THE NUMBER ON THE SCALE - Woman of a Certain Age, by Marcia Barhydt

I recently saw a poster called “The Number on the Scale” and it certainly hit home with me and I bet many of you will agree with what it says too.

I’ve had challenges with my weight all my life. When I was a teenager and just becoming aware of how important body size was in order to ‘fit in’, I went to my family doctor and asked for help. Understand please that I was not fat pudgy, I was just overweight. My doctor prescribed a drug called Dexedrine for me, a drug which now is used only to treat much more serious conditions than weight gain.

Dexedrine is a strong, strong stimulant – I was whizzing all over the place, doing this, doing that, sleeping for about 2 or 3 hours at night, popping another pill in the morning and doing it all over again. I was only a teenager, way too young to make this kind of decision that could put me in medical peril because of side effects. Dexedrine was a bad drug, but boy did it make me lose weight.

Of course there are now all kinds of other remedies to spur you on to weight loss. Some are good, some are not so good and some are invasive, offensive and scary.

Why are we so obsessed with our weight? Why do anorexic women continue to think that they’re fat when all that’s left is skin and bones? Why do I hear of little girls being on a diet? Little girls! Come on!

If you’ve read any of my other articles, you know that I’m going to blame Madison Avenue ad agencies. Young, firm, perky, sexy, sells. And god help you if you’re not that, if you’re not svelte bordering on skinny, because you are gonna stick out like a sore thumb on the elegant hand of advertising beauty. And please know that I’m aware of the health issues here. I’m not talking on behalf of women who are 200 pounds overweight; I’m talking about you and me and our extra 25 to 50 to 75 pounds.

Rather than rehash all of the points I’ve made before, I think it’d be pretty cool to talk about the positive points on the poster of the scales. “The number on this scale will NOT tell you: what a great person you are; how much your friends and family love you; that you are kind, smart, funny and amazing in ways numbers cannot define; that you have the power to choose your happiness; and the number will not tell you your own self worth.” Please read these words to yourself over and over until you own them. Make these words your mantra.

I am so grateful to be at an age where my body shape and size doesn’t rule me; I am so grateful to be at an age where my body shape is way less important than the shape of my mind, the shape of my soul and the shape of my gut. I am so grateful to be at an age where my body shape no longer defines the person I am.

I am so grateful to be at an age where I can choose to accept my body shape without choosing to be victimized by my choice.

I’m a woman of a certain age and I’m certain my body is just fine, thank you.

©Marcia Barhydt, 2012

While Attaining a Well of Happiness

Yoga has become a popular option for alternative health management. Research has shown the practice can significantly reduce mental and physical stress, improve mood, and slow the aging process.

But some yogis believe many of the estimated 20 million U.S. students are missing the best part of the discipline – the inner happiness attainable through a healthy mind-body connection. They also worry about injuries that result when beginners tackle poses and exercises without proper guidance.

“There are several disciplines of yoga, and with its rich history, the beginner can easily get lost – or worse – injured,” says Mary Jo Ricketson, an experienced yoga practitioner and healthcare specialist, and author of Moving Meditation (www.thegoodwithin.com). A registered nurse, she also holds a master’s degree in education from Northwestern University.

“What I detail in my book is a comprehensive approach for both mind and body. This reciprocal relationship maximizes health benefits, and has exponentially positive consequences beyond the individual.”

People have been practicing yoga for thousands of years, she says. In the West, the practice has integrated with our culture leading to variations including “extreme” yoga. Ricketson warns this sort of exercise can alienate beginners, who may not be ready to “jump in the deep end first.” Without the proper training and guidance, she adds, beginners risk injuring their neck, lower back, knees and shoulders.

The most important step is getting started, Ricketson says. Here are seven things beginners – and anyone practicing yoga – should know to maximize their benefits:

1. Cardiovascular (aerobic) training: As with meditation, focused breathing is a cornerstone of mind-body training. Aerobic means “with oxygen” and aerobic movement increases the flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, including the brain. Cardiovascular training is the single most important aspect of the physical training because it keeps the heart open and strong.

