Health Matters

Taylor Grant

Description

"If you are looking for direction and focus in becoming a health advocate for you or your family, search no more. A must read. . . . This wise book will help many realize the power of taking charge of their own health and will undoubtedly save lives in the process."
-Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., author of the New York Times bestselling The Fat Flush Plan

"Health Matters is an extremely accessible resource for being proactive in our healthcare. It's a must for anyone who wants to feel empowered, not intimidated, when dealing with his or her health."
-Connie Guttersen, R.D., Ph.D., author of the New York Times bestselling The Sonoma Diet

"Taylor Grant delivers a great guide to pursuing proactive health. We strongly urge you to put her recommendations into action."
-Dr. Richard and Cindy Becker, hosts of the nationally syndicated television program Your Health

Do you have the right doctors? What puts your family's health most at risk? Should you really worry about the latest pandemic scare? Navigating the maze of today's healthcare system can be a daunting challenge. Health Matters gives you the information, support, and savvy advice you need to make choices and take actions that contribute to a long and healthy life for you and your family.

Through 8 Prescriptions for Life, you'll discover why we avoid dealing with our health, the essentials to understanding your body, and how to harness your Health Power to get great medicalcare. You'll also learn easy ways to make positive changes in your life and protect your family.

Health Matters is packed with useful tools, including:
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Handy checklists to help you get organized and take action on your health
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A Healthy Life Plan that reveals how to have great health at any age
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5-Minute Clinics filled with quick tips for protecting yourself and staying healthy
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A 52 Weeks of Health section that gives you an easy way to have your healthiest year ever
Acknowledgments.

Introduction: Who Put You in Charge?

Prescription 1. Conquer Your Fears.

Prescription 2. Find a Great Doctor.

Prescription 3. Know Your Vital Signs.

Prescription 4. Plan for Your Life.

Prescription 5. Harness Your Power.

Prescription 6. Protect Your Family’s Health.

Prescription 7. Make a Change.

Prescription 8. Be Healthy Every Day.

Appendix . Health Care Glossary.

Index.

Sujets

• Santé et bien-être
• Santé du quotidien
• Santé au quotidien
• Santé au quotidien
• Fitness
• Health

