234Next >

My patients are among my best teachers. They've taught me how to communicate clearly—and how to live a better life. On The Dr. Oz Show, I've seen that once people are emotionally involved, change happens quickly, especially if they feel that their behavior is letting loved ones down. Large-scale change seems daunting. We want simple routines that we can automatically follow. Adopt some of the steps here, which anyone can do, and you will like your life more in just a couple of weeks. And you'll live longer. Try them—they work for me.

1. ROTF, LMAO

Laughing not only eases stress, promotes social bonding, and lowers blood pressure, it may also boost your immune system. So bring some humor into your life, whether it's through friends or even a new TV show (preferably mine).

Bing Search: Fitness
View results for:

2. Don't skip breakfast

Fiber in the morning means less hunger late in the afternoon, when you're most likely to feel tired and gorge yourself on sugar. My morning dose comes from steel-cut oatmeal, usually mixed with raisins, walnuts, and flaxseed oil. An early start on eating also keeps your metabolism more active throughout the day; breakfast eaters are thinner than people who just rush out the door.

3. Hit the sack

Conan and Dave are funny, but they're not worth the strain on your system. Seven hours of sleep a night not only helps you live longer, but also lowers your stress, sharpens your memory, and reduces cravings for pants-splitting foods. Set a bedtime and stick to it. My target is 10:30 p.m. I record the late shows and then watch them the next day as I pedal a stationary bike.

4. Admire your work

Don't be so trigger-happy with the flusher. Turn around and take a look at your poop, which speaks volumes about your gut and overall health. Poop should be smooth and S-shaped, like your colon. If it comes out too lumpy, or drops into the bowl like marbles, you're constipated. Increase your fiber and water intake. This happens to me when I travel, so I fiber-load before a trip to avoid getting irritable. But you don't need Metamucil—here are 30 great-tasting ways to add fiber to your diet.

5. Don't pamper your bad back

Even if you're hunched over in agony, taking to your bed will only make a bad back worse. The latest research shows that bed rest weakens back muscles and prolongs the suffering. Married men may suffer more than single men because of all the pampering. I used to love milking the care from Lisa, but the best solution is to get up, take a pain reliever, and be a soldier.

6. Taste the colors

Foods with bright, rich colors are more than just nice to look at. They're also packed with flavonoids and carotenoids, powerful compounds that bind the damaging free radicals in your body, lowering inflammation. (Sadly, Skittles do not count.) Eat nine fistfuls of colorful fruits and vegetables each day and you'll reap the benefits without having to give up other foods. Whenever I shop the produce aisle, I'm reminded that these foods are often more powerful than the drugs sold in pharmacies. My favorites are arugula and blueberries.

234Next >
Join the discussion!
Sort by:
1-10 of 86
Friday, October 30, 2009 8:58:00 AM

Thanks for the laughter buddha and everyone else that just wants to stir the pot. A little education can go a long way. everything the doc says is fact. There are a lot of people out there that think that baby-ing a bad back is the right thing to do. Let me tell you from experience its not. Either is straining a bad back. The doc is talking about getting your butt out of the prone position and getting some movement going. I have been dealing with some issues for about 20 years or more. If I maintain some flexibility I usually come out of the experience much, much faster.

 

 I don't want to seem like a creep or anything, ladies, but I really enjoy the female form. It's a visual thing with many guys. But if I were to join a yoga class I might feel like a creep. My motivation would be on many levels, keeping in shape is only one of them. The other thoughts that run through my mind from time to time are natural but society tells me to keep them in check. Put 2 dogs together in the same pen and one of 2 things are going to happen; One feels threatened and there is a fight or they are going to go for a little ride. The gender makes no difference. If I offend anyone by checking out their back side (or any other side for that matter), I am sorry you feel offended but you want me to look anyway. (unless you are keeping in shape strictly for health reasons and are not concerned with your appearance at all.) There are choices in clothing. Sweat outfits for instance.