2. Core and strength training: This includes the students’ abdomen and buttocks, and the lower back region, which extends to the base of the skull. Here is where strength, stability and balance originate.

3. Flexibility training (yoga postures): Stretching simply feels good, and it reminds students to not only be more flexible in one’s body, but also one’s mind. This step allows us to move (and live) with greater ease.

4. Adequate rest: Sleep is a necessary part of life, and sufficient rest is needed for energy and equilibrium.

5. Life-giving nutrition: Making the right choices in food allows yoga students to achieve an optimal, balanced state. This includes nutritional foods consumed in moderation.

6. Family/community/church: From Epicurus to modern science, study and observation show that we find greater happiness with access to friends and family.

7. Written goals and a plan of action: Goals and stated intention act as a road map to achieving balanced well-being.

Ricketson says the above steps are just the beginning. She says tapping in to the mind-body connection also helps memory loss, attention deficit disorders, public violence – including in schools – as well as an unknown amount of needless human suffering.

“We all have within us a potential to experience optimal well-being in mind and body,” she says. “This potential, the Good Within, can be realized through the work of mind-body training. Our training is a moving meditation – a daily practice of exercises that awaken all that is Good Within.”

About Mary Jo Ricketson

Mary Jo Ricketson has studied human health and well-being for decades, earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a master’s in education. In 1999, she opened the Center for Mind-Body Training, which offers classes, seminars, and personal training. Yoga training is done in her studio, in schools, and in corporate settings. She lives in the Boston area with her husband and two children.

That Will Transform Your Life

We all do it; we know we need to get off the couch but can’t muster the motivation to move. Well, Shea Vaughn just made it easy for us. A mind-body expert, master trainer and presenter, author and wellness coach (who happens to be Vince Vaughn’s mother), Shea is a recognized spokesperson for helping others create a life of well-being.

Shea introduces us to SheaNetics®, her doctor-endorsed, revolutionary wellness and exercise lifestyle practice that blends Eastern and Western values and movements for a powerful mind-body experience. SheaNetics® reshapes and enhances the overall quality of your life and gives you the mental strength and physical ability to make positive lifestyle changes. As the founder and CEO, Shea’s goal is to make sure anyone who wants to make a change has the mental and physical tools necessary to help them live the life they deserve. It is a first-of-its-kind combination of both physical and philosophical concepts working together to power your pathway to well-being.

The exercises are an energizing blend of effective, proven-to-work formats and include the special performance-enhancing qualities of Tri-Core Power Training – an exclusive with SheaNetics®. The 5 Living Principles of Well-Being are at the heart of SheaNetics® – Commitment, Perseverance, Self-Control, Integrity and Love. Together, these principles unite the mind and body toward a common goal of living life on your terms and living it well.

Shea’s mantra is “Embrace It, Own It, Live It,” and she describes it perfectly when she says, “SheaNetics® is like a best friend. Your journey to well-being begins as you Embrace It with the same spirit of commitment you would give anything you hold dear. Own It means accepting responsibility, persevering through the hard times and asking yourself: “Am I giving it my best?” Live It by being in the moment, making better choices, setting better examples and enjoying the benefits of your efforts.”

Shea recently released “Breakthrough,” an inspirational guidebook to finding total well-being. She also offers “The 30-Day Breakthrough Program,” her answer to losing weight and keeping it off. Her collection of SheaNetics® workout DVD/CD’s can be purchased at her website, as well as distinctive jewelry that she has added to her line of products. Shea is presently positioning to add SheaNetics® group exercise in fitness clubs nationwide, along with plans later this year to introduce her innovative all-body-building, core-busting exercise machine to the fitness and medical industries.

Shea Vaughn is a national mind-body expert, corporate wellness speaker, noted fitness professional, gifted choreographer and media personality whose charm makes her instantly likable in person and on camera. She has appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Marilyn Denis Show, and is a regularly featured health and fitness expert on Chicago’s Windy City LIVE and The Best Ever You Network, and a frequent wellness commentator for other TV, radio and print media.

SheaNetics® is an exciting mind and body experience that is a pathway to lifelong well-being. For more information please visit: www.sheanetics.com.

