This week, I was a guest speaker at a wellness seminar in Toms River NJ hosted by Warm Spirits, a well known business that promotes holistic products for self-care. The panel of experts shared an incredible array of knowledge. For those of you who could not attend, I will give you a glimpse of some the valuable information that was given.

I asserted that optimal health does not have to be elusive or hard to achieve. We just have to be pro-active and determined. Here are some tips that I mentioned:

1. Have a team of experts behind you. Doctors, holistic practictioners, personal trainers, naturopathic practictioners, therapists. Just like the Verizon Wireless commercial, you have to ask yourself "Who's in your network?" Some people look behind themselves and there's nobody there for support. Or there may be one primary care doctor, but that person gives you ten minutes of care maybe twice a year,. That's not enough for a "wellness network." You may go back two weeks and read my blog "What's in your toolbox?"

2. Set high expectations for yourself. Ask your physician to grade your blood work and fitness level graded. Aim high for an A +. If your doctor tells you you have borderline anything (high blood pressure, cholesterol) be very afraid because that's her way of saying you've got a C minus. Don't wait for a grade of D before you engage in a healthy lifestyle.

3. Get the best tests, especially the ones covered by insurance (homocysteine levels, advanced cholesterol tests such as the VAP, NMR, or LPP) You should have these tests done to see if you are high risk for stroke and heart attack.

Dr Alfred Parchment, a gynecologist in Neptune NJ, a knowledgable and approachable physician asserted:

1. People have a responsibility to not only seek out health information on prevention but they have a duty to share it with others. If you help others in your church or community obtain optimal health they will in turn help you and share what they learn and their experiences with you. Wellness is indeed infectious. The more people practicing healthy behaviors such as group walks and providing healthy food at community events will make it easier to maintain healthy behaviors outside of the home.

2. Everyone needs to schedule their preventative screening tests, such as self breast exams, mammograms, and colonoscopies to detect cancer earlier.

3. There is a new vaccine on the market called Guardasil and it may be helpful in preventing cervical cancer. There are pros and cons to this vaccine and its available to teens and women to prevent HPV/Genital Warts vaccine.

Cornell Key an experienced personal trainer and owner of Key 2 Personal Training, Wall Township NJ added:

1. The missing link to a complete work out program is often the failure to incorporate interval training. This form of training boosts your metabolism and heart rate even when the exercise is over. You burn more calories in 20minutes than in a standard run on a treadmill. He and many experts have said it for years, cardio does not live up to its expectations. Beware, it's crucial to have a professional show you the right way to add this to your work out routine to make sure you're doing it the right way and to avoid injury.

2. The right personal trainer may help you achieve the goals you are looking for. He or she can make sure your muscles are in balance and that you don't end up hyperextended or injured. Don't let pushy trainers at some gyms scare you away from finding the right professional.

3. It's important to have a full fitness assessment- strength, cardio capabilities, and flexibility: All 3 determine your true fitness level.

Deirdre Luster a wellness consultant with Warm Spirits bestowed lovely holistic self care gifts. She and I both noticed that too many people spread unhealthy products on their bodies even though they are working so hard to exercise and eat nutritious foods.

1. She explained her company's philosophy that you do not have to put harmful chemicals in or on your body to look and feel beautiful. There are healthy skin care options without harmful additives.

2. Judy my 7 year old only uses organic/natural lotions and such, was thrilled to receive samples!

Rebecca Rhoades a holistic healthcounselor (www.designherdiet.com) adds:

1. Analyze your relationship with food. Do you eat or overeat in frustration, stress, or because of family and cultural expectations or obligations?

2. Eat with the seasons. Eat vegetables and fruits when they are being harvested and are fresh. It's easier to digest them and we get the most nutrients.

The seminar was very informative and I myself learned so much. It was an experience- to hear from so many experienced professionals. Sitting in a crowd of like minded attendees, who want to live and become healthier was invigorating. I hope this glimpse was helpful to you.

From the desk of Dr. Wells

Time or the lack of time is a major obstacle to exercise. But what if you're a great multi-tasker and you've actually found that 25th hour in a day to burn some calories........but now you're too pooped to do anything! You see, lack of motivation may even be a bigger road block than lack of time! This is why: unmotivated people first of all, do not find the time to do what they are supposed to and when they do have the time, they find an excuse not to take on the task. They feel sore. The feel overwelmed and too busy. They take on other unimportant tasks and say things such as "Oh I don't have time to take a walk, I have to fold the clothes." Yes some people do have good reason to be unmotivated. As a doctor, I do manage low thyroid states and vitamin deficiencies which may cause listlessness. I even give B12 shots for energy. Unfortunately I cannot prescribe the perfect pill for Motivation Deficiency Syndrome for the millions of people who continue to sit on their butts. Most people would have their doctor diagnose them with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome! They crave a medical excuse. If you have the energy to go to the movies, eat all day at a buffet or go shopping but you have no energy to get in 10,000 steps a day or to pick up some weights, you are not a true CFS patient; you are a person who makes excuses!

What's an unmotivated person to do?

Enlist all your senses! Touch, Sight, Smell, Hear, Taste.

