From: Bill Kleinbauer (cache-ntc-ad02.proxy.aol.com)
Subject: DRAFT Star McD 4Ks Family!
Date: January 12, 2006 at 1:49 am PST
200 on-line contacts to my items and to other on-line resources, such as available at www.vegsource.com and www.ravediet.com. These last two links are singing from the same songbook as Dr. McD, Dr. Campbell, Dr. Esselstyn, Dr. Klaper, Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Jay Gordon, etc. As a "Pay Me Forward" participant, I have given away many of the RAVE Diet Book/DVD packages. Costs me $12 a pop to do that -- so consider this part of my interesting and exciting retirement gig.
I have tried to persuade my local YMCA to offer an evening 10-week pilot course, led by me, using much of the videos and materials that I have gathered. I have coordinated with YMCA Headquarters on this, a bit. The first local reaction was that the Y follows the government food pyramid guidelines. Headquarters is more open to new ideas and has recent government funding to help solve the obesity problems in the U.S. To be continued. I am looking, low-key so far, for local experts on nutrition to participate with me. I did try to attend a 10-week "Ultimate Weight Loss Challenge" support group program that the Y has held, that uses Dr. Phil McGraw's book as a main reference. I read the book and found it to be poor and close to useless and said so in an email to the Y leaders. I was dis-invited from being a participant -- mainly because the leaders deemed that I do not need the program and intimate sharing of problems takes place. My take is that a person that first gets the correct education on optimal nutrition for humans (not in Dr. Phil's book anywhere!!!) does not need much psychological help to be successful.
I was very successful recently in getting a two-page article on Vegan Nutrition in our local paper! It is archived here http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2005/10/20/news/lifestyles/life80.txt -- "Veg Out". The title is in contrast to "Pig Out." I enjoyed working with the writer and gave her many email inputs that she could consider in writing the story. She did a nice job. I found her when I read a previous health article that she had written in which no mention was made of the benefits of diet on the disease "Fibromyalgia." I told her that Dr. McD had website info on two studies that indicated great benefits from a Vegan diet. I passed this info on to a victim of the disease that was featured in the article.
In the "Veg Out" article I publicized that I would be hosting a noon-to-7 PM "Veggie Sampler Buffet" at our favorite restaurant, the Thai Hut, the Sunday following the Thursday publication. That was a successful, fun event, at which 50 people came and enjoyed the seven foods offered, all-you-can-eat, for $10 per person. The owners were very pleased with the turnout and response and said that they probably should offer such a veggie buffet on a regular basis.
Another area that I have delved into a little -- I have attended three free Wellness Education presentations given by our local hospital. One on Calcium Guidance was extremely poor, pointing to the value of dairy products! Give me a break. I wrote up my damning critique in detail. In all three meetings, I gave out my CDs and EarthSave pamphlets to some attendees, the meetings coordinator, and to the presenters. I have asked who are nutrition-savvy experts in this town -- none contacted so far.
We have participated in two more McD events at the Flamingo Resort, in Santa Rosa CA. In Nov. '03, we four went to the "First McD Alumni Weekend Advanced Education" Program. I videotaped all the speakers and made DVD videos for each one, including Dr. Ornish and Dr. Kushi (macrobiotics). In Sept. '04, Billierose and I attended the formal videotaping session of the new McD-and-Staff lectures that were released on new DVDs in Dec. '04.
Billierose and I are planning to attend the Feb 3-5 '06 Advance Study Weekend, open to all, in Santa Rosa. Go and join us? Billie enjoys the booster lectures. (Showbiz is in her soul -- she has taken a performing workshop, continues with piano, ballet and art [cartooning included] and has added singing lessons!). ((This just arrived: Bizzaro at McD Feb.weekend and Bizarro Website -- Billie will really want to go now!!)) This event will be my 70th birthday present to myself. Being deemed a "Star McDougaller" from the healthy side of life is another unique present! Year 70 starts on 7 January.
Thoughts on Exercise
We hear that correct nutrition is 80% of the optimum health equation and that adequate exercise is 20%. For years I have done a fair amount of exercise, boosted mainly in the '60's by encouragement and guidance from Dr. Kenneth Cooper's "Aerobics" books. Welcome To The Cooper Aerobics Center - Dallas, Texas . In the 70's, I did a lot of jogging -- reaching a peak of running 5 miles in 40 minutes (8-minute miles).
Ten months ago, in March '05, my wife Doreen signed us up as a family for using the YMCA's great exercising facilities. What took us so long before doing this, too?? The family plan cost is $51/month. I have enjoyed going there, 5 minutes away, for about 5 times a week, for 2.5 hour sessions, mainly alone. I do 50 minutes of vigorous aerobics and do three or four sets of weight training exercises on most of the 23 pieces of equipment. I am burning over 500 calories a visit. I have not made much use of the fine swimming pool yet. When I hit the showers, I feel like a high school athlete again!
Cautions: get the checkouts on proper use of the equipment and be careful, in general not to hurt yourself. So far, no problems for me. Don't rush to increase your speeds, durations, and weights. On the other hand, don't loaf and read magazines and drift off into listening to music on a headset. Work up a good sweat!
In my judgment now, exercise deserves more that a 20% rating -- especially for succeeding long-term in a weight loss program and for being functionally independent as we age. Regarding my own weight, it demo's the set-point stubbornness -- I just stay at 138 lb., so far. I do notice that I am losing fat weight and gaining muscle weight. I am about ready to enter Dr. McD's "Shirts Off" contest to show that his weight control program is very successful (see current photo).
Wrap-Up
We want to praise and thank Dr. John, Nurse Mary and Daughter Heather McDougall, and their Total Health Solution Staff, for all that they have done to educate and inspire us! We also appreciate the great works of others that are doing this noble work.
If you have questions or comments, you can reach me at maule5662h@aol.com .
Have a very happy 2006!
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