 

 Ladies, If you like what you see at the yoga class, don't hesitate to give it another look. Mostly it's harmless but it might boost someone's self esteem. Lord knows there are enough things out there to bring a guy down. How about a boost too.

 

 Lots of love to all and remember we are all the same really. Everyone has hang-ups. Including you! Give people a break.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 9:46:04 AM

I have to say that is never ceases to amaze me.

 

Here, Dr. Oz has offered valuable and ACCURATE information and there are still knuckleheads out there that blindly read what's in front of them but don't actually absorb the content.  You might think that, working with computers and end-users all day long, a person such as myself would become accustomed to people doing the exact opposite of what they're instructed to do but, nope!  So chalk-up my little rant, here, to my undying intolerance for ignorance and a blatant hatred for stupidity.

 

For the record, Daddy-Man and biguns (and anyone else who apparently can't comprehend what they read), not once was there ever a mention (in #5) to make an injured back worse.  Dr. Oz's statement was to, "...not pamper a bad back."  That means, for people like me who are 6' 5", or so, that are prone to lower back problems, don't be a pansy.  Suck it up and deal with it.  Daddy-Man:  Vertebrae don't crush by themselves, nor do they herniate magically on their own.  Biguns: Spinal injuries that require surgery also don't just appear from out of nowhere - something actually has to happen to cause these conditions.  And common sense should tell you that lifting a house is a bad idea.  And, if it doesn't, that shooting pain you get immediately afterward should tell you that it wasn't a good idea to begin with.

 

As for Shisha06's statement (on #17) that, "[sex 8 times a week is] called MANIPULATION and RAPE."  What ganja were you smoking when you wrote that?!  Rape is the forced, and unsolicited, sexual intercourse of one person by another.  And manipulation is when one person intentionally controls another person through shrewd or devious means.  How could telling YOUR PARTNER that you want to have sex with them be deemed either.  I’m 41 years old, in great shape (I cycle about 100 miles a week and I weight train on the weekends) and I WISH I could find an attractive woman that was into fitness and living a healthy lifestyle, wanted to actually be in a monogamous relationship, and was hell-bent on fornicating at least once a day!  Let alone, twice a day.  Dear God, I'd make her breakfast in bed everyday, for life, if only such a creature existed outside of myth and lore.

 

Please, PEOPLE!  Don't just read the content, ACTUALLY ABSORB THE MESSAGE!!  If it's too far beyond your understanding, try using Wikipedia for the really big words.

 

In the meantime, be grateful that someone is actually offering to help you with both valuable and accurate information.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 5:38:53 PM
We all want to look good and feel good. We all want to be healthy. This is not a forum for ageism or political opinions about someone with ideas about the opposite sex. Some boys need motivation of attracting a mate to get in shape. so do some women. SO What! Get over it. Sad
If your middle aged and want to be skinny follow the EVH way of a special diet: He's vegetarian. It worked for Eddie. It doesn't work for everyone. But one things for sure: A healthy body is a attractive and happy body. Smile Common sense rules the day.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:50:39 AM

Great tips Doctor! Enjoyed your article and passed it along...

 

-a cooking, funny man makes me stick around the longest

-I found breathing in deeply with the windows down driving truly makes me all of a sudden HAPPY and in love with that moment all the while reflecting the beauty of the environment.

 

-humor and in-the-moment appreciation is simple and necessary, which many don't do enough of. Live it up, even when it sucks, go talk about it, write it down to yourself and turn to God consistently. Otherwise, you're in pretty much unhealthy and somewhat in denial...

 

Please do yourself (& your spirit) a favor and check this out:

(Be ready for shock, tears and reinforcement that you owe yourself positivity)

PurposeDriven.Com

purposedrivenlife.com (free first 7 chapters)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:18:34 AM

Thanks! I'll make my man read it later. He needs some 'man-ing up'. The back thing... not if your hurt.. I'm sure. I think some people on here took that way to seriously. It's the everyday whining ALL you men do! Take an IBuprofen and shut up!

