Walk with a Doc Newsletter

September 16th, 2010

In This Issue

Movie Premiere

HDL

Birding with a Doc

Exclusive Movie Premiere!

We are unable to disclose at this time, but please tune in to next week's newsletter.
We have a very rare opportunity that may be presented to us.

Greetings!

What a great morning! Thank you for letting us into your home, business, marketplace, etc. Oh my goodness I feel fantastic. Why? I just took my dog Mudge for a walk.

You know that face Rachel Ray makes after trying her dish. You've seen it - she rolls her eyes then there's this gentle disbelieving shake of the head with a 10,000 kilowatt smile. It's like she's saying, "If you had ANY idea what is going on inside my body right now..." That is EXACTLY the way I feel!

I'm really wondering if they will ever make exercise illegal. You would think that something bringing this much joy and happiness would come with repercussions? Nope. Instead, let us rejoice in its lawfulness and continue walking, running, cycling, etc until we get our 150-300 minutes a week. It really seems too easy. It just doesn't seem fair.

We have so much to share, please read on - including the coupon - something we don't want you to miss.

HDL (Good Cholesterol)

HDL is so important. Why? HDL is the garbageman/woman that takes the LDL (bad cholesterol) from the arterial wall to the liver where it faces elimination.

With very rare exception, we like the HDL to be as high a number as possible. How do we increase our HDL count:
1) Exercise (I'm not kidding): The more you exercise the higher it goes. Marathon runners? Very high HDL's.
2) Fruits and vegetables (nothing funny about F&V - they just work.) They are amazing in their powers. Please don't share this, but we are considering changing the name in 2011 to Fruits and Vegetables with a Doc - we're that serious.
3) Foods with soluble fiber (oatmeal, brown rice, etc.)
4) Alcohol in moderation - that's right alcohol can be good

in the right doses. Please don't ever start drinking just for health benefits. Don't drink and drive. This is something that needs to be discussed with your physician as well. Enough disclaimers there? At least you don't need expressed written consent of Major League Baseball.
5) Certain medications (such as niacin and fibrates).
6) Stopping smoking
7) Maintaining an appropriate body weight (BMI <25)

In short, HDL is extremely powerful. We love it greater than 60 mg/dl and we start getting concerned at levels below 40 mg/dl. As always, check with your doctor to find out what your level is and the best individualized way for you to approach it.

Bird Watching with a Doc

Our physician leader at Park of Roses this week is Dr. Jim Naprawa. Dr. Jim is an avid bird watcher and would love all interested parties to bring binoculars. How cool is that? (Please check www.walkwithadoc.org for all the location specifics). This bird walk is real, it is going to happen. Please call our office at 614-714-0407 with all non-ornithological questions. If you happen to have bird inquiries, please call the Audubon Society.

For Highbanks members - there is a different location within Highbanks this week. We will be meeting at the pavilion just before you enter the Big Meadows Picnic Area (1.4 miles into the park - we will have a sign). 8:30 will be our time. Franklin Park Conservatory (8:30) and Westerville (9:00) will be meeting as planned.

In regards to the birds, if you are attending Walk with a Doc at another site - please don't bum out. As a matter of fact, Highbanks (Hibx) participants have a 100% guarantee of seeing a Dodo Bird (flightless bird endemic to Mauritius previously thought to have been extinct since the mid-17th century). This Dodo bird will be 2 metres tall, wearing a ball cap, shaking hands, and dispensing medical anecdotes (please see above artist rendition for assistance in identification).

I know this isn't a bird watching contest Park of Roses, but at the start; Highbanks:1 - Park of Roses:0. Game on.

*If you do call Audubon, please tell them you saw a Dodo bird at Highbanks. If we get enough reports, who knows, something fun might happen...

Thank you once again for your patience with us. Our Executive Director Kathryn Stephens has been working tirelessly to create incredible movement for our program. We will be announcing new walks and their specifics via Twitter and Facebook - please find with links on our site (www.walkwithadoc.org). Have a terrific couple of days and thank you for continuing to make us proud with your regular exercise.

See you Saturday,

David
Walk with a Doc

Buy One, Get One

With your next colonoscopy. If you are a man or a woman 50 years of age or older or you have a family member that has had colon cancer - please get screened. Go with a friend, present this coupon and see if your friendly neighborhood gastroenterologist will honor it. If they decline, please have them call Kathryn at 614-714-0407. Our Executive Director, Kathryn Stephens is fascinated by the medical field (especially the poop and pee part) and extremely skilled in sensitive negotiations. If you fit the bill and have already had your scope, please confirm that your family, friends, and neighbors have done the same. You will be saving lives.

Offer Expires: Never