Returning readers, please scroll down past this permanent “welcome post” to read today’s current Lane 8 post.
Lane 8 Is A Metaphor For Life
If this is your first visit, welcome to Lane 8. The goal here is simple. To inspire you to take care or your body – a daily health blog, wellness blog and fitness blog.
(Please scroll down to read today’s post)
Celebrate Our Body, Our Health
There are two ways to look at our bodies.
As a temple.
As a burden.
How is it with you?
Betcha Lane 8 scares, annoys, angers and otherwise does just about everything it can to challenge those few brave souls that have the guts to keep coming back.
A challenge to find a purpose for being healthy. Don’t look for a reason. Find a purpose.
Well begun is half done.
Well, I haven’t done everything. I haven’t ever said it’s acceptable to be unhealthy.
Celebrating 50th Birthday in Finland
You know how children like to write to Santa each year to ask for stuff? It’s no different for adults. Here’s my version.
Dear Dr. Weinberger,
I’ve been a good boy all year. Have focused on diet and exercise, just like you said to do.
This year’s wish list includes some old standbys and some new things too.
My BMI, blood pressure, and resting heart rate all on in line. Still treating Plantar fasciitis. If you are able to surprise me with any additional tests or recommendations that an especially health-conscious midlife male would like, that would be great.
Have enjoyed the past 27 years as your loyal and attentive patient. 
Can You Say Desert?
75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.
Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
So the million-dollar question is, “Why is it so challenging to drink enough water?”
Far Upper Right Corner
Some people are gifted. Mentally, physically, spiritually, financially.
Where do you place yourself in this mix? Honestly, on a good day, I’d give myself an average at best, and quite possibly a below average in some.
And yet, there s a popular saying that says, don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
And so it goes for all of us. We look inside ourselves for our motives, our values, our determination, and even for the ever elusive indomitable will. And we have varying degrees of success. But mostly, failure.
And a few years ago, while taking a “coffee break” by the proverbial water cooler, two colleagues were talking about the Atkins diet they were following. And so I asked antagonistically.
“Why doesn’t anyone ever ask me what I do for my diet?” And their ignorant, but honest, reply was instantaneous.
“You don’t need to worry about it.” To which I replied.
“I worry about it every single day, that’s why I don’t need to worry about it.”
Put up or shut up. But please don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
Feeling overwhelmed? We all are.
There is hope. It’s free. But it’s not easy.
You must do the five simple steps from Lane 8’s blog post two days ago, if you intend to transform yourself.
You can (repeat, CAN) become conditioned to work on two or three impossible goals simultaneously.
But not until you’ve had some success doing it one at a time.
Look, you won’t find easy answers here. You’ll find simple answers, but nothing here is going to be “easy”.
Will I ever make it to Lane 8? No, but that won’t stop me from trying. And in the process of never giving up, perhaps I’ll stay healthy for the rest of my life.
And maybe, just maybe, if the best runners in the world have their worst day, and I have the absolute best day of my life, maybe the finals in the worst lane, Lane 8, isn’t impossible after all.
And maybe reaching your impossible goal isn’t impossible either.
Lane 8's First Guest Blogger
Today’s Lane 8 post is from a West Chester University graduate, United States Marine, Husband, Father, and a man who understands what common sense means. Skip Gaskill also understands what self-discipline means. And it is an honor to introduce you to him now. Skip, take it away:
“What characteristic is it that many of us lack on our journey to achieve excellence?
The self-discipline to stick to our chosen paths.
Why? Because it is often too hard, too difficult, too painful, or down right inconvenient. Do you compromise your integrity for convenience sake? Do you rationalize your decision when you know you’re wrong to do so?
Self-discipline means doing the right thing when no one else is looking. My kids think I’m “Goofy” (pun intended) for driving the extra half mile instead of making an illegal u-turn. I choose to set the example for my children.
Lack of self-discipline can be conquered if you really want to improve yourself. Start small, take baby steps if necessary. You will have great joy and should be proud of yourselves when you actually accomplish one of your goals because you had the self-discipline to see it through.
Whether it is running a marathon, quitting smoking, eating better, or being a better person, self-discipline is a key ingredient in the recipe for excellence!”
The road to excellence has no finish line.
This Everyday Health article basically says what I’ve been saying all along here at Lane 8:
Simple? Yes.
Easy? Not on your life.
This Everyday Health article shares six really common sense, and practical, tips for focusing on our sleep.
These things are painful to contemplate aren’t they?
Sleep, fiber, exercise, flexibility, colonoscopy, healthy body weight (BMI), cholesterol.
It is a sincere hope that you will appreciate Lane 8’s daily push (or maybe it’s a pull). In his wonderful book about living, which he wrote as he was dying, Randy Pausch cautioned us to not hate people who nag us.
They nag us because they love us. Start to worry when they stop pushing or pulling you to do better or differently.
Do you get that? I’m not trying to show off. I’m just trying to show.
It can be done. You can do it. But you have to want it. And you have to want it bad.
This Everyday Health article showcases the strategy for using fiber to help with weight loss.
Our Body Houses Our Temple
It seems to me, in looking around at all the people going about their business, that very few make diet and exercise a priority.
Can we all agree on that? Or, is this notion completely misguided?
The only thing that comes to mind right now is, “Why?”