America is Losing the War on Fat

American's spend $33 billion annually on weight-loss plans, health clubs, exercise videos, and fat fighting gadgets. yet, we are rapidly becoming a nation of wide-bodies.

In the past decade, the overweight population in the U.S. has ballooned to 35 percent! And that only accounts for people who are at least 20 percent over their ideal weight.

Experts say the problem is not because people are pigging out. But, rather that the proportions of the fat calories we eat has increased by 30 percent.

The solution isn't fat-free foods. Studies show that most people are fooled into overeating them.

Remember to eat more fruits and vegetables. If the label has to advertise fat-free, there is a good chance it is not good for you. By the way you won't find any produce with a label saying fat-free. Start eating better healthier foods.

Once I Go Do I Always Have to Go?

Many of my patients have commented that they have heard that once you see a Chiropractor they always want you to keep coming back. Wellness is a lifestyle. The more you do to promote good health will determine your health status. Once you understand the benefits of chiropractic care and its impact on your overall health , you will want to get regular chiropractic care.

Once you start brushing your teeth, eating healthier, taking vitamins and doing many other healthy things, you don't have to continue to do them, but you understand the positive impact it will have on your wellness and you choose to continue.

If you haven't had your spine checked, its time to include this in your wellness plan.

Integrity

You can't have a little or a lot of integrity. You either have it or you don't.

Four Leadership Lessons

Here are four leadership tips from Bill gates..

1. Take two retreats every year. Get away from your everyday hustle and develop your long range plans. Take a look at your business, personal, social and spiritual areas of your life and design a plan to get where you want to be.

2. Read books. Find books of all interest.

3. Identify problems early by inspecting. It is important to always inspect what you expect.

4. Stop at the end of the day and replay the day. What did you get done and what do you need to do first thing tomorrow? What could have you done better or done more of?

I have always believed that successful people form the habit of doing what failures don't like to do.

Children and Exercise

Another study shows the benefits of healthy children and exercise. Adding exercise to your childrens daily routine can can help reduce their weight and anger. The study showed how aerobic exercise may be an effective strategy to help overweight kids reduce anger expression and aggressive behavior.

Exercise for your children is important for good health. You will be doing your children a huge favor by helping them begin an exercise program.

Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

New research by the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research suggests that there is an increased potential for spinal instability in pregnant women, which results in spinal fixations and may affect the health and well-being of both mother and fetus.

There is great potential for musculo-skeletal stress and postural changes during pregnancy. Many of these stressed and postural changes can be helped and relieved by chiropractic adjustments.

If you're pregnant it will be of great benefit to have your spine checked.


Visit www.LiveHealthFirst.com to setup a consulation with a HealthFirst Doctor.

6 Principles of Wellness

At HealthFirst we don't have patients, we have wellness partners and we are committed to the 6 principles of wellness: self care, health maintenance, illness prevention, preservation of function, performance enrichment and wellness evolution.

The six attributes define the unique characteristics of our HealthHealing System.

Some Mistakes to Avoid at The Gym

You are serious about getting into shape and staying in shape. But, if it has been some time since you've sweated, here some some things to think about.

Most injuries in the gym are due to imbalances and over doing to catch up for lost time.Here are some common hazards that can sideline you.

1. Always warm up. Get the blood flowing with a slow light running in place jog. Then spend some time stretching your legs, arms, and back.

2. Proper foot wear. Spend a little extra money on a new pair of quality workout shoes. You may even want to look into orthotic inserts.

3. Start out with light weights. Trying to lift too much weight is a set-up for a muscle injury.

4. Always drink plenty of water.

5. Make sure you cool down and stretch when finished.

6. Get a spinal check up before beginning your exercise program. A proper functioning nervous system and spine are vital to your fitness program.

10 Commandments Of Success

1. Believe and trust in God.

2. The truth is what you believe it to be.

3. Everything we do is for feeling.

4. As soon as you change, your world changes.

5. Happiness is a decision.

6. Raise your standards.

7. Everyday is another day to learn and to teach.

8. The key to all success is consistency.

9. Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.

10. Power is the ability to translate intent into reality

Do I need Chiropractic Care?

If you have never had Chiropractic care before, it may be difficult to know when to seek treatment from a Doctor of Chiropractic. Pain is usually the symptom that gets a person to visit a chiropractor. However many are seeking chiropractic care to enhance their overall health and well-being.

A persons need for chiropractic care varies depending on their general health, physical condition, age, lifestyle, injuries and hereditary factors.

Waiting for pain to begin may be to late in some cases. Once the condition has reached the point of pain, a great deal of strain and irritation has already occurred.

It is a great idea to include chiropractic in your yearly checkup. It is just as important to know how your spine and nervous system are functioning as it is to know how your lung, heart, and digestive system are functioning.

Getting regular spinal chckups from a chiropractor can help detect weaknesses and prevent problems from occurring.

Eat Well, Think Well, Move Well

Following the principles of the three most important parts to good health is a must to get and remain healthy. Eating good, thinking good healthy thoughts, and moving your body with exercise and keeping your spine moving correctly are the best components to good health.

AARP Recommends Chiropractic

AARP The Magazine, the worlds largest-circulation magazine with a readership of 23.8 million, included positive mentions of chiropractic in its January/February 2009 issue. The article mentioned that chiropractic was effective in restoring mobility, improving circulation and lessens muscle strain.

This is the way of the future. Wellness care has always been a big part of chiropractic. In my 27 years of practice there has never been a more important time for people to find and use chiropractic care.

