Five spine surgeons discuss how they achieve their personal goals with regard to health and wellness.
Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses.
Next week's question: What has been your biggest professional achievement this year?
Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: What habit do you employ to achieve your personal health goals?
Richard D. Guyer, MD. Co-founder of Texas Back Institute (Plano): I believe a healthy body leads to a healthy mind, allowing me to perform at my best whether at work or leisure. My habits to achieve theses goals are to eat healthy, control my weight and do aerobic exercise six days per week, along with lifting light weights and doing core exercises every other day.
Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD. Co-founder of Texas Back Institute (Plano): I exercise six days a week.
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD. Founder of the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: On mornings that I take my son to school, I always hit the gym for 45 minutes, and one day of the weekend I will do a longer program. Usually, I will go for a swim or possibly an extended bike ride, with my son in tow.
Isador H. Lieberman, MD. Spine Surgeon at Texas Back Institute (Plano): Be religious about exercise, and hug and kiss your wife and kids everyday.
Richard Kube, MD. Founder and CEO of Prairie Spine & Pain Institute (Peoria, Ill.): Like any other habit, it starts with the first day. It is said that any activity you perform for more than 28 consecutive days becomes a habit. I prioritize my health over other options. I think most folks can curtail digital media consumption, whether it is TV, cell phones, social media, gaming and etc. Avoid excess in those areas and prioritize your day by getting up early and exercising. Utilize healthy meal choices. If those are not readily available to you then pack your own lunch. I watch little TV, I'm not on Facebook and I don't own a gaming system. I do go to the gym most days and I do tend to eat healthy. It is how I start every day. It is too easy to find excuses and prioritize other activities at the end of a day. If health is important, it should come first; hence start the day with that in mind.