Archive for October 1st, 2007
In my work with people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, there have been many times that they have been able to get the condition under control with diet and exercise. Sometimes they start with medication, but eventually the good forces of a healthy diet and regular exercise take over, the medications go and the control stays.
have been following reality weight loss programs, first ABC’s Fat March and then NBC’s Biggest Loser. I have written to both networks and proposed the idea of a diabetes related weight loss reality show. I know the networks are just in it for the advertising dollars, but I have to believe with all of the diabetes meds and testing materials and life insurance companies, they should easily be able to draw major advertising. And heck, who has more advertising money than those guys.
I like the idea of reality weight loss programs because they draw attention to the problem of obesity. The part I don’t like is that people can be voted off for any reason. In my world and in my show, everyone would have to stick it out unless they quit. That way everyone who starts and finishes would be winners.
The idea of the show would be to take a group of people with type 2 diabetes. The three criteria they would have to meet is that they would all have to be obese, have high blood pressure and an haA1c of at least 7.5. This would give them three risk factors that can be solved through good diet and exercise resulting in weight loss.
Where Fat March and Biggest Loser are missing an awesome opportunity to educate while they entertain, my show Type 2 Be Gone (I’m definitely open to snappier titles) would provide the same entertainment, but have education be part and parcel of the show. The participants could be quizzed on health questions. Of course, as A1c’s, weight and blood pressure drop, that would be rewarded.
Bottom line. Television could be a way to educate people about two of the biggest health issues today: obesity and diabetes. It Just takes a network with a vision or one that will listen since I’ve already got the vision.
October 1st, 2007
So here I am, sitting in a hot spring pool with my wife in Ouray, Colorado. (Actually, we’re back at the camper now). We’re on a road trip with out new camp trailer and took a few hours to soak. After about half an hour of hot spring bliss, my mind wanders back to life insurance (Fun vacation guy, huh?).
We’re in the hot section of the pools and there is this sign that goes something like this:
Hot Section 102-106 degrees
More than 15 minutes is not recommended
You should not be in this section if:
You have high blood pressure
You have diabetes
You have heart problems
You are pregnant
Well, I don’t know what kind of damage a person can do if they exceed the recommended 15 minutes, but if you die from it, the whole valley will be strewn with bodies in the morning. We were there almost two hours and there were people there when we arrived that were still there when we left.
I was kind of fascinated with the other warnings. I’m sure folks don’t pay any more attention to those warnings than they do the time limit, but I was wondering what temperature has to do with blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. I don’t have any internet in this campground or I’m sure Google would tell me.
If body temperature exacerbates these conditions, I wonder what would happen if someone with one of those health issues were to get sick, say with the flu, and be running a fever of 102+ for a long period of time.
Bottom line. It is all conjecture on my part until I get internet service. I do know that one of the big life insurance musts, is that you avoid risk factors that can make your overall condition worse. It’s all about taking care of yourself, so it must, at some point, come down to reading the signs and following the directions.
October 1st, 2007
I just want to share a small piece of my life and what keeps me ticking. As a self employed independent life insurance agent I have found that one of the keys to success is that you have to believe in and love what you do. With that part in place, you then need to commit to working your tail off.
I am licensed in all 50 states and live in Colorado. My commitment has always been to be in my office ready to talk to people on the East coast when they are going to or starting work at 8 am, 6 am my time. This makes for long hours and long weeks and when it comes time to take a vacation, I am usually past the point of being ready. Sometimes there are little health prompts to let you know it’s time to take off.
This time it manifested itself in clinching my teeth at night, which led over the past few weeks to a lot of pain in my jaw, and headaches. The dentist said it was likely caused by stress. He suggested some muscle relaxers at bedtime, a mouth guard, and the vacation.
Having said all that, the clinching seems to have resolved itself, but my bride and I are now on a 9 day road trip to see the national parks of southern Utah. We made a commitment several years ago that if hard work was part of the equation, fun vacations needed to be part of the picture as well.
People have been branded “type A’sâ€, workaholics, and so on, but I would suggest to you that there are a few more categories that lead to working more than average. For some people it is the only way they can keep the bills paid and I commend them for taking the challenge by the horns and doing what it takes.
As for me, I just really love what I do and the hours truly fly by. I also like to keep the bills paid.
Bottom line. The old adage, work hard, play hard is not such a bad way to go. Just don’t forget the play hard part. Whether it is an adventurous or a relaxing vacation, it necessary for your health and gives you the boost to continue the work hard part.
October 1st, 2007
