public Education Program
Grand Chiropractic, 511 Beckett Rd., Logan Twp., NJ
Literature Display
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

4-10
Public Education Program
Headache Institute of Texas Neurology, 6301 Gaston Ave., #400, Dallas, TX
Literature Display
8:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT
4-10
Public Education Program
Certainteed Corporation, 231 Ship Canal Parkway, Buffalo, NY
Literature Display
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

June 5 Activities

Public Education Program
Smyrise Health & Wellness Center, 300 North St.,Teterboro, NJ
Literature Display
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon ET

Headache Lecture and Public Education Program
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, 1 S. Franklin, Chicago, IL
“Headache Lecture” and Literature Display
12:00 Noon CT

Headache Lecture and Public Education Program
St. John Hospital & Medical Center, Auditorium, 22101 Moross Rd., Detroit, MI
“Headache Lecture” Lunch and Literature Display
11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. CT
To register call 888-440-REAL (7325)

Television Program
Peoples Health Magazine, St. Louis, MO
Channel 21
Topic: Headaches and Migraine
3:30 p.m. CT
For More Information call 314-361-8840 x228

5/7
Public Education Program
Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 30 Locust St., Northampton, MA
Literature Display
10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET

5-9
Public Education Program
Advanced Healthcare, 3003 W. Good Hope Rd., Milwaukee, WI
Literature Display
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT

5-9
Public Education Program
John P. Murtha Neuroscience & Pain Institute, 1450 Scalp Ave., #120, Johnstown, PA
Literature Display
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

5-9
Public Education Program
Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, 3615 NW Samaritan Drive, #100, Corvallis, OR
Literature Display
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. PT

5-9
Headache Screening and Public Education Program
Lutheran Medical Center, 150 – 55
th
St., Brooklyn, NY
“Migraine Screening” and Literature Display
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

5-9
Public Education Program
Kennebec Savings Bank, 150 State St., Augusta, ME
Literature Display
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

5-9
Public Education Program
Joliet PainCare Center, 2121 Oneida St., #304, Joliet, IL
Literature Display
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CT

5-9
Headache Lecture and Public Education Program
Commerce Occupational Health Organization Fitness Center, 1401 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC
“Headache Lecture” Lunch and Literature Display
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

5-9
Public Education Program
Center for Neurological Disorders, 2801 W. Kinnickinnic River Pkwy., Milwaukee, WI
Literature Display
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CT

5-9
Public Education Program
Neurology Clinic of Kenosha, 1806 13
th
St., Kenosha, WI
Literature Display
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT

5-9
Public Education Program
Leigh Valley Headache Center, 1210 South Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown, PA
Literature Display
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

5-9
Public Education Program
Parkview Chiropractic Clinic, 8360 City Centre Dr., #130, Woodbury, MN
Literature Display
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT

5-10
Public Education Program
Magnetic Imaging Center, 4665 Trindle Rd., Mechanicsburg, PA
Literature Display
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

5-10
Public Education Program
Apex Wellness Center, 6029 Beltline Rd., Dallas, TX
Literature Display
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT

5-10
Public Education Program
Wieging Chiropractic & Massage, 3870 Broadway, Grove City, OH
Literature Display
9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. CT

June 6 Activities

Headache Lecture and Public Education Program
Providence Hospital, Fisher Auditorium, 16001 W. Nine Mile Rd., Southfield, MI
“Headache Lecture” Lunch and Literature Display
11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. CT
To register call 888-440-REAL (7325)

6/7
Headache Lecture and Public Education Program
Univ. of Mary Washington, Fitness and Wellness Resource Center, 1301 College Ave., Fredericksburg, VA
Activities exclusive to Univ. of Mary Washington community (students, faculty, staff & spouses)
“Headache Lecture” Q & A and Literature Display”
5:30 p.m. ET

6/7
Public Education Program
St. Joseph Hospital, 2800 N. Lake Shore, Chicago, IL
Literature Display
10:45 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – CT

6/8
Television Program
Peoples Health Magazine, St. Louis, MO
Channel 10
Topic: Headaches and Migraines
11:30 a.m. CT
For More Information call 314-552-2900

