Do you think about your health?

[PsiKik]

Do you spend any significant time attending to your health in terms
of eating, excercise, alcohol, drugs?

I try to excercise everyday and have a list of things I will not eat, like junk food.

heres a link about peoples attitudes regarding health related to age.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4043187.stm

[Vagabond]

Who cares.

[Utopmk]

Sometimes I worry that I might have a terrible disease like cancer.

I don't worry about my heart as much, since I quit smoking. (pulse was an average of 140bpm, now it stays at around 80) I feel like a new person.

[Jezebel]

I am concerned about my health, but sometimes I just don't have the money, time, resources, or willpower to be as healthy as I would like.

[jjt]

I am definitely concerned about my health, but I think it is linked with aging. When I was young i.e. teens, early twenties, I smoked, ate junk, starved on and off to lose weight, tried all the crazy diets, got addicted to diet pills, tried a few other substances...
It never occured to me to do something that would make my long term health better.

It wasn't til I hit my mid thirties (10 years ago) that I seriously started to take an interest from a more sceintific viewpoint, preventative health, nutrition, etc. The trigger for me was having my cousin die of cancer, I seriously started to research the whole area and changed my diet. Now I'm slimmer, stronger, have tons more energy, with way less health problems than I have ever had - I feel younger and better in my body now than I did 20 years ago. In fact I got so into the whole area - I changed careers and set up my own business as a nutritionist.

I'm noticing a lot of my age group are either succumbing to age related problems (and moaning about them) or making a concerted effort to do something about them. Swings one way or the other when people hit 'middle age' as far as I can see.

[songbird36]

Who cares.

Amen to that.

People who obsess about health are about as exciting as watching paint dry (and I know..I have a hypochondriac for a father).

[mgb]

I was going to start a thread, but this will do the trick.

So I was watching a tv show today, The Nature of Things with David Suzuki, and they were doing a program on the Mad Cow Crisis in Canada and the rest of the world. It seems that mad cow came from England and was the product of beef by-products unfit for human consumption being rendered and served back to cattle. Mad cow or BSE, then made the jump to humans in the form of CJD (Cruetzfeld-Jacobs Disease). In humans, as in cows, the central nervous system is attacked and your brain withers away and you die a painful death. Good times.

I live in the province where the BSE was discovered about a year and a half ago. The beef economy has really taken a hitm unless you are a meat packer. It takes about 5-7 years to gestate before it symptoms show up in cattle. Canada has since disallowed the practice of feeding rendered beef back to cattle. However, that rendered beef is now fed to pigs and chickens, the infected BSE cow was even rendered and fed to pigs and chickens.

The US Department of Health (or whatever) says that CJD will affect about 1 people in a million every year. So pretty rare. But the show also talked about a race track in New Jersey where I think 7 out of 104 or so people working at this race track got the disease, presumably from eating tainted beef. So it has the potential to be very devasting when the beef is tainted.

As well, Japan did find BSE once too. Now every cow is tested for BSE before it is consumed by humans and the renderings from every cow are incinerated rather than being turned into feed. Since they have begun testing every carcass they have found that 14 imported animals have had BSE. As a percentage it might not be that high but still.

So now I am really wondering if its worth eating poultry, pork or beef. I like meat, but not if it will kill me. I realize that everything will kill you eventually but why speed things up? Plus there is all the hormones and anti-biotics that are injected into cattle so that they get bigger and farmers get more money for them.

What do you guys think? Is it worth it?

[jjt]

Amen to that.

People who obsess about health are about as exciting as watching paint dry (and I know..I have a hypochondriac for a father).
Caring about your health doesn't mean you're a hypochondriac or obsessed! Quality of life is worth the small amount of time it takes to make an effort.

