BODY: Gearing Up For Flu Season

Old school RX.

By Carl Chancellor

I was heading home the other evening on the orange line of the Metro when the woman in the seat next to where I was standing in the crowded car, begins sneezing and sniffling. To her credit the woman did sneeze into the crook of her arm, just like the President showed us to do, but I still wasn’t liking the fact that I was standing so near to her.

I shifted on my feet for an uncomfortable for a few seconds, trying to figure out my course of action. Maybe I have an overabundance of the polite gene in my makeup, because I was hesitant about bolting and thereby calling attention to the sneezing woman. But when the lady sneezed again and followed it with a cough, I knew I had to book.

I slowly shouldered my way through the bodies pressed against me and worked my way to the far end of the car, as far away from Swine Flu Sue as I could get.

The sneezing woman shot me a dirty look, obviously taking offense at my retreat. I’m sure she didn’t appreciate me acting as if she were contagious. Hey, but you can’t fault a brotha for being cautious, particularly with all the buzz about H1N1.

That was a few days ago. Today, my head is throbbing and I’m sneezing. I’m hoping it is just a cold and nothing more.

To ease my suffering I resorted to the old school remedy of honey, apple cider vinegar and lemon, with a bit of a twist–whiskey. I’ve been downing spoonfuls of the elixir all morning long. And although I’m still sneezing, I’m feeling mighty good.

BODY: Getting the Runaround on Losing Weight

Getting the runaround
Originally uploaded by van heland

By Carl Chancellor

I’m lifting weights. I’m burning up the miles on the treadmill. So why aren’t the pounds just melting away?

The reality is that without changing your diet and monitoring your caloric intake you are not going to shed those extra pounds.

Thinking that you will be able to gorge yourself at the kitchen table and then jog off the after effects of over indulgence is just not going to happen.

Researchers have found that people who exercise don’t necessarily lose weight. A study recently published in the The British Journal of Sports Medicine documents that disappointing but very real fact.

The study followed 58 overweight people as they underwent 12 weeks of supervised aerobic training without changing their diets. The results: the group lost an average of around seven pounds. Some of the study subjects lost less than four pounds.

How can that be? Hard exercise for 12 straight weeks and barely shed a few pounds. I mean, doesn’t exercise burn calories?

The quick answer is, yes. The problem is that most people only burn 200 to 300 calories in a typical 30-minute exercise session. You will put almost that many calories right back into your body when you reach for that bottle of Gatorade to cool off.

The only way to lose weight is through a combination of exercise and diet.

Push-ups ain’t going to help if you don’t push yourself away from the table first.

MIND: New Book On Sugar Ray Robinson Undisputed Winner

Sugar Ray Robinson
Originally uploaded by Drnard

By Carl Chancellor

The brotha had swagger to burn.

That fact comes across like an uppercut square to the chin in the new biography Sweet Thunder: The Life and Times of Sugar Ray Robinson, by Wil Haygood.

The book captures the elegance, grace, pride and determination of one of the all time great boxers as it chronicles a life framed by the brutality of the ring and the turmoil of 20th century America.

Haygood, who is as artistic with the pen as Robinson was with his fists, crafts a lyrical biography that excites and enthralls as surely as Sugar Ray did in his many professional and amateur bouts. Robinson literally punches his way off the pages of Sweet Thunder to step away from mere facts and statistics–174-19-6 record; welterweight and 5-time middleweight champion–to become a flesh and blood character as real as a favorite uncle.

The prose of Haygood’s detail-rich book not only evokes the rage and fury of the ring but depicts the cultural upheaval of the 30s, 40s, 50s and early 60s.

Sweet Thunder is populated by iconic figures, who orbited around Robinson’s sun–Miles Davis, Lena Horne, Jake LaMotta, Langston Hughes, Sammy Davis, etc....The book faithfully paints a picture of the man and his times.

Be warned the book is a page-turner. Once you crack it open and start to read you will be down for the count.

BODY:Are Black Men Afraid of Doctors?

Doctor's Tools
Originally uploaded by Dave Ward Photography

“Why don’t you guys get checkups?”

