It's Time: Yes, I'm Gay, and I'm Unapologetic

via HuffPost Gay Voices, by Troy Roness

Growing up in North Dakota in an environment abundant with oceans of wheat, vast plains, rolling hills, and wonderful people, it's hard to believe that such a tumultuous journey could lie ahead in a young man's life.

To each outcast, in every sense possible, this piece is for you.

In a quiet community of roughly 1,000 residents, I lived a fairly "normal" existence. Worshiping in my hometown church, participating in community events, and riding my bike everywhere until dusk was part of everyday life.

But dark clouds gathered in the distance of my sky, and I had no idea a "perfect storm" would soon begin my Stepford-like existence.

For the first 16 years of my life, I was exposed to emotional trauma at home and bullying and teasing in school, and I became very good at trying to make everyone happy.

I wore many hats when tackling my ever-changing surroundings. My mother always instilled in me that there was nothing I couldn't do. I was always encouraged.

Sure, my parents pushed for solid academics, but like all parents, they wanted me to succeed. I embraced being respectful to everyone I was surrounded by and used humor to attract attention in an attempt to separate myself from my insecurities.

I played every sport possible and was even named "Senior Athlete of the Year." However, this "jock" was nervous, hated his looks, and was forced into internal seclusion despite his outward demeanor.

I never realized I was struggling. Everything I was feeling, good, bad, or otherwise, was simply pushed down and nearly unnoticeable.

Fortunately, I was introduced to faith, true faith, during my teen years and embraced all it had to offer. The Lord took my heart at the age of 18 and never let it go. I'll never blame my faith for obstacles I've endured. In fact, it's what keeps me going through the most difficult of times.

Staring at myself in a mirror, I internalized my shame, guilt, and insecurities. I believed my appearance defined my existence.

The perfect grades, the perfect body, and appearing flawless would somehow make me complete. I've learned, though, that we aren't mean to be "perfect"; we're meant to be whole.

College is everyone's opportunity to be free, thrive on their own, and separate from their roots, right? Well, with no idea of where life would take me, I spiraled into an addiction to exercise, paired with anorexia -- aka "eating disorder not otherwise specified," or EDNOS.

Yes. I'm a guy with an eating disorder, a jock, a Christian... and gay. One of the major contributors to my illness was the internal fight where faith was my guide and being gay was incredibly wrong.

However, I could never simply throw it away and believe that's why I've struggled for so long.

In an appearance on Dr. Phil in 2009, I sought help and endured six months of residential treatment to begin my recovery. I addressed emotional trauma, my parents' divorce, perfectionism, self-hate, bullying, and family alcoholism.

However, throughout that time, and even the year after, I never addressed the internalized homophobia that manifested out of my desire to please God.

Contrary to popular belief, eating disorders aren't about looking good. Through extreme exercise and trying to control what I could, the physical, I nearly killed myself, twice, by pushing my body to the brink, enduring self-punishment and starvation.

I've drawn my own conclusions about the responses I'll receive concerning my sexuality: avoidance, hatred, acknowledgment, and pity. Just FYI, I'll take any of those responses but pity. It's taken so long to be where I am and to find my voice, so I'll never regret the journey here.

Telling a few loved ones that I'm gay has been interesting, but most people who know me are learning this for the first time as they read this piece. Aug. 31, 2010 was a first step.

On that day I received the craziest response: acceptance. That's the response I'd feared. Odd, right? Even more terrifying, though, was that that person had "wondered" about my sexuality for some time.


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Telenovelas, Erections, and Raising Sexually Healthy Teens

via HuffPost Gay Voices, by Stephen T. Russell, Ph.D

When Enrique first joined our family, we agreed to one hour of television per night. He was 13 and had been used to non-stop TV, so this was a big change.

He didn't resist, but I realize now that to him, one hour was a shocking restriction. Spanish was still his dominant language, and he chose his then-favorite nightly telenovela, Sin senos no hay paraíso.

