by kelsey | Apr 24, 2014 | Family, Goals, Heart Health, Motivation, Wellness/Health
This weekend, my Grandma Evelyn turns 85! We had a great party and celebration for her over Easter weekend and it was once again a great time to truly celebrate life and living! She has been an incredible role model to me growing up as she has showed me how being active (mentally and physically) helps the aging process. Grandma has some heart issues, but she never lets that stop her from keeping up with her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids (not to mention she always looks awesome–see the picture with myself, Grandma and cousins!). She has an awesome will to live and makes the most of everything in life. She continues to try to stay active and that has helped her age gracefully.
Life is all about choices and we only get one life to live, so make the most of it! The choices you make regarding your nutrition and activity will truly make an impact on your life, lifespan, and health long term, so staying active and eating a healthy and well balanced diet will provide proper nutrients to aid in a healthy body long term. Even at the age of 85, Grandma Evelyn will be out in the garden, getting activity and working on a bountiful harvest of nutrient rich produce to enjoy. Grandma’s genetics have a strong history of heart disease and I even got it from her as I have to watch my cholesterol, but she is a great example of how lifestyle choices can still make a positive difference in your health despite your genetics. I saw a saying that describes this perfectly: “Your genetics load the gun, your lifestyle pulls the trigger.” Make the most of every day, make healthy choices, and appreciate the life you have!! It’s never too late to start putting a positive focus on your health!
-Kelsey
by Dan | Apr 20, 2014 | Exercise, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
The Watertown Area Running Club will be starting up again on Sunday May 4. WARC began about 2 years ago with a small group of friends who got together to run. No competition, just a social gathering, and the chance to run with other people and talk. No pressure. No times. Just company, which helps many times for a change from running by yourself. Don’t get me wrong. There are still times when I want to run by myself, but it is a nice change to mix it up, and just chat and meet people who like/love to do the same thing.
We will begin on Sundays at 7AM, meeting at the north parking lot of Jackson Park. On wednesdays we will meet at Anytime Fitness at 5:30 PM. Distances can range from 2 miles on up. Again, it is a social gathering. No competition. No speed. Just people who want to get out and run together and enjoy Watertown. Hope to see you there! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2396
by Dan | Apr 12, 2014 | Exercise, Family, Motivation, Weather, Wellness/Health
With everything that has gone on for our family these last few weeks it was nice to have some good news for a change. My daughter Megan goes to school at George Mason University in Fairfax Virginia, just outside of Washington DC. She has been having health problems this last month, and had to undergo a bunch of tests recently. Sarah flew out there this week to be with her through it, and we got great news that at least nothing serious, and will be fine! What a relief! We can worry about ourselves, and all the things we have to do, but when it comes to our kids, everything comes to a halt! Sarah and Megan are spending today in DC at the Cherry Blossom festival. They have sent me a few pictures. What a view!
Here Megan is with all the cherry blossoms in the background. A great view in more ways than one! Appreciate every day we have, and especially appreciate our health, as we don’t know when things may change. Keep working on what we as individuals can do to help maintain our own health, and keep working on our diet, and staying active. There is no pricetag on our health! As I have been saying a lot lately, somebody out there would care if we were not here! Enjoy the Spring coming. Be outside. Enjoy all the views. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2388
by Dan | Mar 30, 2014 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
It has been a tough week. I had to say goodbye to my Dad forever. Where do you begin to say Thank You for everything. I hope he realized how much I appreciated everything from him. He taught me you had to work hard for what you got, and to be proud of what you are doing. If anybody wonders where I got the exercise traits from, you would not need to look any further than him. He did manual labor his whole life, and then when he retired, got involved with riding a stationary bike. He would ride anywhere from 15-45 miles per day, every day! He has been an important part of my life for so long, I am not sure how I am going to handle this going forward.
When I received Family Doctor of the Year a few years ago, I was so proud to have you and mom show up at Deadwood, and for it to be a complete surprise to me. I have always been so proud of you, and I can’t tell you how proud it made me feel for you guys to show up for that night.
You made life fun. You worked hard for everything you had. We never wanted for anything that was important. You taught us what being a great Dad was supposed to be. A lot of us may be able to be fathers, but it takes a special individual to be a Dad. I learned a lot from you, and hope you were proud of me as well.
I will miss your smile; your sense of humor; just talking to you. I hope you can now rest. You don’t have to worry if you don’t remember things anymore. It does not matter now. We remember, and always will. All of your children are proud to have called you Dad. We will continue to do as you taught, and won’t let you down. I will be exercising, and keep trying to motivate people to take care of themselves, and stay healthy. I had a hard time trying to keep my exercise streak going these last few days, because I did not want to leave your side. I took many frequent walk breaks to clear my head, and then came back to be by your side. You would have been upset had I not, and wanted me to keep going as well. I will keep referring back to you here over time, because your wisdom was priceless, and I need to share it over time. I love you Dad!
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2375
by Dan | Mar 23, 2014 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
We all have goals in mind when it comes to life. In regards to exercise, it is easier to keep our goals in mind as well, and it especially helps when it comes to staying motivated. Always having your family in your goals makes the motivation that much easier. My goal is be around longer for them, and hopefully, they feel the same. It has been a tough week for me, and my family. I had to put my training partner and best friend, Buddy, down. My brothers, sister, and mom have been in conversation all week, and will be meeting next week to have end of life care discussion for my Dad. And, my daughter has been having health issues, all of which are still trying to be sorted out, and all this while she is away at college in Virginia. I am stressed to the max, and this too is where exercise helps. It is also my escape, my time to think, my time to sort through all of this, and try to come up with some answers, or at least ideas of how to deal with it.
Remember those close to you, and keep them in your goals…and especially your life. Don’t lose sight of this. They are truly what is important in your life.
Keep moving everybody. As I said last week, somebody would miss you if you were gone!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2368
by Dan | Mar 18, 2014 | Exercise, Family, Motivation
I had to let go of my training partner today. Buddy has been with me almost 12 years, and starting running with me after the first 4 months of his life. He was the best dog I have ever had. He finally got tired, and had to stop. He had gotten sick this last 2 weeks, and kept getting worse. We thought it may pull out of it yesterday, only to get worse through the night. I could not let one of my best friends suffer any more. I got to be with him for the final goodbye, and final moment. It had to be one of the toughest things I have done. You looked at me, and was still wagging, so I am hoping he was glad I was there.
You have been beside me in rain, snow, cold, heat…always ready to go. You helped me with my consecutive streak, and to keep me healthy. You will always be remembered, and I appreciate all of those runs/walks with you. You were part of this family, and we all miss you already. I hope heaven has a bike trail for you…
Keep moving everybody! Somebody out there would miss you if you were gone!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2363
