How is Maurice Lucas healthy?

Hello, ello, ello! Permettez-moi de présenter à vous; je suis Maurice Lucas. When Anthony asked me to write a blog post for him about being healthy I have to say I was shocked; if one were to look at me healthy is not the first thing one would think of but I have to say, I do try to be healthy. You see I am a big boy, BIG boi, but I am trying to change that, not for society but for me, for my health. I am concerned with my health, so what I can tell you is what I am doing to change and what I do to stay sane.

Firstly, I am discovering I am cheating on fried foods with salads, and not salads slopped and dripping with ranch dressing, but salads with sweet and tangy vinaigrettes, clear dressing that allows me to see the reds and greens of the different lettuces. I am salivating right now at the idea of a cold crisp salad with olives, salmon, cran-cherries, and raspberries. OMG! Salad can be like a sinful delicious treat but it is a totally healthy fulfilling meal. I am loving salad.

Secondly, I am divorcing soda. I still stumble with sweet tea but for the most part it is all about water; if I drink juice I try to cut it with water. I am not going to lie; this is hard. Drinks are like an awesome old lover who is no good for you—you know you shouldn’t go back but damn the sex was good.

Thirdly, and most importantly, I take my meds faithfully. I didn’t always do this for I felt weak for needing to take Prozac; why do I need this? I have a great family, awesome friends, I am in a doctoral program; why am I struggling with depression and anxiety? Well the truth is that I do have a depression disorder and I do (or did) experience frequent panic attacks and every time I went off my meds everything was fine for a month but then things would start to fall apart and the manic darkness set in. When I gave myself the permission to not be ashamed of my condition and to take my meds regularly everything slowly got better; I can breathe now. We must remember mental health is just as important as physical health.

One last thing-retail therapy! I totally believe in doing something to make yourself happy makes you healthy. I like getting my hair cut every week; I get a weekly manicure; I take myself to the movies alone at least 3-4 times a month; I buy expensive soaps and cologne to feel good and I buy clothes I like. It lifts my spirits and it is always easier to be healthy if you are happy and feeling like you are worth the effort.

Smooches!

Wait! I lied! There is another thing: Condoms and lube! I use condoms every time I have sex; I am sorry, wait the hell I am, we live in a time when there is still no cure for HIV and AIDS and men lie about their status, so I treat everyone as if they are positive. Condoms, condoms, and condoms I have all kinds, big, really big, glow in the dark vibrating, so there is no excuse unless you need a snug fit in which case we can be friends. So yes, condoms, lube, (and of course my right hand) also help me stay healthy.

-- Maurice Lucas
St. Louis


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