I disguised my horror when he provided the translation (he said "boobies," which my partner and I immediately corrected with anatomically correct English).

We were just becoming a family, and we needed time to simply be together, so I committed to watching Sin senos with him each night. (I never, ever watch television.)

We sat on the sofa and watched; in a few days or weeks we had a habit of sitting with my arm around him, and during the commercials he would update me with translations of the plot.

For my part I would tease, question, and even scold him about the glamorized portrayals of sex and violence. And over time, Sin senos opened up the possibility of talking about not only sexism and violence but gender, relationships, and, of course, sex.

Much like driving in the car, watching television is an ideal time for parents and teens to talk about complicated topics.

In both settings there is often great prompting material (lyrics from popular songs, or news and world events).

The key is that such discussions can happen without eye contact: focused on the highway or some television commercial, one can muster the nerve to confront the edges of embarrassment or shame.

One night, leaning into me, with my arm around his shoulder, he turned his head into my chest in apparent embarrassment and held out a fist. He blurted, "Why does it always go like this?" and from his fist poked out his index finger.

I asked him what he meant. He repeated his question and gesture: "Why does it always go like this?"

I asked if he was talking about his penis (he nodded), and I explained what an erection is. I sighed, even chuckled a little, and told him that it was absolutely completely, totally normal, that at age 13 nearly every boy in the world experiences what he was experiencing.

"Really?" he asked? Unequivocally yes, I answered. He said, "But it happens a lot," to which I replied, "And that's totally normal." And he said, "I mean a lot." And I said, "Really? It's normal."

And he said, "I mean... a lot." And I said, "I promise you, at your age, 20 times a day is still completely normal."

I laughed a bit, but he kept his head in my chest, not looking at me. He was clearly worried and embarrassed. I asked whether he was OK, and what he thought about it.

My memory of his gesture with his finger, and of that initial dialogue, is so crystal clear -- and yet I can't remember the words he used when he told me that his uncle had told him that he was sick, that it was a sign that he was gay, that it meant that he was a sinner.

I could hardly bear to hear him say it. Whatever he told me, with his face in my chest, conveyed desperate, questioning shame.

Over the following commercial breaks and later that evening, we talked about what it means to be a boy at 13.

I told him that he wasn't the only boy at school to have unwelcome erections at inopportune times; that it was not only totally normal but healthy; that it was the same for heterosexual boys and gay boys and therefore had nothing to do with being gay; that he was not sick; and that his uncle had not told the truth.

What I do remember is how his body felt like it melted in tired relief.

I'm supposed to be an expert on adolescent sexuality -- but I never fully understood that every single day, boys and girls everywhere are taught unthinkable shame and guilt.

But there are other visions for youth and sexuality; for example, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) affirms that sexuality is a fundamental part of being human, and its new strategic plan puts sexual health and well-being as the leading vision for creating a sexually healthy America. Shouldn't that be our vision for young people?


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Gay Men's Body Image

via HuffPost Gay Voices, study by Central YMCA and UWE

Exactly how far would you go for cast-iron pecs or the perfect six-pack?

Indeed, gay men have been stereotypically cast as gym bunnies by popular culture for some time, but a new British poll has now revealed a slightly more disturbing fact about that population's fractured relationship with body image.

A study commissioned by the Central YMCA, the Succeed Foundation and the University of the West of England’s (UWE) Centre for Appearance Research in Bristol found that 48 percent of gay male respondents would sacrifice a year or more of their lives in exchange for a perfect body.

Perhaps even more onerous: researchers also found that 10 percent of those men would agree to die more than 11 years earlier if they could have their ideal body right now, according to Pink News.

Not surprisingly, authorities attributed the results to popular depictions of gay men in media. "Today gay men are under enormous pressure about their bodies, and we believe that a lack of body diversity in the media, including the gay press, and a relentless focus which values people based on appearance, may in part explain why gay men are particularly susceptible to this issue," Rosi Prescott, CEO of Central YMCA, told Pink News.

