One of my goals for 2009 is to use my talents, skills and experiences to help others achieve their goals. In order for me to achieve this goal, I had to over-come one major road block. My first step in reaching my goal was to take a moment and look at what talents that I wanted to share with the rest of the world. I think that was the first step and most important step. I know that for some of us, we have talents that have brought us a level of success and we are selfish and refuse to share. I possessed that same selfish attitude however; I have learned in doing that you also hinder your personal growth by blocking opportunities to learn from what others have to offer. In my moment of pausing, and to no one surprise, I know that I can offer others my talents in the area of physical fitness. I feel this is one of my strengths because I have achieved success in this area.
As early as 5th grade, I led my gym class with the teacher's permission in warm-ups and exercise. In High School I ran track and wrestled. In my early twenties, I was an amateur boxer in NYC making it to the Golden Gloves semi-finals and finals. I also won the Ohio nationals and was a finalist in the Florida nationals. Today, I run marathons across the country and to date I have completed ten (10) marathons and 1 half-marathon. I mention my accomplishments to clearly demonstrate my ability to perform at a high level of competition. More important, I want to illustrate my discipline and subsequently prove that I can share with others and assist them to reach their goals of physical fitness.
I use the term physical fitness because it is broad and encompasses so much. Physical fitness is subjective in itself. So let me be a little more specific. Consult your doctor to make sure that your ready for a daily fitness regiment. Next, purchase the correct footwear and equipment you will need. I can tell you from my life experience that you do not need a gym membership to achieve your fitness goals; all you need is discipline. To achieve discipline is simply repetitive habits. If you have a goal of completing an Iron Man triathlon or just losing ten pounds, I can assist you. Let me start by saying that, I can only give you advice and motivate you. Here are a few basic principle to following:
Step One: VISION!!!!!! You must see yourself reaching your fitness goal. You have to see that dress fitting your curves perfectly. You have to see that suit edging over your shoulders and flatting out at your mid-section. You must see yourself walk/running that mile or completing a 10K race for breast cancer awareness.
Step Two: Look at what you’re eating. 85% of your fitness goals will be determined by what you put in your mouth. Yes, life is about moderation however your discipline determines your destination.
Step Three: You have to block off at least one hour per day to do activities to achieve your fitness goals. Yes, we have many things going on in our lives. The kids, the spouse, the job, the dog, the cat....the, the, the. Now, you must say for an hour it is about “the YOU!!!”
If you’re reading this and you need help, I have taken the first step toward helping you and now you must take the next steps to help yourself. Please send me your questions or concerns and I will help: lmcallister@ebonihouse.org Together there is nothing that will stop us.
Praise, Peace and Blessings
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Diabetes - Breaking the Cycle
In this five week series on the state of health for men of color, I have shared my private family experiences. It is my hope that by making myself vulnerable, it will help someone make better health choices for themselves and their family. I am a firm believer in that if you don't learn from your history, then you are going to repeat it. As men of color, there are a number of health issues and diseases that we have a greater genetic disposition to develop. For example, Hypertension, Diabetes, Sickle Cell Anemia and Prostate Cancer are among these diseases. However, many chronic illnesses that we suffer from are preventable if men receive regular physicals or wellness examinations. This year my brother passed away from complications caused by diabetes. My brother was 52 years young and his death triggered a lot of suppressed emotion. My brother (who was a Jr.) was a few years younger than my father when he passed away. Like my father, my brother had a poor diet and drank alcohol. As with my father's death, it appeared that his disease was under control. A lot of people have a fatalistic attitude that if your mother and your father and your grandmother had diabetes, that you're destined to have it and there's nothing you can do about it, and that's just not true.
So, now I search for the lessons. How or what can I do to improve my health and the health of others. What can I possible say that will impact change in ones behavior to conquer what appear to be a formidable enemy?
Lesson 1:
It more likely for African American men to develop one or more of the serious complications associated with the disease. These complications include amputation, kidney failure, blindness, and cardiovascular disease. For example, African Americans are 1.5 to 2.5 times more likely to have a limb amputated than any other groups with diabetes.
Lesson 2:
You can control type 2 diabetes. Here are the A B C’s to do that: A is your hemoglobin A1c level, which tells you how well you're managing your blood sugar. Keeping A1c levels at 7 or below reduces the risk of eye, kidney, and nerve damage. B is your blood pressure. The goal is to maintain a reading of 130/80 or below to protect your kidneys and eyes and prevent stroke. C is your cholesterol. Have your doctor check your cholesterol level and keep it within a safe range. LDL or "bad" cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dL.
Lesson 3: Know and manage your risks factors
• Obesity
• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• Substance abuse
There are tons of web sites that have information on the Internet that you can obtain to help you teach others about the consequence of diabetes. African American suffers the highest rates of diabetes. Please pass this information along and help me to break the cycle. Thanks.
Peace and Blessings
So, now I search for the lessons. How or what can I do to improve my health and the health of others. What can I possible say that will impact change in ones behavior to conquer what appear to be a formidable enemy?