[PsiKik]

I started this thread because of 2 things)
Saw an article on the BBC web site that described a relationship between age and concern for health -
the younger you are the less you take care.
Since I quit smoking(been about 6 months now) I have noticed how much better I feel. What some ppl here dont realise is that good food need not be boring.
I have been eating healthy as a way to control my mood. I have definately felt less prone to depression now that I eat a balanced diet and excercise. Also my goddam pot-belly is in retreat, which makes me feel a lot better as well. I see in this forum that a significant number of people also suffer from depression, anxieties etc from time to time, hope this helps.

[PsiKik]

So now I am really wondering if its worth eating poultry, pork or beef. I like meat, but not if it will kill me. I realize that everything will kill you eventually but why speed things up? Plus there is all the hormones and anti-biotics that are injected into cattle so that they get bigger and farmers get more money for them.

What do you guys think? Is it worth it?

I dont eat meat (red) anymore. I do eat chicken and fish though.
What really concerns me is all the hormones and anti-biotics that go into meats.

[Boneca]

I'm vegetarian, so I'm kind of forced to think a bit about what I eat. And I do buy organically grown vegetables when I can, but I'm more worried for the environment than for my health.
Also, I don't smoke and I do quite a lot of physical exercise. I'm not a hypochondriac though, I just happen to like a lifestyle that is healthy compared to that of other people.

[athman]

I am heading into mid 40's and getting more, rather than less healthy. I've always kept a moderate level of fitness but I find I am getting more interested in it as I get older and I'm really enjoying it too. I recently took up cycling again with a vengeance, doing 100K+ (60 mile+) rides that I wouldn't have considered 10 years ago.

I've tried to understand more about diet & nutrition but the whole field turns me off. Its complex and conflicting, full of opinions dressed as facts. I'll just eat whatever, avoid the obvious no no's and exercise a lot.

[SheepDog]

Since I'm no longer immortal (as I was when I was 18), I try to eat much better. Exercise is hard for me, since I get bored, but doing productive physical activity is much easier. We're doing some fairly serious remodeling, so I'm getting my exercise that way.

My wife and I have been vegetarian for about 7 years running. We eat pretty healthy for the most part, but when we get busy, we sometimes go for more convenient than healthy foods. Convenience foods are often so processed, that the ingredients look like a chemistry experiement, not something you'd want to eat. We're trying to eat more "food" food.

FWIW, the main objection we have to meat center around the industrialization. As mentioned above, that includes the concentrations of pesticides, herbacides, and hormones. We're also not fond of the environmental effects, nor the way the animals are treated. I think meat as a food source was once a more sustainable practice, but industrialization of it has pretty much ruined it.

[INTrPosr]

Who cares.I have to ditto Vag's sentiment.

[SensEye]

Yes I think about my health. As jjt said it is a quality of life issue. I'm sure there will prove to be a link with age. When you are young you can usually get away with a lot of abuse without having to worry too much. As you age you will notice such behavior will slow you down.

I don't go overboard though. I try to eat reasonably healthy but I still allow myself to indulge in high fat delicacies within reason (like chicken wings and taco chips for example). Not to mention beer, fairly substantial quantities of beer.

I'm kind of lazy too so I don't like exercise that much. I still do it in fits and starts, but I have trouble sticking to it on a regular basis. It's hard work and rather boring. I consider anyone who gets a "runner's high" to have a weak mind. Although when you are done exercising the sense of accomplishment and natural endorphin release is pleasant.

Finally, I am single and not much in the looks department. If I allow overweight to creep in it would probably be the final nail in my love life's coffin.

[jjt]

I think this whole area is fascinating - its my passion and where I apply my INTP skills, to make sense of the complexity.

I like these websites, there are a couple of cool tests (not recommended for health obsessed hypochondraics):
You can find out your bodies real age by doing the test on www.realage.com (and then you can decrease it by changing diet etc if you wish)
And you can find out what your risk of disease and decrease it on www.yourdiseaserisk.harvard.edu
Harvard also have the most well researched nutrition advice www.hsph.harvard.edu

[jimkopelli]

Eat well, excercise, die anyway.