 "This is of concern when we know that record numbers of men are taking steroids or having unnecessary cosmetic surgery to achieve what is often an unattainable or unrealistic body image ideal."

A total of 384 men, a quarter of which identified as gay, were reportedly surveyed as part of the poll, with an average age of 40, according to the BBC.

But overall, researchers say the increase in body hang-ups surged among both gay and straight men.

As The Telegraph notes, the survey found a staggering 80 percent of men regularly discuss body shapes, often comparing them to those of top celebrities and fashion models -- and 59 percent of them admitted that doing so makes them feel worse about themselves.

Among the most popular phrases by men discussing how other men look: "beer belly," "man boobs" (or "moobs"), and "chubby," along with "six-pack" and "ripped."

"Girls want to be slim and males want to be big and lean, and while it isn't a bad thing for people to want to look better, it has become more like a competition, which has a bad effect on most people's mental health," one respondent told The Guardian.

"Body talk is saying things which reinforce the traditional standard of male attractiveness, which is having a tall, lean, muscular body with clear skin and a full head of hair, and is for most people unattainable,"

Dr. Phillippa Diedrichs of UWE also told The Guardian.

"This research really demonstrates that body image is an issue for everyone, although in men, especially middle-aged men, it has been woefully under-reported, but has a negative impact on social relationships and on attitudes to diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle."


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Funding for Bisexual Community Lacking

via Huffpost Gay Voices, by Amy Andre

Here's some math for the new year:

Fact 1: According to research from the Williams Institute and Hunter College, among others, half of all those in the United States who identify as either gay, lesbian, or bisexual, identify as bisexual. That means, we bi folks make up 50 percent of the LGB (lesbian, gay, bi) population.

Fact 2: Research cited in the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force's report, "Bisexual Health: An Introduction and Model Practices for HIV/AIDS Prevention Programming," shows that, compared to lesbians and gays, bisexual people tend to have poorer health, both physically and mentally, with higher rates of everything from smoking and alcoholism to depression and suicide attempts.

So, if you add Facts 1 and 2 together, it's clear that a large portion of our community is in dire need of support.

After all, greater challenges equal greater need. Shouldn't that also equal greater funding?

Unfortunately, here's Fact 3: We bisexual people don't get any. According to the latest report from Funders for LGBTQ Issues, the total amount given from foundations for bi-specific grants in 2009 and 2010 (the last two years of available data) was $0.

The report states:

The 2010 report contains some positive indicators as well as some that continue to challenge our sector... Grants dollars increased by 12 percent to the lesbian community and by 24 percent to gay men. Though the number of transgender-focused grants increased, the amount of total dollars to transgender issues decreased by 5 percent, and support to bisexual-focused issues remained at zero for the second year in a row.

Zero. As in, not one single dollar. For two years.

Something is not adding up. I'm not trying to play "oppression Olympics" here. Every subset of our larger LGBT community needs and deserves funding, to cover costs for everything from direct services to developing the next generation of our movement's leaders.

So I'm not saying that bisexuals deserve more than our fair share. What I am saying is that we deserve more than no share at all.

Funders for LGBTQ Issues is a national nonprofit organization based in New York.

Of the many important things that they do is produce an annual report looking at who gets what.

They just released their report regarding foundation giving in 2010; the report has information on the grant-giving of over 300 foundations and other organizations.

Collectively, these grants totaled nearly $100 million in 2010 alone, for LGBT causes.

The foundations gave out $97,189,139, to be exact.

And out of that $97,189,139, some went to lesbian causes, some to gay, some to transgender, and some to LGBT in general.

But, again, not one penny -- of $97,189,139 -- went to bisexuals, the largest subset of the LGB population.


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How is Matt Healthy?

This "How are you healthy" story was filmed as part of a series featuring various youth from the Broadway Youth Center (BYC) who agreed to take part in our campaign.

The BYC is a program of Howard Brown Health Center and our community partners, offering comprehensive services to youth, ages 12-24 including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness.

