by Dan | Jul 26, 2015 | Etc.
How many times have we heard how fast time goes, or “Life is too short”, and I don’t have “enough time” to do all the things I want to. This week really brought everything to light again. One on our physician colleagues was killed in a motor vehicle accident…gone at age 58. There are many things all of us want to accomplish yet in our lifetime, yet we don’t know if we are going to be here tomorrow or not. We need to live each day to its fullest. Take on the challenges that we all face head on, and never give up. The last thing any of us wants to have any regrets in our life. No matter what, we will all have certain regrets in regards to things that we want to do, or would have liked to do. All we can do is keep trying. Live life to the fullest. Take care of ourselves the best we can, and control the factors in life that we can. The other things are truly out of our control. We can’t be afraid to take on those new challenges. That is what life is about…it is an adventure for us to experience and take advantage of, and live to the fullest. Keep in mind those things in your life that is important to you, and then keep working on trying to make it better. Take care of ourselves by watching things in our diet, and doing exercise, so that we can increase our odds of being around to be involved in those things important in our lives. Below are the things important to me, and I have said this numerous times…Sarah, Nick, Molly and Megan. The last picture is one to make you think, and I will quote Zig Ziglar: “No matter how good or bad your life is, wake up each morning and be thankful you still have one.” Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2858
by Dan | Jul 19, 2015 | Etc.
I have been running for many years, since middle school, and the amount of things that running has taught me is extraordinary. Yes, there are days when things get too busy, hectic, and I could think of many other things that need to be done, but running has taught me how to help prioritize. Running has taught me patience, compassion, fortitude, independence, desire, will power, determination, adventure, passion…just to name a few. No matter what, it has been a great way to start the day, and to get my mind cleared to take on the day. Sometimes the morning does not work, and I will go in the evening, and it has been a great way to clear my mind from the day. Anybody out there who runs knows what I mean. The biggest part of it all is it does not matter how fast you go…6 min or 15 min…a mile is a mile. For those of you who do not run, but may walk, or ride bike, or other activity…you still know what I mean. The feelings and experiences can be the same. Running equals time for me! Sometimes it is great to go out and run by myself…especially when I need to think. Other times, it is great to go with a partner, or group of people, and talk about things going on. Everybody has different opinions and ideas, and have definitely have experienced different things, so it is always interesting to hear how other people handle things. This is what is nice about the run club…it is a social event. You get to hear what other people are doing, how they are handling it, and sometimes that individual just needs to vent things to help them help themselves. I would not trade it for anything. I plan on running as long as I can, and then when I can’t do this, I will walk, or find some other activity. I will keep moving as long as I can. The adventures involved with this are too good, too unique, too special, to give up. It has been many years already, and looking forward to many more. Below are some pictures of me running with training partners recently…me with Steve, Sarah with are Carissa, who is like another daughter for us, and then just me…alone, taking things on head on! No feeling like it in the world! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2851
by kelsey | Jul 14, 2015 | Etc.
We do not want to rush summer, but we wanted let you all know we have set the fall STRIVE 2 Survive dates! Enrollment will begin in mid-late August. Our 12 week program starts September 8th (the Tuesday after Labor Day) and we will meet in person on the dates listed below (Tuesdays) at the County Fair Banquet Hall from 5:30-6:30pm. The weeks we do not meet, you will be given a take home lesson mailed or emailed to you, thus every week you will be given education, tips, etc on nutrition and activity. In addition, we include lab work (total lipid panel and glucose) and body composition testing (weight, height, BMI, blood pressure, fat%, and muscle mass) at the beginning and end of the program. The total cost is $130, which includes all lessons, lab work, and body composition testing.
Our main goal is to help you learn how to live a healthier lifestyle that promotes disease prevention, longevity, and quality of life. Weight loss, improved lipids, improved glucose, improved blood pressure, and improved overall health are all results of our program.
If you are interested or know of someone who is, please contact us to learn more and get your name on the list! You can call me directly at 884-4226 or email strive2survive@brownclinic.org. We are looking forward to another great session!
September 8: “Healthy Eating Made Easy” Kelsey Raml, MS, RD, LN
September 29: “Exercise for the Health of It” Dr. Dan Reiffenberger & Dr.Torness
October 13: “Your Equation to Success” Dr. Jon McAreavey
October 27: “A Walk thru the Wellness Wheel” Dr. Clark Likness
November 10: “Medications…to do or not to do” Deidra VanGilder, PharmD
November 24: “Making Health a Way of Life” STRIVE Team
by Dan | Jul 12, 2015 | Etc.
