Seriously, it’s that simple.

Well, Nursie poo has been a little backed up of late (no not that kind of backed up). Although I will say one of the funniest calls I have taken on the floor was a patient had a procedure in the GI Lab, and they called the floor asking us to hold the patient as they were, “backed up”.

So, the real poop today is walking. Yeah walking daily. A recent study in the American Academy of Neurology Journal looked at walking and improvement in executive function. These preliminary findings show that AE promotes improved executive functioning in adults at risk for cognitive decline. Here is the article on the research. Basically, according to CNN’s coverage of a group that both dieted and exercised reversed their brain’s aging by nine years. CNN Story here

So, what’s it all mean? Well to be brutally honest, walking and eating a healthy diet improves cognitive function. I am not sure who decided on the survey topic, I am pretty sure it was Captain Obvious, but it almost is a no-brainer (get it, neurology…brain…oh to heck with it, even Abi Nor’mal walked every day and had a healthy diet).

Pretty much every discipline advocates some type of Aerobic exercise. American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, even me and Igor. It takes about 20 minutes every day. Even better if you have pooches because you should be out walking them daily for their health. They are on the earth a whole lot shorter than you are and crave the exercise and the time with you. Think about it, quality time with your pup, the bonding, the exercise, the overall health of both of you…It’s a match made in Nursie heaven. If you own a cat, well I guess you are on your own for the walk, although my cat will follow the dogs and I on our walks (I have a weird cat).

So, exercise and a healthy diet, known as the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) are the best way to help you lose weight and remain healthy. Wikipedia explains this diet well. The DASH diet wants you to watch fat intake, cholesterol intake, fiber, and to lower sodium. Basically, everything that you get harped on by folks like me when you venture into our lair (office). So basically, it is eating a healthy, balanced diet, no this is not white chocolate and dark chocolate in equal portions. This is not easy, especially if you are trying to lose weight. The temptation to jump on a fad diet is high because everyone feels weight loss is the most important thing. No healthy weight loss is easy to attain. Any crazy diet that radically changes your normal intake is risky. Why? They offer limited benefits and are called fad diets for a reason because they don’t work the way people think they do and can result in yo-yoing weights at a minimum and long-term health problems at the worst.

And, well, habits are tough to break. Don’t believe me? Try giving up anything you do on a regular basis (maybe like googling your medical conditions or using your smartphone at all and reading about the latest vogue diet that offers magical weight loss while eating your favorite thing, you know bonbons while sitting on the couch watching Netflix) for more than 3-4 days. You will either stop doing it, or you will start again with a vengeance.

Changing how you eat is the same. We all have our eating patterns that affect our weigh and our health. Ask my spouse about Hogzilla. This is a nightly occurrence, that very rarely is missed. Hogzilla is late night snacking. It is a pattern of eating that indicates either a need for nutrients or more usually, a need for a distraction from stressors or other emotions. It does not mean anything is inherently wrong; the body just wants something sweet or salty (remember, watch the salt, especially if you have high blood pressure).

So, what’s the bottom line here? Well, we don’t eat well, everyone has chocolate cake or candy at some point, but what is key is moderation, regular exercise (don’t forget the pup), and if you need help, seek medical advice to help with weight loss. We don’t talk about diets, exercise, and weight to make anyone feel bad, it is the opposite, really. We talk about it because we care about you and want to see you reach the age to cause the CNAs endless grief in nursing homes when you reach your golden years. Igor has plenty of stories from his time in nursing homes, as do I. So, walk, look at the DASH diet, and talk with your provider, we are here to help.