American young men and women  - Please pull up your pants!!!!  Wear a belt!
I do not need to see your underpants.
Also, I think in the future, because of the Shuffling Gait (going from side to side rather than one foot  in front of the other) will cause hip problems, such early Arthritis and Tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon attached to a joint).   Didn't think pulling up your pants could cause problems?  They can!

Holiday Tip #13.  Insurance - Why Have It & Not Use It?

Something to think about going into the new year...

Many of you have health insurance and do not use it. 

Why not make an appointment with your doctor and see what health issue you have that you may not be aware exists....

Holiday Tip #12.  Make A List...& See Your Doctor

You may not want to admit it, but if you are at a certain age, it's time for you to have certain tests, such as a mammogram or colonoscopy, even your dental exam.  

It's not the end of the world.  They are just examinations you need to help keep you informed about your body.

Don't forget those peepers that should be checked every 2 years or as often as the eye doctor tells you to return. 

And ladies, you know who you are take time to take care of yourself so that you are around to take care of your loved ones.

Holiday Tip #11 - Massage - A Gift To Give Yourself

With all the muscle strain your can experience from running around, lifting heavy bags, or decorating the house and yard, your muscles are screaming for relief.  

A massage is a wonderful way to help work the holiday stress out of your body.  

If you are a massage virgin, 30 minutes are good to start off with, especially with deep tissue massage, which can be painful when working out our kinks.  Go ahead and  reward yourself...especially if you didn't get what you wanted for christmas.  

(http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/massage-therapy-stress-relief-much-more)

Holiday Tip #10 - Skipping Your Workout  is a NO-NO!

Even though your walking around malls or running to grab those deals, your regular exercise routine is still important.  

Due to time restraints, we sometimes don't work out.  If you get bogged down, try splitting up your workout times. 

30 minutes can turn into 3 ten minutes sessions.  Remember, exercise provides you energy and helps decrease stress...    (http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/your-holiday-fitness-program)

Holiday Tip #9 - Settle In For A Good Night's Rest

With all the hustle and bustle this season, rest is an important component. 

Sleeping is the way your body renews itself.  Getting enough sleep will give you energy to do all the those 101 things left to do. 

Try taking a nap or just laying down  with your eyes closed and breath deeply...

(http://www.self.com/health/2009/12/holiday-guide-get-more-sleep)

Holiday Tip #8 - No Double-Dipping (When Cooking Your Food)

When we are cooking, we like to taste our food.  But, when we are tasting, we don't want our germs to be passed along by us sticking our serving spoons back into the dishes we just tasted - that's called Double-Dipping!  Place a cup of plastic spoons or forks near your cooking area , so taste and toss into the trash...this is a tip to use all year long!

Holiday Tip #7 - Air Travel Tip

Some of us will be traveling during the holiday season, and sometimes, planes are worst place to be.  

Planes don't have fresh air.  The air is recirculated, and when someone in first class sneezes,  you will eventually breath that air in.  

We can't open a window on a plane, so if you have to blow your nose during your trip,  rinse your nose with nasal saline.  This will help remove germs from your air way before you become ill. 

Also, you can use Airborne, its sold over the counter.  It can give you that extra vitamin C.

Holiday Tip #6 - Prep Day for the Holiday

Right before Santa comes, some of us are so tired and worn out we don't enjoy ourselves.   

We are supposed to be spending that time with our loves ones, not running around like chickens with our heads cut off.  

If your the one cooking for the holiday, get a plan and have a prep day.  

You can start grocery shopping early for non persiable items and shop later for fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Cut up vegetable and prepare andy side dishes ahead and pop in oven next day.  

Prepare cakes and pie several days ahead.

Also, remember to clean up as you go, or assign KP duties to the kids.  

Have more time to blend into the holiday!

Holiday Tip #5 - Snacking Healthy

We love the sweets, and other festive hour doves.  Come game time, we love the chips and nachos.  Yet, when we snack, we can snack healthy.  

There are plenty of low-fat, low calorie recipes that we can use instead of the traditional ones.  So, tis the season to enjoy few of your favorite things, just be keep it light and healthy!   

Check out this website for wonderful recipes...

(http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/smart-choices/healthy-snacks-00400000055361/)

Holiday Tip #4 - Don't Just Eat - Digest!