The 31st Annual Kampeska triathlon was held yesterday. There were 65 participants. You start off by doing a 1/4 mile swim along the shore line of Lake Kampeska out by City Park, then go for a bike ride around the lake, 14 miles, followed by a 5K run. It can be a challenge, because everybody has a weak point in at least one of the events. I was still able to participate with my injury…just had to slow it down a notch. These events are not always about who you can beat, or how fast you can go, but mainly to be able to participate! Every body out there has different goals, and a different agenda, and that is OK. We are all unique anyway. The spirit of being able to participate is the really enjoyable part. I was glad I was doing well enough to participate, as I had already registered prior to getting hurt. This is one of the highlights of the summer, so I really wanted to be doing it. Sometimes, we have to contend with weather. It started to sprinkle when we were swimming, and then came down heavier during the bike ride, but then quit during the run. We always have to keep the weather in mind with adjustments made as needed. But, what we don’t always factor in is if we get a flat tire on the bike while riding. Yesterday was what I call a bad day for people in regards to this, as 5 people had a flat tire. Some of them lived close by and walked to their house and grabbed a different bike, and one even carried his bike 3.5 miles walking to get in, and then went running. If you get helped, you disqualify yourself from placement, or even having a time. Sarah was one of those who got a flat tire, 3 miles into the race. She got help, and was driven back to the start where she got her tire changed, but had to relinquish her chip for timing. It did not matter to her…she wanted to finish. Her goal…I started this, I wanted to finish it. So despite being in last place at this time, she jumped back up on her bike and took off again. She was feeling more down by the time she came in to start the run portion, because she was mainly by herself. It still didn’t matter. She took off and ran, and I met her about a 1/2 mile from the finish and ran in with her. It was not about the time. It was not about how she placed. She was happy she was able to participate, and she was going to finish anyway. Is that not what life is about? We get thrown challenges, curve balls, “flat tires”, and we have to figure out how to overcome these challenges, and push on. You make the most out of every situation, and make the best of it. She had a goal to finish this event, and she did! Many of the other ones with a flat tire did the same. They were out to finish, regardless of the final time. Never give up on yourself! Life is too short as it is. Take advantage of those good days when they come, and make the best out of the days that may not be as good, or turn out the way we want them too. You are in the driver seat to determine this. Your attitude says it all! Here are some pictures of the event. I am running the last stretch with Sarah coming into finish, and then several of Sarah getting ready prior to the event, and then Sarah being congratulated for finishing by another friend, Jill, whose brother Steve also had a flat tire, but kept going and finished as well. Good job you guys! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2844
by Dan | Jul 5, 2015 | Etc.
Brown Clinic is celebrating 80 years of service–service to the people and community of Watertown and surrounding areas. Over the years we have worked hard to try to take care of our patients, and we want to start off by saying something to all of our patients: Thank you! We take pride in doing the best we can to help take care of our patients. Many things have changed over the years: the physicians, the staff, the patients. But one thing stands out through time: We are there to take care of you, our patients, the best way we can. Some of the people may change over the years, but our commitment has not. It has been a privilege to be involved with our patients care over the years, and we are not planning on going anyway. Our commitment is simple: Our Brown Clinic family is there to take of your family, so you can spend time with your family! We are there to help you live the healthiest life possible. That’s why we strive to provide skilled and compassionate care, every step along the way. And that’s the kind of care you’ll get from Brown Clinic–the people you know and trust! Below is a large group of our staff outside the Main site of Brown Clinic, followed by our 4th of July parade float, where we were out to celebrate our 80 years of service. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2837
by Dan | Jun 28, 2015 | Etc.
Running is always an adventure…sure there may be good days and not so good days, but I realize how much I miss it when I can’t. I got hurt last week lifting weights last monday…a groin tear. You never realize how much all of those muscles come into play just to get up and down from a chair, or into a car, much less trying to run. I did try twice last week…a very slow jog for a 1/4 of a mile, followed by a walk for a 1/4 mile, then back again for 4 miles total each time. Overall, it hurt to much to keep doing it. I can walk or use the elliptical with no pain, so at least my exercise streak continues. I would rather be running though…especially now with it being Summer out. Hopefully this won’t take too long to heal up, but will have to see. I still went to meet with the run club this AM, and when they took off, I put my walk in. I was walking along the lake and having time to think. It was a very nice morning, and the time for thinking is always good. It was a time to put all things in perspective…such as upcoming goals, accomplishments thus far, and what is it that I am truly trying to accomplish? There will be more thoughts and posts in this regards as time goes on. For now, I will keep doing what I can, and get back to running as soon as I can. The running is my first true sport, my time to get away from it all, my time for me! Hopefully it will be soon. Members of the run club from this AM…Sarah, who ended up going a different direction after a little while to go longer, and in the picture are Steve, Jill, Jackie, and Jennifer. Also, as the picture below says, these are the feelings you get when you can’t run! Keep going guys! And, keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2830