That was a question a female friend posed to me the other evening while having drinks. She just couldn’t understand why her boyfriend constantly puts off going to the doctor.

“He’s always complaining about this ache, or this pain, yet he won’t go to the doctor to have it checked out,” she said between sips of wine, the frustration clear in her tone.

Several of my male friends said they don’t go to the doctor because they are afraid that the doc might find something wrong. Then there is the attitude-- “Hell, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

But how do you know it ain’t broke?


Hey, we black men aren’t alone when it comes from shying away from the doctors office. According to a recent survey by Men's Health magazine and CNN, one-third of American men have not had a checkup in the past year. Nine million men haven't seen a doctor in the last five years.

An American Medical Association study in 1990 found that men, regardless of their race, don't go to the doctor because of fear, denial, embarrassment and threatened masculinity.

* Each year, men make 150 million fewer trips to doctors than women (the disparity occurs in every age group, not just the years some women have prenatal checkups.) p
* One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, yet few will have the easy and painless digital rectal exam and prostate specific antigen blood test to detect it (women, facing similar odds of breast cancer, are much more likely to examine their breasts regularly and have a mammogram).
* Men are at greater risk of stress-related illnesses than women, yet only 20 percent of the people in the typical stress-management program are men. Men are 30 percent more likely than women to have a stroke.
* One out of three male strokes occur before age 65. Each year, over 50,000 men die of emphysema, one of the most preventable diseases. It has been estimated that more than 3 million men are walking around with early type II diabetes, a disease with major complications, and don't know it.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard someone bemoan the fact that they didn’t see a doctor earlier–“Doc, said if the problem had been detected earlier, my chance would be better.”

We black men have bought into that macho myth, maybe more so than other groups. We were told to “suck it up and be a man”; “roll with the punches”; “take it like a man”; and, worst of all–“Boy, those better not be no tears I’m seeing.”

Everything we hear tells us that to be a man is to be bulletproof.

Well, guess what–You ain’t no Superman.

It usually takes no more than 20 minutes to get a basic physical–less than a half-hour for a physician to declare you healthy or detect potential problems.

Sinus Solutions

If you are suffering from chronic sinus problems try out this simply daily remedy that my sister recently turned me onto. Believe me the results have been wonderful.

The Neti Pot is a tried and true method of nasal irrigation that has been around for centuries. It is a ceramic pot that looks like a cross between and small teapot and Aladdin’s magic lamp. (Some drug stores sell a plastic version of the pot, which I use and is very effective, but I imagine will have to be replaced every few months or so.) The Neti pot is a therapy that uses a salt and water solution to flush out the nasal cavity.

Ear, nose, and throat surgeons recommend nasal irrigation for their patients who've undergone sinus surgery, to clear away crusting in the nasal passages. Many patients with chronic sinus symptoms from bacterial infections, allergies, and environmental irritants also have begun to regularly use the Neti pot or other nasal irrigation devices, claiming that these devices alleviate congestion, facial pain and pressure, and reduce the need for antibiotics and nasal sprays. Research backs up these claims, finding that nasal irrigation can be an effective way to relieve sinus symptoms when used along with standard sinus treatments.

The basic explanation of how the Neti pot works is that it thins mucus to help flush it out of the nasal passages. A more biological explanation has to do with tiny, hair-like structures called cilia that line the inside of the nasal and sinus cavities. These cilia wave back and forth to push mucus either to the back of the throat where it can be swallowed, or to the nose to be blown out. Saline solution can help increase the speed and improve coordination of the cilia so that they may more effectively remove the bacteria, allergens, and other irritants that cause sinus problems.

This following excerpt from the WebMD site explains more about the use and effectiveness of the Neti Pot.

How Do You Use the Neti Pot?

There aren't any official medical guidelines, but Neti pots usually come with an insert that explains how to use them. You might also want to ask your family doctor or an ear, nose, and throat specialist to talk you through the process so you can get comfortable with the Neti pot before trying it on your own.

Typically, to use the Neti pot you would mix about 16 ounces (1 pint) of lukewarm water with 1 teaspoon of salt. (Some people add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to buffer the solution and make it gentler on the nose, but there isn't any real proof that this improves the experience.)

