DO YOU FEEL BETTER OR WORSE THAN YOU DID IN YOUR 20’S, 30’S AND 40’S?

There are many things we cannot predict, like tonight’s lottery numbers, tomorrow’s weather, or the next fashion trend. Anyone who knows me knows I’m not so concerned about the next fashion trend, as I have some of the same clothes for…well let’s just say a long time. And I look for the positive in any type of weather, so I don’t worry about catching the reports on the news. 

But one thing I could predict was how my health was going. With my in-laws living less than a mile away, we always had them over for dinner. It was like a Sunday dinner every day of the week, and since my wife and I enjoy cooking and baking, I found myself over-eating very frequently. And seeing the health of my in-laws, as well as many of my patients at work, I was exposed daily to heart disease, diabetes, and lists of medications a mile long. So at 40 years old, I knew that maybe I wouldn’t be next, but health problems were definitely in my future. 

I grew up in South Florida, and I’m now in the Northeast (I know… I got it backwards). In my youth, I was one of the “fat kids.” I don’t even like to use that term, but that was me. I could never turn down a big plate of pasta or any kind of dessert. Towards the end of high school, I lost weight, although I did it the wrong way. I ate too little for the amount I was exercising. I found a joy in jogging, and I always liked playing basketball at the park with friends, but I was always looking at food labels to get as few fats and calories as possible. I lost weight, but I didn’t feel great, and I was always tired and run down. 

I went to college in Atlanta, followed by dental school in Philadelphia, and I stayed at a reasonable weight, although I never got that athletic, toned appearance. It seemed like I was always on a diet, thinking that restricting myself would get me in better shape. Instead, it only made me crave the unhealthy junk even more. 

Fast forward a couple years after dental school graduation, and I was blessed to find the perfect wife and start an amazing family! But that’s when we started having five “Sunday dinners” a week. I was not as active physically as I had been in college or dental school, and my weight started creeping up. Family and work commitments were often to blame for not exercising as much, but I really only had myself to blame. 

After dental school, I weighed 160 lbs, but by the time I reached 40 (15 years later), I was over 210 lbs. That may work if you’re a bodybuilder with tons of muscle, but not when you’re 5’9”. I hurt my knee playing soccer, and I knew I wouldn’t be doing much cardiovascular exercise for a while. So I looked to more strict dieting as a way to not put on more weight while I couldn’t exercise. 

I tried different diets that you are all probably familiar with, but nothing worked. It wasn’t until an old dental school friend introduced me to nutrition (not a diet) and subtle lifestyle modifications that I not only stopped gaining weight, but I was able to lose weight for the first time in decades without the craving and hunger of a diet! I was focusing on protein, complex carbs, healthy fats, fiber, amino acids, vitamins/minerals, trace minerals, probiotics, and complex sugars to get the nutrition the body needs. And some of the lifestyle modifications included drinking enough water, eating enough times during the day, and using weights to exercise, starting with light weights, of course. 

And my energy level was through the roof!!! My immediate thought was that there was something illegal in this nutrition, but it was all-natural and truly a “super-food.” I was sleeping better than I had in years, also. I knew I had to learn more and share my knowledge with whoever would listen, in the same way that I recommend a good movie or restaurant I liked.

And that is what lead to my choice to become a health coach, in addition to being a dentist. I help people not only lose weight, but also put on weight the right way, increase their energy levels, sleep better, and age healthier. What are your health goals? And more importantly, WHY do you have those health goals? I want you to focus on your “why” and not just on the scale. Maybe you want to be able to keep up with your grandkids, or have more energy to travel, or maybe you want to set the example for other loved ones to help them jumpstart their own journey to better health. 

Make yourself a priority and feel better than you have in years! You don’t have to go for that “toned, athletic look,” but maybe some subtle changes in your daily routine can significantly help you like it did and does for me. I’d be more than happy to have a complimentary consult to discuss nutrition and share some more lifestyle tips. Contact me by phone or text at (609)922-3340, by email at [email protected], or send me a friend request and message on Facebook at my profile page https://www.facebook.com/ted.bell.1671

Be well!!!