When was the last time a medical doctor answered your questions thoroughly about a medical condition and gave you a specific action plan besides using prescription drugs?  Did the doctor follow up with you to check on your condition?  Did you feel rushed while meeting with the doctor?  Did you wait “forever,” even though you arrived for your appointment on time?  Did your consultation only last around 5 minutes?  How about answering a question by e-mail?   

In my opinion, there are very few medical doctors nowadays who have a true customer service orientation.

This is disturbing on the poor customer service issues since the doctor is receiving a fee for his/her professional services.  But more importantly, do you feel the doctor has your best interest or maybe he/she is “only in it for the money?”  I certainly don’t like this feeling.  I don’t like to totally have my trust in a medical doctor and take his/her recommendations blindly.

So, what’s a person to do?

Take control of your own health and fitness.

1.  Learn as much as possible about health, nutrition and wellness.  Read books by credible authors such as Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Kenneth Cooper and Robert Haas.  Use credible websites like www.webmd.com and www.drweil.com.  Be educated on the specific health condition with a list of questions before you meet with your doctor. 

2.  Exercise regularly at least 3 - 5 days per week with strength training, cardio training and flexibility training.   Also, do balance training, core training, reactive training and power training (if you are able to).

3.  Eat the foods that will empower and boost your immune system.

4.  Rest sufficiently and control stress appropriately. 

It’s not that we shouldn’t consult with doctors or trust them.  We absolutely need doctors in our society and there are plenty of great ones.  You just need to take more control of your own health and fitness destiny by doing the 4 things above.  Don’t just rely on a doctor’s prescription of drugs.

By having this attitude, I believe we can do the following:

• We can control the structure of our bodies and we can prevent weakening of skeletal structures or loss of bone density.
• We can control circulation and digestion and optimally deliver nutrients to the cells of our bodies.
• We can control body composition and reduce body fat.
• We can control whether our endocrine systems supports us or victimizes us.
• We can lower our blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• We can raise the good cholesterol (HDL).
• We can look and feel great!
• We can enhance the quality of our life!