June 7 Activities

Headache Lecture and Public Education Program
Jewish Federation Metropolitan Chicago, 3003 W. Touhy, Chicago, IL
“Headache Lecture” and Literature Display
12:00 Noon CT

7
Public Education Program
Health First Medical Center, 1829 University Dr., Dunbar, PA
Literature Display
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET

June 8 Activities

8
Headache Seminar and Public Education Program
Nortel, 4001 E. Chapel Hill Nelson Hwy, Research Triangle Park, NC
“Headache Seminar” Lunch and Literature Display
12:00 Noon ET

8
Public Education Program
Kroger Pharmacy Patient Care Center, 41941 Garfield, Clinton Township, MI
Literature Display
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT

8
Headache Lecture and Public Education Program
Jewish Federation Metropolitan Chicago, 5150 Golf Rd., Skokie, IL
“Headache Lecture” and Literature Display
12:00 Noon CT

8
Headache Lecture and Public Education Program
Headache Care Center, 3805 S. Kansas Expressway, Springfield, MO
“Headache Lecture” Q & A and Literature Display
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CT
To register call 1-417-890-7888

8
Public Education Program
Tyrone Hospital, One Hospital Dr., Tyrone, PA
“Health Screening” and Literature Display
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET

8
Television Program
Peoples Health Magazine, St. Louis, MO
Channel 18
Topic: Headaches and Migraine
8:00 p.m. CT
For More Information call 314-812-9883

8
Public Education Program
Symrise Health & Wellness Center, 172 Industrial Pkwy, Branchburg, NJ
Literature Display
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon ET

June 9 Activities

Public Education Program
Clarkson University and Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Physical Therapy Dept., 59 Main St., Potsdam, NY
Literature Display
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

9
Television Program
Peoples Health Magazine, St. Louis, MO
Channel 10
Topic: Headaches and Migraine
6:00 p.m. CT
For More Information call 314-522-2900

June 10 Activities

Public Education Program
Smyrna SDA Church, 4394 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Community Health Fair
Literature Display
10:00 a.m. PT

Taken from Headache.org Press Room.

Much More Than a Migraine Headache

There are several different types of headaches : Tension-type, Migraine, Cluster, Hormone, Rebound Headache, Sinus, and Organic. Knowing the different types of headaches is a good step towards awareness. Most everyone is aware of the Migraine Headache. One interesting fact I read is that Migraines are not just headaches, but a symptom of what is referred to as an episodic neurological disorder. This can include seizures, periodic paralyses, and headaches.

Some factors that contribute to headaches are commonly:

Stress
Fatigue
Lack of Sleep (which applies to me and most work-a-holics)
Poor Eating Habits
Caffeine (which applies to me and most work-a-holics)
Chocolate
Alcohol
Hormonal Changes
Changes in barometric pressure
Altitude Changes (Flying in Airplanes)
Harsh or Too Dim lighting
Cologne and Perfume *

Two Reasons To Build Your Headache Awareness

During a recent clinical study, 97% of the participants, self-described sinus headache sufferers, actually had symptoms consistent with migraine attacks as defined by the criteria of the International Headache Society.

Medications used to treat headaches/migraine can actually cause headaches called “rebound headaches” when taken for more than two or three consecutive days.

Depression about Lexapro Weight Gain

skinny — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 06:23:24 +0000

What you want is to wake up and look in the mirror and see yourself happy about the joys the day will bring. But sometimes it’s a tough choice between grabbing the glass of water - taking the pill to face the possibility of gaining more weight; or not taking the anti-depressant and living the day however it decides to unleash itself. Well the only reason why you’d take an anti-depressant is for the positive effects right? So you take it anyway and decide to endure what I call Depressionless (but) Overweight Syndrome. (That’s not a medical term, but it fits) After a few weeks you notice that things are going okay, but you’ve added some un-necessary pounds.

Since 2002 over 13 million patients use the FDA approved Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) to help with depression and generalized anxiety disorder. A large majority of its users only considered taking Lexapro after trying out other prescriptions that failed. Some of those users have stated the side effects overwhelm its positive traits. If you have gained weight from using lexapro the first and most important thing to know is that you are not alone.