As you will see, these fabulous folks do not hold back when telling their stories, enjoy them, learn from them, and check back to see new BYC-generated video blogs in the weeks to come!



How are you healthy?
Please join the hundreds who have shared their tips.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic to the same place.
And we'll blog it, right here on LifeLube.
Gay men and all allies welcome to participate.
Read past posts.
Learn more about the campaign

 

[VIDEO] How is Shaggy Healthy?

This "How are you healthy" story was filmed as part of a series featuring various youth from the Broadway Youth Center (BYC) who agreed to take part in our campaign.

The BYC is a program of Howard Brown Health Center and our community partners, offering comprehensive services to youth, ages 12-24 including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness.

As you will see, these fabulous folks do not hold back when telling their stories, enjoy them, learn from them, and check back to see new BYC-generated video blogs in the weeks to come!

How are you healthy?
Please join the hundreds who have shared their tips.

Tell us HERE. Send a pic to the same place.
And we'll blog it, right here on LifeLube.
Gay men and all allies welcome to participate.
Read past posts.
Learn more about the campaign

 

[VIDEO] How is Ke Ke Healthy?

This "How are you healthy" story was filmed as part of a series featuring various youth from the Broadway Youth Center (BYC) who agreed to take part in our campaign.

The BYC is a program of Howard Brown Health Center and our community partners, offering comprehensive services to youth, ages 12-24 including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness.

As you will see, these fabulous folks do not hold back when telling their stories, enjoy them, learn from them, and check back to see new BYC-generated video blogs in the weeks to come!

How are you healthy?
Please join the hundreds who have shared their tips.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic to the same place.
And we'll blog it, right here on LifeLube.
Gay men and all allies welcome to participate.
Read past posts.
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[VIDEO] How is Ebony Healthy?

This "How are you healthy" story was filmed as part of a series featuring various youth from the Broadway Youth Center (BYC) who agreed to take part in our campaign.

The BYC is a program of Howard Brown Health Center and our community partners, offering comprehensive services to youth, ages 12-24 including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness.

As you will see, these fabulous folks do not hold back when telling their stories, enjoy them, learn from them, and check back to see new BYC-generated video blogs in the weeks to come!

How are you healthy?
Please join the hundreds who have shared their tips.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic to the same place.
And we'll blog it, right here on LifeLube.
Gay men and all allies welcome to participate.
Read past posts.
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[VIDEO] How is Antwan Healthy?

This "How are you healthy" story was filmed as part of a series featuring various youth from the Broadway Youth Center (BYC) who agreed to take part in our campaign.

The BYC is a program of Howard Brown Health Center and our community partners, offering comprehensive services to youth, ages 12-24 including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness.

As you will see, these fabulous folks do not hold back when telling their stories, enjoy them, learn from them, and check back to see new BYC-generated video blogs in the weeks to come!



How are you healthy?
Please join the hundreds who have shared their tips.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic to the same place.
And we'll blog it, right here on LifeLube.
Gay men and all allies welcome to participate.
Read past posts.
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[VIDEO] How is Egypt Healthy?

This "How are you healthy" story was filmed as part of a series featuring various youth from the Broadway Youth Center (BYC) who agreed to take part in our campaign.

The BYC is a program of Howard Brown Health Center and our community partners, offering comprehensive services to youth, ages 12-24 including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness.

As you will see, these fabulous folks do not hold back when telling their stories, enjoy them, learn from them, and check back to see new BYC-generated video blogs in the weeks to come!

How are you healthy?
Please join the hundreds who have shared their tips.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic to the same place.
And we'll blog it, right here on LifeLube.
Gay men and all allies welcome to participate.
Read past posts.
Learn more about the campaign

[VIDEO] How is CJ Healthy?

This "How are you healthy" story was filmed as part of a series featuring various youth from the Broadway Youth Center (BYC) who agreed to take part in our campaign.

