by Dan | Jun 26, 2013 | Etc.
The last few mornings going out for either an early morning walk or run has been very nice. Very calm winds. Bright sun. Beautiful around the lake. This is why I exercise. The peace and calm…taking it all in. Getting time to just think! It is a great way to start the day. I start planning on how I am going to go at the day, and how I am going to get things done as the day unfolds. It is easy to get lost in the view of things, and the quietness. This time of year outside does not even compare to running on the treadmill in the winter time. There is no boredom now.
Take the time to appreciate what nature has to offer. Take the time to really think about it. As Kelsey just recently posted, “take the time to smell the roses!”. One day this will not be here, and the same goes for us. Enjoy what we have now.
The bike trail has benches along the way that you can sit and just watch, so if you get tired, take a break and just sit back and think. This bench is at Jackson Park, looking out at the lake. It is easy to just let your mind go and relax.
I have been doing the exercise for quite a while now, but today I hit another landmark. Consecutive Day #2100! I am not about to stop now. There is still too much to see, too much to do, and a lot more things to think about!
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2100!
by kelsey | Jun 19, 2013 | Etc.
Check out our new summer commercial by clicking the “I’d Rather Be-Summer” link below! It’s sure to make you laugh and smile as you see some of our great doctors telling you about what they’d “rather be doing!” Regular check-ups and health screenings are essential to keep your body healthy, promote lifelong wellness and longevity, and fight off disease. Be sure to schedule your check-up with your Brown Clinic provider to help keep you in tip-top shape to fully enjoy life!
I’d Rather Be-Summer
by Dan | May 23, 2013 | Etc.
A year ago, Steve Hauck and I were getting ready for the Fargo Marathon…Steve’s first. 10 days before, Steve had issues with his heart, and we had to shut him down. I ended up running by myself, with my training partner sitting off on the side, unable to participate, but there to watch and support me. I told him I don’t know who was more disappointed…him because he could not run, or me because I was running it without him. We ended up doing the Disney marathon in January this year, and Steve got his first marathon in, in 4:34. But, something was missing. We had unfinished business left in Fargo. This year changed that.
Here we are friday, checking in. Getting ready to take care of unfinished business. The butterflies were flying. We were both nervous. It was going to be hot and humid. We had a goal…first to be better than the January time, but we wanted to break that 4 hour mark.
Here we are at the finish of the marathon! Did we make it under 4 hours? Unfortunately, no. Did we break 4:34? Yes, we came in at 4:26! Does the time really matter? Not one bit! The heat and humidity was tough. Steve was starting to struggle before mile 16, and he told me I should go on anyway. I looked at him, and said: “Are you kidding? We have been training partners for the last year. We are completing this together. Whatever it takes. The time does not matter.” We did it. Training partners to the end. We had unfinished business to complete. As far as I am concerned, we finished. We finished healthy. We run because we can. Mission Accomplished!!!! Until the next marathon…
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2066
by kelsey | May 16, 2013 | Etc.
Last week SDSU dietetic student, Amanda guest blogged for me and today I was fortunate to have another SDSU student Brett Delaney with me. These students are spending some time with me at the clinic as part of their 80 hour practicum experience in between their junior and senior year. It’s a great time for them to explore the field of dietetics and see what areas interest them most. Brett chose to discuss activity in today’s post. He makes activity a priority in his life and has some great tips to help you stay fit while living a busy life. I think the best role model for us all with this topic is Dr. Dan….despite being super busy with work and family, he still makes time to exercise. The picture I included is of me and my friends after we ran a 5k last summer…of which is one of Brett’s suggestions for you and a great way to keep you motivated! -Kelsey
Get Active!
Almost all of us find it difficult to find the time to exercise. We have so much to accomplish on any given day, juggling between family and work life at the same time. These two separate worlds collide and leave us feeling emotionally and physically drained day after day, often causing us to kick the exercise routine to the curb. We all have the same 24-hour period to get everything done, so how do some manage family and work so well? Even better, how can we add a simple exercise regime into our hectic lifestyles?
Here are some tips to fit exercising into our busy lives. The hardest part of exercising is finding the right time. Use the unproductive time spend glued to a screen whether it be a computer or TV and apply it towards exercising. These changes lead to tough choices and some sacrificing of fun activities but maybe once they are switched for physical activity, it could become a fun activity for you.
Try to set a simple, reachable goal like run in a 5K or lose 5 pounds, these goals get your foot into the door of physical activity and help you turn this new change into a constant lifestyle. Make the workout convenient for you and use advanced planning to give you the most efficient use of your free time. By taking small steps and even finding a partner who enjoys the same activity as you, the goal will become that much more attainable and in the end you’ll be happy with the results.
Once you establish a routine, exercising will trump other activities that were once deemed important. By committing to a schedule, it becomes much easier to continue the plan and make the workout not seem like a daunting task. In the end, do something you enjoy because then the workout won’t seem like a chore but rather an activity that helps you manage life’s other chores and deal with the fast-paced lifestyle.
-Brett Delaney, SDSU Senior Dietetic Student
by kelsey | May 15, 2013 | Etc.
We discuss eating strategies for your weight, heart, etc, but we also have to eat right to keep our skin healthy and glowing! The beauty industry has a variety of products to help promote healthy and glowing skin, however diet is also an important factor. Research on the best foods for healthy skin is limited, but what we do know is that antioxidant rich foods are effective in promoting healthy and glowing skin. Antioxidants are substances that protect our cells against free radical damage. Free radicals are molecules made when our body breaks down food or by environmental exposures such as tobacco use or radiation. They damage the cells and may play a role in diseases such as heart disease and cancer. A colorful diet is most effective for skin health and each color offers specific vitamins and minerals such as: beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. A diet rich in the following foods will help you get beautiful and healthy skin you’re wanting!
- Red, Orange, & Yellow Produce: carrots, tomatoes, red and yellow peppers, apricots, etc
- Green Leafy Vegetables: spinach, romaine lettuce, broccoli, etc
- Blue & Purple Produce: blueberries, raspberries, eggplant, etc
- Lean Proteins: beans, lentils, nuts
- Fatty Fish: salmon, mackerel, sea bass
It’s also important to be mindful of foods that can cause greasy and oily skin such as high sugar and high fat foods: pastries, cookies, fried foods, etc. These foods should be avoided or limited and instead focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, low fat dairy, and whole grains. In addition to diet, eliminating tobacco abuse and using sunscreen are effective in promoting healthy skin. These recommendations are not only going to benefit your skin, but also your overall health. Color and variety in your diet will help you look stunning always!
-Kelsey
by kelsey | Apr 30, 2013 | Etc.
I have a request for our readers…I am in need of blog topics! If there’s anything you have been wondering about, want to learn more about, or want me to discuss, please let me know! You can submit your request by commenting on this post, emailing strive2survive@brownclinic.org, or writing us on Facebook. It can be anything related to food, nutrition, health, or wellness. If you have an activity question I will forward that on to Dr. Dan to discuss. This is a free way to get your questions answered by experts in the field, so please take advantage of it! I look forward to hearing from you!
-Kelsey