While eating your holiday feasts, take the time to savor the flavor of your food.  

Eat slower and give your brain and stomach a chance to communicate so that you don't overeat. 

It takes about twenty minutes for your brain to tell your stomach it is full - eating slower and putting your fork down between bites can really help you not to stuff yourself.  

Also, talking less and eating slower helps swallow less air which can lead to a bloating sensation in your stomach.  Not over eating during the holiday season adds up to less weight gain in the new year...  (http://www.livestrong.com/article/258984-how-to-improve-digestion-to-lose-weight/)

Holiday Tip #3 - Monitor your Holiday Feasting

When your visiting your friends or relatives for dinner, or going to your job's Christmas party, you still need to watch what your eating.  Other people can cook with a lot more sugar, salts, and fats, which can go against you, especially if you suffer from High Blood Pressure or Diabetes. 

So taste your food first before adding extra seasoning to your plate.

Holiday Tip #2 -  Protect yourself from Germs!

We all know that this is the season for colds and flu.  So, when you go out shopping, visiting, caroling or whatever, make sure that you don't touch door handles with your bare hands.  Carry tissues and hand sanitizer with you for protection against those nasty germs.  

Nothing beats soap and water, so wash those hands while your out, and definitely when you get home.  

Last, remember to moisturize your hands - hand sanitizer contains alcohol,  which can be drying to the skin.  There are other ways to help the germs stay away.  Check out this article for more information.  http://www.andersoncooper.com/2011/10/18/germ-protection-10-tips/

Some Tips To Help Stay Healthy & Well During The Holidays

Hey everyone!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful time getting ready for Xmas.  For everyday until Xmas, I offer you some daily tips to help get through the most wonderful, and busiest time of the year.  Call it my 12 steps to help you stay happy, healthy, and sane...

Tip #1  --  De-Stress Yourself!

During the Xmas season, we can spend more time buying gifts that we may not be able to afford.  To decrease your stress, give the gift of YOU to your family.  

Let's not commercialize the holiday season any more than it is.  Start something new by creating new family traditions, such as family game night or pick a movie night.  Building family memories are gifts to treasure for a life time.   

Donate time to a shelter as a family project so you and your kin can see how truly blessed they are - 

Xmas is about togetherness. 

 (http://www.healingwell.com/library/health/alden1.asp)

I had a thought today that I maybe not be alone in thinking as a primary care physician , I am a low paid tech with everybody trying to tell me how to do  my job.  It is funny because sometimes it comes from people who have no training in the medical field as all. Primary Care doctors are a dying breed and when we are gone what will happen.  Remember the population is aging and living longer thanks to good medicine.......

Good Hygiene

As a physician I cannot stress enough the importance of good hygiene on a daily basis.  If you don't bathe but once a year make the day you go to doctor that day you bathe.  It is not very pleasant to exam someone who is malodorous.  You not only offend the doctor but, the doctor's staff and other patients.  If your physician has bad breath after lunch let her or him know by the offer of gum or mints... that's a big hint.  If I have bats in the cave or something in my teeth ,please let me know.  So PLEASE, PLEASE  bath and wear clean clothes and underwear.  Also dab of perfume or after shave is all you need too much can OFFEND as well.

Staying Healthy For The Holidays

Even though its the holidays, that doesn't mean that you have to go all out and overeat.  You can maintain your weight and still enjoy your favorite foods.

Here are a few tips when you go grocery shopping:

• Think more fresh fruits, vegetables, leaner meats, and low-dairy products.  Shop more on the outer perimeter and scale back from the inner isles - they have more processed items.
• Don't go the grocery store hungry - your eyes may be bigger than your stomach - and your wallet! Make your list, check it twice, and stick to it!
• Try to shop earlier in the day.  You may find a better and fresher selection of what your looking for.

When cooking your holiday dishes, find recipes that are low-fat and low-calorie.  That doesn't mean you have to skip on taste.  Check out magazines, e.g. Cooking Light, for great recipes that are good and good for you.  

I hope these little tidbits help you stay on track this holiday season, and may it be a Merry one for all.

Please share with me some of your personal tips and recipes if you have any.  I would love to hear them!

Also, keep in mind...if you maintain your weight now, then you don't have to make a New Year's resolution to do it...just a thought.