Hear: Play the theme music from Rocky or your favorite song. That will get you up!

Smell: Aromatherapy, like music can increase your stamina! Certain scents such as basil, cinnamon, sage, and ginger will be your personal smelling salts. Yes people will stare at you at the gym if your sniffing green stuff from a plastic bag. Just ignore them. They'll be following in your footsteps soon enough.

Taste: Reward yourself with a small piece of chocolate if you had a good day. Only eat your favorite food if you truly worked hard and deserve it. You could reward yourself a cheat meal (maybe 700 extra calories on Sunday, if that will motivate you burn more calories during the week)

Touch: That's a hard one. Well, my patients and I wear leg weights called Bodytogs and that extra weight puts us into the right mindframe of building strength all day long. Most people eat healthier if they have a constant reminder like that. It's similar to the burlap sacks monks wear to remind them to be humble before God. Carbohydrate sensitive people or people with a strong family history of diabetes may check their blood sugar every morning before they eat. That needle prick plus a borderline reading in someone who is not diabetic certainly motivates them to eat better so that they will lose more weight or maintain weight. They bear the slight pain so that they do not become diabetic!

Sight: Surround yourself with fitness and health magazines. If your role model is LAnce Armstrong or Queen Latifah put their picture on your refridgerator. People like Brad Latour the creator of JumpSnap and others who have lost a lot of weight may inspire you. Put your abnormal cholesterol tests on the fridge, in the car, at your desk at work.(Make sure you get the advanced cholesterol tests that are out now!)

A few weeks ago I said people needed to invest in the right tools to stay healthy and fit. How fortunate it is to also have your five senses at your disposal for free. You have control over the ship you run. Use your special superpowers to rescue the most important person on the planet, YOU.

From the desk of Dr. Wells

What separates a successful dieter from a yo-yo dieter? Could it be their weight loss tools or gadgets? Could their success be attributed to the diet program they choose or the supplements they buy? Take for instance the Atkins diet, it works well for many people but not for others. A fat burning pill ordered online may have sugar and powder inside, yet thousands of people will attribute their successful weight loss to the placebo pill. The gastric bypass procedure works well for some people but we do see many people gain all the weight back. There are countless options that people use to lose weight. Probably what makes people truly successful in weight loss is that they have chosen the tools and gadgets that's just right for them.

If you gain weight after bariatric surgery, then it wasn't the right tool for you or maybe it wasn't the right time to use that tool. Sometimes the bigger the tool is, the less likely someone is interested in using other little tools to ensure success. Most successful dieters have found multiple tools that work for them. These tools come in the form of the right exercise, fun gadgets such as the Jump Snap, meal replacements and diet food that actually taste good and helpful diet information or experts. These are instruments that people use to reach their desired weight. However, despite the wide array of tools that take off extra pounds, it takes a whole lot more to help people maintain their weight. Just because you have a saw, bulldozer and a hammer, that doesn't mean you can build a house or even a book shelf that will last. That's the catch.......a tool is only as good as the person who is wielding it. So before starting a diet, it's important to make sure that the tool wielder is prepared for the task at hand. I guess that's why they recommend for people to see a physician first! You should make sure that you are physically up for the challenge of a diet. For instance, an undiagnosed thyroid problem would make you too tired to exercise. You can't wield any tools if you're half asleep! Just remember you're body is undergoing a major overhaul over the span of months or years. A very long journey indeed. Get a tune-up! You wouldn't drive your car across country without one would you? Have your fitness level assessed. Get a check up. Do a cleanse. Do something good for the most wonderful person in the world. You.

To sum it up: Successful dieters are problem solvers. They pay attention to what works and what doesn't work. They have some character traits that they either were born with or developed during their dieting struggles. 1) The ability to select the right tool. 2)The desire to learn how the tool works 3) The sense to throw out a tool if it's not working. 4)The ability to multi-task and make time out of no time in order to use the tool. 5) Eagerness to learn from others and their mistakes.

What's in your tool box? Make a list of each:

- - - Exercise/nutrition/education/reliable resources - - -

What's working? What's not working for you?

From the desk of Dr. Wells

Hi everyone. In my last blog about shortcuts to fitness, I stated that people should get their information from reliable sources. Unfortunately sometimes, the sources that seem reliable are not reliable at all. So how can you make sure that you get the best and most up to date information without falling into the trap of believing everything you see or read? Do some research yourself and ask around. Check out the credentials of the people giving you fitness advice and health advice. If you think there are metabolic or medical reasons for your weight gain or you have hit a plateau, you should definitely search for a good health care practitioner in your area. If your primary care doctor or nutritionist tells you you're in tip top shape but you feel horrible then it may be time to get a second opinion or better yet advanced testing. Sometimes the basic tests that insurance will pay for will not detect metabolic roadblocks. If you are not getting the answers you need, take the time to see if there is someone local who specializes in slow metabolism or wellness.
If you're looking for reliable exercise information, certified personal trainers can lead you in the right direction. Most people are still using TV infomercials and associates who seem reliable for their work out info! The bottom line is: Whatever you do in life always make sure you do your homework, gather as much information as possible, and make sure your resources PROVE themselves to be reliable.

From the desk of Dr. Wells.