lifestylelinking

cough bug - flu

2011-01-08T03:35:00.000-08:00

I still find it staggering that it is the year 2011 and we still not can not prevent a flu or common cold virus. Sure, vaccines at one end exist and a vast arrange of over the counter medicine's at the other, even self help breathing or yoga are suggested to keep the symptoms at bay. I get the feeling a lot of this energy is being wasted or thinking sinister, put in place to keep the sales going for the healthcare-pharmaceuticals industry. While the search for a magic potion has merit I feel the answers will found in data rather than in a chemistry kit. What data? Every bit we have captured and have under control of the individual, if those individual share that information to enhance their collective intelligence then those lost days of poor health will be behind us, for all.

training mind set

2010-05-31T05:11:00.000-07:00

Just thinking out loud on the swimming programme I am planning for tomorrow. Warm up for a start then some kick. A see a lot of kick tomorrow, then some light work with the pull buoy to concentrate on technique. All in all looking forward to being back swimming.

June tomorrow

2010-05-31T02:15:00.000-07:00

It is the first of June tomorrow and apart from it being the start of the best month of the year, it is also my planned day for resuming swim training. That will be the best part of 6 months out of the pool. I expect it will take a few weeks to get back into form - all going well.

free skiing season over

2010-05-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

Well, not because of a lack of snow. With fresh snow falling today, it seem odds on for mid summer skiing in Scotland. Not that ususal but the length of run available could be substantial. Time will tell.

dry swim training

2010-05-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about what dry land exercises are best to do for keeping swimming muscles in best shape?

shoulder injury update

2010-05-10T08:38:00.001-07:00

I given my right shoulder a couple of week break from any streneous activity, well not humphing a pair of skis across a mountain side. And it feel real progress being made in my recovery. Still stiff on performing some gentle streaching exercise but reducing everyday, hopefully make it back to the swimming pool next week.

walk to aberdeen

2010-05-01T03:06:00.000-07:00

With no swimming in my exercise routine then I get the opportunity to walk more. Not that you don't get plenty of walking in (up to 8 + hours worth) when free skiing. So, I am going to see if I can walk to Aberdeen, hopefully monday if the sun is shining.

no swimming still

2010-05-01T02:54:00.000-07:00

If you had asked me 6 months ago how many times I would swam in the first 4 months of 2010, I'd probably have said 40+. The total is only 3. I've finally figured out I must have tore or bady pulled the liaments around my right shoulder socket. But not unversally just on the inner side. Sort of ties in with the action that gave me the injury. Now the ski season is over, not really, the high Gorms still have massive snow fields but I'll take a break to give myself time to heal.

Braid Cairn adventure ski

2010-03-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

I used to bike up the Tarland road from Aboyne in the Spring to see a strip of snow splitting Braid Cairn hill in Glen Tanar. I recall imaging skiing down it many times, now I do not need to imagine, I have skied that exact track of snow.

I also skied Gathering Cairn. There was so much to ski but the weather while bright was real windy and a weather front was approaching. Leaves something new to explore for when I next have the energy for an 8 hour walk, climb and ski.

hardly a swim 2010

2010-03-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

The best laid plans in all that. 2009 was all about gradually getting back into competitive swim shape. I think I got there especially on the endurance side and I trained regularly but this year I don' think I have been in the pool more than once a month. I picked up an innocent shoulder strain over the festive period and its turned out to be a show stopper in terms of swim training. It seems to be in the stretching of the right arm and at full extension and at cross extension that the pain brings on an acute grimace. It does get better with rest but I think I am looking at 2-3 months of rest and then build things from there. So, looks like a half year of swimming in 2010, not what I had planned.

First free skiing Craigmahandle

2010-03-14T04:18:00.000-07:00

Craignmahandle sounds like a bit of windup name, but its a hill in Glen Tanar where I go hill walking, yesterday I added it as a place to go skiing too.

I had expect the snow cover in the walk in to be reduced or gone completely, like in Aboyne. But I got that all wrong, icy and hard packed snow, then it was 3 inches of spring snow, then 6 six, then a foot and then 40cm. 40cm of solid wet snow and that was just after 1 hour of walking. There was a set of tracks to follow but they were to slippy to follow so I just cut a fresh path. A lot sooner than I had prepared myself for, the mind games started: is it going to be possible get up this hill?, its a two hour walk in at the best of summer times. Progress was slow but I stopped regularly for rests and set mini milestones for where to get to. The snow kept on getting deeper as the path climbed. As it turned out the hike up yesterday was a lot more dangerous than the descent. The paths have drainage channels cut into them but they were under a lot of snow but I seemed to find every one, that meant a twist to each knee. So, every step was checked and I walk with my ski poles, so that allows you to catch your weight when your footing shoot away. This step by step focus took the focus away from main goal of getting up the hill but before long the tree line was below me. The views were amazing, Mount Keen and Lochnagar soaking up the sun. But it was no blue sky day another immediate danger was abound. The wind. A fresh north westerly was forecast but it was blowing a gale, at least it was blowing me up the hill. The hill was a mass of snow patches, snow was firming up to soft spring but the legs were liable to disappear as the snow sank un expectantly. A bare rock ridge made for quicker progress but I did loose my left leg to a whole in the rocks. Time to get the ski on. A change in to dry warm socks, a challenge in a storm force wind. I was skiing.

Skiing on deep porridge again but I must be getting the hang of the technique and the wind was breaking my speed. The tree line was reached, ancient Caledonia pine forest, the grandest of old trees. Much to my surprise the skiing around the trees was doable. What fun. The flatness of the valley floor meant that gravity was not helping much now, the slog home to Aboyne was ahead. I got a lift to Glen Tanar on the way up but I was walking home, just another 2 miles to add to the expedition. The snow was real wet lower down but the skis were kept on, a ski time of 2 hours in the ski boots was recorded. No snow on the walk home, felt like you were walking with zero effort, now 50cm of sludge to kick through was missing. 7.30am start and home a 3pm. By then the hills were wrapped in clouds and getting battered in the wind.

