Healthy Newsletter for June

http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/.

barefoot update

I just did 2.4 miles on the treadmill in my new fivefinger shoes. They felt comfortable. The real proof will be tomorrow, post treadmill.
My initial thoughts are the shoes hug my feet well and I had no problem heel-to-toe. I will continue to break them in for a week or two before hitting the road. I sure hope these work I really want to start running again.

FDA Warning on Body Building Products

If you have a cabinet full of  nutrition and fitness supplements -you may want to read this FDA warning and do an inventory.

Warning on Body Building Products Marketed as Containing Steroids or Steroid-Like Substances.

Federal Government Image

Barefoot Technology

I have been hearing about Vibram fivefingers (R) shoes for about five months from Tim one of my co-workers. He has worn his in the middle of winter, outside on news shoots and all around the station. Today I decided to go to Duluth and find a pair of my own. I have spent my adult life wearing high heels at work. In the gym I have used a number of big name brand shoes to work out in. I have never found a comfortable shoe for running. After a few hundred feet my knees begin to hurt and I give up. When I am not wearing shoes of course I am barefoot. I love being barefoot, have for as long as I can remember, That’s why Tim’s praises of the Vibram shoes caught my attention. I had heard that Duluth Running was going to get Virbram Bikila sometime this summer, so I expected to have to go on a waiting list.
Tony at Duluth Running met me at the front door of his store on East Superior and I told him what I needed. They had just got the Bikila models in. Grandma’s Marathon is next Saturday so it was good timing for the store. Perfect timing for me.
Getting the right size is important. That’s why I wanted to buy a pair at a store, rather than on-line. Tony used a special measuring device for the fivefinger shoes.

Bikila

I learned that my right foot is longer than my left and that all of my toes are short! I think they got short from years of being squished into high heels. But that is another story. Putting the shoes on took awhile, as my toes didn’t want to go their separate ways. The little toes wanted to ride piggyback with their next door neighbors. But soon I wrestled them into their individual toe holds. I walked around the store and couldn’t believe how comfortable them seemed.
I bought them. $99.99.
I am home and am wearing my new pink fivefingers and will update you on how they work. After about ten minutes it feels a lot like my toes are doing yoga. Stay tuned.

Kids at risk

NIH Study Finds That Overweight Girls Who Lose Weight Reduce Adult Diabetes Risk

Overweight girls who lose weight before they reach adulthood greatly reduced their risk for developing type 2 diabetes, according to researchers from the National Institutes of Health and Harvard University, who analyzed 16 years of data on nearly 110,000 women.

L is for live!

Transformations take time and dedication.  I can’t tell you how many times I used to put my life on hold until I lost my weight. There were so many things I wouldn’t do because I was carrying 50 pounds of fat on my body.  Family events, swimming, wearing shorts in the summer…parties the list was so long. I used to think when I lose this weight I will start living my life.  As I spun my wheels I was in limbo…standing still with no direction and I was missing so much in my life.  If this is happening to you, let me say life is fleeting, life is short. Today sit down and write a list of your goals, study them and start working to reach them. You are worthy and you deserve to live a happy life. Don’t put off until tomorrow the things you need to do today to reach your goals.  Along with those goals, plan a reward for your hard work and follow through.  Today is your day to start making your dreams come true.  Train your brain for success and your body will follow. There is absolutely no reason in this world that you cannot grown mentally, physically and spiritually. There is no good reason to skip meal planning, no good reason to sit on the couch and let life pass you by. Get in the game of life.  You deserve better. L is for live. Start living today.

Mike Harris

One of the great Body for Life Champions Mike Harris has passed away. I just learned of his death and it saddens me. The world is a better place because of Mike. He always offered support to those of us who continue to transform our lives. He touched so many lives with his sage advice and his loving support. When I think of champions I think of Mike. My prayers are with his family and his friends who represent just about every corner of our world. Mike you made a difference. I am a better person for having known you. Rest in Peace.