PERSONAL TRAINER
Set an example
BY NANCY COLE nancyfltness@aol com
The best way to make sure you children make good choices in life is to make good cHoices yourself. This aptly applies to fitness and riutriti~n. Poor diet choices and inactivity breed overweight cl;lildren. Moreover, if you and your spouse are overweigpt, your child has an 80 percent chance of being overw~ight, too.
If your child sees you exercising daily, he or she will know that you care about yours~lf and your health. Exercise relays an important message of self-discipline, self-motivation and self-respect. If your children see you eating whole foods, they'll be inclined to eat whole foods, too.
When it comes to activity, i9dividual and team sports are great, but don't forget tJ?e old-fashioned fun of unstructured playtime. Hide and seek, hula hoop, hop scotch, and climbing trees c~ help build strength, provide cardiovascular activity, improve coordination and stimulate brain development. ~ick tag over TV and cardio over computer games. Then, trade juice for water, sugary snacks for whole fnlits and fast food for sit-down dinners and you will make large strides in pro-moting a more healthy lifestyle.
You can benefit as well. Spending time biking, hik ing, rollerblading, or just taking lohg walks can initiate great conversation. We all know how difficult it is to engage our children in meaningful conversation when their brains are being bombarded by video games.
. Sadly, only 32 percent of childr~n between the ages of 6 and 17 meet the minimum startdards for cardiovas cular fitness, flexibility and upper bOdy strength.
But you can change that.Getting a handle on your child's health now can pre vent love handles later. A chuoby child could be careening toward childhood obe:sity. Establishing a healthy eating plan and exercise ~ ogram for yourself and your child will encourage your child to become a fit and healthy adult.
HEALTH
for your children
LU
BARBARA P. FERNANDEZ/FOR THE HERALD LIKE MOTHER ••• Nancy and her daughter Samantha gather around a hula hoop for
fitness fun.
DOCTORG
Blood in urine requires doctor's attentioa
Q: My doctor tolb and all of them require treatment. If but the tar and nicotine products get me I have blood in the bleeding is associated with the processed in the blood a'nd are my urine, but I haJ(; typic'al frequency, urgency and cleansed by the kidney. These toxic never seen it when II burning of a urinary infection, then waste products then sit in the blad go to the bathroory. the infection itself may be the cause der for hours before the person. Can this be a proll- of the bladder irritation. But there voids and this exposure greatly an be other bladder problems as increases their risk for bladder can-
A: Blood in thf well such as a bladder'stone or even cer. This is just one more reason not d,ma,eglttelman urine is not normal a bladder tumor or cancer. Because to smoke or anyone of an~ the kidneys manufacture the urine,
@yahoo.comThe good news is that in the vastage. Some people we must evaluate the kidneys as majority of patients we don't find might see a spot of blood in t~b well. Some kidney problems that anything bad such as a tumor or urine stream, and women might see can lead to bleeding include kidney cancer. But it is absolutely essential it when wiping after voiding. Othe~s stones or a severe kidney inflamma- to have what generally is a brief may see a full orange or red stream, tion, but occasionally there can even evaluation of the kidneys with a and it can occasionally be so severe be a cancer within the kidney, sonogram or CT sCan, and a visual as to have true blood clots in th~ Patients who are at higher risk of inspection of the bladder in the urine. But for the vast majority, having a problem are those who office of a trained urologist. hematurea (the medical term fOf have a history of smoking (even if Dr. Marc Gittelman is f.l board cer blood in the urine) is found by they quit 20 or 30 years ago) or tijied urologist. The advice in this col chance at the physician's office on ~ those who have had chemical expo- umn is not a substitute for consulting routine urine check. While some of sures in the workplace. Smokers a physician. Write to him at DrMarc these scenarios are more unnervin~ don't realize that the tobacco toxins Gittelman@yahoo.comor Health, 1
LET'S TALK
Men do get depressed, but some won't admit it
Q: My husband won't admit it, but I think he is depressed. He scoffs at my mentioning of this because he says he is not sad. He complains about not sleeping well, is easily agitatedand feels unappreciated.
| DR. ANDREA CORN |
A: It sounds like your husband disre gards his own emotions, so it comes as no surprise that he would dismiss your com ments. Fortunately, you realize a problem exists. His pessimism is affecting himself, his job and relationships with others. Fur thermore, his symptoms are compatible with those associated with depression. Some individuals become quite unhappy, while others experience restiessness and irritability, A decreased interest in one's work or hobbies can also be present along with poor concentration and fatigue, Some men have a hard time admitting to being depressed as this runs contrary to their beliefs about their gender. As children. some men were taught not to express vul nerable feelings. show sadness. or worst of all, cry. Your husband might subscribe to the belief that men should appear tough, independent and unemotional. Hearing your remarks may create a desire to dis tance himself in order to avoid self examination. .
Many studies have shown that men of all ages and ethnicities are less likely than women to seek counseling. Learning how to openly communicate and discuss pain ful emotions is hard for some men as they are unaccustomed to putting feelings into words.
Following 9/11, the National institute of Mental Health launched an educational program called "Real Men. Real Depres sion," This program was founded to increase awareness and decrease the stigma attached to this emotional disorder and discuss treatment choices, as well as places to find help, More information is available on the website www.nimh. nih.gov. Its research estimates at least six million men in the United States suffer from a depressive disorder each year.
The most important thing you can do is to encourage your husband to schedule an appointment with his doctor so he can receive a diagnostic evaluation. Plus, showing him this column may convince him that he is not alone and that getting help is a sign of strength.
Dr. Andrea Corn is a licensed psycholo gist in Lighthouse Point. Write to her at compsyd@bellsouth.netorc/o Health, 1 Herald Plaza, Miami FL 33/32. The advice in this column is not a substitute for consult ing a therapist.