Pressendye - Mount Keen ski weekend

2010-02-22T01:54:00.000-08:00

Both Saturday and Sunday woke to the clearest of blue skies. That left no choice for what to do, head to the hills with my skis strapped to my back. Pressendye lies north of Tarland a few miles and I'd always wanted to ski it. A couple of years back we took out a bowl on a sister hill but this season, Pressendyle’s south facing slope has been loaded with snow. I started the walk in from the Queens View on the Tarland - Aberdeen road. Blue sky and snow covered landscape, farmers field to Lochnager and beyond. The walk starts with a steep climb until you reach the woodland, under foot the lightest of powder snow. Out of the wood and the first glimpse of Pressendye, looking amazing in the sun, motivation enthused to get to the top. The path sort of doubles back on itself so its a long slog through the forest, the snow is lying on old snow, I'm cutting virgin tracks so it is tough going but then a bit of luck. A couple of walkers join the path and I can follow their footsteps up Pressendye. There was about 3-6 inches of fresh powder around on top of a rock solid frozen spring snow base so the hiking was relatively good. Earlier in the season with no base, your feet were disappearing up to your needs and sometime beyond! The walkers were sitting in the sun at the top. And what a view. 360 degree view of a Scottish winters day at its best. I wanted to ski a different slope from the one I had walked up so I checked it out, it was steep and full cover, time to get the skis on. It was about 2pm, sun at full burn, goggles were needed. While I was getting excited about the powder all the way up, the snow was suffering in the sun. The top was 20-30 cm of fresh blown snow on no base, then 20cm of fresh slabby snow on a hard spring base and lower down and into the trees where the slope was real steep, the snow was turning spring like. This all adds up to a bit of tricky skiing. As I discovered on my first run, mid way down, slope getting steeper, a few good turns have got a bit of speed up and then before you know it, too much weight pressing forward, a quick flip forward and a head plant into the snow. Which I repeated lower down on the second run. Yes, you have to walk back up the hill, only took 20 mins. While the skiing felt awkward, two good s tracks had been laid. Time to head for home, some 2 hour trekking but I would ski down where I had originally walked up. The snow was in the shade of the direct sun so this was a soft powder run on a gentle slope. Plenty of young trees to ski through, much fun. Got down off the hill as the last glowing amber light from the sun fractured through the trees.

Learning the lesson that the best snow was in the shade of the sun, I decided Glen Tanner to be the best place to ski on Sunday. The snow looked stunning from Pressendye. I had some doubts in my mind about the location, its a long walk in, 8 miles, carrying skis, boots, water and food, could I make it? Well, I could try and see how far I could go. The answer was 1/3 of the way up Mount Keen. Took just over 2 1/2 hours to reach the base of the mountain. What a sight. Powder smooth slopes, it's a bit of sexy looking hill anyway so today was a marvel to behold. A hill walker has just been up to the summit and he talked of deep powder, the excitement only grew as I listened. Before that a lie down on the bridge to rest and soak up some warm rays. The temperature was about -10c when I left aboyne and I am sure it was minus something on Mount Keen but I wore no gloves all the way up, in fact keeping cool is a greater challenge. I started following the walkers, quite a lot of foot marks around and it was hard walking, a slip a slide, a fall through some weak spring snow. Then I took a left off the main path to follow a ski tourers tracks. This was good and bad, snow got a lot deeper so harder to walk but then a rock hard spring base was found covered with 3-6 inches of champagne powder. The goal was now simple just keep on this hard base and climb as high as I could for an hour. You had to make sure to kick in to the snow as the slope got more of an incline, you could imagine yourself sledging down on your backside for a few metre if you were to slip. I didn't get as high to get to the real steep slopes off the right of the corrie looking up. The whole corrie was in the shade of the sun. I'm not sure when it had last seen the sun, maybe October or November 2009? The dream run would be from the summit to the left of the corrie. Mega steep with pillows of powder and a gentle get out at the bottom. I expect there would a significant avalanche risk with that route! A touch of wind in the air I stopped, got my ski boots on and prepared to ski. I had to do this snow justice. The lesson I felt I learnt from Saturday’s skiing was the feeling to sit back on the skis more and this worked a treat. Floating along on the whispering powder, s turns smooth and a puff of powder to stop. A look back up to reveal the marks I'd left on the mountain. To be honest I don't see many of them as the camber of the slope hide my line, even from the bottom I saw no trace of me ever being on the hill. Not that, that matters. As you will see no photos from either day, my mobile broke last week but I guess the best camera caught it all. In short the best free skiing weekend of my life thus far.

Freeskiing starts early

2010-01-13T08:30:00.000-08:00

Normally the freeskiing season has to wait unitl March to get going in Scotland, even the ski resort skiing (sometimes) but this year we are already off and running. Forming a base on top of the heather is key to Scottish freeskiing and early in the season that is usually non existent, the news this year is that there is no base formed but when you have 1 metre plus of powder as a base who cares?

Shoulder neck music angst

2009-09-01T01:18:00.001-07:00

Summer has been mainly injury free except for a couple of weeks of neck / shoulder muscle pain. I think it was running for a bus in Aberdeen with my heavy laptop swinging round my neck that did it but I also think my posture while playing the fiddle has some thing to do with it too.

Anyway, I am back swimming pain free and putting in yoga stretches when I remember to keep the muscles aligned.

triathlete training

2009-07-09T04:47:00.000-07:00

I've not found a regular triathlete training regime. My swim training has a focus on longer distances but with some faster sets thrown in to keep the pace up. Did a couple of runs at the beach, with bare feet. What a joy run like that. I need to find a regular time to run. Cycling has been the let down, nil miles in the saddle. The knee was playing up but now it seem fine again, the bike needs to be ridden.

open water swimming - the North Sea brrrrr

2009-07-09T04:33:00.000-07:00

I found myself at Balmedie Beach last weekend filming some kite surfers. A blue sky day but with a warm ish wind chill. I have not done any open water swimming since the 2 mile race in Lake Berryessa, , California 2 year ago so I thought I'd give the north sea a go.

The tide was going out, the waves a bit on the rough side, well a whole lot choppier than a swimming pool, but I waded out. The water was not that deep so I got used to the cold and then that moment where the first strokes are swam. Brrrr, the cold rush, the bumpy waves, no line of sight. It was all rock n roll for a while. The first task is the get the breathing to calm down and to get some heat built up. Eventually, things seem OK, when reaching shallower water, you feel the water warm up but it is still cold really. A calmer lagoon was next up and some decent swimming was possible. Swimming in waves is real strange for a pool swimmer, you feel the need to neutralise them but you soon learn to go with the flow. It was cold, so a quick sprint with the tide to the beach and out. Core cold, I ran for half an hour to retain body temperature and my skin changed from a bright red to is usual pale white.

A pleasure pain type swim experience overall.

tennis prep

2009-05-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

With June just a couple of weeks away, the sport of tennis becomes more of a priority. I have this season long competition with a friend running and the score it 1 year all, so by the end of 2009 someone will be in front again. I lost last year so I'd better get practicing.

free skiing short lived

2009-05-05T02:55:00.001-07:00

While there is still big patches of snow in the high Cairngorms, the free skiing opportunities closer to Aboyne have all melted away. Sums up the winter, really cold or really mild, just hope Spring 2010 is more wintry. At least I got a couple of turns in on the Gar and some snow patch intelligence for next season.

hayfever 2009

2009-04-17T06:52:00.000-07:00

Looking back 2008 can be described as a light hayfever year. 2009 looks like it is heading in the opposite direction. I got through last year without any use of anti-histomens but I am thinking I'll need some this year.