Yoga has wonderful health benifits!! I am 28, a little over weight, and I love my yoga class. If the guy behind me is staring at my as*, so be it. And if thats his ONLY reason for being there, at least he is getting some health out of it.  Get over it!!!  If you are not comfortable with someone looking at you... stay home!!!!

 

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:54:25 AM

I have to agree with the Doc. I have ruptured disc lumbar #5. I threw my back out where I was off 3 weeks before going back to work. However, physical therapist was awesome and showed me excercises to help strengthen my back. I am more careful and occasionally i would do something to make my back hurt. other than the first day after whenever I hurt my back, I would take long, and I mean very long walks. This helps me recover much more quickly. I have develop a habit of taking long walks.

Also, I know all injuries are different and everyone reacts differently, but ice your back should you throw your back out. Also, when I do lay down to relieve the pains in my back, i lay flat on floor with my lower legs up over couch. This greatly relieves the pressure, pain, or pinch nerves in my back.

Also, I totally agree with #17. Can't wait to show that to my wife!  Tongue out

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:49:01 AM

jersey gir ,

 Hostility towards others ruins our society quicker then any male stereotypical stupidity ever could - honestly what is wrong with wanting to be surrounded by beautiful women in spandex or any other type of outfit for that matter - wouldn't you enjoy being in a situation where you were surrounded by men that were dressed in a manner that you found sexy and appealing ? He didn't say to treat those particular women like objects just that t is a pleasant experience to be around them . Anything that motivates anyone to get out and get healthier is a GOOD thing not a negative and frankly the way a lot of men have been raised and how a lot of men think is if there are beautiful women involved then it is worth being there . I'm not much for Yoga or for checking the size shape and consistency of my stool but there were at least 7 out of the 25 tips that I found to be motivational and felt would work for me in improving my life . Not everyone agrees ( or benefits) by everything that someone says ( or writes ) but I do believe that if 1 person benefits even a little then it was worth writing or saying . Why nit-pick over one part of an article that you feel to be meritless or even stupid ? Why not look for the silver lining or the one good thing you can find to benefit yourself or a friends life and move on to the next article . The #1 item on the list was Laughter --- something we all should look to more often - rather then getting mad or "up in arms" about the comment about spandex you should just find the humor in it or put a laughable spin on it . A grown man joining a yoga class just to be near women in spandex seems pretty comical to me and I'd bet that when he wrote it , he did it with a comical intent . Take it that way . Laughter - Tolerance ( for others , their opinions , and their beliefs )  and Optimism are 3 ways that I have found to a happier and healthier lifestyle . SO don't be a hater !! Smile and have a great day!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:47:51 AM
hosta - you didn't read this article, did you.  Next time, try reading it first and THEN commenting.  His "pill-popping" has to do with Vitamin D.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:45:47 AM
"Don't pamper your back" is absolutely good advice, within reason.  If you put out your back, no one is going to suggest you go for a 10K run.  At the same time, excessive "resting" will only prolong the agony.  In fact, as far as the back is concerned, it's "pain now, or pain later".  So if you do your ab exercises with devotion, you'll feel that dull pain right there and then in your abs, and even the day after and the day after that, but your back will be well taken care of.  Neglect your abs, and you'll be plagued by back problems all your life.
#10
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:40:10 AM
Pop a pill and all your problems will go away....what a loser. Americans consume more drugs then the rest of the world combined!! No wonder, with morons like this advising. Since when does  being a soldier include takeing a pill.
1-10 of 86
To add a comment, pleasesign in

Popular Slide Shows

  • AHDH Foods to Eat & Avoid // (© White Rock/DAJ/Getty Images)
  • Guys: Your Best Body in One Hour // (© Images courtesy of Men's Health)

Bing Shopping

Video workouts//© MSN Health & Fitness
4 free tools for fitness//© MSN Health & FitnessWeight Loss CalculatorsCustomized Workouts The Fit ZoneLose 10 Pounds
find a health club//© MSN Health & Fitness

Powered by Bing

MSN Health & Fitness does not provide medical or any other health care advice, diagnosis or treatment.



IMA Winner 2009