The Green Buddha from oomphTV on Vimeo.

I am a new fan of this oomph! blog site and I recently took the time to communicate with David Dowell about doing an article for all of you, his readers. I do like the man’s style.

As a Baby Boomer (and an all around nice guy) taking up space on our planet, I feel it is my obligation to maintain good health and a supportive positive attitude with all other earthlings I come in contact with. I think we owe that to each other. Life has it’s problems and, at times, life is not fair. But this life is a wonderful adventure that we can truly enjoy with the right frame of mind. Of course, a healthy body makes the adventure much more interesting.

I have become a steady visitor to this oomph! blog site because of the good information I can take from it. I have found health and wellness ideas that I have never heard of before. I now look at oomph! as my source of many issues that fly under the radar for most of us. I don’t know where David finds his material and, truthfully, I don’t care. I just know that I can count on this blog site to provide me with important ideas that I won’t take the time to find myself.

I do want to mention to you readers of oomph! another idea you need to consider as another component of health and wellness. Some where along the line similar ideas have probably been expressed in various posts on this blog. I’m referring to the need for each one of us to develop the habit of daily laughter. Author E.E. Cumming once said “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” Many people do not realize that laughing is very healthy for both your body and your mind.

Laughter creates positive changes in our bodies. It will boost your energy, help your immune system, and it will protect you from the effects of stress. Obviously, laughter will put you in a good mood. It will improve your relationships with family and friends.

So, you need to develop sources that will bring you daily smiles, grins, and chuckles. More importantly, find sources that will get you to laugh out loud. It’s well worth your time… and good for your health.

Phil McMillan
http://www.babyboomerbaloney.com

People who keep their relationships secret may face damage to their health as well as their relationship over the long-term, a Colorado State University psychology professor says in a published set of studies that came out last year.

The research, by Justin Lehmiller, assistant professor of Applied Social Psychology, is the first to look at the health issues surrounding secret relationships. This is information could someday help the psychology profession with couples counseling.

The studies appeared last year in the November issue of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

“We found people who keep relationships secret tend to be less committed. Secrecy seems to limit how close you can get to a partner and whether they can become a central part of your life,” Lehmiller said.

“Such people also reported worse physical health outcomes and lower self-esteem. The data suggests that one of the reasons for this seems to be that keeping a relationship secret is stressful. It makes people nervous and anxious and scared. We suspect that when people chronically experience those negative emotions, that’s what undermines your health.”

People in secret relationships reported more frequent symptoms of poor health, such as headaches, loss of sexual interest/pleasure, low energy and poor appetite. They also had worse self-esteem, or more negative feelings about who they are as people.

The new book “Game Change” reports suspicions about Bill Clinton’s post-Lewinsky affairs, especially ill-advised given his history of heart problems.

Previous research has suggested that keeping a flame a secret makes it burn hotter, but the study’s author says secrecy can act like more of a wet blanket.

Lehmiller said: “We know that being in a secret relationship is challenging and may have negative effects on both the relationship and the partners’ health.

Perhaps having oomph in your relationship means not keeping it a secret and being comfortable about who you are with.

Meet Rashida, a woman determined to lose weight through a fitness and nutrition program called “All About You Bootcamp.” Rashida is fighting against some lifestyle related diseases that run in her family (like diabetes) and is determined to take a proactive role in her own health. Come along on Rashida’s journey and share some of her insights on her own challenges.

I’m Doing It! from oomphTV on Vimeo.

Sheryl Crow gives an inspirational and passionate keynote address about her surviving breast cancer. Her informative and frank keynote took place at an event called Conversations on Health and Wellness October 10, 2009 at the beautiful Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes and was sponsored by Los Angeles Times Magazine.

Sheryl Crow Health and Wellness Keynote-oomphTV.com from oomphTV on Vimeo.

Dr. John Horton M.D. talks about his book “The Inner Game of Stress” and how stress attacks every aspect of our well-being. Dr. Horton also gives some tips about how we can tap into our own inner strengths.

Dr. John Horton on The Inner Game of Stress-oomphTV.com from oomphTV on Vimeo.

We profile Pamela Rae, a dedicated mother and trapeze artist that finds meaning in physical activity.

Pamela Rae – oomphTV.com from oomphTV on Vimeo.

We profile 94-year old Jack Kirk on his 66th consecutive attempt at the seven mile foot race known as the Dipsea.

Jack Kirk – oomphTV.com from oomphTV on Vimeo.

I’ve always been and avid bicycle enthusiast. Years ago I’d ride my “ten speed” to work and play. When mountain bikes became popular I rode a “Stump Jumper” everywhere.  I even made it from my home in Sherman Oaks to La Jolla a few times.  These biking adventures have always been an important part of my physical conditioning and riding for me is just plain fun. 

One day, I stopped at a Pasadena Cycle Shop and it was there I first laid eyes on a recumbent bicycle.  See http://www.bentrideronline.com for more than you’ll ever need to know about recumbent bikes.  I rode a demo around the block a few times and I was hooked!!  Over the last ten years or so I’ve accumulated two recumbent bikes see  http://www.rans.com and a trike. http://www.wizwheelz.com I have a few quite expensive regular bikes hanging on hooks in my garage.  I can’t imagine doing any serious touring on them.  My recumbents are my bicycling loves.  Why? Fun! No strain on butt or wrists, mile after mile. It’s like riding along on a very comfortable lawn chair.  I can ride 60 to 80 miles one day and be ready to do the same the next day. 

As I run into bikers who are part of the colorful “spandex” crowd, I’m often asked about my recumbent.  My answer to them is that you have to experience recumbancy. “Put 50 miles or so on one and I dare you to go back to your regular bike.”

My name is Les, and I’m thrilled to be an oomph! profile. I’ve always been involved in music.  As a kid, I picked up the saxophone and along with my buddy Paul, (who played guitar) we formed a “garage” band.  Over the years that effort blossomed into a part time career in music that encompassed 40 years or so.  My band “The Entertainers” played clubs and private parties all over Southern California to the delight of audiences everywhere.

By day, I was a financial consultant with two major Wall Street Firms, and by nights and weekends, I was a band leader, singer, guitar player, and sax player.   Sometime around 1980 I overheard a radio ad about a barbershop chorus having auditions for new members.  Intrigued, I showed up for the audition. Almost 30 years later, I’m still involved in the barbershop “hobby.” My 130 man chorus, The Masters of Harmony, (www.mastersofharmony.org) has had the distinction of winning the Barbershop Harmony Society’s competition gold medal seven times in a row. 

For me, involvement in the chorus is like being on a Gold Medal Olympic Champion Singing Team.  We can rightfully brag that we are the best in the world at what we do.  It’s not often that a 65 year old somewhat crippled up old dude can be “the best in the world” but I am just that, along with 130 or so of my best buddies.  Our Masters of Harmony chorus consists of men from all age groups and walks of life who drive from as far as San Diego and Santa Barbara to attend our rehearsals in Santa Fe Springs.  Every Wednesday evening we get together and  work very hard at “musical excellence.” I’m also in a fine “senior” quartet, www.cacrossroads.com .  We’re 2007 Far Western District Senior champs and we enjoy performing  and competing as well.  

My barbershop singing hobby has been one of the highlights of my life, and certainly, it gives me a lot of “oomph!” I recommend the “sport” for anyone who likes to sing.  Lock yourself into a chord with three other singers and you’ll be hooked in no time.  For more information on barbershop singing and for opportunities in your area see www.spebsqsa.org for the guys and www.sweetadelineintl.org for the girls.

Les Weiser