Free skiiing on the Gar

2009-04-15T02:23:00.000-07:00

The day was meant to open with a big blue sky but I woke to a dull grey. At least the wind was light, my free skiing adventure on Lochnagar was on. Met up with JP, strapped the downhill skis to the rucksack and three hours later we were at the summit. The cover was patchy and not that extensive but big scars of snow were to be found. The Eastern shoulder was selected as the ski opportunity for the day, a bowl shaped patch with a steep mid section. The snow was spring firm right at the top but softening markedly lower down. Here is a photo of the slope skied.

turning into a triathlete

2009-03-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

It's not an uncommon transition to see an 'ageing' swimmer evolve to become a triathlete. Swimming will always be my favorite sport but adding running and cycling should bring additional fun. I find my hill walking legs turning into running legs when out in the hills, I'll just need to find a regular pattern to ensure I do run. Cycling is my biggest stumbling block, a knee injury does not like the bike but I have plans in place to address that. 2010 is the year to emerge as a triathlete.

There is so much new stuff to learn, training to where the competitions are, new friends to find etc. That why I am enjoying using mepath.com (NB. I am the founder) to gain an insight into the lifestyle, training to food to events to injuries that are being authored by others that share a triathlete lifestyle, beginner to Olympian.

2/3 rds swimming

2009-03-04T01:56:00.000-08:00

I'm getting into a routine swimming once a week. The solution to the routine has been to swim at what I call two thirds space. So, instead of 3000 metres in an hour the mileage is nearer 2000. But I keep to a structure of a warm up, kick and drills before a butterfly set and then some hundreds. I should keeping a better track of my heart beats too, I found this post via the mepath swimming activity stream. I've not know the full science about heart rate and training so this was a useful find.

Deeside freeskiing Spring 09

2009-02-24T06:52:00.000-08:00

Last week, despite a thawing week, the snow cover was holding up well on Upper Deeside Hills. However, week two of the thaw has started to make big in-roads into the cover. The higher hills, the Lochnagars of this world have kept cover but the lower hills freeskiing potential is now limited or nil.

Over the last few years, March and April have been the snowier months so things might change in favor of the Scottish free skier yet.

aboyne snow thaw

2009-02-16T12:44:00.001-08:00

aboyne snow thaw
Originally uploaded by ecotorch

The temperatures have risen dramatically today, we have been used to nearer -10c than the 10c it is at right now. The thaw of the snow has revealed where the big snow field are and that means where the best freeskiing potential lies. And I am pleased to say there is a lot of potential if we get the cooler conditions to return.

butterfly on time

2009-02-03T03:35:00.001-08:00

Put in a 200m set in of butterfly at training last night. Some drills before full stroke and whether due to that or by luck, the timing of my stroke felt spot on. No awkwardness in breathing, everything felt in sync, to use a skiing metaphor, in my limited powder skiing day it felt like stringing together a run of turns.

Was zipping along at a good pace too.

swimming 2009

2009-01-09T04:18:00.001-08:00

I've made it to the swimming pool once this year already. After a getting back in shape during the Olympics time period in 2008, winter bugs have limited or basically stopped my training. Expectation for the year ahead are to build up to 3 session per week and be ready for a competive swimming year in 2010.

Recovering pyschology

2008-07-31T15:22:00.000-07:00

My right achilles gave way a couple of months ago. Not a major snap, never really could not walk but spikes of pain reminded me that all was not well. Initially I kept going but after a week of no healing progress, a period of rest ensued. This was interupted for a three week period of partying (on the dance floor) that set things back a bit but a quieter period allowed recovery. The question is, how quickly to push up the training? Too much you are back to square not enough you will never build the fibers back up to strength again.

It becomes as much a mind game as a friend pointed out. The mind is saying step up the training. Time will tell if this is the right choice.

Wouldn't lifestyle linking my achilles tell me the right path to recovery?

A. NO, it would have helped prevent it in the first place.

Small food change, breakfast

2008-02-22T01:40:00.000-08:00

Breakfast is standard, bowl cereal, sometimes oasts and two slices of bread. I decided it was good to get a bit of fruit in for break fast, so replaced one slice of bread for a piece of fruit. Not every day but its a small change that has been easy to do.

direct sunlight and sneezing

2008-02-22T01:33:00.001-08:00

Does anyone know why direct sunlight makes you sneeze or does it just happen to me?

Hayfever season on the horizon?

my knee and me

2008-02-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

I pretty much stopped mountain biking about 5 years ago because my left knee would give me great pain after about 30 mins in the saddle. But I was pain free walking, skiing, swimming etc. That is until last week. My knee seemed to react badly to my return to the swimming pool. Looks like it is time to investigate what has gone wrong with the knee?

linking suncream and allergies

2007-07-13T04:22:00.000-07:00

I suffer from hayfever, in the extremes of symptoms I probably lie some where in the middle but I would like to think I try and minimise the lifestyle choices to prevent or minimize the symptoms.

So, why would I buy this products, Banana Boat 50 I was attending on open swim in pure blue sky day, 28c and I would be in teh water for up to an hour. The risk of sunburn is high, so I felt this the best preventative step. Highest factor cream I could find that is water proof.

However, I recently read this information on the suncream that links the chemicals in the produt to allergies and the general wellbeing of your immune system.

From my mepath stories, I have already highlighed that to the best of my knowledge/ what I choose to believe that minimizing these risks are a top priority.

Why did I make the purchase, because I did not know all the information.

lifestyle linking weather

2007-07-13T04:13:00.000-07:00

Weather forecasts are usually broadcast and unsurprisingly they focus on the weather, will it rain, snow, frost, warning of serious flooding. Oh, yes the odd, the NE wind will make is feel a lot colder so you may want to put on an extra layer of clothing. In the end of the we consume the information and then make choices, what to wear, what time to go skiing, walking, etc.

The first lifestyle linking weather service I use is weatherpixie, a primative icon that shows the clothing linked to the weather. No real perosnalization but you can see the day when I can personalize this to my existing clothes I own, how I am effected by wind chill, recommend new purchased base upon forecast weather that don't already own.

lifestyle linking whisky

2007-06-19T08:21:00.000-07:00

Living in Scotland, I am lucky to have the water of life on my door step. Distilleries to the north, south, east and west. I have met up with a few friends no longer living in Aberdeenshire in the last few weeks and to end the evening they share a wee dram of their favourite malt with me. I am greatly honoured to share their friendship and their choice of the water of life.

friends positive energy

2007-06-19T04:54:00.000-07:00

I have been lucky enough to spend the last 10 days or so visiting/partying with friends. It has been fun all the way and the positive energy it gives is so good for your health. I need to make these trips more often, once every 5 years seems too long.

lifestyle linking sun glasses

2007-06-01T12:52:00.000-07:00

One of my first lifestyle linking posts was on sun glasses. Would a more expensive pair be better at protecting my eye sight?