I'm good with me. I don't do anything blatantly harmful, I excercise every now and then, and the only thing wrong with me is I'm too dense to float.

[Groty]

Especially when constipated. Shouldn't have eaten those cheesesticks today.

[mgb]

I think this whole area is fascinating - its my passion and where I apply my INTP skills, to make sense of the complexity.

I like these websites, there are a couple of cool tests (not recommended for health obsessed hypochondraics):
You can find out your bodies real age by doing the test on www.realage.com (and then you can decrease it by changing diet etc if you wish)
And you can find out what your risk of disease and decrease it on www.yourdiseaserisk.harvard.edu
Harvard also have the most well researched nutrition advice www.hsph.harvard.edu

I was doing great on the age test until they asked my if I had moved/gotten sued? Apparently, that adds about 4 years to your life. Ouch

I ended up 6 years older than I am.

[anarchist]

I don't....it's the least of my worries....

[Birdsnest]

Mostly I need to be more concerned about walking and exersizing now that I am older and gain weight more easily. I still try to avoid the foods with heavy fat, such as donuts, bacon, sausage, and sodas, etc. After that, I try to eat white meat more than red meat, and make at least one large salad a week, and see if I can get 5 veggies and fruits a day. (But I don't always).

Also, for my hypoglycemia I eat equal amounts of carbs and proteins at every meal and snack. I have to eat often, or get low blood sugar. I have one of those medical encyclopedias that I use to diagnose myself and kids and go to dr. if I need to.

Have I ever been hypochondriac? Well yes, but my sister did a good job about 15 years ago teasing me and said "you are such a hypochondriac" so ever since I have seen thru that and ignored my "pains" and only paid attention to the ones that last more than 24 hours.

[jjt]

I get hypoglycemia too, I follow the Zone diet (www.drsears.com) - I do exactly the same as Birdsnest - protein and carbs at each meal. Got rid of my PMS too. (and has stopped the dreaded middle-age spread.)

[Vagabond]

The "who cares" attitude is a bit dubious since it allows the possibility to later realize that it proved to be a mistake. True, true... but who cares... :ph34r:

Edit: the : ph34r: emoticon is messed up as you see... :(

[Sam172]

I think about my health a lot. I walk or bike places instead of getting the car (okay, that is partially because I don't want to learn to drive yet, and anyway...even if I did I can't drive on my own until next year). I try to eat grainery breads instead of white (plus I also love grainery bread). I steer clear of meats, I don't drink alcohol (yes, I know some may be good for you, but I don't like the taste and effect anyway), I've never smoked or done any drugs (apart from paracetamol about once a year or so). I usually get about 45-50 minutes of exercise (in the form of fast walking or biking) per day, and then exercise for about 10-15 minutes in the evening.
I try and eat 5 portions of fruit + veg a day....but usually only end up with 3 :(. I have a large amount of fibre in my diet, I never put any salt on my food or in my cooking (apart from what's already in some of the ingredients I put in) and I steer clear of butter and eggs. Nuts and seeds are my friends, whereas crisps and cakes are my enemies.

However every few months I have to go on a feeding frenzy on fatty foods to stop myself loosing weight. :(

[jjt]

I think about my health a lot. I walk or bike places instead of getting the car (okay, that is partially because I don't want to learn to drive yet, and anyway...even if I did I can't drive on my own until next year). I try to eat grainery breads instead of white (plus I also love grainery bread). I steer clear of meats, I don't drink alcohol (yes, I know some may be good for you, but I don't like the taste and effect anyway), I've never smoked or done any drugs (apart from paracetamol about once a year or so). I usually get about 45-50 minutes of exercise (in the form of fast walking or biking) per day, and then exercise for about 10-15 minutes in the evening.
I try and eat 5 portions of fruit + veg a day....but usually only end up with 3 :(. I have a large amount of fibre in my diet, I never put any salt on my food or in my cooking (apart from what's already in some of the ingredients I put in) and I steer clear of butter and eggs. Nuts and seeds are my friends, whereas crisps and cakes are my enemies.