The BYC is a program of Howard Brown Health Center and our community partners, offering comprehensive services to youth, ages 12-24 including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness.

As you will see, these fabulous folks do not hold back when telling their stories, enjoy them, learn from them, and check back to see new BYC-generated video blogs in the weeks to come!




How are you healthy?
Please join the hundreds who have shared their tips.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic and/or a link to your own video.
And we'll blog it, right here on LifeLube.
Gay men and all allies welcome to participate.
Read past posts.
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[VIDEO] How is Nikko Healthy?

This "How are you healthy" story was filmed as part of a series featuring various youth from the Broadway Youth Center (BYC) who agreed to take part in our campaign.

The BYC is a program of Howard Brown Health Center and our community partners, offering comprehensive services to youth, ages 12-24 including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness.

As you will see, these fabulous folks do not hold back when telling their stories, enjoy them, learn from them, and check back to see new BYC-generated video blogs in the weeks to come!

How are you healthy?
Please join the hundreds who have shared their tips.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic and/or a link to your own video.
And we'll blog it, right here on LifeLube.
Gay men and all allies welcome to participate.
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GSA is a OK!

via ThinkProgress

A new study from the Family Acceptance Project published in the current issue of Applied Developmental Science details many important benefits for middle and high school students who have access to a gay-straight alliance (GSA) in their school.

Of note are the ways LGBT students benefit from the mere presence of a GSA at their school, even if they do not actively participate.

Though the study has a limited sample size, it demonstrates the significant impact GSAs can make:

•Students at a school with a GSA were less likely to experience depression and more likely to have higher self-esteem.

•Students at a school with a GSA were less likely to drop out and more likely to succeed in higher education.

•Participation in a GSA was associated with fewer problems with substance abuse, depression, and lifetime suicide attempts.

•Having a perception that a GSA effectively promoted school safety was associated with less depression, fewer problems with substance abuse, and greater college attainment

So, while GSAs make a very big difference for LGBT youth, they do not solve all problems.

The study suggests that in addition to supporting the formation of GSAs, “school administrators and personnel should consider additional policies and programs that are associated with safer schools for LGBT students,” such as anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies.

Nevertheless, creating visibility and support for LGBT youth in schools clearly contributes to many positive outcomes.

GLSEN found similar GSA benefits in its 2009 National School Climate Survey with adolescents.

This new study from the Family Acceptance Project shows how the benefits of GSAs during adolescence affect LGBT young adults as well.


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How is Julio healthy?

I stay healthy by exercising and eating right. I exercise 6 days a week which includes cardio 4 days a week. The reason I exercise six days week is to isolate the different parts of the body. This involves more growth, building my strength, definition, and body symmetry. I set a day of which part of the body I wanna hit like:


Monday: Chest
Tuesday: Legs (quads)
Wednesday: Back
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Legs (hamstrings)
Saturday: Shoulders
Sunday: Arms

I train my legs twice a week to divide the leg muscles to perfect my symmetry. I do cardio so I can stay lean and burn off any unwanted fat so my body stays tone and defined. My cardio focuses mostly on running and sprinting but I just don’t stick to that, I shadow box and I do laps in the pool during the winter just so I don’t get bored and stay motivated.

But like any other gym bunny I'm work my abs two days a week to get a sexy waist and stomach but it’s not all about crunches and sit-ups you gotta eat right. To get lean u gotta eat lean, eat smart, minimize eating pork and red meat, instead I eat chicken, turkey, boiled eggs, and then an occasional lean beef.

I minimize my carb intake by limiting my consumption of bread I sub white for whole grain or wheat. And how can I forget about my veggies and fruit, I make sure I consume my daily fruit and veggies to stay lean.
I maybe showing you my diet regiment but that doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with the occasionally slip up. I'm Mexican so my mother cooks nothing but traditional dishes and the occasional American.

I enjoy my tortillas but I eat smart, when I do so I eat the white corn rather than the yellow, it's less in sugar and calories. Even though I'm Mexican and I eat healthy it doesn't mean I can't enjoy my traditional dishes, so I just watch my portions and enjoy myself.