Since then I had to bin the sun glasses pitched in the posting. They broke. My current pair as just coming up for a year old. They are lasting well. However, the no.1 thing I now know about these sunglasses is that the polarizing coating on the inside and outside is flaking off. I did not even see this feature being mentioned on the product or in any comparison shopping website. Lets that put that another way, the no.1 feature that is now making the product, becoming increasingly un usable is not even listed as a feature. This sums up product retailing today. It does not link to the realities of the life I live.

In a lifestyle linking world, these variable will be at the forefront of product selection and creation. I will be able to say, given how I use sun glasses this product will last 2 years, this one 16 months and this one 12 months. I guess which one I would select given all other features are equal? Today, we make purchase decision based on the past, and that is how the product was not was made, not my life.

me and green tea

2007-05-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

I have started to drink more green tea. The main reason is that I have be reading information on skin cancer and green tea keep coming up. It is my choice where I focus my attention. I have some regular patterns of information sources I read and some times that throws up content that matches my interests. Other times I have to proactively search out information that interests me. This has combined to make me act. That fact is that I drink more green tea, now. I have to drink each day, that is the way of life and if by drinking green tea that fulfils task and it acts in a preventative manner to a risk (real or other wise I have) then my path through life is empowered.

This information, if I could own it all, I did create it all after all, should be used in other places. The creation of sun block for example.

lifestyle linking heat

2007-05-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

The temperatures are heading north of 30 degrees Celsius in the last few days. Life becomes more uncomfortable for me in the high twenties Celsius onwards so what can I do to combat the heat? Drinking more water, choices of clothing, can I find an office, cafe or out side space in the shade. Should I slow down my thinking rate?

I always feel we have time to prepare for such increases in heat. That is what weather forecast set out to achieve? Except they do not personalize that information to me, the online website are heading that way but none to date on TV have told me what to wear on a personalized manner. Maybe, wrap up warm, wear a mack or slap on the sun cream. But if I am spending the day in the office then suncream was not the best information to have been broad casting. Even if the information was right, could they give me a personalized recommendation on what sun factor to use?

lifestyle linking energy

2007-05-06T17:11:00.000-07:00

Each and every day we live we need energy. I am not thinking so much the ac variety the powers our light bulbs, laptops etc. but the human energy required to live the path through life.

Food and drink are our input energy. Water is core to life, but I see we are being told we can get 'smart' water and we need to eat. I haven't thought too much about whether the type of food we eat, affects the type of energy we give out? Regardless of what we eat, the energy looks the feels the same? My reading and education over the years tells me that some foods will provide quicker energy than others. I read science papers that speak of 'significant correlations' too. I am still of the mind that we are the very earliest of stages in matching up those cause and effects.

One thing I do know right now, is that I think, some times nil times to others hours of research to inform my eating choices. I/we are demanding those choices now.

lifestyle linking hay fever

2007-04-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

I am currently living through the worst health impact of my hay fever suffering years. The daily routine of eye drops and nasal steroid spray had been keeping the annoying symptoms at bay however, after a couple of days of rain the local environment became hostile with pollen. I persevered for a couple of days but it was time to start to take the antihistamines to dampen the symptoms.

I recall a similar period last year but not as acute. Even taking this cocktail of medication you are not yourself. The chest is tight and the eyes and nose still get effected.

In a lifestyle linking world, I should know such periods of allergy pain are ahead and thus I can prepare to avoid the worst of the pain or inconvenience. I try all these medications, eat local honey, tried pollen capsules but will nil benefit but I am sure there are things I could be doing to minimise the health downsides, others will have real experiences that could empower me better. It is just hard finding those people.

lifestyle linking laptop

2007-03-18T12:32:00.001-07:00

After 7 years of loyal and trusted service my laptop this week decided to step into retirement. A new purchase was on the cards, what to buy?

Two choices, I decided that, a dell.com or another vaio via sonystyle.com Sony wins, based on 7 years of good service. I need to personalize the spec. I use my knowledge to select the feature/spec I want but for some I have know real rational of selecting, e.g. what graphics card? Spending more get you better? I know how I have used my PC, editing videos is key task and my PC should know all my attention data doing that. That data should be able to select the right customization option, or at least tell me the trade off, this will save you 3 seconds wait time doing the same tasks. I would call such a service, lifestyle linking products. Come on startups out there, provide that service for 'me'.

lifestyle linking travel

2007-03-18T12:31:00.001-07:00

Living life is the best way to learn. It feels like at times that website are built without the founders have a core passion for their service, what could supersede that, a passion for pure money.

Within 48 hours I had gotten a lift in a car, used a bus, a train, an under ground, another train, boat and not to forget my own two feet all the way through the various forms of transport. One part of the journey I want to expand upon. I had to get from Reading to Heathrow airport. From my research I had decided that a train to paddington and then the heathrow express would work. However, when I went to Reading station I read about a bus service to heathrow. I know I was making a longer trip via my dog leg train trips. Wouldn't it be cheaper and save me time?

I was thinking that but because I had no previous experience of taking that option or any feel of how reliable the service was I opted for that I knew and that I was confident in achieving my goal of catching a flight at a certain time.

Lifestyle linking travel would work by no so much crunching a search that would logically figure out the time tables, ie. do the time maths but instead quizzing other attention data that had live the experience I proposed to pursue. Now, I want to poll how successful the outcomes were. My objective remains the same, catch a flight. The big difference in approach is that lifestyle linking travel is human centric, this actually happens, timetables are computer generated of what some one would like to happen but they do not account for the walk along the platform, the distance to the terminal, what things can go wrong out with their world e.g. bus fine but unforeseen road accident. If I could poll the wisdom of the individuals that had face the same travel plans as I then, those are the people that could provide the information that I would confidently act upon.

lifestyle linking mobile use

2007-01-26T06:25:00.000-08:00

I was catching up with my Internet software RSS blog feeds and found a lifestyle linking health topic, mobile phone usage and brain tumors. Without scientific proof this whole technology has been released to the world. Nothing per say wrong with that as long as we individually have the information to hand we want before the purchase. But like most of this world, we assume the State, has set the rule to 'protect us' but this is more psychology than based on real life impact.

What I have been thinking a lot about over the last few year is, especially since I have my mobile and WIFI near me 24/7 these days, wouldn't it be great if I could use some tool that would visualise all the microwaves, analogue waves etc. that are present in my surroundings? I am sure this most be possible to do and may even exist today so if you know about such a service drop a link in to my comments.

How often do I get a cold in January?

