Don't Let an Injury Keep You Down

I watched Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition yesterday and while I still can't say I really love the show, since it focuses on only one person, the viewer gets a little more insight into the reality of how hard it really is to overcome obstacles, old habits, deep rooted emotional issues, etc.  This week we watched Dana, a man in his mid forties, go from almost 500 pounds to almost half that, at the end of one year.  He seemed to have plenty of "slip-ups," but with vigorous daily exercise and staying on task with his eating most of the year, he ended the year with his weight in the 200s!  He made this happen, even with the diagnosis of an ACL tear, making impact exercise a no-no.  There are always ways around injuries.  Ellipticals over treadmills, swimming over running...these are great ways to work around injuries.  This episode reminded me that there is almost never  an excuse for missing a daily workout.

Today's newspaper says doctors are too quick to prescribe medication.  The Centers for Disease control and Prevention, and experts in the field, say "over-prescribing" is running rampant."  Dr. Gordon Shiff, whose report appears in the Archives of Internal Medicine says "often what is really bothering them is not cured with a pill, but rather through exercise, physical therapy or diet changes."  I love this guy!

I'll be getting my exercise on land and in the water today.  What will YOU be doing for your daily exercise?  I'd love to hear.