Facts about serotonin and health

Lexapro is a SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) and works by increasing your Serotonin levels. Generally it has a life of more than twenty-four hours and is taken once daily. Serotonin has an important role in controlling mood, sleep, sexuality, and appetite. It’s located in your gut and in your blood stream.

The deeper you get in learning about Serotonin you find that it has an effect on the fluctuation in weight. Most users who’ve experienced an increase in weight are taking the 10mg dose and have gained an average of twenty (20) pounds. Some even experience fatigue and loose the sensation of when-to-stop-eating all while maintaining a rigid exercise routine.

I came across SeroTab, a Serotonin supplement. It seems that it was originally designed and targeted for users who wanted to increase Serotonin levels but my guess is that poor marketing and advertising led the makers to market it towards the weight loss market.

“Young explains that Serotab is a supplement and not a prescription drug, but it was developed by a medical doctor and is manufactured and marketed exclusively by Directly Young. Practicing doctors completed studies on the effectiveness of the drug on migraine headaches, fibromyalgia and weight loss. The tests lasted six weeks and included approximately 40 patients. ‘The results showed a 74-percent success rate compared to a 67-percent success rate of prescription antidepressants,’ says Young.” [Taken from Recipes Today]

The best knowledge of combating the fluctuation is compromised from reading various forum posts, expert opinions, and general knowledge of serotonin and lexapro - so the suggestions below may or may not prove to yield results.

Research and consult with your doctor about the use of Seroslim (formerly SeroTab)
Try eating carbohydrate-rich meals to increase serotonin but understand that using food as an alternative is a temporary solution vs. a anti-depressant prescription
Develop a strong and consistent exercise routine to combat weight and depression
Develop consistent sleep patterns
Try and determine if using Lexapro works better for you in the day or at night
Consider changing your diet/nutritional values
Consider switching to another prescription
Be careful withdrawing from anti-depression prescriptions
Variations of the above all with the consultation of your health care professional

Other Resources:

How to Withdraw from Anti-Depressants

Another forum at drugs.com

Lexapro Weight Less Forum

Anti-depressants Forum

Panic disorder and Zoloft

Antidepressant Prozac

Zyban Antidepressant

Celexa and Depression

Remember that what really matters with any emotion; is to know that you’re not alone foremost and there are people who can help you along your journey. Your journey to depressionless days while keeping your weight in check.

Dental Hygine Plays Into Overall Health

fatty — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 07:20:42 +0000

I visited the dentist yesterday, and he told me that my jaw was misaligned, my teeth had interference points, I have periondontitis. He also explained that periondontitis is choronic and that studies have linked periondontitis to a higher risk of strokes, heart disease, and diabetes.

As long as I can remember my diet has been poor, and my dental hygine has been poor for a while as well. I have got more serious about brushing and flossing the past couple weeks and things already seem to be getting better, but I still have a long way to go with about 14 dental appointments in the next 3 or 4 months.

Hopefully I take this as a wake up call to start living better.

Eating Too Fast - How to Get Fat

fatty — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 15:58:21 +0000

When I was a little kid I always ate quickly so I could get back to playing quickly. Then in high school I usually didn’t eat all day at school, so when I got home I was super hungry and snarfed down a ton of food quickly. Then I got a job, in the military (blah) and if you didn’t relieve the watch quick enough you were a scumbag, so you gotta eat quickly.

Now I am out on my own and work for myself, but I still usually eat quickly and I am not sure there is much legitimate cause or reason for it.I

know that as you eat it affects your sense of satiety, so if I just slowed it down a bit I would probably be able to lose a good amount of weight just by eating less.

Weighing 250 Pounds is No Good

fatty — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 15:26:03 +0000

Arg. So Recently I weighed in at a (not so) cool 250 pounds. I think I was bloated that day, but I am still up over 240, which is a lot considering that I was 185 a few years ago.

It is time I start making some changes with how healthy I live. I need to lead a more active lifestyle. So I may as well blog about it. Plus now if I am at the computer and am not exercising just staring at the monitor will remind me of this site and how bad I need to exercise.

As a bonus, I figure I will probably enjoy life on the web much more if I start enjoying life off the web the way it was meant to be.