2007-01-26T05:04:00.000-08:00

Ideally, you would never want to get a cold. I read some where that the average person gets 5 colds (light to flu) a year. I thought that was a lot. So, you ask yourself how times have I had the cold last year? You would it would be easy too add up but you forget and time moves on. For me I recall being ill most January's, I joke to myself, I only get a cold when there are holidays around! So, the festive period is a holiday time.

My point is, do I have a significant correlation with a month and having a cold, if yes, then would I act differently on the lead up to that time of year? Or is the significant correlation when a know virus is in the population? Do, I usually get the virus at the start of the out break or in the middle or near the end? We can empower ourselves to know this information, it is know, just not to us at present. Armed with this information is our choice to make lifestyle choices that turn these significant correlation to false.

social networks and health

2007-01-04T04:32:00.000-08:00

I think a lot about the effect my lifestyle choices have on my health, the food you eat, the water you drink, the air you breathe, the stress you feel, the weather you experience, etc. etc. And this leaves out one big area, relationships.

Relationships are everywhere, with family, friends and with all the people you interactive with online and offline. The real thing I had under appreciated or not appreciated enough was the emotional impact of relationships. I listened and have read about this time and time again last year. It makes so much logic and sense. One example, food has an emotional impact as well as nutritional impact, just think of the reaction we may have to chocolate. But it's a two way emotional cause and effect, pre eating and post eating, our emotions come into play.

Relationships with your family. I was 8,000km from my family when a new member of the clan came into the world. I was in the middle of a cold at the time but for the day of the birth I felt no symptoms of the cold. I could not explain this to myself at the time but now with reflection I realise the power of the family relationship, it provides vast amounts of positive energy. We are social beings and a lack of social interaction leads to ill health. Friends provide a high level of relationship health. I recall hearing about the term 'friends syndrome' the 'friends' being from the TV sitcom. Someone had observed how modern friend networks modelled the size of the friend group on the series, more like they producers knew about this trend and created the format to appeal to the world. Friends are in the physical world and the online world. Are the relationship any less important online or over distances. My view is that just like the baby being born, relationship across great distance can be equally intense and beneficial. Sure, you can not wait to meet but the health power flows regardless.

multivitamin not a good decision

2007-01-04T04:07:00.000-08:00

I said I would take a multi vitamin supplement for one bottle's worth and then take stock. Well, I did not finish the bottle, I left the last half dozen in the bottle and I do not plan to buy a new bottle. Why?

I believe my digestive health was upset by taking the supplement. I have stopped and with in a week I felt better. Also, I hoped the number and length of time I suffered from colds, bugs, viruses would be less but since the end of November it's been one bug after the other and now I seem to be going from one cold to the next. The question is, maybe if I had not taken the supplements then the colds etc would have been more accute?

I was telling one of my friends who runs a gene testing business, infogene.com about my supplement experience and he was unsurprised by my experience. He said my thinking was too simplistic to think an 'average' supplement would be overall beneficial. My body may be real efficient at creating all the good stuff it requires and by overloading the goodness then it knocks thinks out of balance, or it may just be that one area is where the benefits could be gained. How do I find that out? Well, I expect some tests would give measurable feedback or I can use trail and error with my life. However, this take times, life is real time.

However, I am not the only person thinking and trying these supplements. If I could correlate myself to them then I may be able to find that right supplement in a short time period, avoid clear down sides and get long term benefits?

Also, it must be possible to see patterns when my number of colds are increasing. Last year there were quite a few, the year before I can maybe recall one. Is that just random or is the cause and effect results of the choices I may in 2005 and 2006?

teeth gone sonic

2007-01-04T03:33:00.000-08:00

My teeth cleaning entered the electronic age with a gift of the latest 'sonic' electric toothbrush. I have written on this subject before. So ingrained in using a traditional toothbrush it took me a couple nights to remember to use it. My teeth feel great after brushing. I am still not sure I am using the right technique and the whole psychology of the experience is different. As you are not exerting any manual input, you don't feel you are cleaning.

Last time I concluded I felt my teeth's health was based upon my knowledge of what is best for looking after my teeth. I have changed toothpaste, brush and now gone electric. I think because I focus on healthy teeth, regardless of the equipment or paste I use, it is my application that is the critical difference, not the brand of manufacturer.

What we could know, but we don't as we don't share the information, is the outcomes your peers have achieved or are achieving. I am very positive about my teeth health but what about 10 years down the line? There must be people that have chosen a similar path in the past, this information exists, if we create an environment that is trusted, then this information will flow. Achieve this then we will have a world with better information.

Time - Tagging

2006-10-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

Tagging, aka, the del.icio.us , flickr, blog etc. kind provides great value to me. Tagging in a lifestyle linking context has the potential to add great value too.

But I believe the tags can be used for more than their ability to provide a textual word to help me remember and save as important. The time when I tag is important too. Delicious time stamps your tag word but what about being able to sort on time as well? It is valuable to know when you time tagged all the same words, especially when you want to record the times you get a sore throat. The length of time interval may also be important.

The time value of tagging is under utilized but contains valuable meaning. Watch for some interesting developments in this area.

Flight health and jet lag

2006-10-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

Time to continue my long haul flight health story. Last night I safely concluded my 5th long haul flight of the year. A good flight, second best of the year, the first being the best as I got three seats to myself that enabled some good sleeping. However, jet lag was bad for a long spell. The second set of fights, produced sore throats but jet lag lessened USA side but was significantly more noticeable UK side. This time I am feeling like sleeping as UK timezone bedtime passes. Should I give in to a quick power nap or is it best to keep mentally or physically active to keep awake until USA bed time?

Other people must be and have faced these decisions. It would be great to read about what they tried. Also, does what I eat effect my ability to recover from jetlag? Should I train lightly at swimming tomorrow morning? Or with a slight sniffle, pollen? or cold?, is that a good idea anyway?

decisions, decisions, I am using my account at www.mepath.com to capture my story so that I can find the information I require to empower my lifestyle choices. (Note, mepath.com is that start up business I work at.)

www.mepath.com lifestyle linking agent

2006-10-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

My startup co-founders and I have put up the website, mepath.com . If you want to join us in shaping the focus of the founding service, feel free to sign up and share your thoughts with us.

extreme hiking feedback to trainer manufacturer

2006-09-07T07:32:00.000-07:00

Two weeks post my 22 mile hike and I am wondering why my trainer manufacturing is not asking me for feedback on how they performed? I would be willing to email them a picture of my feet so show where the blisters appeared and if they new model could improve the design so reduce this wear point then I would be more likely to purchase from the same manufacturer.

I have also been left with a bruzed big toe nail. I have had this in the past wearing my hiking boots. Why is that happening? Not lasing my shoes/trainer to tight, too slack or too long or short a size. I know it happen when walking down hill. Maybe its my walking/running technique?