Benefits of Races

1. Have a starting point. 5Ks are perfect for beginners, and they are often a stepping stone to future goals – 10Ks, half marathons, and, possibly, marathons.

2. Say ‘goodbye’ to winter blues. Exercising outside will expose you to more sunshine, and running kicks off the production of endorphins, which are associated with positive emotions. Researchers from the American College of Sports Medicine recommend 30 minutes of cardio activities to reduce tension, depression, anger, and fatigue.

3. Get in shape for summer. Training for a race requires exercising more frequently for a longer period of time. It’s a great workout, raising the heart rate, burning calories, relieving stress, and toning the body.

4. Workout with a purpose. A training schedule to meet your race goal will keep you motivated and focused. It’s essential to have a positive fitness goal to get and keep you moving.

5. Help others and yourself. Many races are hosted by a nonprofit organization or benefit a charity to raise money. It’s an opportunity to support a worthwhile cause while getting in shape.

Getting Started

It’s essential to train in advance for a race. “Choose a race that is approximately six to 12 weeks from the start of your training,” says Amy Goldwater, M.S., educator, former body building champion, and physical fitness expert for TOPS. This will give you time to plan ahead, get into shape, and set goals for the race.

According to Runner’s World, run for three days out of the week, resting the remaining four, reaching six to 15 miles total each week, for 5K training. Run for five days out of the week, resting the remaining two, reaching 17 to 22.5 miles total weekly, when preparing for a 10K race.

Follow these other tips to transition from walking to running and get ready for race day. 

1. Start slowly. If you’re new to running, start out walking and progress to a brisk walk or run. You can also alternate between running and walking. When you start out running, take it easy. A good rule: you should be able to have a conversation during the workout without struggling for air.

2. Seek variety in a workout. Mix running with walking to change up the workout’s intensity. Participate in resistance training. “Weight lifting two to three times per week is another way to improve your 5K run and strengthen your legs to reduce fatigue,” explains Goldwater.

3. Join a group or do it with friends. Many gyms have walking or running programs that members can join. Participating in a group or exercising with a friend will help keep you motivated and accountable.

4. Eat right. It’s important to fuel your body properly for a race. According to Goldwater, “Individuals should consume a meal of 300 to 400 calories about two hours before the race begins.”

5. Invest in proper gear. Buy well-fitting shoes and comfortable, moisture-wicking clothes. If you’re not sure where to begin, look for a running store in the area. Many have staff that can assess you and help select the ideal attire.

6. Rest. Respect your body. If you’re tired or sore, you may need a break for a few days. Understand what your body needs, so you know when it’s time to push yourself and when it’s time to rest.

TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is the original weight-loss support and wellness education organization. Founded more than 64 years ago, TOPS is the only nonprofit, noncommercial weight-loss organization of its kind. TOPS promotes successful weight management with a “Real People. Real Weight Loss.” philosophy that combines support from others at weekly chapter meetings, healthy eating, regular exercise, and wellness information. TOPS has about 170,000 members – male and female, age seven and older – in nearly 10,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Telemedicine is Growing with Advances in Video Conferencing

Fans of the Fox TV drama “House,” now in its final season, may wonder why New Jersey isn’t known as The Mysterious Medical Maladies State — it seems everyone who lives there has one.

Fortunately, they also have the fictional Dr. Gregory House, who makes up in diagnostic acumen what he lacks in charm and bedside manner.

Hugh Laurie’s acting talent isn’t the only reason the 2012 Guinness Book of Records ranks “House” the world’s most popular TV show. It’s as much because the premise is all too real, says Sean Belanger, CEO of CSDVRS, a national video relay services provider for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

“Many illnesses defy diagnosis and ingenious specialists are few and far between,” he says. “Which is why recent technological advances in video conferencing are so exciting. Telemedicine is not just about more convenient meetings – it’s about saving lives.”

Belanger’s corporation launched Stratus Video (www.stratusvideo.com) last year to focus on honing that technology. He understands the life-changing potential of high-quality, on-demand video conferencing – his company provides video-relayed deaf interpreting services to government agencies and businesses across the country, including the Social Security Administration, Boeing Corp. and Wal-Mart.

