Capital Health Plan

Healthline

Volume 14, Number 5: September 2006

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Ask Dr. Nancy

Dr. Nancy

Nancy Van Vessem, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer, Capital Health Plan

This is Dr. Nancy asking a question of all CHP members: Will you experience health for just one week?

My patients who have tried it-patients with low energy or even problems like high blood sugar-come back to me amazed: "It works. I feel good!" Please don't think of the 'experience health experience' as deprivation or sacrifice. It's simply making different choices in three areas: diet, exercise, and sleep. You can do it for only seven days. Then you'll want to keep going.

    Try Dr. Nancy's 'Experience Health' for one week (or more) and let HealthLine know how you feel. Email Lynne Adams Takacs at latakacs@chp.org, or write her at P.O. Box 15349, Tallahassee, FL 32317.

  • Set a date to start after reading the guidelines below. Make your health week official. You'll also want to plan ahead for food shopping and exercise.
  • Food. No fast food for a week. Don't eat a meal from a box or bag. Of course, salad from a fast-food restaurant is okay! A box of raisins is a fine snack. You know what I mean: no burgers, chicken strips, French fries, chips. Drink water instead of sodas. Don't drink alcohol. Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Keep on hand foods that you like, from bananas to broccoli to crunchy carrots. Treats are all right: just reach for strawberries instead of cookies. Don't let an empty refrigerator tempt you to break your pledge.
  • Exercise. For five of the seven days, get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity. Walking is a good choice, or dancing, or martial arts, or yoga. Enjoying the activity is motivating. But even if you're a novice exerciser, don't approach the exercise as an ordeal. Why not choose a half-hour walk instead of a TV show you're only half-watching?
  • Sleep. Go to bed. Falling asleep may not be a choice like eating vegetables, but you can choose not to stay up too late. Set your bedtime to get adequate sleep-seven or eight hours. Rest is as crucial to your body as nutrients and activity.

I hope you'll accept this advice-and challenge. Live well. It's your choice.

HealthLine Had a Makeover

Are you admiring our new look? No architects, work crews, stylists, plastic surgeons, happy hosts, or TV cameras were on hand for the redesign of HealthLine, but we were aiming nevertheless for a strong, positive change-for you, our readers. You'll see fresh colors, a new readable typeface, and easy-to-identify recurring features. The makeover coincides with the launch of the new section Advantage Primetime. Reactions? Suggestions? We'd love to hear. Email Lynne Adams Takacs at latakacs@chp.org, or write her at P.O. Box 15349, Tallahassee, FL 32317

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