Listen to Your Body

There are contradicting reports about every aspect of health. How are we supposed to know what is best for our body? A good place to start is by feeling (listening to our body) and thinking about our habits, and getting more information when necessary.

Your body has a built-in message system with channels routed along the nervous system and centered in the brain. Sometimes the message is sent as pain, sometimes as a sense of wellness. These effects may be realized after the behavior is stopped, after the behavior is begun, or not at all. You aren't born knowing causes and effects (external or internal) of behavior. Listen and learn.

When you "listen" to your body, what is it "telling" you? Maybe your body has sent messages (ie. shoulder pain) but you don't know how to interpret them. Even more challenging are messages that can be easily misinterpreted (i.e. tired = dehydrated, or malnourished, or tired = been awake too long).

Even without an owners manual, we are not lost in the dark about our own body. Our knowledge about life grows by leaps and bounds each day. Let our self awareness as a species and as individuals expand as you apply thought to your own behaviors and situations and the effects they have on your unique body.

Listen / respond / listen / respond / listen... feel good.

This is not intended as medical advice which should be obtained directly from your doctor.

The Buddy Ssytem

For even better results try the buddy system. Not someone who walks with you to the bakery for donuts, not someone who cancels on you four out of five times.

Find someone who is either a neighbor or nearby friend who would also like the extra help of a walking or a workout buddy. Or you can take your own or borrow a 4-legged friend for a walking buddy.

For best results you can hire a personal trainer who will have health and exercise expertise to help you beyond the average workout-buddy.

Personal Trainers

Personal Trainers should be experts in exercise and health. There are several educational and certification programs they may have credentials with. Here are links to some of the certification organizations:

IFPA, the International Fitness Professionals Association http://www.ifpa-fitness.com/

IDEA Health and Fitness Association http://www.ideafit.com/

ACE, American Council on Exercise http://www.acefitness.org/

Your local health club can refer you to a nearby personal trainer. You might also find this link helpful for finding a personal trainer to work with http://www.privatetraining.com/Personal_Trainer_Search.htm

A physical therapist specializes recovery from injury. A personal trainer is focused on more generally fitness and working with you to meet your health goals.

This is not intended as medical advice which should be obtained directly from your doctor.