Category Archives: body activity

How Exercise and Weight Gain are Connected

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Updated:  2/28/2020, Marc Woodard

Although your favorite fitness guru or celebrity may be the picture of health and you want to look just like them…  Keep this in mind, they make a lot of money selling fitness products and services they don’t necessarily use; and may actually cause you to gain weight rather than lose it. Which may be just the opposite of a desired result you hope to achieve.

Aerobic workouts good for the cardio Muscular endurance
Improve cardio Muscular endurance and fat burning results.

Regardless of exercise equipment and dietary products that guarantees weight loss by these professionals – The odds are not in your favor these programs will work long term for you. Why? Unless you have a customized fitness program relevant and specifically designed for your weight loss expectations, weight gain may be the result.

Relevant fitness programming should include individual lifestyle and cultural assessments that include: behavioral habits, medical condition/history, genetics, body type… fitness goals and expectation. For example, do you want to be body fat lean, increase muscle mass, or strength; improve cardio and/or muscular endurance and flexibility? The aforementioned assessments will help define, relate and apply a fitness program that’s right and will work for you.

For those whose fitness goal is to lose body fat – science shows us how exercise can add on pounds if other lifestyle factors are not considered within the programming process especially as we age. But for this exercise we’ll specifically focus on exercise and fuel source to burn more body fat weight.

It is interesting to note, regardless of the billions of dollars invested within the fitness industry our nations population is becoming fatter. So we are either becoming more sedentary, sick with disease, exercising incorrectly and/or our dietary and addictive habits – which also influence bad behavior.

Which is it? I say a combination of all the above. And this reality has a lot to do with not understanding the human anatomy and physiology and marketplace fitness and diet gimmicks that promise to fix us. In my opinion these health illiteracy issues should be addressed within our K-12 education system. If this occurred, future generations would learn to value a healthier lifestyle – which would help reduce the obesity and connected disease problems now plaguing the nation.

With that being said consider the following statistics.

45 million Americans now belong to health clubs, up from 23 million in 1993. We spend some $19 billion a year on gym memberships. One major study illustrates – The Minnesota Heart Survey found more of us say we exercise. From 1980 to 2000, 47% of respondents exercised regularly and then these figures increased to 57%, ending the 20 year survey. Even with 45 million people today using fitness centers obesity figures increased during this period. The Federal government’s definition of obesity classifies 1/3 of all Americans as obese. Those that participated in the survey admitted after they exercise, their hungrier and eat more. This is not to discount the notion that those who may not participate in gym activities may weigh more otherwise.

Let’s look at a significant study that specifically addresses the compensation effect on body after exercise and what this really means for your weight management program.

In general, for weight loss, exercise is pretty useless, says Eric Ravussin, chair in diabetes and metabolism at Louisiana State University, a prominent exercise researcher. Although exercise does burn calories, it also makes us hungrier. Exercise, in other words, isn’t necessarily helping us lose weight. It may even be making it harder.

The compensation Problem “ The PLoS (Public Library of Science) published a remarkable study supervised by a colleague of Ravussin’s Dr. Timothy Church. Four groups totaling 464 overweight women who didn’t regularly exercise were selected for this study. Women in 3 of the groups worked with a personal trainer for 6 months; Group 1 exercised – 72 minutes/wk, Group 2 exercised- 136 minutes/wk and Group 3 exercised – 194 minutes/week. Although the study did not specify the exercise routines, one gets the notion exercises were balanced between aerobic and anaerobic activity with a personal assigned trainer.

The women in the 4th cluster did not change their lifestyle activities, but did fill out a monthly health questionnaire. The results were surprising. All groups of women lost weight, even the control group. It is most likely the control group through the use of monthly questionnaires learned more about their health and thereby modified their diets by eating fewer donuts, muffins, Starbucks coffee, for example. Some of the women in each group actually gained weight, some up to 10 pounds. Church calls this the compensation effect. Whether exercise made them hungry, or they wanted to reward themselves. Most of the women who exercised ate more than they did before they started the experiment!

Church states, we all need to move toward proper weight control, but stressing and depleting the body’s muscles in short bursts using stressful exercise is not necessarily the best way to loss body weight. Also the brain may feel greater entitlement to eat fast foods after we’ve exerted most of our high intensity energy at the gym. Instead, energy would have been better served by increasing daily activities like walking, healthy food shopping, preparing wholesome meals, gardening, a balanced mix using gym activities, walking, biking, etc.

