Dr. Schuler ‘Walks The Talk’ With Simple Health Tips

Authored by: Dr. Thomas Schuler
“WALKING THE TALK”

Speaking first-hand I understand how, with the many demands on your time, making and keeping commitments can be challenging. To overcome this challenge, as my new year’s resolution I pledged to live 2016 healthier, fitter, and happier. As a spinal physician, I regularly impress upon my patients the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. I am proud to report that four months into the year; I have made this goal a living reality!

For the most part, I have always practiced what I have preached. However, getting on the scale at the end of last year, I realized that in spite of a routine exercise program, a few pounds had found their way on to my frame. I reassessed the quality and quantity of the food I have been eating, as well as the frequency and duration of my exercise program, and felt that there was room for improvement. I also strongly disapprove of non-sustainable goals and crash diets. With this approach in mind and the desire for a sustainable result, I focused on more appropriately-sized portions and cut out junk food and excess sugar. I also increased my exercise commitment from two to three days a week, to four to six days a week.

EASIER SAID THAN DONE

Just like you I have many demands on my daily schedule, both personal and professional, and it these guidelines are not always achievable. Even on days that I cannot commit to thirty to sixty minutes of exercise, I commit to at least a ten minute vigorous program of calisthenics and core exercises prior to starting my day. With this approach, I rapidly lost ten pounds over a three week time frame. By two and one-half months, I had lost twenty pounds. I am six foot three inches tall with a reasonably muscular frame and have cut my weight from 230 pounds down to 210 pounds. At this weight, I feel fantastic and am appropriately lean. I also achieved this without starving myself. I allow myself fresh fruit and nuts for snacks as hunger arises. I eat well-balanced meals and enjoy the proper balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. In fact, I have a dietary intake of approximately 2,000 calories a day.

IT DOES NOT TAKE MONUMENTAL CHANGES TO PRODUCE POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR HEALTH

The point that I am trying to convey here is that it does not take monumental changes in our lives to produce real positive impact on our health. It is interesting that when one avoids eating excess sugar, how quickly one looses the craving and desire for sugary foods. There is no question that our society’s quick snacks are filled with enormous amounts of worthless calories, too many preservatives, and often life damaging high sugar concentrations. If you desire to take charge of your life, increase exercise, control your intake, eat healthier foods, and you will quickly benefit from these life improving simple changes.

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