A simple cartoon making a pretty profound point I think …
– (Patient) “At my gym they said I should ask you whether it’s okay for me to exercise.”
– (Doctor) “I get that question a lot … but nobody says consult a doctor before buying a recliner or a big screen TV.”
– (Doctor) “Side effects may include bloating and weight gain.”
All humor aside, take another gander at this … which compromises your health more in the long run? Beginning and continuing an exercise program, or purchasing a comfy recliner and flat screen that sits 15 feet from your fridge, a la the perfect storm, right?
Truth is, if I may be so bold, maybe we should all set a goal to live off of the health care grid, if you will. Check in with your doctor if you have questions about beginning exercise programs or battling a never-ending sinus infection, but just as “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, your goal is to do any and everything you can (including eating an apple a day) to “keep the doctor away.”
Our culture has become one of
if I am not sick or injured, I am apparently healthy.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. When in fact, the true definition of “wellness” is the idea that we are never in a place where we cannot become healthier than we are today. We can always strengthen our immune system, get more (consistent) sleep, reduce stress in some way or cut some sugar out of our diet.
Do not lose weight to become healthy, but become healthy to lose weight.
True health care reform, (regardless of what you hear pundits and politicians bloviate about) begins with the self … taking personal responsibility for your health and that of your family. You are the most important person on your personal health and medical team. Do not accept “if I am not sick, then I am healthy” as your personal health care standard … you, your mind and body, and your loved ones deserve better.
Then, if I may be even bolder, after taking responsibility for our own personal health and health care, we could begin holding our medical community to a higher standard. The next step could be reconnecting our health care/medical industry with the meaning of the word “health.” Have you been in a hospital lately and checked out the “professionals” that are taking care of patients?
I don’t want to throw all the doctors and nurses out there under the bus, but I genuinely worry about where medical education and “health awareness, advocacy and ownership” in our medical and nursing schools are trending these days. First and foremost, please search out professionals who practice what they preach. (And that includes fitness trainers and otherwise professionals as well.) You wouldn’t go to a bankrupt financial planner, why go to an overweight internist who probably has high blood pressure?
I am proud to say my wife is a registered nurse who worked in critical care for years before changing careers to be a full-time mom. In both contexts, she was and is an awesome example and advocate for living a healthy lifestyle. (I believe that is reason #744 I married her in fact.)
Maybe we will discuss in another post the difference between “health care” and “disease care” in our society, and how important it is to know the difference … but for now … please just enjoy the cartoon and go enjoy a big ole juicy apple while you are at it;)