[Quote excerpts posted above, Published by Time Magazine, August 17, 2009, Why Exercise Won’t Make you Thin, by John Cloud]

Exercise Science shows us anaerobic activity during weight lifting activities increases muscle mass with less stimulation of the fat burning metabolism. Muscle mass increases do occur when muscle bulking exercise out-paces aerobic fat burning exercise. The goal of burning more body fat weight requires a greater commitment to daily aerobic exercise activity within the low-medium intensity effort. So on a scale of 1-10 effort, if you exercise within a perceived physical exertion of ~4-7, you burn more body fat during aerobic exercise.

Optimizing weight loss results while toning the body requires a relevant fitness training program that will work for you. For example, if you find an aerobic exercise program you enjoy participating in daily, the odds are you’ll experience sustainable weight loss success.

Walk Daily with a Buddy

For nearly anyone who wants to lose more body fat weight without experiencing extreme hunger spikes, a low-medium intensity aerobic activity such as daily walking, jogging or biking and hiking will help achieve the objective. This is because our aerobic metabolism prefers burning fat fuel during low-intensity, long duration exercise. During high-intensity exercise, the body prefers burning carbohydrates. The carbohydrates present a limited fuel storage source compared to stored body fat. Once carbohydrate fuel is spent through high-intensity exercise – the body feels hungry.

Regardless of exercise program chosen,

Having a balanced and nutritious diet in place prior to starting an exercise program is important to achieve the weight loss results you desire.

 If your not sure how to custom design a fitness and nutrition program to achieve a natural weight loss objective  – might I suggest investing in a professional fitness trainer or fit healthy lifestyle consultant with a degree in Exercise Science/physiology.

Once the encompassing being [mind, body and spirit] achieves a sustainable fit healthy lifestyle balance of diet and daily exercise… achieving any fitness goal is possible. Including loss of unhealthy body weight that has a direct connection with illness and disease.

Author: Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, ARNG, CPT, RET. 2018 Copyright. All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Inc., www.mirrorathlete.org, Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

Back Pain Relief Wisdom

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Last Updated: 24 Jan 2016

The most common muscular skeletal weight bearing pain typically occur within the lower back for many. Whereas soft tissue and bone, or musculoskeletal tissue becomes compromised. Which include nerves, cartilage, disc, ligaments and tendons where localized swelling, soreness and aggravating and radiating pain occur.

Human studies and statistics have shown low back pain will account for more sick leave and disability time than any other single medical condition. Nearly 80% of all adults will experience back pain some time in their lives. It is for this reason it is important to understand how to take preventative and corrective measures to avoid, alleviate and timely treat weight bearing joint pain. Also recognize the difference between common causes of back pain, severity of condition and treatment course options.

Weight bearing and repetitive physical work pain is often medically defined as an acute or chronic pain condition that may be caused by injury, postural imbalance, repeated physical activity and diagnosed as a strain or sprain, or compression injury, or Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). A Repetitive Strain Injury is also known as Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD). Which has a compromised muscle-tendon relationship. Some cause examples of these pain disorders may be a result of the following activities: administrative work, gardening, biking, walking, jogging, running, sports, commercial painting, plumbing, electrical and other laborious work etc.

“There are also chronic nerve compression injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome. In these cases, the spaces through which the nerves run are narrowed due to inflammation or fluids putting pressure on the nerves” (Kriskarr 2012).

Of course there are many pathological musculoskeletal compromise possibilities which could cause weight bearing or low back pain in vertebra joints. Some of the more familiar diseases of the back are: degenerative discs [wear & tear on between vertebra space], herniated discs, [swollen, and irritated overblown discs], spinal stenosis [narrowing of vertebrae canal presenting sciatica radiating numbness and pain down the leg].

Off Road Trail Hiking Exercise.
Remove back pain and experience off road trail hikes, enjoy nature and get more daily exercise.

Regardless, our focus is not to play doctor or learn all the possible causes of back pain. But instead to understand how to recognize and prevent unnecessary pain through prevention and seek corrective medical treatment when needed.