Lesson 1:
It more likely for African American men to develop one or more of the serious complications associated with the disease. These complications include amputation, kidney failure, blindness, and cardiovascular disease. For example, African Americans are 1.5 to 2.5 times more likely to have a limb amputated than any other groups with diabetes.
Lesson 2:
You can control type 2 diabetes. Here are the A B C’s to do that: A is your hemoglobin A1c level, which tells you how well you're managing your blood sugar. Keeping A1c levels at 7 or below reduces the risk of eye, kidney, and nerve damage. B is your blood pressure. The goal is to maintain a reading of 130/80 or below to protect your kidneys and eyes and prevent stroke. C is your cholesterol. Have your doctor check your cholesterol level and keep it within a safe range. LDL or "bad" cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dL.
Lesson 3: Know and manage your risks factors
• Obesity
• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• Substance abuse
There are tons of web sites that have information on the Internet that you can obtain to help you teach others about the consequence of diabetes. African American suffers the highest rates of diabetes. Please pass this information along and help me to break the cycle. Thanks.
Peace and Blessings
Friday, December 5, 2008
November 7, 1991 - The Day the Earth Stood Still
I was living in New York City, single, no children, dating and working as a diagnostic child protective caseworker in the Bronx. It was a fairly warm day for that time of the year in New York and elders would call that Indian summer. I just purchased my first vehicle in July of that year (a white Jeep wrangler). And like most of my contemporaries, I added a number of accessories to the vehicle to make it stand out. My music system was top of the line and you could hear me coming way before I arrived. I left work that day feeling good about who I was and what I was accomplishing overall in my life; and then the pebble hit the water. Ervin “Magic” Johnson announced that he tested positive for HIV; the virus that causes AIDS. MAGIC????? Magic Johnson, who is an African American male, married, and heterosexual, was one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
I almost fainted. I reacted in such an extreme manner because I was in my early twenties, single (as I stated above) and engaging in high risk heterosexual behavior. At the time, many Americans viewed AIDS as a gay white man's disease. A boxer being knocked to the canvas and given an eight count would best describe what most people especially Black men were feeling. Since that announcement, millions of people world wide have died and fallen victim to the virus that causes AIDS. Also, with the advancement of medicine and medical treatment, millions of people are now living “normal” lives while being infected with HIV.
(Please visit: http://www.stopaids.org/resources/std_info/definitions.html for a complete definition on HIV and AIDS)
In 2008, CDC estimated that approximately 56,300 people were newly infected with HIV in 2006 (the most recent year that data are available). Over half (53%) of these new infections occurred in gay and bisexual men. African American men and women were also strongly affected and were estimated to have an incidence rate that was 7 times greater than the incidence rate among whites. HIV is also the health problem with the largest racial disparity; 80% of new AIDS diagnoses and deaths are among African Americans and Hispanics. Statistics show that the increase in HIV among African American men is a result of same sex behavior (MSM, “down low brothers); and those same men have heterosexual patterns also.
HIV doesn’t come with an immediate death sentence. It’s almost fashionable. Our perception of someone withering away is long gone.
HIV is now treated like sugar diabetes or any other chronic disease.
Society has become “bullet proof” to this epidemic and worldwide pandemic. Yes, you can live with HIV but like other chronic illnesses, your quality of life is greatly reduced and is met with constant challenges.
There is so much information on HIV education and prevention available to the public. For instance, abstinence and use of condom greatly reduces your chances of becoming infected. If you are sexually active (with one or 100 partners, single, married, engaged, etc.) know your status by getting tested yearly.
What would you tell a young person who’s about to become sexually active about HIV?
I almost fainted. I reacted in such an extreme manner because I was in my early twenties, single (as I stated above) and engaging in high risk heterosexual behavior. At the time, many Americans viewed AIDS as a gay white man's disease. A boxer being knocked to the canvas and given an eight count would best describe what most people especially Black men were feeling. Since that announcement, millions of people world wide have died and fallen victim to the virus that causes AIDS. Also, with the advancement of medicine and medical treatment, millions of people are now living “normal” lives while being infected with HIV.
(Please visit: http://www.stopaids.org/resources/std_info/definitions.html for a complete definition on HIV and AIDS)
In 2008, CDC estimated that approximately 56,300 people were newly infected with HIV in 2006 (the most recent year that data are available). Over half (53%) of these new infections occurred in gay and bisexual men. African American men and women were also strongly affected and were estimated to have an incidence rate that was 7 times greater than the incidence rate among whites. HIV is also the health problem with the largest racial disparity; 80% of new AIDS diagnoses and deaths are among African Americans and Hispanics. Statistics show that the increase in HIV among African American men is a result of same sex behavior (MSM, “down low brothers); and those same men have heterosexual patterns also.
HIV doesn’t come with an immediate death sentence. It’s almost fashionable. Our perception of someone withering away is long gone.
HIV is now treated like sugar diabetes or any other chronic disease.
Society has become “bullet proof” to this epidemic and worldwide pandemic. Yes, you can live with HIV but like other chronic illnesses, your quality of life is greatly reduced and is met with constant challenges.
