Sometime around Thanksgiving, I was doing really well with my diet. I'm not sure what happened to make me slide (besides all the holiday goodies sitting around). It's got me to thinking though, why is it so hard for us to make a lifestyle change that we know would make us feel better?
This past year we (Alpha Oxy-Med) were blessed to be offered the Hospice contract. It has been a ton of work and a ton of man hours but it is has truly been worth it. The people we have met have been amazing. Hospice isn't all about cancer but the majority of patients happen to be diagnosed with some type of cancer. A cancer diagnosis doesn't only effect the patient but effects the entire family. No matter the type, it is a devastating disease. To see what it can do to a human body is just overwhelming.
Back to my original question of why is it so hard to make a lifestyle change. I've been reading a really good book called AntiCancer A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber MD. Look at the way the American diet has changed over the years and compare that to how much the cancer rate has increased. Look at a food label and see if you can pronounce all the words. Its incredible to see the chemicals we put into our bodies and deny they're going to have some negative effect. I, myself am just as guilty. I'm naive to all the steroids and chemicals given to the cattle that produce our milk. Or the same chemicals that are given to fatten up the beef we eat. What's even more crazy is that the FDA allows it. Have you seen the commercial for high fructose corn syrup? This stuff is in everything!! And it's horrible for you. Read this article about HFCS (click here). Yet they claim in their commercial its ok in moderation. Cmon folks, it's in everything we eat so how can it be in moderation. I just heard a while back that Gatorade finally took HFCS out of they're products, good job!!!
Sugar, sugar, suger!!! We eat a ton of it! A German biologist won the Nobel Prize in medicine for his discovery that the metabolism of malignant tumors is largely dependent on glucose consumption.(Servan-Schreiber pg61). White flour, processed foods, we all are guilty of eating it, yet it's proven that it's not healthy. Yet!!!!! We still fill our faces with it. If your thinking of joining in on the Challenge, then cut out sugar and white flour and see how much weight you lose. And yes that includes all the crap you put in your coffee. Try a flavored green tea with some Agave Nectar as sweetner instead. Speaking of Green Tea, one think I learned is that it should be steeped for 8-10 minutes in order to release the catechins.
Believe me, I am not holier than thou when it comes to dieting. I love my cinnamon dulce latte from Starbucks, but come January 1, it's all tea for me baby.
When it comes down to it, you can't look at dieting as a diet, but should look at it as a lifestyle change. Look around people, look at the foods you eat, look at the ingredients, most of us have a lot of room to change. Come January 1, plan on a healthier 2011. Give it 4 months and see how much better you feel.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
New Year is Almost Here
Ok Ok OK!!!! I realize it's been a while since I posted something here. Other than the typical excuse of being super busy, I really have no excuse. I've finally decided to have another weight loss challenge. I'm hoping to have even more doctor's offices involved this year. For those that stay tuned to this blog, I'm gonna have even more give aways throughout the challenge. So for those of you considering the challenge, just sign up and plan on having a good time.
I have yet to weigh myself but I'm thinking I'm around 175 lbs and would like to get to 160 or 165. The only plan I have right now is to cut out white flour (and all products with it), simple sugars (candy, goodies, etc), and even coffee. I'm going to go back to drinking mostly green tea (the flavored ones) with my favorite being the Jasmine sweetened with agave nectar. . I was doing pretty well with this diet before the Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays rolled around. Once they arrived, it was pretty much down hill from there.
If your struggling with your weight, join us for the challenge. You've got nothing better to do:)
I have yet to weigh myself but I'm thinking I'm around 175 lbs and would like to get to 160 or 165. The only plan I have right now is to cut out white flour (and all products with it), simple sugars (candy, goodies, etc), and even coffee. I'm going to go back to drinking mostly green tea (the flavored ones) with my favorite being the Jasmine sweetened with agave nectar. . I was doing pretty well with this diet before the Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays rolled around. Once they arrived, it was pretty much down hill from there.
If your struggling with your weight, join us for the challenge. You've got nothing better to do:)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Ability to Help Someone
There have been somethings happening lately that have really caused me to take a step back and remember why I started AOM. When I was younger, I spent the majority of my time with my grandparents. I remember my grandmother sitting at the kitchen table going through the bills and worrying either how she was going to afford her medications and/or even going without recommended tests. Being young and naive, I never really made sense or comprehended the struggle.
