Information means having a full understanding of the dynamics of full function, health. This understanding addresses the prime problem of health illiteracy, which, in my mind, is our single largest challenge. As we have the intelligence and understanding, then we can really own our health instead of downloading it on a frequently uncaring medical system.
Intelligence means having the practical daily smarts that allow good nutrition, adequate exercise, and a full quota of rest and recreation. But having health intelligence, while necessary, is insufficient. We also need the opportunity to put the knowledge in effect. Knowing about good food doesn't guarantee good nutrition if there are no good stores, or cheap enough calories. Knowing about exercise is insufficient if there are no sidewalks, or parks, or stairs. Knowing about rest is not enough if there is not enough time. Taking time for health is crucial.
Finally, having the knowledge and opportunity for health, while critical, is not enough without the incentive. Beyond the financial issue is the adoption of owning your own health, and not seeking to download this responsibility elsewhere I-O-I for health rules.
Once more, the buck stops with ourselves. Let's sidetrack a bit for a moment. You have taken your own advice seriously regarding physical activity. Can you tell our readers how far that has taken you?
For me, personally, I have grappled a running schedule to my life plan. Ever since my father died when I was 40 years old, and I became emotionally devastated, I have boldly exploited the antidepressant power of exercise. I have also published on the endorphin rise after exercise in the New England Journal of Medicine. So, my commitment to this activity abides.
A marathon per year is my track record. Slow but sure.
Bortz with medals on cover of Active Magazine by Walter M Bortz II, MD
Can you tell our readers how you started your marathon training and how it's continued up through the present? How is training in your 70s and 80s different than training in your 40s?
When my father died I was smart enough, or dumb enough, to know that exercise was therapy. Also, I was enough of a Walter Mitty, vicarious athlete-type to know that the Boston Marathon was the only world-class athletic event still open to the average Joe. This was 1970.
Then, they changed the rules so that once again only legitimate runners could qualify. Wonderfully, Dr. Ron Lawrence challenged and asserted that Boston needed us doctors to assure the rigid safety requirements of the runners.
So a compromise was reached. A few doctors were to be able to run, with differentially identified. numbers. I applied and, in 1971, ran my first marathon in a little over 5 hours. Who cares?
And now, 40 years later, not only have I run my annual marathon, but so too, has my wife not only run, but won in Boston for women over 60 and 70. She now looks forward to next year when she will be 80, too.
All of our four children have run a marathon, and we have a bounty of $1000 available for our grandkids to run a marathon. So far, one of nine has.
The marathon is not really important as a life strategy. But physical fitness is.
Fitness for the young is an option. Physical fitness for the old is an imperative.
What's your view on Americans' reliance on vitamins and supplements to reach their daily requirement of nutrients?
Intelligence means having the practical daily smarts that allow good nutrition, adequate exercise, and a full quota of rest and recreation. But having health intelligence, while necessary, is insufficient. We also need the opportunity to put the knowledge in effect. Knowing about good food doesn't guarantee good nutrition if there are no good stores, or cheap enough calories. Knowing about exercise is insufficient if there are no sidewalks, or parks, or stairs. Knowing about rest is not enough if there is not enough time. Taking time for health is crucial.
Finally, having the knowledge and opportunity for health, while critical, is not enough without the incentive. Beyond the financial issue is the adoption of owning your own health, and not seeking to download this responsibility elsewhere I-O-I for health rules.
Once more, the buck stops with ourselves. Let's sidetrack a bit for a moment. You have taken your own advice seriously regarding physical activity. Can you tell our readers how far that has taken you?
A marathon per year is my track record. Slow but sure.
Bortz with medals on cover of Active Magazine by Walter M Bortz II, MD
Can you tell our readers how you started your marathon training and how it's continued up through the present? How is training in your 70s and 80s different than training in your 40s?
When my father died I was smart enough, or dumb enough, to know that exercise was therapy. Also, I was enough of a Walter Mitty, vicarious athlete-type to know that the Boston Marathon was the only world-class athletic event still open to the average Joe. This was 1970.
Then, they changed the rules so that once again only legitimate runners could qualify. Wonderfully, Dr. Ron Lawrence challenged and asserted that Boston needed us doctors to assure the rigid safety requirements of the runners.
So a compromise was reached. A few doctors were to be able to run, with differentially identified. numbers. I applied and, in 1971, ran my first marathon in a little over 5 hours. Who cares?
And now, 40 years later, not only have I run my annual marathon, but so too, has my wife not only run, but won in Boston for women over 60 and 70. She now looks forward to next year when she will be 80, too.
All of our four children have run a marathon, and we have a bounty of $1000 available for our grandkids to run a marathon. So far, one of nine has.
The marathon is not really important as a life strategy. But physical fitness is.
Fitness for the young is an option. Physical fitness for the old is an imperative.
What's your view on Americans' reliance on vitamins and supplements to reach their daily requirement of nutrients?
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