Christopher Blair, D.O., M.B.A.
Patrons pay their annual membership dues regularly, and only a minority of patients
answer in the negative when asked by myself or other office personnel if they belong to
a gym or athletic center in the area. That’s good.
But what isn’t so good, or at least not as good as it could be, are the numbers of
Coppell area residents who pay for these club memberships but don’t regularly use
them. Some actually never go. (I often get a guilty laugh from the patient who actually
admits to this one!).
We all know that exercise is important, but I sometimes wonder if many people
realize just how important. The results of exercise, or lack thereof, is a cumulative
phenomenon. That is, the body responds dynamically to that which it is exposed to on
a routine basis. If that routine is running, for example, the heart and cardiovascular
system adapts in positive fashion to the regular stress to which it is subjected. Again,
a good thing. On the other hand, a sedentary lifestyle promotes softening of bones,
joints, and muscles. Fat stores increase and muscles waste. And this is regardless of
whether the sedentary lifestyle comes about because of watching daytime soap
operas or from sitting in traffic for an hour each way to work in order to sit and do high-
power telephone deals Monday through Friday.
Physical fitness to me is much like investing. It’s not so much how much you
contribute as much as the regularity of those contributions and the time that you
dedicate to the endeavor that results in the cumulative, positive benefits. Did you know
that medical studies have demonstrated as much as a 50% decrease in chronic illness
as a direct result of regular, moderate exercise? Just 30 to 45 minutes a day, three
days a week for a greatly healthier you. Now that's a heck of a good return on your
investment!
Call MedComm Neighborhood Medical Care today at 972-745-4446, and schedule
an appointment with one of our board certified family practice doctors for an annual
checkup before beginning any exercise routine. Exercising today is an important part
of avoiding the healthcare problems of tomorrow.