“On-demand, high-definition mobile video conferencing solves life-or-death problems, like the hospital patient in Georgia who needs to be seen by the specialist at the Mayo Clinic – fast,” Belanger says. “To that end, we support video technology today for American Sign Language and Spanish, and provide language interpretation access for more than 180 spoken languages, all on a mobile device.”

Telemedicine is also used to bring doctors to far-flung rural communities; save travel time and money on consultations and team problem-solving; and even to have more experienced medical professionals offering guidance and instruction during procedures.

Observation and reliable connections are critical when video conferencing is used in these ways, Belanger notes. So continuing to refine and improve the tools will have far-reaching – and very personal – effects.

“Think about what happens when you go to the doctor. He or she looks down your throat, into your eyes and ears. What they see there gives them information about what’s wrong with you,” he says. “The better the video relay system, the more reliable and trusted telemedicine becomes and, who knows?, that could even lead to lower health insurance premiums.”

At the least, it ensures patients get all the medical whiz genius of a Gregory House – without the snark.

“Hey, with video conferencing,” Belanger says, “just hang up on him.”

Sean Belanger is the chief executive officer of CSDVRS, the parent company of Stratus Video. A graduate of Virginia Technology, he has 30 years’ experience in the technology industry. He previously served as CEO of the Paradyne Networks and general manager of 3Coms’ network service provider division.

Practice Your ABCs

Once you have clarity regarding your intentions, it’s time to practice what Apollon calls “the Art of your ABCs.” Intertwined with the ABCs technique is another one, which she refers to as the “Face, Embrace, and Replace” method. Here’s how it works:

• A is for AWARENESS and ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Become aware of your thoughts and images at the “head” level that do not feel good at the heart or belly level. Here, you’re “Facing” what makes you feel bad.

Put your hand on your heart or belly and ask yourself, Am I feeling good (or okay) or not good at this moment? If your answer is “not good,” put the same hand on your forehead and ask yourself, What is my thought, picture, or image that makes me not feel good?

Now, take time to Acknowledge or “Embrace” the picture or thought. Give yourself permission to really feel the pain associated with your thought or image stored deep within you. Kick, scream, or cry it out—for a few moments, or more, if needed, but not too much more, if possible.

• B is for BREATH and BREATHING OUT YOUR PAIN. Learn to use the Gift of Breath and then use your ability to lift yourself energetically to a higher level of well-being. Take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, visualize yourself breathing in the colorful and magnificent energy of the Universe or God. (Yes, actually give it a color so you can “see” it more readily.) Watch and feel this powerful healing energy coming in and filling your body with amazing warm, relaxing energy, causing you to feel so relaxed and heavy and at the same time . . . so light that you are aware of your body shifting up energetically.

• C is for CHOICE and CHOOSING THOUGHTS AND IMAGES THAT FEEL GOOD or BETTER. Here’s where you “Replace” your negative energy with positive energy. You choose thoughts and images that lighten your vibrations and enable you to allow in those experiences you have viewed as your intentions, hopes, and dreams. Every moment is about choice. Be conscious of how you are feeling, moment by moment, and choose to focus on anything and everything that brings you relief and feels better or good, including your kids, pets, loved ones, or your favorite funny video. (NOTE TO EDITOR: See attached tipsheet for some healing choices.)

“Practice your ABCs and Face, Embrace, and Replace often,” advises Apollon. “They are the tools that lead to healing.”

If you’re thinking it all sounds a bit too touchy-feely for you, don’t. Apollon says these spiritual healing techniques work, even if you’re a cynic. Feeling good is your birthright. Indeed, you’ve probably experienced the essence of spiritual healing at some point in your life—when you’re so immersed in a project that you lose all sense of time and place, for instance, or when you’re with friends or family and feel a surge of joy and gratitude and “rightness.”

“Spiritual healing is often experienced as a state of harmony, balance, greater well-being, and joyfulness,” says Apollon. “Athletes call it ‘the zone.’ It is an awareness that in our being authentic and unconditionally loving, we are in a sense able to connect with all others who are experiencing the same thing. Being at peace and authentic, we can and do align with the same energy of others, drawing this equally balanced energy to us. And that’s when we start to get the life we long for on a deep ‘soul’ level.”

