Turning your health around
- June 17, 2008 1:20 PM |
- By Your Voice
In their new book - Start Fresh - fitness advocates and former Olympians Diane Clement and Dr. Doug Clement say it's never too late to turn around an unhealthy lifestyle.
Not enough exercise, poor eating habits and stressful work lives have turned most middle-aged North Americans into health problems waiting to happen.
The Clements say making four simple changes in your life - maintaining proper body weight and waist size, eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly and not smoking - will increase your odds of remaining productive, independent and healthy as you age.
Diane Clement was a sprinter on the 1956 Canadian Olympic team and a bronze medallist two years later at the Commonwealth Games. She's an accomplished chef and cookbook author.
Doug Clement is a former Olympic and Commonwealth games athlete and coach. He taught and practiced sports medicine for more than 20 years at the University of British Columbia.
Read their answers to your questions below.
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Comments (6)
I am a type 2 diabetic male aged 50. I have been on diabetic tablets for the last 10 years.
Can you advise me how I could control my sugar without tablets?
Diane and Doug Clement: While I cannot comment on your personal situation, as you should follow the advice of your own physician, I can make the general comment that the control of type 2 diabetes is enhanced with achieving ideal body weight. Our book suggests optimal caloric intake and ideal physical activity, which in combination will aid in the quest for a favourable BMI. The use of oral medication could be reduced only with your physician’s advice.
As a baby and child, I am one of the victims of the herbicide spraying of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T (agent orange)and Tordon 101 with picloram sprayed for 28 years at CFB Gagetown.
1.3 million litres plus 2 million pounds of chemicals with dioxin and hexachlorobenzene were sprayed from 1956 until 1984.
I was there from conception until the age of 7.
I understand that dioxin attaches itself in the body to fat.
I have had numberous illnesses through my life and numberous operation because of these illnesses.Three members of my family have died from cancer, they were also exposed at CFB Gagetown.
I only learnt of this posioning in 2005 when it went public in the press.
After reading of the binding of dioxin to fat, I put on another 20lbs, and haven't in a hospital since.
I would like to now loss the weight and get in shape but I'm afraid my body will be attacked once more as the fat comes off releasing the dioxin.
Could you tell me what you know of this, what dioxin does to the body, is it safe at this point to loss the weight and get in shape?
Thank You for your time
Nancy Belfry
Diane and Doug Clement: Your assumptions are correct in that exposure to 2,4,5 T and TCDD are acknowledged by some governments to be associated with risk of neoplastic and other diseases including type 2 diabetes. I must say your questions require a highly specialized background of the medical effects of toxic substance exposure. I am not experienced in the effects of dioxin to the level required to advise you properly.
I too like Nancy am a Victim of TCDD and HCB poisoning from CFB Gagetown, I am also diabetic and over weight. Type 2 Diabetes has also been attributed to both HCB and TCDD chemical poisoning and every time I start to loose weight I become ill with medical conditions which can also be attributed to these chemicals. Is there any proven Detoxification process for lipid attached chemicals and / or heavy medal contamination?
Cpl. Kenneth H. Young CD (Ret'd).
Diane and Doug Clement: My response to Nancy is appropriate to your question. I do not have sufficient knowledge to address your question.
I was stationed at CFB Gagetown from 1963 to 1967 and again in 1970 to 1972 and believe I was poisoned by Agent Orange. I have pulmonary fibrosis, arthritis and type 2 diabetes. Is there anything I can do to get in better shape?
James Jennex
Diane and Doug Clement: Your question again is similar to Kenneth’s and Nancy’s.
While I cannot give advice about the toxic effects of defoliating agents, I can only see benefit from exercise appropriate to your general health status. The secret about successful introduction of exercise is the micro dosing or very gradual introduction of physical tasks at the outset. The book outlines the these methods in great detail.
I'm on medication for bipolar and have gained 30lbs! I have a 2 bulging discs and used to exercise 1 hour/day; now it is difficult. I'm on a very tight CPP pension; no extras like swimming at the pool are affordable. I walk but that's not enough to loose weight. I eat well; out of my garden. The benefits of the medication out way the weight gain? I am miserable with back pain.
Diane and Doug Clement: The increase in body mass by 30 pounds does increase the stress on your spine. Non weight bearing aerobic activity such as stationary bike, elliptical trainers or rowing ergometers would be ideal in reducing stress to the back.
Remember that you are unlikely to lose 30 pounds by exercise alone. Reduction of caloric intake is most likely to be a necessary component of your plan. Walking should start very gradually and slowly over weeks and build up to 90 minutes per day in total. Note that our PowerFit Home Strength program includes static “V” sits which are very helpful in building your core strength and reducing back pain.
It's easy to say, "maintaining proper body weight and waist size, eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly and not smoking", but what does one do when they follow that regime and are still overweight?
What is the solution for someone who does exercise regularly,has a healthy diet and still cannot shed the additional weight?
My activities include cardio and weight exercise at a fitness facility a minimum of three times a week, coupled with walking, hiking and golf.
According to a personal trainer, my diet is acceptable, and I have been warned not to reduce my calories further, but the extra weight is still there.
Diane and Doug Clement: Your body weight is only one component in seeking good health. Many individuals by their genetic makeup may tend to be thin. Not all of us are in that category. We all have our own size and shape. We are not all identical.
An individual can be very physically fit and still have a BMI that is higher than the published ideal.
In general you should aim at 600 calories of physical activity per day. Our book outlines a wide variety of ways to achieve this goal. Cautious adjustment of your food intake to include a dominance of fresh fruits and vegetables will often lead after many months to your optimal size, shape and good health.
Follow the advice of your physician and personal trainer.