Poor ergonomic posture or laborious repetitive work or sedentary lifestyle combined with weight gain almost always put undue stress immediately on the low back. And when poor work and activity posture, footwear and overweight conditions are not addressed, it’s just a matter of time before weight bearing joints begin to ache, strain and become painful. If left uncorrected that pain will worsen, slow you down and increase risk of injury and put you out of commission.

The biggest difference between strains vs. sprain is the severity of injury and healing time. For instance sprains are typically long-term injuries which may or may not require surgery and almost always require physical therapy and rest to alleviate the compromised soft tissue condition.

Most of us are familiar, or have experienced a strained [overstretched] or sprained tendon, ligament or muscle. Sprains are often verified and substantiated using MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) equipment to determine exact locality, severity and corrective treatment for tissue damage. The technology can see the degree of partial or full tear of soft tissue sprain often associated with significant swelling and bruising of injury site. Whereas x-ray typically cannot and is mostly used to confirm broken and fractured bone and observe bone density health.

Many who experience weight bearing pain of the foot, ankle, knee, hip, back or neck don’t make the pain origin or cause connection. That pain cause is often the result of musculoskeletal postural misalignment. Whereas misalignment of musculoskeletal weighted posture starting at the feet cause imbalance and joint instability while walking, working and during exercise activity. And this condition often results in multiple radiating joint pain areas up the body’s trunk and can cause a painful limp.

Like pain free body posture, A tree is only as healthy as the foundation.
Like pain free body posture without compromised food mechanics… a tree is only as healthy as the root foundation system.

The sole of the foot is like a tree root system. For instance, when the soil erodes from one side of a soil bank, the tree may begin to lean due to a breach of ground foundation stability. Then the roots on the opposite side grow and strengthen and absorb the stress to keep the tree growing upright.

Ageless MirrorAthlete – Life the lifestyle you need, want and deserve now!

Through time the trunk grows slightly offset to relieve stress on the compromised root system, but may cause the mid-line tree trunk to crack or snap during a heavy wind storm. Similar to upright walking posture, if walking with a painful lower back caused by a compromised foot foundation, if left uncorrected this condition will have an effect on an number of distal weight bearing joints [foot-to-knee-hip-back pain]. Whereas poor foot mechanics like the compromised tree root system make it likely to cause multiple joint pain and injury possibilities.

However it is possible with corrective insoles and supportive footwear to realign and balance body posture and completely alleviate stress and pain of other affected joints, even the neck and shoulders. In this case the corrective lift at the insole, or bottom of foot may realign the low back and neck vertebrae simultaneously while removing a painful limp caused by sciatica for example.

If any type of acute joint pain condition appears more frequent and severe, Pay Attention! It is important to remember weight bearing pain is often a result of unconditioned physical body, sedentary lifestyle, overweight condition and improper footwear, or disease. The good news is it can be corrected if timely action is taken.  Like a tire realignment, corrected foot mechanics can achieve the pain free goal.

Recommendations to treat weight bearing pain before it becomes chronic

  1. If experiencing acute weight bearing pain: a) “Apply Ice right away. Ice reduces inflammation and pain. Be careful not to use ice for more than 15-20 minutes, every 2 hours. Even though heat is used to ease tension & soreness, heat might cause more swelling in the first 2-3 days.  b) “Place the ice on the painful area in a fanny pack while you are up and moving around. Apply ice consistently as long as you have swelling and pain.” c) “If you have diabetes or circulatory problems, limit applying ice and heat to 8-10 minutes.” d) “Take medication as directed. Common medications are acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (such as Motrin) and naproxen sodium (such as Aleve). In some cases, prescription pain medications may help. It may take 10 to 14 days of taking it as prescribed to be fully effective.” 

Reference: (Kaiser Permanente Brochure Recommendations, Items 1, a-d) 

Note: If you experience any abnormal pain seek medical advisement, diagnosis and treatment from your doctor immediately.