Once you've filled the Neti pot, tilt your head over the sink at about a 45-degree angle. Place the spout into your top nostril, and gently pour the saline solution into that nostril.

The fluid will flow through your nasal cavity and into the other nostril. It may also run into your throat. If this occurs, just spit it out. Blow your nose to get rid of any remaining liquid, then refill the Neti pot and repeat the process on the other side.
How Often do You Need to Use the Neti Pot?

In studies, people with very severe sinus symptoms found relief from using the Neti pot or other nasal irrigation system daily. Three times a week was often enough once symptoms subsided.
Is the Neti Pot Safe?

Research has found that the Neti pot is generally safe. About 10% of regular users experience mild side effects, such as nasal irritation and stinging. Nosebleeds can also occur, but they are rare. Reducing the amount of salt in the solution, adjusting the frequency of Neti pot use, and changing the temperature of the water appear to reduce side effects.

To prevent infection, it's important to properly care for your nasal irrigation device. "People use these devices over and over again. They have to be clean," says Jean Kim, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Either wash the device thoroughly by hand, or put it in the dishwasher if it's dishwasher-safe. Follow by drying the device completely after each use.

Where Can I Find a Neti Pot?

Neti pots are available over-the-counter at many drug stores, health food stores, and online retailers. They cost between $10 and $20.

Stay healthy my brothers.

Stress Reducing Thoughts

A good friend passed these thoughts onto me.

If you read and give them some time to sink in I promise you'll come away with an enlightened perspective.

They're written by Andy Rooney , a man who has th e gift of saying so much with so few words. Enjoy.......

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned .... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... That simple walks wi th my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders20for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Peace.

Get Off The Couch

All right drop and give me twenty!

You don’t have to wait to buy a gym membership to start getting in shape and start turning your life around. Turn off the television right now and get on the floor and do the exercise that in my opinion is the single most effective exercise for improving total body fitness–the PUSH UP.
There is no better or faster way of getting fit as doing push ups. When done properly push-ups work the chest, hands, forearms, biceps, triceps, shoulders, traps, upper back, lower back, abs, glutes, hamstrings, quads, calf and over course the most important muscle of all–the heart.
Still not convinced? Ok, push-ups offer the benefits of weight lifting, stretching and cardio training all in one simple and straight forward exercise.

Push ups are a core-strengthening exercise that help improve balance by strengthening and shaping up most important muscle groups in your body - the core.
Holding the proper push up form is a great exercise alone, without even performing any repetitions. The push up form benefits the abdominal muscles through simultaneously flexing and stretching. When the lower back muscles contract to stabilize your form, your abdominal muscles are inadvertently stretched. The quadriceps is also relied on heavily to maintain proper form, giving your legs a decent secondary workout.

The push up motion trains the chest, triceps and the anterior deltoids, while stretching the biceps and back. Some consider the push up to provide the best all around chest workout.
In addition, a high repetition push up workout will work wonders for overall cardiovascular health.

What’s best about the push up is that they can be performed anywhere at anytime. All you need is to set aside a few minutes each day and then make up your mind to workout.

The Basic Push Up:
Lie down on the ground with your face down. Keep your palms flat on the ground shoulder-width apart. Make sure that your feet are together and keep legs and back straight.
Look ahead and while you go down, try to touch the floor with your chin.
When you rise, try not to bend your back.
While going up, breathe out.
Pause and repeat the exercise.

The Advance Push Up:
One hand Push Up –open your legs wide while keeping one hand under the center of your chest. Place your free hand at the small of your back. Now, follow the same process outlined in the basic push up.
Try to do five push ups using each hand. (Don’t overdo these push ups since they cause heavy strain on the elbow)

Diamond Push Up and Wide Push Up
For this exercise position your thumbs and forefingers in a diamond shape. Place your hands beneath the center of your chest and proceed with the push up motion.
The wide push up is done by keeping your hands about 4 feet apart.

Remember, the push-up should be performed in a rhythmic motion. At first, aim for 6 to 8 reps of 3 and then slowly increase your reps. Before you know it you will be churning out 20 to 30 reps.

Now, as I said at the top of this post—Drop and give me 20!!!!