That's Fit

Fitzness Fiends is a section devoted to you, the reader! We all have learned so much on our path to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other! Fitzness Fiends are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect, some are not. All have health on the mind. Please send Fitz your answers to these questions with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!

Name: Bob Rose

Age: 45

Occupation: Morning Radio Talk Show Host, The Bob Rose Show

How often do you exercise? Five times each week.

What type of exercise do you do? A mix of machines and free weights, push-ups, and core work. I alternate body parts three times a week. I play basketball and tennis for cardio on the other two days.

Imagine being able to feel sounds on your skin. Maybe it's the cringing feeling you get from a horror flick, except it happens when you listen to a radio announcer's voice. Or perhaps your skin would tingle at the sound of train rails. This is exactly what happened to one woman after experiencing a stroke caused by a decongestant that would later be taken off the market.

Sherrilyn Roush had a lesion in her mid-brain, which triggered the left side of her body to respond to noises. It's called synesthesia -- her brain has reorganized itself to accommodate cross-connections with certain senses. In her case, it was feeling and sound redirected toward her left thigh, arm, head and shoulder. However the condition is not all cringes and wincing.

"Round" sounds like water bubbling actually feel good to her! In fact, Dr. Roush has learned to play the string bass in order to literally massage her skin with senses. The brain is amazing thing, something we may never fully understand. But a case like this one really makes you wonder about the untapped power of the human mind!

Staying aware of the emotional health of your family members can also include the four legged members in your household. Does your dog have separation anxiety? Many bad behavior problems stem from separation anxiety. Know the below symptoms of canine separation anxiety and some of the things that can help ease their distress.

Your dog follows you around everywhere you go. Your dog acts overexcited when you return home or when you prepare to leave. Your dog whines and barks while you are gone. Your dog's appetite decreased while you were gone or will only eat when you are at home. Your dog develops digestive problems, and urinates or defecates excessively. Your dog becomes so upset they throw up. Your dog becomes destructive, and digs excessively, or chews only certain items while you are gone.

Here are some suggestions to help decrease the separation anxiety your dog may be experiencing.

Get another pet to keep them company. Take your dog to day care, or have a friend visit and walk your dog. Keep your TV or radio on. Give your dog a really great toy with your scent on it that it only receives when you are gone. Get your dog used to your routine when you are getting ready to leave. Keep your dog well exercised.

I was recently a guest on Dr. Fitness and the Fat Guy, and it was a blast. The guys are hysterical and they're pretty on top of the health and fitness industry. To listen to the June 21st podcast click here. We talk all about my infinite broken bones from my kickboxing career, movie stuff, and more.

Sometimes it is all those little distractions during the day that we curse under our breaths. But distraction is a good method to relieve pain. People use this method without even realizing it when they watch TV or listen to the radio to take their minds off of worry or their pain. Distraction may be used to manage mild pain or used with medicine to help manage episodes of severe pain.

Any activity that occupies your attention can be used for distraction. I personally play the guitar to "take my mind off of pain". Distractions could be doing needlework, model building, painting or diving into a good book. Use your hobbies as a way to focus and distract your attention off of pain. Listening to fast music through a headset or earphones keeps your attention on the music and tapping out a rhythm will help hold your attention away from the pain. Playing video games can be a way to keep your focus off of pain. Distraction can also be internal such as singing mentally to yourself, praying, counting or repeating yourself with statements such as "I can cope" or demand the pain away with statements over and over like "pain leave my body."

Of course the best distraction of all to me is to pop in a favorite movie in the DVD player and get focused on the screen.