  1. Maintain Ideal Body Weight. Simply enter into any Internet search engine, BMI (Body Mass Index) use free calculator, enter your height and weight. This will give you an ideal of whether or not you’re underweight, normal or overweight for your current body mass stature. If too heavy over normal body weight for height, you’re at increased risk for weight bearing pain. Most specifically: foot, ankle, knee, hip, back.
  • Perform daily aerobic exercise to burn fat (e.g., bike, walk, aerobic dance exercise not less than 3/week @ 20-30min/day).  When heart rate is increased for extended periods of exercise, the body's metabolism during aerobic activity burns more of the preferred fuel source from body fat.
  • Balanced nutrition:  consume more fiber, drink more water and decrease total calorie intake daily.  Remove high processed fat and sugar foods and drinks. Focus more on shopping and consuming fresh whole foods more in line with Mediterranean diet which contains plenty of fish, fruits and vegetables. Avoid fried foods if possible.
  • If your feet are in pain, the likelihood of sustaining daily aerobic exercise activity is greatly reduced. Seek a referral from your Primary Physician to get a diagnosis and treatment from podiatrist (foot specialist). See if your foot posture is the cause of your weight bearing pain.
  • Realize:  a) In order to perform daily aerobic exercise activity will likely require good insoles and footwear to offset pain and lose weight.  b) Don't pay $300-$1500/year for custom molded insoles out-of-pocket from your podiatrist if you don't have to.  First try inexpensive insoles at a local pharmacy if your HMO has a high  deductible. When you find a Dr. Scholes foot analysis machine: Simply stand on the free foot analysis imprint at the base of the machine to receive corrective insole recommended selection based on foot insole hot spot(s). However, do see your doctor to positively determine pain cause and origin, especially if the generic insoles don't work for you. If you do get a referral to podiatrist, decide if you want to try the inexpensive insoles before paying the cost of customized insoles. Especially if you have to pay over $50.00.
  • Do you need surgery or other treatment? Ask your doctor about Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS). "Electrical nerve stimulation is a procedure that uses an electrical current to treat chronic pain. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) are two types of electrical nerve stimulation. In either case a small pulse generator sends electrical stimuli that interfere nerve impulses to alleviate the pain" (WebMD 2014). "Reports show SCS use results in: 84% reported that their quality of life was improved or greatly improved, 77% had good or excellent pain relief, and 82% decreased their use of pain medications" (St. Jude Medical 2016).
  • Tens Therapy - electro muscular-stimulation can provide significant pain relief. Ask your doctor about obtaining a Tens unit through health care coverage, or if covered to receive electro muscular-stimulation physical therapy sessions.  "Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a therapy sometimes used to treat localized or regional pain. During TENS therapy, electrodes deliver electrical impulses to nearby nerve pathways' which can help control or relieve some types of pain. TENS is often used to treat osteoarthritis and chronic and postoperative pain" (Thompson 2014).
  • Tens units can also be purchased on-line, or provided by HMO.
  • Acupuncture - May also reduce chances of chronic back pain from occurring. "One of the largest studies to date on acupuncture and chronic pain, a meta-analysis of 29 well-conducted studies involving nearly 18,000 patients and published in October 2012 in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that acupuncture is effective for treating chronic pain and therefore is a reasonable referral option" (Palermo 2015).
  • If acute back, or any joint pain seems abnormal or Intolerable, or you’ve recently experienced an injury consult your physician immediately for diagnosis and treatment.

    Citations:

    Kriskarr. “What Is a Compression Injury?” VACUPRACTOR. Vacupractor, 23 Oct. 2012. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.

    Thompson, Jeffrey, M.D. “TENS Therapy: An Option for Fibromyalgia Treatment?” – Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.

    Palermo, By Elizabeth. “What Is Acupuncture?” LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 05 Mar. 2015. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.

    St. Jude Medical. “Power Over Your Pain.” Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Proven Therapy for Pain. St. Jude Medical, Inc., 2016. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.

    WebMD. “Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Chronic Pain.” WebMD. WebMD, 12 Mar. 2014. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.

    Author: Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, ARNG, CPT, RET. 2016 Copyright. All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Inc., www.mirrorathlete.org, Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

    Challenging Social Disability Expectation

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    Updated: 17 May 2015

    I know many out there are hurting with disabling mental, spiritual and physical pain thinking there is nothing more that can be done to improve the situation. What is a social disability expectation? I coined this term back in 2004 when I understood my injury was permanent causing lifelong pain that must be managed daily. Through this time it was apparent I was looked at by many as a disability casualty that met the social disability expectation… one who couldn’t provide for self and family; and that was a very depressing point in time for me.