I am sure the world has the answers to these questions, and of course I will be happy to pay for the information that addresses my pain? I find it hard the manufacturers and or the retailer etcs and not listening to me or evening asking me the question, I am asking, why is no one listening?

new tooth brush

2006-09-07T06:44:00.000-07:00

I arrived back in the UK without my luggage. One of the first things you miss is cleaning your teeth. One night you can manage but the second day requires the purchase of a new brush. In an earlier posting I made the decision to change brand of tooth paste, so what about the brand of brush?

A firm reach, style being my main stay over the years. But technology has moved on again or is that just the marketing words? Whitening seems the word of the moment. I am in my local country chemist so the choice is not great, no Elephant pharmacy around to get a review of the greener brands. I say loyal to reach today, price seems lower than past purchases.

Looking back on my teeth cleaning history, the most important information I recall was the day I got a lesson on how to brush my teeth. This was not the day in primary school when you get a red tablet to show the plaque on your teeth but a day in my teenage life where a much more scientific and particle, even scientific portrayal of the reasoning on the different techniques to you to clean your teeth. Different speeds of brushing, different styles, up, down, circling.

My main observation is that as my education/knowledge level has improved with the progression of time then the better equipped I feel I have been at caring for my teeth.

yoga = better sleep, stress reduction, better posture

2006-09-05T06:46:00.000-07:00

I got the opportunity to attend my first yoga session last week. I had been talking with a friend for several weeks about whether yoga could be used to help de-stress at night to allow for a better night's sleep. Given my walking thigh pains I am keen to strengthen my thighs and to generally improve my lower body flexibility. Finally, poor posture at the keyboard adds up and so I was looking for some exercises to do before and after to not only to relieve the pain but to encourage my body to adopt better posture all the time.

As a first timer, I was given a position next to the leader. The session began with a concentration on listening to your breathing. From there the introduction of moves and positions were adopted along with mental thoughts. An hour and a half melted into time. I describe yoga as a smooth transition from one exercise to the next. I am less won over by the mental side, but open minded enough to listen to the guidance. How does a visionary focus on the here on now?

I look forward to going back but I will find it hard to find the time to attend many sessions. I am looking for lifestyle yoga, that is I am looking to find a set of disciplines to address the key health priorities and that I am self motivated to improve on.

lifestyle linking mental health: the brain

2006-08-21T15:36:00.000-07:00

I am with the school of thought that believes we are only just beginning to tap into the potential of our own brains to help with correcting any ill health our bodies are experiencing. I feel their is a separation.

Sheryle Bolton's Brain Reserve is of this school of thought and her blog pulls together her observation s with the latest scientific brain research. Worth a read.

long haul flight, third sore through in row?

2006-08-21T15:35:00.001-07:00

The answer was no. The fight was still not great, full and hot. However, the jet lag is catching up with me on day three.

Did my taking a few quieter days off to rest up help prevent the sore throat? Did taking the multi-vitamin/mineral supplement play a role?

Is there things I can do get over the jet lag? Is it because 6 of the last 7 months were in the -8 hour time zone?

Extreme hiking, health before, during and after

2006-08-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

22 miles over 7 and half hours pushes the body to the max. The day after the walk the pain in my thighs is pretty intense. The repetitive pounding of the legs on the downward leg proving too much for my legs. It is a thought to walk. All other muscles are fine. Is the thighs pain due to a lack of training for those muscles? Or does dehydration play a part in tired muscles?

It is now the 4 days post the walk and my legs are back to normal. Could I have recovered quicker by going swimming in those days? What exercises can I take to prepare for the next marathon walking and the up coming skiing season?

Toothpaste, healthy teeth & healthy heart?

2006-08-16T11:18:00.000-07:00

I decided to change my brand of toothpaste yesterday. The old tube was empty so a new purchase was required and Colgate lost out to Tom's. But it iwas a difficult choice, I have to own up to three fillings, all done before I was sixteen years of age. So, through my commitment to cleaning my teeth etc. I have halted the need for time with the drill for over 16 years. Shouldn't I stick with the toothpaste that has taken me this far?

Well, it is a tough call. How much of that success (no fillings) can be attributed to the particular brand? As a kid I think Crest was used from time to time, around the time when stripes arrived on the scene. However, until a few months ago I had never heard of Tom's, a natural tooth paste and the human values set by their founders and owners is applied across their corporate and manufacturing processes to be natural. So, I have changed. They, have science to back up their tooth pastes effectiveness, just like the other brands but what I found interesting in their packaging and I have seen the global brands expand to make this statement too, the healthy teeth are key to a making you healthy, or in Tom's case, suggestion that some research suggests healthy teeth can reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

Now we can have healthy (white is what we need) teeth, reduced plaque, fights decay and heart disease etc. What I would like to know is, what is the research and science behind the claims and how does it effect me personally? Not some 'average' person.

lifestyle linking blood pressure

2006-08-14T14:49:00.000-07:00

Last week became a week where I was highly motivated to test my blood pressure. It started by attending a Kaiser.org doctor talk on blood pressure, I was keen to see the characteristics of the people that attended. At the end of the talk, you got the option to test your blood pressure with a machine you can buy for your home for $30.

I took up that offer and found that my blood pressure was sitting high, two above the normal zone. I have never posted a high reading before and the Kaiser.org representative started realing of a list of lifestyle factors like, do you exercise, I do but more like three times a month at present than the three times a week. So, she suggested I do some more exercise and check the reading in 2 months.

My background thoughts on blood pressure it that I am always surprised its not higher given the entrepreneurial start up stress and driven lifestyle I live. So, maybe it had caught up with me this time? The next few days, I am busy and take my blood pressure reading a Longs Drug stores, Alberston's and Safeways supermarkets, very convenient and easy to use. I don't think I had noticed the machines in the stores before. The blood pressure reading trended downwards. I get to Saturday and eventually get some exercise in at the swimming pool. So, I pop in to get a reading, 3 hours after swimming, 101 over 68 . Well under the normal zone of 120 over 80. And that is were it remains.

I started to think to figure out the lifestyle linking correlations that may have led to this high blood pressure reading? Well, the day of the first reading was extremely hot. I had decided not to take my water bottle with me and due to a mix up on the bus, I spent 3 hours in a hot bus getting to the Kaiser.org meeting. I have since learnt that blood pressure increases with dehydration. Another significant factor was that I was nearing the end of a busy spell of 5-6am rises and late to bed days. (burning the candle light at both ends) so does a lack of sleep increase blood pressure? The last reading came after my first good nights sleep. I have been training hard at swimming post the last reading, how will that impact my blood pressure?

The real important lesson/message I take from this story? The immediate feedback I received was not helpful, they had no context of my day and it felt like (though a positive desire to provide helpful information on a high reading) they heightened my initial concern in the reading.

