Keith Ahrens

A team can’t win without scoring. Neither can we.

Think of any team sport that you like and how a team scores.  Is it a touchdown, a basket, a run, a goal, a point, or something else?

Teams get excited and have momentum when they score.

So do we when we’re trying to lose weight or increasing our fitness level.

We need to score and have the “little wins” in order to feel good and stay motivated.

The energy level rises when a team scores and spreads to every player and fan in the stands.  The same is true about the people around us.  They can just feel the added energy and vibes we put out.

By having little wins it keeps us focused on a bigger picture.  Losing that pound, walking that extra mile, lifting the higher weight all have huge effects when it comes to motivating us.

Create momentum in your own life.  It seems to take on a life of its own. – Keith

Perhaps they should be.

Drug interaction, allergies and adverse side effects from medication are a big deal.

Share with your pharmacist ALL of the medication and the specific dosages you’re taking. Make sure to inform them of any vitamins or supplements you’re taking also.

By asking simple questions your pharmacist just may help you stave off an emergency.

Your pharmacist can and should serve as a valuable source of information.

Nowadays, so many of us are under the care of more than one doctor with multiple prescriptions. We take vitamins and supplements too.

I’ve never had a pharmacist ask me for a co-pay or charge me to answer a question.  Most are happy to assist. The patient consultation window at your local pharmacy is one of the few free health care benefits we have.

There are more and more websites coming on line to answer questions about medicine too. Ask the pharmacist Walgreens, Web MD, and others.

Use your pharmacist as a source of information.  Take advantage of their expertise. – Keith

When you plug in a string of lights and the bulbs don’t light up, how do you get the string to light up?

You look for the one single bulb in the string that’s preventing the others from lighting and replace it – we fix it!

Just because the entire string is out doesn’t mean that every bulb is broken.

The point is that a small improvement or fix in one area of your life can make a huge difference.

What’s the one thing you want to fix to lead a healthier life? Is it better nutrition, physical fitness or perhaps its something else?

It doesn’t really matter as long as we can identify and take action on something we can improve.

Find the bulb that’s keeping you from lighting up and fix it! – Keith

We call things that hamper us from reaching our health goals “Limiting Factors”.

Typically there are 3 limiting factors that are real when it comes to achieving our overall health success and well-being.

We need to be aware of all 3 but we need to concentrate mainly on 2 of them.

Typically our genetics, although it’s something we can’t control doesn’t stop someone from achieving to be in better overall shape.

Physical activity and better nutrition ARE things we can control.

To be in overall better shape when we neglect one over the other we do so at our own peril.

I’ve never met anyone that exercises all the time and eats like a garbage disposal to be very healthy. Conversely, I’ve never met anyone who eats a very heart healthy diet low in saturated fats, high in fiber, low sodium, lean meats, and whole grains and doesn’t exercise to be very healthy either.

Balance is the key.  Physical exercise and Heart Healthy Nutrition go hand in hand.

Consider a brisk walk as important the as eating your veggies and visa versa. – Keith

Where does it start? Where does it end? Where is it going?

There’s been a lot of talk lately about Happy Meals, Kids School Lunches, Physical Education programs, etc…

Poor early eating and exercise habits lead to adult illnesses and premature death.

There’s a lot of finger pointing and redirection of real issues.  Debate is good but action and viable solutions are the only answer.

Pundits are split on the solutions to keeping our kids slim and fit.

We can’t skimp on programs that may give a kid a fair shot at a healthy life.

The reality is America is getting sick and dying one saturated fat gram at a time. – Keith

As we celebrate the New Year, we’ll undoubtedly be thinking of what was, what is, and what will be.

We can’t change the past, (what was) but we can reflect on what we could have done better to improve our lives and those around us.  Reflect I say, not dwell!

We have no time to dwell on or be concerned with any negativity in our lives.  Make 2011 a year without aggravation.

We each have the opportunity to make today (what is) and tomorrow (what will be) better than the last.

In 2011, embrace your hopes and dreams.

Believing in yourself is the cornerstone of happiness. I Believe In You.

I’m a firm believer that when we take steps to improve our own lives, we positively impact those around us in more ways than we know.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

Isn’t it nice to be alive and to be able to make decisions?

I hope all of your Heart Healthy Dreams come true in 2011. – Keith

This really happened yesterday.

6 year old: “Mom, can I have a sugar cookie for dessert?”

Mom: They’re all gone.

6 year old: Where are they?

Mom: Ask your Uncle Keith

6 year old: Uncle Keith, did you eat the sugar cookies?

Uncle Keith: I did eat the sugar cookies

6 year old: MOM, I think Uncle Keith has a Cookie Control Problem.

All this from a 6 year old. I felt like saying; “I’m Uncle Keith and I have a Cookie Control Problem.”

The moral of the story – I need to control my Cookie Control Problem!

Keith

Merry Christmas and Heart Healthy Holiday Wishes to Everyone.

The greatest gift I receive will have no wrapping paper, no bow, and no nametag yet I’ll know it’s for me.

My gift is — Another Day.

Living with Heart Disease means I take nothing for granted.

The lights on the tree will be brighter, each ornament will be more special, the turkey will smell better, the cold air will feel fresher and the kids playing and running will sound like a symphony.

Everyday is Christmas and everyday is a gift. – Keith

I was just at an airport waiting patiently for my ride to pull up in passenger pick-up.

Two guys, one a traffic enforcement officer and another a motorist waiting for his passenger. These two guys started yelling at the top of their lungs hurling every swear word and insult at each other imaginable.  The traffic cop wanted him to move his car.  The driver had his passenger literally walking down the sidewalk. I though they were going to go at it.

I simply couldn’t believe how in the holiday season such a simple thing turned into a Heart Attack waiting to happen Stress Test for these two guys. Their Blood Pressure must have been through the roof – for nothing!

Take it easy.  Parking lots, shopping carts, and long lines are going to happen. Consider it part of the season. Relax. Take a deep breath. Laugh it off if you can.

The days will always come and go but adding stress certainly doesn’t help our hearts. – Keith

I ask parents to raise their hands if they want their kids to be Lawyers, Doctors, Nurses, Teachers, Scientists, Senior Managers, CEO’s, etc….

They ALL raise their hands.

Then I ask them if it was all worth it if their child has a Heart Attack at 45 years old?

My Point-

Parents need to get involved and demand that funding continue in ALL health and physical education programs.

For the most part, each school district dictates its own curriculum.  Physical education should be mandatory through grades 12 and required every semester a student is in school. – Keith