    I do understand the feelings associated with loss of finances, immobility, productivity, loneliness, worth and dignity. I’ve personally experienced these things during my own physical adversary and mobility challenge from 2003 to 2008 after injury. And one thing I know for certain, physical loss almost always leads to mental depression. And if not prepared with a plan to beat it, the mind and body begin to experience more illness and pain.

    However, if you are able to mobilize your body for longer periods of time throughout the day, especially outdoors when possible, nature has a way of inspiring, providing solutions and purpose, while allowing the mind and body to heal. The encompassing being when connected to God’s universe have healing energy.

    Regardless of whether you’re recovering from injury, addiction, illness or disease and feel broke, you can be made whole again through self-healing effort. Even when temporarily or permanently confined to a wheelchair, dependent on crutches or cane(s); or have loss of limb(s). We’re capable of finding new and exciting purpose while enjoying life to the fullest.

    Walking desolate dried up Northern California lakes and river beds for exercise and shear adventure.

    When the mind and body are stimulated, energized and challenged by changing environmental surroundings and activity; the brains cerebrum thinks, perceives and processes everything within and around it. Through transport of mind and body the processing of sight, sound, smell, sense and touch stimulation and spiritual elements have therapeutic and healing benefits.

    However, if the mind actually believes the body cannot receive such a benefit through exercise activities then a disabled social expectation may likely result within the mind’s eye.

    All too often we tend to lock ourselves away when we become mentally and physically ill or hurt, or disease enters our lives. Then ponder on all the whos me head games. Why did this happen, why won’t the pain stop, why can’t I continue the same lifestyle I had before, why should I continue to self-improve when it’s physically and mentally too hard and it hurts?

    Instead of focusing on the negatives… focus on all the positives to heal sooner than later. For instance, determine who you trust well enough to share how you feel. Create a support group, let them help you find answers and treatment leads, identify healthy and positive environments to surround yourself within while going through physical and mental adversity. Find the best treatment and social, and therapeutic support group(s) possible; then focus on creative purpose during a self-healing time. And realize, you can live life to the fullest once you apply new and other challenging lifestyle change goals – Your capable of achieving. Climbing your way out of adversity to a better life scenario is possible, but you have to believe it is possible.

    I believed for a short period of time my new purpose in life was to live as a disability casualty, or learn to live the way I believed society and medical doctors viewed and classified me. Especially as I struggled to walk correctly with mobility aids for many years while battling pain depression. It became apparent post op recovery… psychologist, orthopedic specialists and physiatrist recommendations were to live life as comfortable as possible and not stress over the things I could no longer physically do. However, those words were easier said than done, due to neurological pain complications radiating throughout my body after my first hip surgery.

    Marc after Second Hip Surgery
    Nothing easy about a post op and recovery scenario [Jan 2004 left bone graph surgery]

    At that time of my bone graph surgery to save my left hip, I didn’t understand how to reinvent myself within a less mobile and pain ridden body during the healing process. This was my physical adversity challenge that would continue from 2002-20 after my 3rd hip surgery and 2nd total hip replacement.

    Ageless MirrorAthlete Covers fit healthy lifestyle and physical, mental and spiritual adversity and how to self-heal. Learn how to live the life you need, want and deserve now.

    Make no mistake, it makes no difference if depression begins within your mind’s eye… or caused by substantiated medical diagnosis, etc. Severe and chronic depression can be coupled with a mental or physical disorder, illness and/or disease or injury and is a serious medical condition. And without proper treatment and support may spell disaster for a patient on the mend.

    In either case, the psychosomatic [brain and body] are connected through Neuro biochemical transmitter conduits [hormones, and feel good chemical pathways]. The point being, mental and physical illness, disorders and disease can all depress, stress and cause neurological pain through the same neuro transmitter conduits which can further sicken and disable the encompassing being.

    I know many of you have woken up on certain days and felt bad, or under the weather and didn’t go to work. Imagine feeling that way every day. How would that affect your daily activities, mood, feelings and outlook on life? And what would you be willing to do to make yourself numb to those feeling? Begin a bad drug or drinking habit? Or fight your way back from the obis through self-healing mind-body-spiritual activities.