Talking your blood pressure can be real easy and convenient, 1 minutre of your time.

I am the best person to decide on my self education needs and requirements.

I will be self motivated to act, when I believe a change of behavior is in my own short and long term self interest.

Lifestyle linking heat

2006-07-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

Living through a heat wave forces you to focus on your health. The shear experience of the heat, sunshine strength and stress induced on to the body made my brain think it's core focus was survival.

What can we do to minimize the distress? Stay in doors, but no air conditioning makes that unbearable. Where is there free air conditioning, at the cinema so an unplanned movie is the order of the day. Darkness has descended but the heat is still high. A BBQ dinner is in order.

OK, we are told to drink plenty during the heat wave, but what foods are best to eat? Should we just surf from one air conditioned cafe to the next? This does get expensive and the food is not that healthy for everyday consumption. Where are the healthy air conditioned places near me?

lifestyle linking enjoyment

2006-07-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

From deep in the sub conscious or the background of the conscious the need to experience things you enjoy doing come to the fore. For me they seem to follow a non-linear sine or cosine graph with time being on the x axis.

These inner message lead to action in term of search, what are the key words to enter into google, ‘San Francisco Symphony’, my geo location focusing the scope plus my exiting knowledge of the world had made me set listen to them as a goal or experience I want to participate in. What concert to choose? You read the options and I see ‘Lord of the Rings’ evening. Now that combines two things that I enjoy. It’s a no brainer to buy a ticket. The experience was great, my favourite moment being one seamless transfer of harmony between the orchestra and choir.

So, enjoyment in this instance was the consumption of an experience.

health short term - long term

2006-07-03T17:26:00.000-07:00

For me some of those future health impacts are know with certainty, hay fever season start from March and lasts to September in Scotland. However, this year I spent part of winter in California and hay fever started in February but I found no need to take any anti histamines during the summer months. A steroid spray and eye drops keeping symptoms at bay. I took the decision to stop taking the tablets. I have this constant desire not to take pharma medicine and the grass looks brown so these factors added up to allow me to stop. And I feel better, for not taking the tablets, in a long-term sense, as I still have to take some pharma medicine. However, there is so much public pollen information out there. Why can this not be personalized to the allergy blood tests I have and my knowledge on the times of year I get hay fever?

My lifestyle activates also set annual health goals. I like skiing, especially free skiing. This is fairly extreme exercise in terms of endurance and physical stress and I suppose mental stress, positive success and determination to reach a summit. I know that I cannot just turn on the health to live these goals. Therefore, I need to keep fit all during the year and focus on particular exercises as winter draws in.

Chronic disease, whether it be heart, cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, Alzheimer’s etc. I associate with old age. Or is it an accumulation of my lifestyle choices and genes? Science, in my mind has not given us a framework with any degree of certainty in terms of the direct cause and effect of these diseases. Time frames of cause and effect are long, I assume. I am persuaded to change based on such science? Contrast this with a sudden pain in my right hip. I feel it and take the time to rest and exercise it. However, could this be the start to hip replacement in later years? If I knew this would I change my lifestyle goals? Or would I seek ways to live the goals but minimize the risks I am now aware of?

It is a tricky balance, short term seems to win but in the long run I want to maximise my overall lifestyle.

lifestyle linking sleep

2006-06-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

Probably the number one health change I have focused on over the last four years is to sleep better. My entrepreneurial lifestyle combined with travel means I feel I would qualify for the, Margaret Thatcher's school of Sleep, (she was famed for only needing 4-5 sleep per night, Now 80, I know she has suffered a stroke.) Maybe there is a lesson in that to take note of?

The life of a start up entrepreneur means you are intensely focused on all the things you can do to make your business a success. However, how do you switch off? How do you stop thinking about that one issues that seems to consume your whole life while you search for an answer? OK, you may fall asleep but your brain is still processing at full speed. What can you do to park the processing to the morning?

Sleeping tablets, glass of warm milk, a friend suggests mediation. I doubt I'll ever be won over by the first two, but meditation, maybe. How does it work? What exercise can you practice, which website are the best for me? Or maybe I'll just try me own thoughts on the matter and until I feel I need further help, I'll leave it all for now.

Mineral supplement, natural?

2006-06-29T17:12:00.000-07:00

I have resisted until today to take a daily multi minerals and vitamin supplement. Surely, if I am eating real foods, fresh, local and organic and water as pure as it comes from nature in a Scottish valley then surely I should be getting all those mineral and vitamins? I have listened to others, friends to medical experts, retailers to natural food stores in the past but I have not been persuaded however, this week I started taking a daily natural multi mineral and vitamin supplement.

I should state that I am still highly sceptical of any 'benefits' so I am performing my own trail for the next few months.

Why give a daily supplement a go? What persuaded me to act? I was listening to a talk given by a food evangelist for all her days. A pioneer in recipe writing in the USA. A person that I found lots of commonality with. She had resist supplements too and she has engaged in a far more in-depth manner than I have with leading nutrition and medical experts. There advice to her was that today’s soils are just too depleted of minerals and thus plants growing in the ground have no minerals to pack inside their roots, tubers and leafs etc. Regardless of how we cook the fruit/vegetables they just do not contain the levels of minerals and vitamins our body’s demand. Thus they recommend a daily multi supplement.

So, in the end it was a non-medical expert that made the impact on me to buy my first bottle of supplements. I had to decide where to buy them, online or in store. I chose a physical store, specializing in natural and organic produce ranges. Why? Because I believe there supplement will be made from natural ingredients and I buy there regularly.

How will I measure the benefits? In reduced colds? Over what time frame? Questions I a still thinking about.

Consumption and my genes

2006-06-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

To fuel my lifestyle I consume a wide range of substances, from water to orange juice, potatoes to pasta, bread to bacon, cooked to raw etc. From my pre-existing knowledge I understand I am, who I am, from my genes and the environment I have experienced since being born. But is there a direct correlation with specific foods and my health? I have an understanding of nutrigenomics and businesses like, www.infogene.com , www.dnadirect.com are allowing me to find out the gene impact of certain foods and health issues.

Given I know the results from these tests, will I change my behavior to minimize my risk of developing chronic disease? Or is my focus to maximize the experiences and goals my lifestyle aspires to? How do I know what gene test to buy? Why can't I send one test that will tell me all the answers?

Jet lag advice, person sitting next to you?

2006-06-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

Tally up 12 hours on a plane and you land 8 hours behind GMT = Jet Lag for me.

