Good health is not a “Luxury Item” 

People say to me all the time that they just can’t afford to eat right.    Fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive and they don’t have time to go to the store everyday.  No problem.  Everyone is looking at ways to save their family as much money as possible.  We are all busy but we have to make OURSELVES the priority!  It is very possible to live a good life and love good food.  You should do this every day! 

THE STEPS

 So how is it done? 

Well it’s true.  Before you start a diet, you SHOULD talk to your doctor.  If you don’t have a doctor, get one.  We have actually identified other medical causes of obesity like thyroid disease!  There are conditions that sure they would respond to Adipex but overlooking a very treatable problem could be very dangerous!

Your doctor can help you achieve your weight loss goals!

Next. Change your diet!  There is no getting around it.  Many of us overeat on a daily basis.  An easy way to gauge whether you are eating too much is to see if the food on your plate would fit on a saucer.  If it could (comfortably), your good.  If not, you may want to decrease your portion…

Another key to weight loss success is to not skip any meals.  Yes we are busy but your metabolism speeds up when it has food to burn on a regular basis.  That means you should also have a small snack in between meals.  Just a little something that fits in the palm of your hand. 

Think about it.  Everyone knows someone who is rail thin and always seems to be eating something!  Their body is always ready to burn calories because it knows that person is gonna snack on SOMETHING every 3-4 hours!

What about Exercise?

Notice in these quick tips I didn’t even mention exercising!  It’s important to get the diet down pat before we throw anything else into the mix.  Sure we all know it’s good to exercise, but first things first.  After you get the hang of HOW to eat, then you can talk to your doctor about what exercises would be best for you.

Also notice WHAT you eat isn’t restricted.  Now don’t go crazy with this part of the plan!  You shouldn’t fit fried chicken on your saucer everyday,  but every once in a long while would work. 

These quick couple of tips are changes you can make TODAY to get yourself off to a slimmer, healthier body.  Throw some extra fruits and veggies in there and you are good to go!   Our patients have lost tons of weight.  We help them with individualized plans that address their own personal situation. 

Sometimes losing weight and reaching your goal includes prescription medication and rarely surgery, but it is always based on how you can live their BEST life!!

So in an effort to help some of the thousands of  families affected by the spill, we are having a Health Fair/Food drive on June 19th!  The response to our drive has been wonderful!  Winn-Dixie has placed collection barrels at TWENTY of their stores on the South Shore and West Bank.  WBOK is our radio partner and has broadcast info about the event to their listeners.  The Value Warehouse donated a beautiful 5-piece dinette set and Fischer and Sons Jewelry store donated fine jewelry for the raffle.  The tickets are just $1 and proceeds will be used to purchase even more food for the families.  We will have a spacewalk and face painting for the kids.  Everyone can benefit from the free vision screenings, dental screenings, blood pressure checks, and blood sugar testing!

While they try to figure out how to fix the mess created by this oil spill, people still have to live and eat.  We want to do what we can because after the media attention is gone, we will all be here doing our best to take care of one another.   The resilience of the people on the Gulf Coast is shining through.    Now let’s just pray this hurricane season is VERY quiet…

As I have thought about our progress, growth, and success here at the office, I also realized that everyone who decided to move back to the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina has “overcome adversity.”  I remember watching CNN and just about any and every news program that covered the devastation that began in August 2005. Vividly I can recall watching and knowing that I was going to move back as soon as we were allowed to get busy building, working and living.  The thing is these feelings were not mine alone!  I realize that EVERYONE  in this area had the same revelation at some point!  Sure we needed physicians to return, but we also needed every other facet of the community to return as well which has led to our continuing success.

I think of how many times I talked to other physicians early on and told them of my plan to open an office in post-Katrina New Orleans.  They would say “wow, really?” then they would tell me of a great job I could accept.  I know we were driven, encouraged and motivated by a higher power during those very dark times.  The great thing is that our endurance and creativity are now paying off.  I am blessed to work with a wonderful and dedicated team here at Valentine Medical Center.  It is also truely exciting to witness our community blossom.  So the bottom line is we have ALL overcome adversity! Just one more reason to be proud to call Louisiana home!

Studies show that approximately 5% of female college students have reported being victims of sexual assault, with 20 to 25% of students projected to experience rape or sexual assault before the end of their college career. Furthermore, freshman women are at the highest risk for sexual assault and these rates are also generally highest during the fall semester.  However, this does not mean senior students are without risk.

Predictably, alcohol is a leading factor in college sexual assault cases. Some reports cite 50-75% of these types of cases involving drugs or alcohol. This is probably because the college party scene is a dangerous combination of naiveté, alcohol and manipulation. Other problems are a difference in sexual expectations between young men and women and a misunderstanding of what constitutes sexual assault.

By legal standards, sexual assault is defined as any sexual contact that is against a person’s will and without consent.

For some parents, staying in contact with their new students can sometimes be difficult. The key is finding a balance between having enough contact to show your student that you care, but not so much that you start becoming intrusive and overbearing. A healthy relationship and communication between parent and student can be vital if a crisis were to arise, such as sexual assault on campus. Often, when an assault does occur, the victim feels scared and alone. Knowing that the parent will be supportive no matter what increases the chances that the child will confide in them in the worst case scenarios.

Here are some things you should know about maintaining healthy contact between parent and student:

• It’s important to talk to your student, without preaching to them, about sexual assault and the importance of taking precautions on campus. When students know that you are available for support and coaching, they are likely to ask for it, but when they feel checked up on, they are more likely to build barriers.
• Not hearing from your student for several days is often a very good sign. Students who are busy getting acclimated and forging a life at the university might be less inclined to call home.
• In serious situations, parents can be critical in helping to find assistance or resources for their student. If you notice in conversations or e-mail exchanges that your student is showing signs of extreme or out-of-character behavior prolonged during more than a week, ask questions and try to learn more about what specifically may be affecting him or her.

For students, remember: preparation and awareness are the keys to safety in any situation.

Here are some tips for staying safe on campus: 

While out at a party

• The unfortunate statistic is that 90 percent of rapes occur between people who already knew each other and that approximately half of rapes happen on dates. This is commonly known as “date rape” or “acquaintance rape.”
• Stay with a group of people when you are out at night. Avoid risky or sketchy areas.
• Avoid excessive alcohol. According to the Journal of Studies on Alcohol, more than 70,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 have been victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.
• Be alert for possible use of “date rape drugs” such as Rohypnol, which is illegal in the United States. Someone can slip it into a drink. It causes drowsiness, a loss of coordination, dizziness and memory loss. Never take drinks from other people and don’t leave your drink unattended.

While walking around campus

• Survey the campus after dark to see that buildings, walkways, quadrangles and parking lots are adequately secured, lighted and patrolled.
• Avoid walking alone if possible.
• Walk with an air of confidence and stay alert.
• Walk in lighted areas.
• Keep your hand free, not overloaded.
• Have your keys ready.
• If you are being followed: cross the street, scream, run to an occupied residence or store, or flag down a car.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If you are a woman or man who was the victim of a crime, do not keep quiet!  I’m sure you know having a medical evaluation and going to the police are vital to bringing the criminal to justice.  Outside of that, however, it is important for YOU to discuss this very traumatic event.  If you do not feel comfortable talking to friends or family members, at least let your primary care physician know what has happened.  Overall physical health and mental well being are vital keys to life!

The holidays are a time of family celebration and often A LOT of food.  Check out these great tips on safe and healthy holiday eating for diabetics! 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christy-valentine-md/holiday-tips-for-diabetic_b_359231.html