However this doesn't mean I stuff myself with junk food though I enjoy them it doesn't mean I'm gonna make a meal outta them, so I stay away from soda and other sugary drinks, even liquor. I stay with water making sure I drink a gallon a day but I divide my water intake by drinking coffee and tea, that way I have some flavor.

I stay healthy by taking vitamins drinking protein shakes and amino acids. They come in a variety of different types; it’s up to you which one you want to use that best fits what you’re going for you.           
      
Another reason I stay healthy is by flossing, yes flossing, and the reason why is because it will minimize any future heart conditions. The plaque in your teeth and gums can lead to clotted arteries which can result in different heart and health defects not to mention the occasionally funky breath; you don’t want to be told you need a mint!

Julio
-Chicago

How are you healthy?
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How is Amanda Owens healthy?

I live a stressful life. I'm constantly on the go between two different jobs, being in school full-time, and volunteering for a few organizations. I also like to maintain a happy social life and spend time with my partner.

With all the different balls I'm juggling in my personal and professional life, I like to think that my health is one that is made of glass. When I drop that one particular ball, it shatters, and everything else comes tumbling down. I can't afford to let that happen, and let's face it, neither can you.

Not too long ago, I ran across the crucial idea of self-care. Self-care can mean different things to different people. To say healthy mentally, I wake up 15 minutes early every morning. The small amount makes a big difference. It's a nice pocket of time that helps me not start out the day in a rush and gives me leeway to make up something I forgot.

Another important addition to my daily life is me-time. I set my work aside and relax in a way that I find relaxing, reading for fun or watching a TV show that makes me laugh. It means that I have more work to do during the day, but I feel more prepared knowing that I was able to rest and cant start with renewed purpose and a sense of motivation. I also have incorporated stretching into my everyday. Whenever I feel tense or realize I've been sitting in the same position at work too long, I do a few yoga-like stretches to release the tension and refresh my attitude.

Similarly, this stretching has helped me to stay physically healthy, as well. I've also switched to biking everywhere I go to help with longer commutes and increase my workout time in the week. It's difficult to find time for the gym, but biking to work or school helps me gain some physical activity where I might have instead sat on a city bus.

Going to the gym a few times a week, biking 8-12 miles daily, and walking longer distances has also contributed to sleeping a full night of rest. Before, I would work with this pending sense of obligation that I must be productive all the time, every moment of the day. How was I helping anyone, much less myself, when I was operating at half-health status, chugging along, giving the minimum? Now, I get to bed at a time that would ensure 6-8 hours of sleep and am better able to tackle the 10-15 hour days I have among my different duties.

Another way I feel healthy, mentally and emotionally, is the time I spend cultivating positive and affirming relationships in my life. I came to a place in my life where I wanted the most out of the people I spend time with... quality over quantity.

 Friends who support me in my endeavors, my activism, and who had similar paths and goals have become life-supports. It was in this process that I was lucky enough to meet my someone, and my partner inspires me to be more of me, the best of me, as cliché as it sounds.

Building my community has increased my support system and my family.

These small additions to my busy schedule have improved my health greatly. I feel invigorated. It's also a cycle, I feel, that perpetuates itself. As I started biking, I felt like sleeping a full night and was hungry enough to eat a proper and nutritious meal, that lead to feeling more energized, that made me want to bike more, that continued the cycle of feeling great.

The most important thing I did to stay healthy was to ask myself what I really needed for self-care and what I wanted as a result. Then I took small actions that helped feed larger actions. I started small to become what I wanted a piece at a time.

Amanda Owens

-Chicago


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TIME OUT... No More Stress Please!

via RealJock, by Walter Armstrong

“I can't take it anymore," my friend said when I stuck my head in his office at work. "About 10 minutes ago, I was about to put my head down on the desk and just start crying."