By good luck the passenger sitting next to me was a medical student from Germany. His advice was to keep going to 10pm US time. Last time I gave into to sleep around 6pm. Sure enough, tiredness was willing me to sleep but I was motivated to reach 10pm, I wanted to test the theory. Falling asleep was instant at ten. I woke early, 5am, about when the sun raised it's head and every day since I haven't felt the jet lag too bad at all this time. It took me a month to get over it last time. Now will this theory work every time for me? Does any medical lifestyle study support this theory? What other activities, well being or food/water combinations could I try to support my body's conversion to a new time zone?

Long haul flight = sore throat no. 2

2006-06-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

It is just coincidence or a direct cause and effect that I suffered a really bad sore throat on the return flight to Scotland and a not so acute sore throat on the flight back to California? This time it cleared in a couple of days. Both flights were full up and over heated, (previous flights were half empty and it suffer no ill health effects). Is this the reason? Was there a back ground virus in my system waiting it's opportunity to strike?

More importantly, my lifestyle dictates that I will have many more such flights to take and I would like to minimize the risk of developing a killer sore throat in the future.

Should I eat better, rest better pre flight, during the flight, after the flight? Sleep better? Try and find a flight that will be less full? Surely, other regular long haul flyers have got good tips on what keeps them healthy during flights and is there any medical research on this topic to consider?

Attention --- health data

2006-05-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

There are many potential benefits to be realized from a 'lifestyle linking' health world. In this world our personal health data is being collected, stored and used. The question is: Who has control over this data? Our answer: the individual. Only with the individual in control of their attention data, working on their behalf, applied with their permission, motivation and values will these benefits be realized. These principals are held by the Attention Trust and its members. See our membership page here .

'lifestyle linking health' business

2006-05-11T02:54:00.000-07:00

How does the 'lifestyle linking health' vision impact on business and how they serve their customers?

Let me explain by way of an example/anecdote: Our local butcher said with much enthusiasm 'that's what I like to see" when he saw a row of empty meat trays when it was only lunch time. So, what was do different about today? The sun was shining and summer was in the air for the first time and BBQ's were on the consumers agenda. The weather had created extra demand.

Now, any seasoned retailer worth their money will know how important the weather is on affecting sales from food to clothing etc. However, it also struck me that none of these businesses integrate weather content into their websites? (please tell me if you know of one). OK, the empowered individual will have this on their home page or portal start page but a business can provide this information and link it to their customers purchasing of their products.

The butcher was right to be happy to sell all his products by lunch time but what about the regular customer that comes in after to find empty shelves. Are they happy? Linking demand factors can help: consumer demand can be transmitted quicker to the butcher, the butcher can help by providing the best weather information for the location and thus produce more product to cater for know demand and existing customer have products to buy.

What about the 'health' element in this story? The individuals lifestyle is influenced by the weather in prompting a BBQ. The individual also has high cholesterol. Therefore, it would be sensible to go for low fat BBQ meat option or they could even go for fish instead of meat. And if they wanted to go one step further and share their nutrition requirements with the butcher then the business would be able to customize their sausage production to reduced fat percentage.

I believe the individuals lifestyle wins, hands down ever time in deciding what actions, activities, consumption or buying they will undertake. The specific delivery of all these will depend on how empowered the individual is with the 'linking' information whether that be price, product choice, availability, weather or health.

Chronic Disease Prevention

2006-03-17T13:17:00.000-08:00

Does our daily lifestyle routines really directly impact and correlate to your probability of developing chronic disease? Medical research concludes it does but it's not a 100% accurate science or prediction game.

However, it would be useful to have the generally accepted cause and effect evidence on tap to empower and inform our decision making.

Lifestyle goal: World Masters Swimming Championship

2006-03-04T14:15:00.000-08:00

My goal is to compete at The World Masters Swimming Championships in August 2006. My training is going to step up in pace in the weeks and months ahead. But will my diet 'step up in pace' too to provide the right fuel at the right times?

I should be able to learn from the many swimming blogs what are good practices to follow. It would be great if I could down load and then use their grocery shopping suggestions and link that do my training schedule.

'lifestyle linking' Sun block, weather, health impact

2006-02-26T20:38:00.000-08:00

Sun block
Originally uploaded by ecotorch.

The sun is a lot stronger here in California than it is back in Scotland at this time of the year. Sunburn is a concern. What suntan lotion should I buy?

There are lots of bottles to choose from. I don't believe tan's are a sign of good health so I always opt for a high factor. Factor 50+ which is what I buy. I go swimming so the label saying it's water proof for up to 80 mins. I feel I have made a good buy but have I? I would have liked my buying logic to have been reviewed by an expert e.g. skin cancer specialist.

Also, it is cloudy outside some days, applying cream every day becomes a chore. Is it OK not to apply sun cream on a cloudy day? Now, surely a combination of a weather station service and health expert e.g. skin cancer specialist could provide me with guidance on a daily basis?

And how much should I apply every day? Is there any short, medium or long term risk of using the cream every day? Would I be better off wearing a hat?

'lifestyle linking' Sun glasses

2006-02-26T14:36:00.000-08:00

Sun glasses health impact?
Originally uploaded by ecotorch.

I arrived in California with out my sun glasses. I need to purchase a new pair. The pair at home in Scotland are of high quality so I don't want to spend too much cash.

However, will buying a cheaper pair with a sticker claiming 'maximum UV' protection suffice for a few weeks or should I invest a lot more money in a designer brand with superior sounding marketing?

Again, I do not know the relative health impacts the two options will have on my eye sight. I am thinking, the cheaper option say MAX protection and the small print provides supporting evidence. A more expensive pair will come along with a free consultation but it that just more marketing from the sales consultant or based on medical fact?

I would like to have real time data at the point of purchase on the health impact of these two product choices. If the cheap pair are taking care of my eyes and with the expensive pair, I am just paying for brand and style then I would buy the cheap pair. However, if wearing the cheap pair of sun glasses, I am in effect getting no protection from UV rays then I would be prepared to pay for the more expensive option?

A lifestyle linking service would provide the health impact on demand to us consumer to be weighed up against the pricing options and budgets.

'lifestyle linking' Weekly Shop

2006-02-26T14:26:00.000-08:00

Weekly Shop James
Originally uploaded by ecotorch.

The photo is of my weekly shop for groceries and other domestic products for the home and myself.

I have set myself the lifestyle goal of competing in the World Masters Swimming Championships in August of 2006. This links directly with my lifestyle i.e.the amount of training I need to put in between now then then. As my training intensifies will the quality of my weekly shop for groceries do likewise? To be honest, as knowledgeable as I am, I have no real lidea what I should be buying to maximize my nutrition to complement my training.

I would like to get an analysis of my shopping and be able to input from an nutrition expert or competitive swimmer of my choice some value adding advice that will assist me buy better foods.

'lifestyle linking' Health

2006-02-23T11:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my 'lifestyle linking' health blog

My 'lifestyle linking' health vision is about empowering individuals to link their health needs with their daily lifestyle routines.