However every few months I have to go on a feeding frenzy on fatty foods to stop myself loosing weight. :(

You sound like my brother and father who are both INTJ's.

[SensEye]

You'll probably live a long life Sam, barring a bus accident or the like.


Edit: the : ph34r: emoticon is messed up as you see... :( Possibly why Claverhouse is boycotting the forum! (That or a pc problem.) Could be f.c's work drama is negatively affecting his usually prompt and reliable forum fixes.

[Nighthawk]

Up to about age 30, I didn't worry about my health at all. Abused my body quite a bit in my 20's with some heavy drinking, eating all kinds of junk, and massive sleep deprivation. I had problems gaining weight at that point in my life, and led a very active lifestyle in the military ... so my weight remained at about 175lbs (72" tall). I contracted some kind of poisoning during the first gulf war (heavy metals, sarin gas, oil fire smoke ... who knows), which caused me to be a little more concerned about my health. I married a critical care nurse about that time, so she focused a lot of energy towards my health and well-being (still does). Diet, natural medicines, and exercise slowly got all the poisons of my system.

Then, in my late 30's, I started gaining weight ... up to 205 lbs. Even strenuous cardio exercise 6-7 times a week couldn't drop so much as a pound. Massively cutting back on fatty foods did not work either. Finally went with a low carb diet and lost 25 lbs in two months ... then dropped back down to my 20's weight of 175. I don't go hog wild with fatty foods though, or red meat, or eggs and cheese. Also take vitamin supplements for the stuff I miss by not eating a lot of fruit. Also stopped drinking entirely. Never smoked. I force myself to do some high level cardio exercises 3X a week. I don't know if I'm in better shape than my 20's, but I'm certainly in better shape than my 30's.

I guess the bottom line is that I am concerned with my health from a maintenance standpoint. Once most people reach their late 30's, their health no longer maintains itself, but needs lifestyle help. The bottom line for me is that I want to feel better, keep weight off, and have more energy. I do what ever works to accomplish that end. Its not so much an obsession as it is an integration into my life ... like work and other regular activities. I don't push my lifestyle on others and feel everybody should be free to do what works for them.

One caveat thought. My wife has related to me her 25 years of experience as a critical care nurse. She states that the majority of people in ICU suffering from some sort of organ/system failure (heart, kidney, liver, circulatory, etc.) are obese and out of shape. A significant portion of them are only in their 30's and 40's. I'd be interested in knowing how all of you feel about footing the medical bill (through taxes, Medicare, socialized medicine, etc.) for somebody who has chosen a sedentary or self-abusive lifestyle that has caused their illness.

[BritainOphira]

Normally I don't worry about my health too much, but I do try to watch what I eat. I don't eat meat, I try to avoid things that are overly greasy or buttery or just junk, I don't drink carbonated beverages (unless I am half dead and in need of caffeine), and I attempt to get enough protein, though I often fall short of that goal. My main problem, as far as food goes, is I either eat all or nothing. I am perfectly fine with not eating for a day or so (due to forgetfulness or lack of desire), but every so often I begin eating everything in sight, though that normally doesn't last long enough to really effect me too much.
I used to be much healthier in terms of eating habits (I have never been a fan of exercise, as it is rather boring and I live too far away from anywhere to walk), but for whatever reason that changed last spring/summer. Of course, now I wear smaller pants, or I would if I ever got around to buying any, but it's still not the healthiest way to live.
As far as food goes I tend to eat loads of dairy and spaghettios, which, strangely enough, are rather healthy as they are heavily fortified with everything from calcium to any vitamin you could name.

[Lucas]

I don't think about my health all that much, but I have developed a lot of healthy habits in the last few years.