As a psychologist and an author, Susan Apollon empowers and heals the body, mind, and soul; as an educator, she informs; as a speaker, she inspires and touches the heart.

For more than twenty-five years, Susan has been in private practice in Yardley, PA, evaluating and counseling adults, families, and children who are dealing with difficult life situations similar to what she has personally experienced, researched, and written about, including cancer, other health issues, trauma, and grief.

For more information, please visit www.HealingStoriesOfLoveLossAndHope.com or www.TouchedByTheExtraordinary.com.

By Dr. Julie T. Chen, M.D.

Most people don’t think much about April Fool’s Day because it comes and goes and most of the time the jokes aren’t funny. Although I am also not a person who typically engages in April Fool’s Day pranks, I believe that the health lesson we can gain from this wacky holiday is that laughter and light-heartedness has a strong positive influence on our health.

From numerous epidemiological studies, we know that optimism and light-heartedness carries with it a positive effect on our health and most disease states. There are even disciplines of health therapies that involve laughter and music therapy. How we view things has a significant impact on our health…and so, healing modalities that help us feel happy and joyful also has tremendous positive impact on our health.

I see the benefit of joyful calming healing modalities on a daily basis because I do hypnotherapy as a part of my practice. With appropriate positive imagery, most patients leave the clinic feeling relaxed, rested, and more optimistic. The change in their energy and mood is palpable. They seem to walk taller and straighter with a smile on their face and ease in their step.

If we can actually see the benefits of joy and optimism on the body from the outside, can you imagine how much more impactful those qualities are for our body on the inside?

So, for this April Fool’s Day, I think that it’s more important to focus less on the pranks aspect of this holiday but rather on the light-heardedness inherent in the quality of this wacky holiday. Based on how important optimisim, joy, and happiness is on our overall health, perhaps we need at least one day a week to remind ourselves of the importance of laughter and joy.

So, instead of just one holiday a year to remind us of laughter and jokes, how about if we make a specific day of the week a reminder day for us to remember to be light-hearted and happy even amidst the chaos of a busy schedule. If we forget to intentionally incorporate laughter and joy into our days and only continue onwards with stress and hectic schedules, our body may at some point force us to slow down anyways.

So, let’s make it a priority to remember to laugh, de-stress, and be happy most days of the week. And if we need to mark a certain day of the week off as a ‘Happiness Reminder Day,’ otherwise we will be too inundated in our work to remember, then that’s what we need to do. Even if we might be too busy to laugh and have fun, our body needs it and if it goes too long without it, our body will eventually force us to slow down if we don’t do it preventively.

Dr. Julie T. Chen, M.D. an integrative medicine physician who is board-certified in internal medicine and is also fellowship-trained and board-certified in integrative medicine. She has her own medical practice in San Jose, CA, is the medical director of corporation wellness at several Silicon Valley-based corporations, is on several medical expert panels of websites as well as non-profit organizations, is a recurring monthly columnist for several national magazines, and has been featured in radio, TV, newspaper, and magazine interviews. She incorporates many types of healing modalities into her practice including, but is not limited to, medical acupuncture, Chinese scalp acupuncture, clinical hypnotherapy, strain-counterstrain osteopathic manipulations, and biofeedback. To learn more about Dr. Julie, you can check out her website at www.makinghealthyez.com.

While Attaining a Well of Happiness

Expert Says Too Many Overlook Vital Mind-Body Connection

Yoga has become a popular option for alternative health management. Research has shown the practice can significantly reduce mental and physical stress, improve mood, and slow the aging process.

But some yogis believe many of the estimated 20 million U.S. students are missing the best part of the discipline – the inner happiness attainable through a healthy mind-body connection. They also worry about injuries that result when beginners tackle poses and exercises without proper guidance.

“There are several disciplines of yoga, and with its rich history, the beginner can easily get lost – or worse – injured,” says Mary Jo Ricketson, an experienced yoga practitioner and healthcare specialist, and author of Moving Meditation (www.thegoodwithin.com). A registered nurse, she also holds a master’s degree in education from Northwestern University.