When my grandparents passed away, first my grandpa and then a few years later my grandmother, I was right there with them. Over the years, I've realized that it's people like my grandparents with whom I really want to make a difference. People on medicare and on a fixed income shouldn't have to struggle in order to maintain a normal quality of life.
Just today, we were able to get one of our patients a portable oxygen concentrator. This allows the patient to go fishing, to go camping, etc, without the stress of taking a bunch of tanks. We made no money on the purchase but the satisfaction of making this guys life just a little better is all worth it.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Good Ol Medicare
2010 has shown to be a pretty good year so far. Not so much financially due to continued medicare cuts as well as most other commercial insurance cuts, but staff and the overall business has been really good. We started the year off with a few new people. One, KH is in accounts receivable and is doing an outstanding job. The other whom I'll refer to as DW is our new customer service/delivery driver. He has totally impressed me. He's a very hard worker who pays great attention to detail. He strives toward the best customer care possible. I couldn't be more happy than with the team we have now.
Medicare has been a challenge to deal with. With the federal government being out of money and trying to rob more from Medicare, they are going through every physician order with a fine tooth comb. One example happened this week. Two years ago we provided a medicare patient with a power chair. This patient is a C4-C5 quadriplegic, meaning he has little or no motor control of any extremeties. Just last week, Medicare contacted our office requesting more documentation to justify a power chair. We sent 24 pages of documentation in hopes that it will be enough to justify giving a man who cannot move his arms or legs, a power chair.
I can understand that Medicare is trying to come down hard on fraud. It needs to be done, but is it too much to ask to use a little common sense. It's sort of like the TSA pulling an 80 year old man aside to be searched before boarding a plane. Cmon, are you kidding me?
It amazes me how irresponsible our government can be. Take the blinders off and address the real problems. Don't change our system of health care, but go after the insurance companies and raise our premiums every year yet pay for less and less.
Medicare has been a challenge to deal with. With the federal government being out of money and trying to rob more from Medicare, they are going through every physician order with a fine tooth comb. One example happened this week. Two years ago we provided a medicare patient with a power chair. This patient is a C4-C5 quadriplegic, meaning he has little or no motor control of any extremeties. Just last week, Medicare contacted our office requesting more documentation to justify a power chair. We sent 24 pages of documentation in hopes that it will be enough to justify giving a man who cannot move his arms or legs, a power chair.
I can understand that Medicare is trying to come down hard on fraud. It needs to be done, but is it too much to ask to use a little common sense. It's sort of like the TSA pulling an 80 year old man aside to be searched before boarding a plane. Cmon, are you kidding me?
It amazes me how irresponsible our government can be. Take the blinders off and address the real problems. Don't change our system of health care, but go after the insurance companies and raise our premiums every year yet pay for less and less.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thankgiving.
I love this time of year. The holidays are such an awesome time to share with family and friends. Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to the typical food and football day. I'm on call so we'll have to see how busy both hospitals are. In my opinion our service is far superior to the other companies and it's finally starting to pay off. We are really busy and getting more referrals every day. I'm super proud of the family of people I get to work with. They are great team players and it's really showing.
For the last five years we've given meals out to families who could use a little extra over the holidays. I'm finding though (and I would likely be the same) that many people are to proud to ask for much and I can totally respect that. It's tough for a lot of people right now. So many are out of work just doing their best to make ends meet. We so often take for granted the blessings we have. Those of us with a job, those of us with family, it's the little things that we really need to be thankful for.
I better get back to work. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. Take Care.
For the last five years we've given meals out to families who could use a little extra over the holidays. I'm finding though (and I would likely be the same) that many people are to proud to ask for much and I can totally respect that. It's tough for a lot of people right now. So many are out of work just doing their best to make ends meet. We so often take for granted the blessings we have. Those of us with a job, those of us with family, it's the little things that we really need to be thankful for.
I better get back to work. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. Take Care.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
A New Beginning??
Over the next couple of months things will be a little different around here. I'm hoping over time that the changes will all be good.
The worst change right now is that Mike is leaving on December 1. He's taking a family related job out in Omaha. Mike has made a huge difference and for a long time it was only him and I running the show. We've definitely grown over the years and I couldn't have done it without him. I'll really hate to see him go.
Instead of replacing Mike, what I'm going to do is replace myself. I'm hiring someone to do more of my office related work such as accounts receivable and dealing with insurance companies. Once that person is trained, I'm going to more less take Mikes spot. That will allow me to spend more time with the patients and focus a little more on growing the company in the direction I want it to go.