I looked at his desk—clean, shiny, papers in neat piles. I looked at him, the art director of a magazine, staring blankly at his wide-screen computer—a typically bright, smiling gay man on the verge of a major meltdown.

"I've got to get a prescription for something to help me sleep. I lie awake for an hour, I wake up two or three times during the night. Then I come to work, a zombie. Exhausted, irritable. Can't function." His face was flushed, and his eyes welled up with tears.

"The rest of my life is falling apart, too. I don't have the energy to go to the gym, to spend time with my boyfriend. And next week the pressure starts up all over again. It just never seems to end."

I shuffled through my deck of condolence clichés wondering which one to play. "Drugs are definitely the answer," I said.

He didn't laugh. "All I need is one good night's sleep," he finally said. "Is that too much to ask?"

Read the rest.

How is Sebastino healthy?

I’ve never really considered how I am healthy, but when I think about it, I do what I can to keep myself as healthy as possible.

At times we may seem too busy to worry about our health and we forget the most basic thing we can do for our health, sleep. I always make sure that I have enough sleep. Sleep is so important and many people forget to get enough of it. I always try to get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Six to eight hours may seem a little ambitious to some people and it’s true I don’t always get that much sleep but I try to stay committed to that time frame.

Another way that I try to stay healthy is by not smoking. I don’t like going out and have to walk into a plume of smoke, I absolutely hate the smell of it, not to mention smoke plus the air pollution we get from living in a city increases the damage done to your lungs.

In addition to taking care of my lungs the best I can, I also try to keep my kidneys and liver healthy by not drinking excessively. I mean I am a young man and I do enjoy a drink every now and then, however I do not like drinking to the point where I become so inebriated that I have to pay for it in the morning with a shooting headache and a rumbling stomach.

All I’m saying is that there are a lot of basic things like getting enough sleep, not smoking, and knowing your limits when it comes to alcohol that people can start to do in order to live a healthier life. These are the first steps that I myself have taken in order to start to live a healthier lifestyle. I feel that if I make healthier choices now it will become easier for me to continue to make healthier choices and I can get used to the idea of taking care of myself and encouraging friends and family to do the same.

I get it, we live in a society that is used to getting things done fast and easy, however your health is something that is not always going to be fast and easy.

I believe in prevention first, and my prevention is making small but crucial healthier changes that will impact my life positively in the long run. I try to take care of myself now so that I don’t have to worry about having to treat ailments that come with aging; rather I plan on lessening those inevitable ailments of the future by taking care of my body.

I am not on any medication now and I don’t plan to be anytime soon or as I get older. I’m not saying that medication is a negative thing, I think people need medication at times and it is beneficial to their health, all I’m saying is that medication should be the last alternative after implementing healthier choices.

Just remember that there is always time for your health.

-Sebastino
Chicago


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How is Rich Mugler healthy?

I consider myself a socialite in the community I live in, so there are a few things that I do that involved my health that are important FOR ME.

There are important things that I do make sure I look up to par when wining, dinning, networking and mingling in such a big city like Philadelphia.

I stay healthy by taking good care of my facial skin, teeth, and body.

First, I believe that taking good care of your facial skin is essential part of staying healthy. It is a very simple thing to do and everyone can benefit, even those who have facial skin issues. A disciplined skin care routine keeps you looking and feeling your best.

Everyone should use a professional facial cleaner and a moisturizer. I also use a toner in-between facial cleaner and moisturizer. The toner is uses to help shrink the appearance of pores and it brings your skin back to an optimal pH level. A scrub is great to use once or twice a week and will keep your facial skin looking smoothed and polished.

Along with taking good care of my facial skin, I believe that taking good care of your teeth is just as important for your health. Your teeth are the first thing that most people notice when engaging in conversations and being social so making sure they are clean and sparkling is critical. That’s why I brush my teeth twice a day, floss, visit the dentist regularly, and I also use a teeth whitening system when needed. This keeps my teeth looking great and paparazzi ready (lol).

Lastly, my body is my temple, so I treat it as so.