“What I detail in my book is a comprehensive approach for both mind and body. This reciprocal relationship maximizes health benefits, and has exponentially positive consequences beyond the individual.”

People have been practicing yoga for thousands of years, she says. In the West, the practice has integrated with our culture leading to variations including “extreme” yoga. Ricketson warns this sort of exercise can alienate beginners, who may not be ready to “jump in the deep end first.” Without the proper training and guidance, she adds, beginners risk injuring their neck, lower back, knees and shoulders.

The most important step is getting started, Ricketson says. Here are seven things beginners – and anyone practicing yoga – should know to maximize their benefits:

1. Cardiovascular (aerobic) training: As with meditation, focused breathing is a cornerstone of mind-body training. Aerobic means “with oxygen” and aerobic movement increases the flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, including the brain. Cardiovascular training is the single most important aspect of the physical training because it keeps the heart open and strong.

2. Core and strength training: This includes the students’ abdomen and buttocks, and the lower back region, which extends to the base of the skull. Here is where strength, stability and balance originate.

3. Flexibility training (yoga postures): Stretching simply feels good, and it reminds students to not only be more flexible in one’s body, but also one’s mind. This step allows us to move (and live) with greater ease.

4. Adequate rest: Sleep is a necessary part of life, and sufficient rest is needed for energy and equilibrium.

5. Life-giving nutrition: Making the right choices in food allows yoga students to achieve an optimal, balanced state. This includes nutritional foods consumed in moderation.

6. Family/community/church: From Epicurus to modern science, study and observation show that we find greater happiness with access to friends and family.

7. Written goals and a plan of action: Goals and stated intention act as a road map to achieving balanced well-being.

Ricketson says the above steps are just the beginning. She says tapping in to the mind-body connection also helps memory loss, attention deficit disorders, public violence – including in schools – as well as an unknown amount of needless human suffering.

“We all have within us a potential to experience optimal well-being in mind and body,” she says. “This potential, the Good Within, can be realized through the work of mind-body training. Our training is a moving meditation – a daily practice of exercises that awaken all that is Good Within.”

Mary Jo Ricketson has studied human health and well-being for decades, earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a master’s in education. In 1999, she opened the Center for Mind-Body Training, which offers classes, seminars, and personal training. Yoga training is done in her studio, in schools, and in corporate settings. She lives in the Boston area with her husband and two children.

It seems the health effects of being overweight override officials’ concerns about Qnexa, a drug the FDA rejected two years ago.

That shocks weight-loss expert Don Ochs, who says neither diets nor drugs are effective, long-lasting solutions.

“When you understand the biology behind burning off fat versus packing it on, the whole notion of starving yourself on a low-calorie diet is absurd,” says Ochs, developer of the physician-recommended Mobanu Integrated Weight Loss Solution (www.mobanu.com). “And certainly taking a drug that can damage your heart is out of the question.”

Here’s what people should know about biology and weight loss, Ochs says.

• Your body was designed to temporarily store fat because food was not consistently available to our ancestors. They relied on that stored fat to get them through famines, winters and dry seasons. That worked very well until we made huge advances in agriculture and food supplies became abundant and consistently available.

• When food is plentiful, your body will quickly burn fat deposits – those bulges you want to get rid of – for energy. When food is scarce, it burns fat more slowly, to help ensure your survival. That’s why simply eating less is not the best way to lose weight. A low-calorie diet actually tells your body to store fat because food is in short supply.

• You can control whether or not your body stores fat for survival or dumps it for an upcoming time of plenty by sending it the right signals. The types of food you eat, and how much you eat of them, send biologically ingrained messages to your body about whether to store fat or burn it – just like flipping a switch.

• Your body is very efficient at converting certain types of food to fat. These were the foods with natural carbohydrates that were available to our ancestors before a dry season or another winter, such as apples, which ripen in the fall. If you eat these foods, your body interprets it as a signal that lean times are coming so guess what? It starts stocking up on the stored fat.

