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| Walking the Wellness Talk |
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Walking the Wellness Talk Most people have a fair idea of what they can do to live more healthfully, but the truth is that many do not live up to their own expectations. Much of the mediocre health we see in the United States could be greatly improved. I wrote Dan’s Story to illustrate how any person could apply wellness principles to make a big difference in his or her own life. Dan’s Story is written in everyday conversational style. Most readers say that it is easy to read, and the principles it conveys are easy to understand. Dr. David Deci from the West Virginia University School of Medicine says this about it: “Dan’s Story weaves a thread of health information that is pertinent, practical, and readable. [The author] challenges and empowers readers to take ownership of their own health in a way that is inspiring.” However, understanding principles of good health does not automatically translate into living a healthy lifestyle. Why not? The blunt answer is that too many people do not walk their talk. I can give countless examples of this. I’m sure you can also. They are in every walk of life, but some of the most blatant examples are found in the health care field. Overweight doctors and nurses who advise patients to lose weight are an example. Health care workers who don’t exercise are sitting contradictions to their profession. Similarly, therapists who smoke are poster people for disease, not health. I could go on, but you get the point. Society usually sugar coats these facts, but it is time to call a spade a spade. The disease care industry now costs us trillions of dollars every year. It has become an immense economic burden to our nation, weighing down every business sector with its costs. Keeping this in mind, it borders on the obscene to neglect simple, effective ways to prevent disease while we pour trillions of dollars into short-term disease care. Please don’t misunderstand me. I don’t suggest that we should ignore the plight of people who are sick. Clearly, we need to care for them. The larger point, however, is that we can and should do all we can to prevent disease. The consensus of health experts is that more than 75 percent of disease in our country is preventable. This is huge in terms of numbers of people who can benefit, and the related favorable impact on our entire nation. Dr. Robert Lawrence from Johns Hopkins University says: “Dan’s Story is an engaging account of a contemporary Everyman whose unhealthy personal behaviors put him at risk of premature death. [The author] skillfully introduces the kind of support team that all Americans could have in a patient-centered and prevention-oriented health system.” In short, a truly healthy America is not simply pie-in-the-sky theory. It is actually possible. I will teach a class on healthy living at Central Florida Community College in Lecanto in February and March. It will be based on Dan’s Story, and we will discuss practical ways of applying wellness guidelines in life. It will be all about walking our talk when it comes to health. Anyone interested in learning more about a healthy lifestyle is welcome to attend, but class size will be limited to fifty people. Call CFCC at the office of continuing education (352-249-1210) for details. I would love to see you there! |