Informations

• Publié par: Turner Publishing Company
• Date de parution: 26 octobre 2007
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780470139202
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Health Matters
Health Matters
8 Steps That Can Save Your Life—and Your Family’s Health
TAYLOR GRANT
Copyright © 2007 by Taylor Grant. All rights reserved
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
Drawings by Ann E. Sabo; copyright © Taylor Grant Enterprises, LLC.
Wiley Bicentennial Logo: Richard J. Pacifico
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, [phone], fax [phone], or on the web at www.copyright.com . Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, [phone], fax [phone], or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions .
The information contained in this book is not intended to serve as a replacement for professional medical advice. Any use of the information in this book is at the reader’s discretion. The author and the publisher specifically disclaim any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from the use or application of any information contained in this book. A health care professional should be consulted regarding your specific situation.
For general information about our other products and services, please contact our Customer Care Department within the United States at [phone], outside the United States at [phone] or fax [phone].
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Grant, Taylor, date.
Health matters : 8 steps that can save your life—and your family’s health / Taylor Grant.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN: 978-0-470-04572-5 (pbk.)
1. Health. I. Title.
RA776.G775 2007
613—dc22
2007001704
Printed in the United States of America
10   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1
For John, Sam, and Jack: Thanks for the roller coaster ride, guys. But then, the carousel’s just not our style.
And in memory of Darrin: a life too short, a spirit never forgotten.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction Who Put You in Charge?
Prescription 1 Conquer Your Fears
Prescription 2 Find a Great Doctor
Prescription 3 Know Your Vital Signs
Prescription 4 Plan for Your Life
Prescription 5 Harness Your Power
Prescription 6 Protect Your Family’s Health
Prescription 7 Make a Change
Prescription 8 Be Healthy Every Day
Appendix Health Care Glossary
Index
Acknowledgments
From the beginning of musing about what this book would be and how to communicate why empowerment is so essential to our good health, I knew one thing—I’d always approached health in a different way, and this book would be no exception. There are thousands of books out on any number of medical issues and conditions. Cures, theories, diets, you name it. But this was different. I didn’t want to give one more opinion on what we are doing wrong when it comes to our health. I wanted to give readers the tools, the strength, and the insight to see that finding the power to take control of your health can be simple, can be done, and yes, can even be fun!
I’ve spent many years developing health programs, giving seminars, and talking with people about their health. I see how excited people get when they discover that they have the power to be healthier, to take charge and be more involved in their health. I wanted to somehow capture that excitement and bring it to life on the printed page. It was going to take the vision and dedication of lots of people to make this happen—people who could put aside their perceptions and embrace a new way to think about our health. So though the name on the front cover says “Taylor Grant,” Health Matters is due to the efforts of a talented and dedicated group of people that transformed these ideas, experiences, and blank pages into the book that you now hold in your hands.
First, I thank my illustrating partner, Ann Sabo, for using her immense talents to bring my characters and stories to life. From her drawing of me (who came to be known as Tiggy) to my favorite—the Ya- But “pixie”—Ann has an incredible knack for finding a unique take on a story. Her spirit, offbeat sense of humor, and pure talent made this not just a job, but a real labor of love and dedication.
I would especially like to thank all the folks at John Wiley & Sons, particularly my editor, Tom Miller, Juliet Grames, and everyone on the Wiley production staff. Tom, words aren’t thanks enough for your vision in understanding the importance of empowering people to take control of their health and for your strength to look at health in an entirely new way. I thank Tom for his support, patience, and commitment. A big thank-you to Juliet Grames for her extraordinary attention to detail and for running interference for me, making my vision for this book come to life. To everyone on the production staff, I offer my gratitude for all your hard work maintaining the personality and integrity of the message. And to the marketing folks, your belief in the mission and reaching people with this message is a reflection of your dedication and professionalism.
I also want to thank my talented photographer, Dan Gaye, for turning a pumpkin into a princess! His infinite patience and determination to get me to smile—even after six hours—always amazes me.
You don’t have to look far to find someone who will tell you how tough the world of publishing can be. I am fortunate enough to have the support and commitment of the best in the business—Dupree Miller & Associates. Jan Miller is a gracious, dedicated agent who defies cynics by believing that books cannot only change the world but can truly inspire people to change their lives. And I can’t offer enough thanks to Nena Madonia for her seemingly endless supply of optimism, commitment, and talent for making a vision into a reality. This book would not have come to fruition without you in my corner. And to Michael Broussard, now at HarperCollins, thanks for pulling that envelope out of the stack and seeing the vision and for your no-holds-barred belief and encouragement.
I’d also like to thank Jillian Rowley, Health Editor at Woman’s Day magazine, not to mention the Woman’s Day readers whose overwhelming response gave me the determination to take this mission to the streets. Although she hardly knows it, it was Jillian who took a chance on an unknown author, seeing that sometimes the message matters more than the marketing.
Thank you also to Allan Rahn. Your support, encouragement, and never- faltering confidence have been an uplifting boost of “positivity” when it’s needed the most. Thanks for the insight, thanks for the work, thanks for the good times, and thanks for being a true friend indeed.
I would be remiss not to thank my two “Bills” for always believing in the dream and always, always, working to make us look good. Bill Deering, you are a consummate professional, and I’ve never met a person with a better can-do attitude. Bill Hanson, it is truly just not the same without you. I still expect to see you when I walk through that door. I know you’re somewhere watching, doing your crossword, and cheering on your beloved Sox.
To my mom and dad, thank you for instilling in me the powerful belief that I could do anything I set my mind to and for helping me to look at life’s challenges with a sense of wonder and joy.
To my children, Sam and Jack, I have to say thanks for putting up with all the long hours, the trips around the country, and the endless talk about staying healthy. You make me laugh every single day, and I am in constant awe of the wonderful human beings you have become.
And most importantly, I have to thank my partner, my cheerleader, and my husband, John. First for setting aside his business interests to help me pursue this grandiose mission and reminding me every day that making a difference matters more than making a buck. Your knowledge and grasp of economics, free market demand, and statistical analysis helps keep my ideas and musings grounded in reality and made this book better than I could have hoped. Thank you for teaching me, more than anyone I’ve ever met, that taking a chance is what makes life worth living. I am always in awe of your ability to put it all on double zero, stand back, and watch that wheel spin. I thank you for your supreme confidence and unwillingness to let me ever give up.
And finally, thank you to everyone who has shared their health stories with me over the years. People love talking about their health and the health of their family, and I am so lucky because I love hearing their stories—it is my favorite part of what I do. I never cease to be amazed at the fortitude with which people address their challenges. And my belief in our strength, resiliency, and ability to embrace new ideas is reaffirmed on almost a daily basis. You may not see your name and you may not recognize your story, but it is you who have inspired every word.
Be well.
Taylor’s First Law of Health
You are on your own.
Introduction
Who Put You in Charge?
An Ailing System
In my second year at the University of Tampa in Florida, I met Darrin Donahue. He was handsome, funny, and athletic. We had a class together and became study partners, and it was obvious that our friendship was heading toward something more. I was ending a three-year relationship with a steady boyfriend and Darrin was in a similar situation with his longtime girlfriend, so we decided just to be good friends, wrap things up with our exes, and take things slowly. We were in no hurry to rush into anything. We