There is so much information on HIV education and prevention available to the public. For instance, abstinence and use of condom greatly reduces your chances of becoming infected. If you are sexually active (with one or 100 partners, single, married, engaged, etc.) know your status by getting tested yearly.
What would you tell a young person who’s about to become sexually active about HIV?
Monday, December 1, 2008
Stroke - Who Is At Risk
A day before my 16th birthday, my father came home from work at his normal time. It was a Friday, and traditionally we ate fish. So naturally, my mom fried a big batch of fish (porgies for my dad and whiting for us) and around 6:30 p.m. We ate dinner like clockwork. You see, my dad drove a truck and like most blue collar workers, the end of the day could not come any sooner. I remember being extra excited while eating dinner because my birthday was that Saturday. Shortly after dinner, my father complained that he wasn’t feeling well. He excused himself from the table and went to his room. To everyone's surprise, my dad changed clothes and stated that he was going to the bar to drink “this off.” (self medication). I don’t recall the events after that, but the next morning something was wrong with my dad. My dad was losing his vision, he was belligerent, violent, incoherent, and his speech was slurred. My entire family was trying to coach him into going to the hospital but my father refused. My sister came to me and said, “go tell your father to go to the hospital” (I’m 16 years old and I am going to tell my dad what to do). I walked into the bedroom and told my dad in a firm voice,” dad we are taking you to the hospital.” My dad complied. Unfortunately, his condition had worsened. By the time he was admitted into the hospital my father “slipped” into a deep coma. Ten days later my dad died on Thanksgiving Day. The doctors informed us that he had a stroke and I thought what does that mean.
A stroke occurs when part of your brain doesn't get the blood that it needs. Most often, a stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks or plugs up a vessel bringing blood to the brain. When this happens, brain cells begin to die. That describes a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). However, my father suffered from a Hemorrhagic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel actually burst and bleeds on the brain. As an adult, I now know the risk factors for stroke. These risk factors include: age, race, sex, family history, diet, exercise, hypertension and diabetes diagnosis. My father scored 100% on test for all the risk factors. My father was dual diagnosis with high blood pressure and diabetes; he had a family history of stroke; we consumed fatty fried foods; he was in his mid 50’s (which I think is young); and he lacked exercise.
African American men suffer from a higher rate of stroke than any other groups in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), African American adults are twice as likely as their non-minority adult counterparts to have a stroke in addition; African American males were 60% more likely to die from a stroke than their non-minority adult counterparts. The troubling part about these statistics are with all of the advances in medicine and medical treatment, African American men are prematurely dying at an alarming rate. So now where do we go from here? I need to talk to the Men just for one moment. Now ladies, you can listen and if the shoe fits…. Step 1: You must educate yourself and do a health self assessment. Step 2: You MUST educate your family and make all adjustments to your lifestyle immediately. Step 3: You must educate your friends because the company you keep has an impact on where you are going in life. Lastly, Step 4: Exercise, exercise, exercise. (at least 45 minutes a day).
My father’s untimely and pre-mature passing was a turning point in my life and continue to fuel the passion I have for helping others improve their health. Yes, everyone wants longevity but what is that worth without the quality of life. Please share with others because you never know who or whom you will help. As I hope, I helped you.
Peace and Blessing
Please visit: www.americanstroke.org to learn more about stroke symptoms and prevention.
A stroke occurs when part of your brain doesn't get the blood that it needs. Most often, a stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks or plugs up a vessel bringing blood to the brain. When this happens, brain cells begin to die. That describes a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). However, my father suffered from a Hemorrhagic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel actually burst and bleeds on the brain. As an adult, I now know the risk factors for stroke. These risk factors include: age, race, sex, family history, diet, exercise, hypertension and diabetes diagnosis. My father scored 100% on test for all the risk factors. My father was dual diagnosis with high blood pressure and diabetes; he had a family history of stroke; we consumed fatty fried foods; he was in his mid 50’s (which I think is young); and he lacked exercise.
African American men suffer from a higher rate of stroke than any other groups in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), African American adults are twice as likely as their non-minority adult counterparts to have a stroke in addition; African American males were 60% more likely to die from a stroke than their non-minority adult counterparts. The troubling part about these statistics are with all of the advances in medicine and medical treatment, African American men are prematurely dying at an alarming rate. So now where do we go from here? I need to talk to the Men just for one moment. Now ladies, you can listen and if the shoe fits…. Step 1: You must educate yourself and do a health self assessment. Step 2: You MUST educate your family and make all adjustments to your lifestyle immediately. Step 3: You must educate your friends because the company you keep has an impact on where you are going in life. Lastly, Step 4: Exercise, exercise, exercise. (at least 45 minutes a day).
My father’s untimely and pre-mature passing was a turning point in my life and continue to fuel the passion I have for helping others improve their health. Yes, everyone wants longevity but what is that worth without the quality of life. Please share with others because you never know who or whom you will help. As I hope, I helped you.
Peace and Blessing
Please visit: www.americanstroke.org to learn more about stroke symptoms and prevention.
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