To address his own weight problem, Ochs spent years studying the biology of fat burning versus fat storing based on research conducted at The Mayo Clinic and the National Institutes of Health. From that perspective he figured out how to recognize when the foods he ate were signaling his body to produce a lot of insulin, which results in storing fat instead of burning it off.

“When you feel very sleepy after a meal, or when you’re full and yet you still crave food, those are signals that you’ve flipped the switch and turned on your insulin production,” he says. “How many carbohydrates flip that switch is different for every person based on genetics.

Losing weight by working with biology and your own individual, genetically encoded insulin triggers is natural and a prescription for long-term success. It doesn’t mean you can eat whatever you want and never exercise, but it does mean you’ll feel full and satisfied and have lots of energy. And keep the weight off.

Donald Ochs is a Colorado entrepreneur, the president and CEO of Ochs Development Co. and M4 Group, an inventor and sports enthusiast. He developed the Mobanu weight loss system based on research conducted at The Mayo Clinic and the National Institutes of Health. The program is endorsed by physicians, nutritionists and exercise experts.

Physician Offers Tips for Saving Money, Assuring Quality

More Americans are paying more of their health-care costs out of pocket every year because they lack insurance, have higher deductibles and co-payments, or have chosen a Health Savings Account plan.

There are ways they can save money without jeopardizing their health and there are steps they should take to ensure they’re getting the best value for their dollars, says physician Angel M. Garcia (www.DoNoHarmDrs.com), an internist who has been in practice for more than 25 years.

Garcia, author of Do No Harm: Saving Our Health-Care System, says patients themselves are the first line of defense in an industry where increasing tensions have created new stressors at every level.

“No physician is beyond becoming burnt out,” he says. “Physicians who are working mechanically, who are no longer interested, committed and enjoying practicing medicine can be a danger to their patients.”

“I’ve heard many patients excuse their doctors by saying, ‘Oh, he’s just burnt out.’ While such loyalty is kind, the issue is one the patient should talk about with their doctor. “You could just say, ‘Hey, Doc, you seem tired. Are you OK?’ You may be surprised how much your doctor appreciates your concern.”

Garcia offers these simple ways patients can save money and ensure their money is well spent:

• For minor illnesses, try over-the-counter medications: Some illnesses might be resolved with non-prescription drugs. Caution: If symptoms aren’t resolved in three to five days, or if they go away but keep returning, you must see a doctor. Garcia recommends Zyrtec-D 12 Hour for allergic sinusitis and upper respiratory infections, hydrocortisone cream for rashes and bug bites. Prilosec for heartburn, Imodium AD for diarrhea.

• Talk to your doctor – if you can’t, change doctors: It doesn’t matter whether your physician is nationally renowned or a Harvard graduate; if he or she doesn’t have time to listen to you, or doesn’t seem interested, find a new doctor. A good place to start is references from friends – but be sure to ask whether they’re happy with their doctor’s bedside manner. “Arrogant but good” is not what you want.

• Be prepared so you get the most out of your visit: The doctor will want to know your chief complaint: when the problem began, how it progressed, what makes it better or worse, any associated symptoms, such as fever. He or she will also need to know what medications you take, including the drug name, dosage, how it’s administered, and frequency. If you take more than one or two medicines regularly, you should make a list and keep this information in your wallet.

• Don’t skip the follow-up visit: When a patient sees a doctor for a medical complaint, a follow-up visit usually is scheduled. Some patients skip these because they feel better, but that may mean the medications have temporarily relieved the symptoms. The follow-up is worth the money to ensure the problem is resolved and no abnormalities remain.

About Dr. Angel M. Garcia - Angel M. Garcia is a practicing physician with more than 25 years of clinical experience. His efforts to help reform the health-care industry include creating standardized, electronic medical records for 38 medical and surgical specialties. Maintained in a centralized patient record database, use of these records can prevent complications of many chronic illnesses, including heart attacks and strokes. Dr. Garcia was a five-time guest speaker at the National Medical Records Institute annual scientific meetings. In 2001, Dr. Garcia was selected as a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and was a guest of President George W. Bush at the White House for the High-Tech Leaders Forum and the Economic Leaders Forum.