Speaking of growth, I'm still not content at where we are. Size wise, we are fine, but we aren't touching lives like I want to. I really want this company to stand out among the rest when it comes to making the difference in the lives of others. Over the next few months, that is really going to be our focus. I have no doubt that we will achieve this goal. The company is blessed with an outstanding staff. A staff that I believe in my heart really wants to make a difference in the lives of others.
Well I better get back to work. Have a great day.
The worst change right now is that Mike is leaving on December 1. He's taking a family related job out in Omaha. Mike has made a huge difference and for a long time it was only him and I running the show. We've definitely grown over the years and I couldn't have done it without him. I'll really hate to see him go.
Instead of replacing Mike, what I'm going to do is replace myself. I'm hiring someone to do more of my office related work such as accounts receivable and dealing with insurance companies. Once that person is trained, I'm going to more less take Mikes spot. That will allow me to spend more time with the patients and focus a little more on growing the company in the direction I want it to go.
Speaking of growth, I'm still not content at where we are. Size wise, we are fine, but we aren't touching lives like I want to. I really want this company to stand out among the rest when it comes to making the difference in the lives of others. Over the next few months, that is really going to be our focus. I have no doubt that we will achieve this goal. The company is blessed with an outstanding staff. A staff that I believe in my heart really wants to make a difference in the lives of others.
Well I better get back to work. Have a great day.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Do We Need Health Care Reform??
I always try to look at both sides of this question. I just don't think the legislation that is being proposed is really going to make a huge positive difference. They are focusing more on insurance than they are the actual cost of health care. Where are health insurance companies going to make up the cost?? The American public is going to see a huge increase in premiums. Middle class families are, as usual, take the brunt of all increases.
This plan is going to be a glorified medicaid program. The problem there is, the states already can't afford the medicaid programs they offer already. The feds are going to sign the "wonderful" public option for those that can't afford commercial plans, but as usual the feds will make the states responsible for paying for such programs.
The entire thing is a mess. I do believe/wish all Americans should have access to health care. I've been down the road of having no insurance and it's not a fun one, especially if you do get sick.
I think we need to look at keeping commercial insurance premiums low. Insurance companies and attorneys are the problem. We need to address the issues of outrageous law suits and outrageous increases in premiums. I was paying 300.00 a month two years ago for my family. Our premiums are now 540.00 a month. This is with a 5600.00 deductible!!!! That's insane.
I don't have the answers, but I do think were looking in the wrong places to make a positive difference. Most people don't mind paying for health care, but goodness, they shouldn't have to go broke to pay for it.
Oh, and before I go, where are the feds going to get the money to pay for this outrageous program?? MEDICARE!!!! Medicare is the whipping boy of congress. Most people on Medicare are on fixed incomes. These are the people that typically need the coverage most. The mentality of government truly amazes me at times. Then again, Congressman are covered for the rest of their lives by their own Government healthcare. No doubt their coverage is far supreme from the one they propose to sell to you and I.
What does it take for the American people to take a stand for themselves? We all just sit back and watch Congress pass their pork filled bills. Crazy!!!!!!!
This plan is going to be a glorified medicaid program. The problem there is, the states already can't afford the medicaid programs they offer already. The feds are going to sign the "wonderful" public option for those that can't afford commercial plans, but as usual the feds will make the states responsible for paying for such programs.
The entire thing is a mess. I do believe/wish all Americans should have access to health care. I've been down the road of having no insurance and it's not a fun one, especially if you do get sick.
I think we need to look at keeping commercial insurance premiums low. Insurance companies and attorneys are the problem. We need to address the issues of outrageous law suits and outrageous increases in premiums. I was paying 300.00 a month two years ago for my family. Our premiums are now 540.00 a month. This is with a 5600.00 deductible!!!! That's insane.
I don't have the answers, but I do think were looking in the wrong places to make a positive difference. Most people don't mind paying for health care, but goodness, they shouldn't have to go broke to pay for it.
Oh, and before I go, where are the feds going to get the money to pay for this outrageous program?? MEDICARE!!!! Medicare is the whipping boy of congress. Most people on Medicare are on fixed incomes. These are the people that typically need the coverage most. The mentality of government truly amazes me at times. Then again, Congressman are covered for the rest of their lives by their own Government healthcare. No doubt their coverage is far supreme from the one they propose to sell to you and I.
What does it take for the American people to take a stand for themselves? We all just sit back and watch Congress pass their pork filled bills. Crazy!!!!!!!
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