New Studies Show need For More Vitamin D

More studies are out with new insight into how vitamin D can help prevent many common diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and a weakened immune system. Studies indicate that more than half of our population are not getting enough vitamin D in our daily diets.

Ask your doctor to add the blood test "vitamin D hydroxy 25" to your next blood work up. This is the most reliable blood test to determine your level of vitamin D.

If your going to take a vitamin D supplement, make sure it is made with vitamin D3. Most vitamins do not contain D3. I recommend Standard Processes Cataplex D.

Other natural sources of vitamin D are the sun, salmon, tuna, and cod liver oil.

Sugar Substitutes

Stay away from labels that say sugar free. Most of the time the artificial sweetner is much worse than sugar itself. Some common substitute sweetners are, Sucralose(Splenda), Aspartame(NutraSweet, Equal), Saccharin(Sweet'N Low, Sweet Twin.)

There is overwhelming evidence that shows that these sweetners can cause many symptoms and diseases.

We have habits that cause a lot of health problems.

Expensive Junk Food

More than ever, needing to save money on your grocery bill is important can add extra income for your family. Think about all the junk food you purchase each week at the grocery store. Stay on the outside isles when shopping. The more you shop in the inner isles the more junk food you are buying.

Spend at least 50% of your cost in the produce department. Buying many different vegetables and fruit can add many healthy nutrients to your diet.

Most of the boxed cereals, canned goods, cookies, chips, and white bread contain empty nutrients and also have large amounts of salt, sugar and trans fats.

Shop a little smarter and save some money and help your family become healthier.

Are you a Chaser or a Dreamer?

There are two types of people when it comes to health. One is a Dreamer and one is a Chaser. The dreamer tends to have a "wait and see attitude." and gives into their weakened habits. On the other hand chasers have a dream and work it . The chaser is always striving to be better.

If you want good health you must have a goal and you must work hard at it.

Why Should I Exercise #3

Another great reason to exercise is to improve the function of your heart. Exercise improves circulation of blood to your body. This circulation delivers oxygen and vital nutrients to body tissues. This provides more energy throughout the day.

Try to find time to get some type of exercise for 20 to 30 minutes daily. Make an investment in your health and start exercising today.

Why Should I Exercise #2?

Exercise has many values especially better sleeping. One being it can help you fall asleep quicker and stay asleep longer. You will wake up more rested. You will find yourself with more energy and feel happier. Your ability to stay focused will increase as will your overall energy and productivity.

In my opinion you need 6-8 hours of good sleep every night. Taking sleeping pills to get a good nights sleep is not healthy and should be avoided if possible. Having to take sleeping pills to get to sleep is a sign of some type of stress.

Your body produces many good needed chemicals for the brain to function normally. Taking sleeping pills alters these needed chemicals and in the long run may be the cause of some brain disorders and memory loss.

Why Should I Exercise #1?

You should exercise to have a better mood. Exercise stimulates chemicals in the brain that may improve your mood, making you feel happier and more relaxed. Finding time to exercise everyday can make you feel better and build a lot of self confidence.

No Bones About It

Adolescent girls who participate in sports may benefit from more than just the team environment and consistent exercise routine. Participation in high-impact weight bearing activities during junior high and high school that involve running and jumping also makes them more likely to have strong bones later in life, according to a recent study.

Girls benefit from weight-bearing exercises.

Massage Away Stress

Massage away your stress and improve your health. Up to 90% of diseases may be caused by stress. Massage stimulates and strengthens the immune system. Massage improves circulation and joint mobility, lowers blood pressure, and improves energy and concentration.

Ask your HealthFirst doctor about the benefits of massage and how it may improve your wellness.

Jerry Rice and Chiropractic

Jerry Rice has been an advocate of Chiropractic care for years, He says "I've enjoyed considerable longevity as a professional athlete. I am now working on longevity in life. Chiropractic care has been and continues to be a key element of my game plan."

Regular Chiropractic adjustments are very beneficial to your wellness plan.

Just a Thought

What will you do today to help yourself become healthier tomorrow?

Comprehensive Nutritional Assessment

Get a consultation and report from a HealthFirst Doctor to define your nutritional needs, possible outcomes with counseling and concerns.

Our N.E.W. program consist of:

58 Point Computerized Bio-Meridian Test:
detects weaknesses within organ systems helping to determine the best way to balance the body and optimize function.

224 Question Symptom Survey

10 Point Physical Exam.

Legacy of Wellness

At HealthFirst Chiropractic we have a legacy of wellness. Over 35 years of combined experience.

Margarine or Butter

Margarine is partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. This trans fat was advertised heavily for several decades as a healthy alternative to butter. Most of todays new butter replacements are not much better. Take a close look at the products that advertise "no trans fats" and "Proven to Significantly Lower Cholesterol." More often than not, you'll see the partially hydrogenated vegetable oil in the list of ingredients.If it says fat free or sugar free, the substitute is probably worse than the real thing.

Experiment with olive oil, hummus, honey, or pureed fruits as toppings, depending on the meal, or use a real butter sparingly if you can't resist. Butter does contain vitamin A.

Do I Need My Spine Checked?

It appears that we have not done a very good job educating the public about the need for everyone to have their spine checked. You have 24 joints in your spine. The vertabra, disc and nerve are the main components of the spine. These joints need to mechanicly function correctly or nerve pressure may result and spinal decaying will set in. Getting you spine checked to make all the joints in the spine and all the nerves are working at maximun capacity is very important.

Make it a great day!!!

Make it a great day!!