I Mountain bike, climb, run, lift weights, hike and ski. I used to run 30-40 miles/week, but I started having problems with my knees so I had to back off on my plans of running a marathon. Going from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one has made a HUGE difference in the quality of my life. I just feel so much better. I don't smoke or drink. I'm also a vegetarian and I eat very healthy. I'm glad to see there are some other vegetarians on this board!

I don't do it out of any fear. An active and healthy life just feels good.

[cloakable]

I do think about my health, but not to any great extent. I live a healthy life - walking most places, plenty of meat, some vegatables. But frankly, my body seem to be fairly resilient, so I don't worry about my health.

[booyalab]

I don't care much about the hormones and anti-biotics, you're not supposed to eat red meat much anyways, so if you just eat it once a week like you're supposed to..that should give your body enough time to flush out the bad stuff in between.
They're always finding out new information about things that can harm us, so I mostly take the new 'findings' with a grain of salt and abide by the common sense precautions.

[Edmond Zedo]

I don't care much about the hormones and anti-biotics, you're not supposed to eat red meat much anyways, so if you just eat it once a week like you're supposed to..that should give your body enough time to flush out the bad stuff in between.
They're always finding out new information about things that can harm us, so I mostly take the new 'findings' with a grain of salt and abide by the common sense precautions.
Easy, Turbo! Red meat is great for athletes (The leaner the better). The insane qty of protein builds muscle, and the hemeiron, which is contained in red blood cells, is much more easily used by the body than "plain" iron. And iron helps aerobic ability (inasmuchas "enough" iron is beneficial; studies haven't yet shown higher doses to help).

[booyalab]

Easy, Turbo! Red meat is great for athletes (The leaner the better). The insane qty of protein builds muscle, and the hemeiron, which is contained in red blood cells, is much more easily used by the body than "plain" iron.

You're right of course, but most people aren't athletes. I was just speaking in general. I should probably eat more red meat but I only like steak, and I couldn't even stand eating that more than once a week. I do like deli-style ham though, I suppose.

About my health, I think I eat a balanced diet. It's lucky that I happen to dislike a lot of things that are coincidentally bad for me, for example: pork, doughnuts, potato chips. Most everything else from the junk food category that I like I can only stand in very small increments, except for chocolate and cheesecake and peppermint bon bon ice cream.
As for other aspects of health, I wear sunscreen very frequently. I would never go to a tanning booth (for other reasons than just fearing skin cancer). I exercise way more than a lot of people, I'm sure. I take vitamins when I can remember. I'm pretty germ-wary. The only thing I do to jeopardize my health is going out in freezing temps with no gloves or hat because I always lose mine.

[Edmond Zedo]

Hmm. I haven't ever heard ham described as red meat. Is it?

[Edmond Zedo]

The only thing I do to jeopardize my health is going out in freezing temps with no gloves or hat because I always lose mine.
That's cute. Really, 'tis. I do the same, but have never thought of myself as cute for that reason. ;)

[songbird36]

Caring about your health doesn't mean you're a hypochondriac or obsessed! Quality of life is worth the small amount of time it takes to make an effort.

If you re-read my post you will see that I used the word "obsess" not the word "care". Of course it is normal and desirable to care about your health (as I myself do by exercising, eating a healthy diet and not smoking, or drinking much) but not to the exclusion of everything else worth thinking about.

It's about balance. We live in a societal environment which induces us to fixate on health issues, and to worry excessively about them. Magazines and the internet are full of articles about diseases, and links between foods or environmental factors and health problems, and much of this is misleading, speculative or downright inaccurate. We are all encouraged to be armchair doctors, and all of this is under the guise of "informing and empowering".

I don't think it's a healthy trend. Balance between mind, body and spirit is the key to good health, and this is not achieved by the creation of excessive anxiety, and obsession with a few isolated aspects of the big picture.

[Swift]

My only concern is AVOIDING harmfull things like smoking, taking drugs, excessive drinking, unhealthy food, etc...
I'm too lazy to exercize.

Swift