    When the mind is sickened and depressed then the body and spirit often follow suit. And when this goes on for too long mental fatigue transmits less of the healing feel good chemical energy (serotonin, dopamine and adrenalin, etc.) the body produces. Then puts more stress on bodily functions, immune system and cellular health. Then as internal and external environmental stressors continue, increased oxidative cellular damage occurs internally. Thereby increasing risk of illness and disease and more physical and mental pain depression.

    IMG_0277
    So many ways to mobilize the body and experience life to the fullest.

    I know from expert medical consultation and educational experiences there is a universal energy capable of healing all that ails us [1/3 encompassing being spirit]. Reversing ill-health can be accomplished through lifestyle change that connects our physical being to nature’s spiritual energy. My healthy spiritual connection occurs during daily walking activity within wooded and rural trail systems.

    Let’s get back to your changed lifestyle – like mine, caused injury or disease or mental disorder. You may/may not have limited mobility, take drugs to manage pain, or bodily systems and receive a disability check monthly. People in general understand disability payments is a needed resource for those clinically diagnosed as disabled. What becomes bad about those payments are when recipients stop living life to the fullest when in fact capable of doing so much more with their lives.

    For example, some believe their not capable of doing anything after disability rating and award of monthly support. Other than living a sedentary lifestyle and stuck inside their home while partially or fully mobile. And others fear if they try to increase activity or become more productive, they may lose their financial support. In either case this type of thinking is justified. But you can think and act differently while receiving support to improve your lifestyle without worry of losing any benefits. Especially if you have a substantiated medical diagnosis or claim.

    Which life road will you choose? A path of adventure and purpose, or isolation.

    One does not have to live a 100% disabled and sedentary lifestyle if no living on 100% disability support. There’s room to increase daily mobility and exercise activity and improve productivity, while managing pain without fear of losing financial support. Keep this in mind, once substantiated and administratively signed off as disabled by a medical doctor, this will not stop you’re disability checks unless you’re gaming the system [an entirely different scenario and discussion].

    If you’re now suffering from a depressed state of mind, body and spirit, realize no matter the physical adversity challenge, you have greater purpose in life than meeting a 100% social disability expectation. For instance, does physical disability mean your brain or body is not capable to some degree to make physical, and mental improvement throughout time?

    Does the disability expectation we often lead ourselves to believe mean there’s no greater good one could aspire because of partial, or full immobility, disease, mental disorder and pain challenge situation? Does this mean a broken body or mind can’t work to reason and mend itself out of depression and limited mobility with proper treatment and support resources?

    The point is, everyone has purpose on planet earth. Your decision to make – will you accept your disability as a lifelong sentence without hope of better circumstances? Or will you fight for happiness, purpose and quality of life experiences for the sake of self and family… will you do everything possible to heal and live life to the fullest with your loved ones? Remember, they need you as bad as you need them… their worth fighting for…

    Family Needs You…

    To fight and die for country, cause or family is often considered noble and honorable. To lie down without a fight serves no purpose, especially when capable of doing more. In my mind, only total incapacitation [hospice care] should relieve one of further service and purpose and responsibility to self, family and community. In that situation… life purpose has been served to the fullest in our organic bodies.

    Even if your diagnosis and health condition is classified as stationary permanent (means condition is stable, may/may not improve and “may” get worse with age) is certainly no reason to throw in the towel. To age without challenging substantiated disability can only increase other health risk. Especially when depression begins its insidious course on the organic brain and body.

    If lack of mobility causes body weight to climb, then cardio and circulatory disease often follow and may further complicate disability circumstances. And when you see no way out of a progressive disease then you experience more mental and physical pain and depression that need not be.

    Don’t let disability and society dictate how to live your life. Don’t accept or fulfill a social disability expectation that’s less purposeful than your capable of sustaining… especially when capable of doing so much more.

    Be a MirrorAthlete Warrior and take back as much of your life as possible.

    See the world and enjoy yourself in social gathering space and experience positive life interactions and begin believing self-healing is possible.

    Live life to the fullest, with purpose and in a way that makes you feel good about your time here on earth. Then you may experience life to the fullest with no regrets and find peace within your mind’s eye, heart and soul.

    Author: Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, ARNG, CPT, RET. 2015 Copyright. All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Inc., www.mirrorathlete.org, Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.