I stay healthy by hitting up the gym 3 to 4 times a week. I do about hour of cardio twice a week and lift weights the other 2 days. Exercising allows me to fit into the clothes I want to wear. I dress to impress when heading out to an exclusive lounge bar or restaurant. Being red carpet ready is a must (lol)! Although this is my least favorite routine of all, it is probably my most important because exercising keeps my mind, body and spirit feeling great!

These are just a few things that I do to keep myself healthy. It’s what makes me unique. For those who consider themselves socialite like me, you should try it and see what kind of response you get. It really works FOR ME and maybe it will for you.

 
--Rich Mugler
Philadelphia

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How is Robert Elmore healthy?

[part 1 of 2]

Generally,when people think of ways to stay healthy they assume that physical health is the only thing they need to worry about....

However, you can be in the best physical shape and be mentally, emotionally, sexually, or even morally unhealthy. Sometimes it can be very difficult maintaining good health in all of these areas because they can often be intertwined.

First, let's start with the most common area which is physical health. For some maintaining good physical health is easy, others not so much. Ensuring that my body stays in good condition starts with the foods that I eat. Eating lots of raw fruits and vegetables is a great start. Always try to eat a balanced diet and monitor your proportion sizes. Taking daily vitamins is also good because sometimes we don't get all of what our bodies need from food alone.

Next, it is crucial that I stay active whether it is through exercising or some sort of organizational involvement that requires a lot of movement. Try to do something that elevates your heart rate 2-3 times a week. The longer I remain inactive the harder it will be to get back in shape.

 Finally, I want to be sure to visit the doctor for a basic check up at least twice a year. A doctor helps me stay healthy. They help prevent  anyone from becoming unhealthy; they screen you to find out if there is anything that needs to be improved; they can provide you with treatment to help you regain your health.

When I am sexually active, this is a physical act when done the old fashioned way, I frequently ask the doctor more often for STD and HIV testing. However, to greatly reduce my chances of contracting any STIs or HIV/ AIDS, I make sure to use a condom every time I have sex.  

Don't allow yourself to be tricked into believing that love is enough protection...because it's not.

When partaking in any form of sex, I make sure my partner is clean as far personal hygiene. Especially engaging in oral or anal, an unclean partner can put you at risk for several bacterial infections.  

I try to know my partner- while random sex can be fun and even pleasurable it is unsafe to let anyone into your personal PERSONAL space without any knowledge of the person. And a first and last name or how many brothers and sisters do you have does not constitute being knowledgeable about someone.

"If you can't wrap it up, then don't unwrap it."

While sexual intercourse itself is physical it also mental and emotional, whether or not these effects are good or bad is dependent on the person. This is why I say know your partner.


-- Robert Elmore
Chicago, IL

Go to Part 2!! 


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For many men, health takes a back seat

 via The star.

We must invest more time into the mantaining our temple. It is important if our plan is to live a happy,healthy,and long life right? How are YOU healthy?

HEALTH Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai wants his fellow men to take more care of their health, warning that they, among other things, have higher levels of morbidity for many common illnesses.

“Men have always been reminded to be responsible for their own health and the health of their family,” Liow says, adding that men were among the target groups under the National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases.

For the target groups, there are constant reminders to eat a healthy diet, exercise and not to smoke.
He adds that there were also awareness programmes on occupation-related diseases, such as asbestosis and leptospirosis, targeted at men.

“The ministry works with the Department of Occupational Health and Safety to develop health promotion strategies and guidelines, and monitors the occurrence of occupation-related diseases,” he says.

On HIV/AIDS, Liow says the HIV Prevention and Control Programme also targeted men in general to create in them more awareness of abstinence, safe sex and harm reduction approaches to intravenous drug use.

Read more.

How are you healthy?
Please join the hundreds who have shared their tips.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic to the same place.
And we'll blog it, right here on LifeLube.
Gay men and all allies welcome to participate.
Read past posts.
Learn more about the campaign