H1N1 or other flu in NFL, or your house

 It seems like almost everyone is sick right now and the NFL has not been spared.  The AP reported last week that Receiver Buster Davis was inactive for the Chargers game against the Chiefs due to the flu bug that hit LaDanian Tomlinson and other Chargers too.  Browns center (and former Cal standout) Alex Mack said of his performance last week that he would have liked to have more practice time before the game but that he was “out with the swine flu. I thought that kind of hurt me.”  In all, about 12 Browns missed parts of the week’s work.  The NFL Commish this month issued a new policy giving teams roster exceptions if enough players have H1N1, formerly known as swine flu. 

Also this week, the Healthball Hulks (okay, that’s me) was sick.  I had a sore throat then sinus congestion and finally a day of nausea and fever.  Probably just a virus and not H1N1, but it kept me in bed anyway some days.  So how did I score this week?  Not very well.  I racked up 72 points.  And I thought a lot about how hard it is to perform when you are under the weather.  2 points total for the week for exercise (I managed one long hilly dog walk which I counted), 0 points for my stretching/yoga challenge, 2 points for my situps challenge which I wrote in under the “other” category. 

So is diet and exercise a lost cause when you are sick.  Should it be all comfort food and television re-runs?   I watched six episodes of “The Munsters” marathon on Friday, and btw, that Herman Munster is a real softy under that hardened exterior!

Most importantly, listen to your doctor and listen to your body.  It is probably telling you to get lots of rest and lay low which you should do.  But physical exercise is only one of the seven challenges for the week.  I went six for six in the “Drink Adequate Water” category.  In fact, my doctor told me to drink plenty of fluids and I sure did.  Water and Gatorade.  Since my stomach was not feeling well, I didn’t have much trouble with “Eat adequate portion sizes” either!  Went six for six there!  So many of our challenges are things that are good for you whether you are sick or healthy. 

So don’t abandon your health challenges for the week if you are sick.  Think about which ones will help you get back to normal (most of them) and which you might need to cut back on until you are better (the physical ones).  If you just have a stuffy nose or light cold, you might feel better after a brisk walk or a little stationary bike time.  Check out this short article about exercising while sick.

Meanwhile, wash those hands with lots of soap and hot water, sneeze into your elbow, give larger personal distances to sick people, and keep thinking about your health!  Even NFL players miss some time now and then over illnesses, so you can expect to as well.  But keep following healthy habits and you will be back on top soon!  And now we’ll see if my 72 healthpoints gets me clobbered this week, I’m playing the HanStars and they (led by Adrian Peterson, Tony Romo, Steve Slaton, Andre Johnson) are predicted to score in the triple digits…… – Jim Ballard

Fantasy Healthball Update – week 7

After the first 7 weeks of NFL football, my ”Healthball Hulks” stand at 4-3 in the fantasy football standings and I stand at 5-2 for my Fantasy Healthball scores.  My most painful healthball loss was week six where I scored a very respectable 124 healthball points (surely enough to win, right?) and my fantasy opponent, the Malvern Manglers, scored 143 points.  The Manglers had Matt Schaub passing for 392 yards and FOUR touchdowns and Maurice Jones-Drew adding three more touchdowns on his 133 yards.  Oh, and two of Shaub’s TDs went to the Manglers TE Owen Daniels – WHO, by the way, only had 2 touchdowns all of last year, but he decides to go on a tear and the Manglers total 143. 

Looking back at my 124 healthpoints that week, I had an amazing Monday through Thursday and I started to fall apart on Friday and Saturday.  I got cocky and thought I had scored enough points to win.  On Friday, I only met 3 of my 7 challenges and on Saturday I met 2 of 7.  I needed to follow our health advice and our exercise advice.  This is a great reminder about consistency.  Had I finished strong, I might have even beaten the 143 points from the Manglers.  I coasted in the “4th quarter” of the week and it resulted in the “L.” 

Let this be a reminder to the Healthball Hulks and also to you.  Meeting your health goals is an everyday challenge.  You can’t coast and be as successful as you want.  You only meet 2 of your 7 challenges and you probably deserve the “L!”  Push it out, finish strong, and you are likely to record the “W” for your health. 

Am I fearsome?

Oh, and one more thing, I picked Matt Forte as the #2 pick in the entire draft and was proud to have the great Chicago Bear who I could watch with pride all season.  Now he looks like Gnat Forte as in “couldn’t hurt a gnat.”  Ugg!  – Jim Ballard

When Food Kills, or At Least Gets You Fired

Here in 2009, we are bombarded each day with marketing and advertising and sound bytes.  Think of how many commercials you hear on radio or television, ads you see on-line, over your phone, in your email, your mailbox, or in the paper, everywhere we turn we run into someone or something trying to make us buy something, do something, or have a certain opinion.  We’ve long been at the point where it is tough to tell truth from fiction.  So how do you reach people who have trained themselves to tune out most of those messages?   Well, you could use a big electronic reader board!

