Do you need a push? – Think of Terry Fox

I wish I would have known Terry Fox. He had work ethic and dogged determination far beyond what the average person thinks they have.  Terry Fox almost ran half the width of Canada on one real leg and one artificial leg.  There where numerous times throughout his journey that the skin on his leg stump would wear raw and start to bleed.

Terry started the Marathon Of Hope for The Canadian Cancer Society April 12, 1980.  He dipped his artificial right foot, which was the leg that he lost to bone cancer in 1977 in the Atlantic Ocean near St. John’s Newfoundland.  Prior to 1977 he was involved in numerous sports, including long distance running.  After Terry lost his right leg to cancer he decided that he needed to raise money to help fight the dreaded disease.  He ran every day, consistently for 143 days, averaging 42 kilometers (26 miles) rain or shine all the way to Thunder Bay Ontario.  The only reason that he stopped The Marathon Of Hope was because his cancer had returned and spread to the point that he could no longer continue. His run ended September 01, 1980.  He had covered a total distance of 5373 kilometers (3339 miles).
Terry Fox was 22 years old when he ran The Marathon Of Hope
Born July 28, 1958. Died June 28, 1981

As of 2008 Cancer accounts for 30% of all deaths in Canada.  The second biggest killer is heart disease at 21%. – Statistics Canada – In the US heart disease is still the number one killer at 25% with cancer deaths coming in a close second with almost 25% – American Cancer Society.

US cancer deaths – 2003 to 2007 – National Cancer Institute
In the US over a  the deadliest form of cancer is lung cancer, taking 792,495 lives. The second deadliest is colorectal cancer accounting for 268,783 deaths. The third deadliest is breast cancer taking 206,983 lives. Fourth is pancreatic cancer at 162,878 and the fifth deadliest form of cancer is prostate cancer at 144,962.
According to The Canadian Cancer Society and the US National Cancer Institute 50% to 75% of all cancers could be eliminated by making healthy lifestyle choices. The main causes of cancer are (1) Obesity (2) Smoking (3) Lack of exercise (4) Alcohol consumption (5) Low vegetable and fruit consumption. The Centers for Disease Control also states that chronic inflammation from lifestyle choices can lead to cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, arthritis, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Making the change to a healthy lifestyle is easy.  Start with quitting smoking, losing weight and exercising.  As far as food is concerned eat your vegetables and steer clear of processed foods.  Think of food and drink as nutrition for your body.  Go for foods that have a high nutritional value, not food that is just empty calories.
To use a phrase from the president of a local vegetable marketing company – “Eat Your Veggies”

Visit: https://ehfnow.com

Brian Forsythe of EHF  EXECUTIVE HEALTH AND FITNESS  is a natural competitive bodybuilder and personal trainer with over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry

We Are Built To Move

If you have arthritis moving might be your best friend.  Moving keeps our joints limber and helps with pain control.

Women Stretching

Some people with arthritis resist physical activity because they feel that it will increase pain or further damage their joints. We are built to move.  Our joints allow for mobility.  Movement eases stiffness, reduces joint pain and strengthens the muscles which support the joints.  Movement also helps with maintaining a healthy weight.

Movement is important for everyone not just those with arthritis.

It is important for everyone to protect their joints by controlling the tempo at which a movement is being performed (avoid whipping or snapping).

Here are a few tips.

  • Pay attention to pain.
  • Use proper form
  • Balance activity and rest
  • Don’t overdo it
  • Maintain a healthy weight

It is important for everyone to maintain a healthy body weight.  Carrying extra pounds adds stress to the joints.  One study showed that for every extra pound gained over our ideal body weight there is a four pound increase in the loading forces placed on the knee.

Jogging is not required:  The desired benefits of regular physical activity can be achieved with low-impact exercise.  Low-impact exercise minimizes the stress put on joints during high intensity workouts.  Examples of low impact exercises are swimming, cycling, lifting weights.

The muscles that support our joints must be kept as strong as possible. You can work on maintaining or improving your muscle strength by doing strengthening exercises. With proper strength training you will increase the stability of your joints while decreasing pain.

Due to stiffness and pain range of motion is hampered when a person has arthritis.  To preserve or improve the range of motion controlled stretching is required.  Slowly extend, bend or rotate each of your joints.  Once you have reached the point that you feel either a tugging sensation or pain, stop and hold for a count of ten then slowly return to the starting position.

Food choices also play a major role in improving joint health, overall health and body weight.  Choose foods that are unprocessed, high in nutrients and low in calories.

Visit: https://ehfnow.com

Brian Forsythe of EHF  EXECUTIVE HEALTH AND FITNESS  is a natural competitive bodybuilder and personal trainer with over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry