Get your Health right, before it gets you.

Your health is non-negotiable. Period. 💪

Especially if you’re an IT worker who sits in a chair for most of the day! Boy, did that lifestyle catch up with me...

Last year, I was at my heaviest weight ever. I had already been through a series of major health challenges, most of which I kept to myself.

At the end of 2021, I hit a wall I had never experienced before… my blood pressure reached dangerously high levels, and I had no clue what to do about it.

• My mood sucked.
• My attitude sucked.
• My energy levels sucked.
• My output at work sucked.

I have been dealing with a lot for the past 4-5 years, letting stress rule my life and neglecting to take care of myself. In my mind, I was taking care of everyone around me.

But, I was destroying myself in the process.

I’d been dealing with several losses in my life, including family members, friends, and even some very young children close to us. All of it hurt, and I buried it deep down for the sake of my kids and family.

Isn't that what you're supposed to do as the "man of the house?" 🤷♂️

I had been taught at a very young age, to "Be the Rock."

Well, being the rock put a hurtin' on me...

In early 2022, I had two appointments in the same week: one with my chiropractor because my back had been killing me for months, and another with my physician. Both visits went the same way:

• I sat on each of their tables and they each took my blood pressure, as doctors do at a visit.

They both looked at me and said, "You need to lie down."

I was like, "For what? I'm good."

[Self: Nah homie, you're not "good."]

They were legitimately shocked and surprised that I hadn’t had a stroke yet. Truth be told, there were times I was in bed or at my desk and felt chest pains or panic attacks... so deep down, I knew they were serious. I just kept ignoring the signs.

That week, in February 2022, I was quickly put on some medication to lower my blood pressure and it got "somewhat better" over the next year or so.

But it didn't solve the underlying issues. The meds just masked the problems—the stress, bad eating habits, lack of exercise... all the things you hear about but don’t want to admit.

The way I was feeling made me realize how I was showing up every day, especially to my workmates. Most didn’t notice much, but I did... and I didn’t like who I was becoming.

So, I pushed through, but the mental and physical damage was already done.

Fast forward to last August, when I made a conscious decision to stop the B.S. and "Get Right."

I'm sitting here today, in 2024, and getting ready to turn 48 years old and I KNOW, without a doubt, that I made the right call. But it only matters to me if I share it with all of you!

• I've lost 25+ lbs. 🏋️♂️
• I'm stronger and in the gym 4-5 days a week. (Gained some lbs back the right way!)
• My posture is better. 🧍♂️
• My energy is way better. ⚡
• I eat much better. 🍎
• My attitude is better. (Not perfect, but better. haha) 😅
• My mood is better. 😃

But again, why am I telling you all this?

Because someone reading this might be going through the same thing and doesn’t even know it. Maybe you're feeling like you’re not showing up for others the way you should.

All I say to you is... "Start Doing Something." There’s a way to break the cycle, and there’s no magical secret like those online videos might have you believe.

This is real talk from someone who doesn’t do hocus-pocus. I do what matters and what works.

I’ll probably share more about what I did to "Get Right" at a later time, but I want to take a moment to list the basics I followed.

Most of us know what to do, we just don't want to do it. Some truths have been highlighted in recent studies that are hardened facts at this point, but some still don't want to listen:

• Our food sources have changed for the worse. (Especially in the U.S.) From toxic chemicals being sprayed on them, poor conditions for animals, micro-plastics, and metals in our products.
• Our work life has also taken a toll on our bodies.
• The Internet, while amazing, has brought new levels of anxiety and depression into our lives.
• And let's not even get into what politics have turned into.

This isn't the start of a debate—just my thoughts as I've navigated my journey. There's a lot that's changed in my lifetime and we don't know how it will end up.

Take from it what you will.

All I know is, that I need to take my health, into my own hands. 🤲

I'm still on my journey to better health and "Getting Right," but here’s my regimen. There's no "one right way" for everyone. My routine came together from advice from health professionals, biologists, doctors, and a bit of tech.

• I did a Gene test to see what genetic breaks I have in my DNA.
• I did a full blood panel that showed where my blood was showing deficiencies.
• I wear a Whoop band and/or an Apple Watch to constantly measure my body's heart rate, oxygen levels, sleep patterns, etc.
• Oh, and I read a lot more these days. From medical journals and data to all of the labels of ingredients in my food.

All of those, combined with input from health professionals defined my supplementation stacks and are giving me a clearer picture of my health and well-being.

• Sleep is King: You must get good sleep. It's the only thing that truly restores your energy, but you must do it in a helpful manner.
• No "devices" at least 1-2 hours before bed. (I'm still working on consistently doing this).
• Go to bed early and consistently.
• Wake up to a routine. Everyone is different. Do what works for you.
• Jump in a cold shower for 3-6 minutes or cold plunge if you have one. Your blood circulation will improve along with your liver releasing enzymes that will crush zombie cells in your body that are stealing vital nutrients.
• Get sunlight at first light for a few minutes. UV rays invigorate your body. Or, find a red light treatment device.
• Touch the earth for 2-3 minutes. Grounding yourself balances your energy levels. PEMF mats are great for your bed but can be pricey. The Sun is free!
• I prepare 10 oz of filtered water in my Echo Pro+ hydrogen water bottle to take my supplements.
• I take my morning supplement stack, which includes things such as daily vitamins, fatty acids, amino acids, or anything I need for my workouts, such as creatine or additional proteins.
• Workout. Resistance training most days. Some cardio on other days. I go to a gym, but I used to also workout at home. (A long time ago, I was a Beachbody coach... and, I still fully respect Tony Horton & Shaun T)
• Reward myself with coffee or something in the morning. I don't eat a lot for breakfast because I mostly intermittent fast, but I do limit my calories in the morning; especially after working out. Amino Acids work for me and some recovery intake.
• Go to work. Each day may be different. I set aside some days to do long-term thinking and activities, while other days are for meeting sessions with people. This helps maximize the time spent and effectiveness of my days during the week.
• Get up and walk throughout the day. You must take breaks to keep the blood flowing. 15-30 minutes will do wonders!
• Light lunch usually. Veggies, proteins, and good fats. I had started using a Lumen device to track macros, but once I understood what I was eating, I stopped using the device.
• Spend time doing something you love or with those who you love, on a daily basis.
• Eat a well-balanced and nutritious dinner.
• I take my evening supplement stack by 5-6 pm; again with hydrogenated water.
• If needed, I do recovery activities such as Hyperice Normatec compression therapy, stretching with my Castleflexx, taking an evening walk, etc.
• 4-5 days a week, I take a magnesium supplement 30 minutes before bed which helps with my body's recovery.
• Sleep 7-9 hours at night.
• Get up and start over.

It might seem like a lot, but once you find your rhythm, it becomes second nature. Repetition turns a task into a habit and a habit into a lifestyle.

There is plenty more here that I could share, but the core of the story is, that if you're in a rut and feel like stress, anxiety, depression or other things have taken over your life, there's a way to break the cycle.

Affirmations also bring your spiritual self into focus. If you say it and believe it, then you have a way better chance of it coming true.

"My health affects my daily life."

"My health affects my interactions with others."

"My health affects my relationships."

"My health is something I can control."

I want to show up for my workmates and those around me; especially my wife and 2 kids. For my parents. For my siblings. For my grandmother. For my friends. For my colleagues. For my students.

I'm also a high school golf coach and basketball coach. If I wasn't out here trying to make myself better, how good of a role model can I possibly be if I'm not walking what I'm talking about?

I love the journey I've been on. I couldn't have gotten to where I am without the failures, but I surely don't want to go back to feeling and acting the way I was.

It's not for me.

And, it shouldn't be for any of you.

Take care of YOU, and permit yourself to "Get Right."

Then, like Nike says, "Just do it!" 👟

Your LinkedIn Virtual Colleague,

- Damon Abruzere

#GetBetter #Health #Wellness #GetRight

****Incidentally, this photo was taken when I started my journey back to the gym this past year, and "YES" it hurt for 2 days afterward! It still hurts doing the battle ropes today but in a good way!****