Former Bay County (Florida) Health Department Director Dr. Jason Newsom had 1) an important message, and 2) a big electronic reader board and even THAT fortuitous combination may not get you noticed until you start taking on major American businesses like Dunkin’ Donuts and KFC.    Dr. Newsom, fed up with diet habits of average Americans, launched his campaign with gusto and wit.  And, as the old saying goes, “the electronic reader board is mightier than the sword.”  Scrolling across the board were his sayings, “Sweet Tea (equals) Liquid Sugar,” “Hamburger (equals) Spare Tire,” “French Fries (equals) Thunder Thighs,” and he parodied the “America Runs on Dunkin’” campaign with, “America Dies on Dunkin’.

He was given the choice of resigning or getting fired after “a county commissioner who owns a doughnut shop” and “two lawyers who own a new Dunkin’ Donuts” were less than amused.  It is a good thing too, before he came up with more such as:  “Eat a double fudge sundae and meet your maker,” or “Six cookies (equals) six feet under,” or even, “Hot dogs are kinda gross when you think about it.”  But, alas, we can only wonder what that reader board would have led to. 

Just so you don’t think Dunkin’ Donuts doesn’t have a sense of humor, you can even buy a “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drink Starbucks” pre-shrunk, cotton, t-shirt on their website.   We’ve checked and they offer other t-shirt sizes besides triple extra large. 

At Fantasy Healthball, we don’t have an electronic reader board, but you can check out our nifty slogans on our website.  And though linking major companies to a certain death may not have been Dr. Newsom’s brightest idea, if you read our nutrition section you won’t find us advocating for donuts or fried chicken.  Okay, well maybe on special occasions.  Yes, our lawyers made us say that.  — Jim Ballard

How to Join a Gym

In Fantasy Healthball, you’ll see we give the biggest bonus for consistent exercise.  You’ll get 10 extra points if you exercise three times a week and a huge 25 point bonus if you can fit in an exercise each day.  On our exercise page, you’ll see “what counts” as an exercise.  It is really not that much.  The secret is consistency.  Another tip is joining a gym.  I would be lost without mine.  Sure, it is an expense that has to be budgeted for, but it pays off in so many ways.  You might call it – your “sure thing” investment. 

Your Needs

Think about your needs before you start taking a look at gyms.  I find the closer the gym is to your house or your office the better.  But proximity is not the only factor.  What is the monthly rate, what deals do they have going on, do they have enough of the type of equipment you would like to use?  Take a look during the time period you would typically go.  Are there long lines for the things you’d want to use?  If you are motivated by a group, do they offer group exercise classes that fit your schedule (spinning class, pilates class, aerobic dance, kick boxing, yoga)?  Can you shower there?  Do they supply clean towels?  Are the bathroom/shower facilities clean or do they make you feel like you may become a host organism for some crafty fungus looking to “see the world” while attached to your foot or worse. 

Signing the Contract

One reason why you want to check it out so thoroughly is that you want to know you are sure before getting into the contract.  Most gyms will let you work out one or more times for free while you consider joining.  You should do that.  Most will give a free orientation and maybe even a free training session.  Beware, the membership coordinator is likely to be the kind of smooth operator that makes “Square Deal Sam” down at the used car lot look like Mother Teresa.  Just stick to what you want and you’ll be fine. 

Square Deal Sam

You can bargain.  Especially in these economic times.  Ask for no initiation fee.  Ask for a senior discount, a student discount, a Virgo discount, whatever.  Some gyms have variable rates based on how often you will use it for what time of day.  Look on-line for savings.  If you have a 24-hour Fitness near you and are considering it, Google “Costo 24-hour Fitness.”  As of this writing, you can get a $12.50 monthly rate by signing a 2-year contract.  That is a key buy if you are okay signing up for 2 years. 

DO NOT worry about your current body size when starting out at a gym.  You WILL find people there of all shapes and sizes.  You are all there to get healthier.  Talk to your doctor if you are new to an exercise program.  Gyms/health clubs are a great way to help you establish routine in your exercise.  Sure, you can walk outside or do sit-ups in the basement, but it is nice to get to a place too where you can get motivation from the people working out around you and maybe has some equipment you enjoy.  If you can’t afford it now, start saving up and reward yourself with a membership when you can. 

Remember, joining a gym isn’t the only way to exercise.  But, for many people, it offers the resources and environment that inspires them to exercise.  Also remember just being a member isn’t enough.  You have to use the gym (more tips to come) and practice the other healthy lifestyle points at our site.   Good luck, and write us a comment or email if questions.  — Jim Ballard.