For Our Guys…
Guest blogger and Instagrammer, @justinisnotadoctor, weighs in on three obstacles that men often face with chronic illness.
Researching why you don’t feel well doesn’t make you the typical “tough guy”.
Men are stereotypically not as concerned with their health and may have more of a just “man up” attitude. For example, if you are not feeling well, just deal with it. Suck it up and go to work, suck it up and have another beer. You’re not supposed to be going in and out of the doctor’s office asking for answers as to why you don’t feel well.
A healthy diet can lead to scrutiny.
When I started my elimination diet, my friends quickly learned about my new eating behaviors and although I’m at an age now where all of my friends are mature, it was definitely regarded as peculiar at first. It definitely did help that I still eat meat, since that’s a “manly” thing. If I were to go Vegan (which I’ve never done) that would probably be more scrutinized. When you’re a man you’re not supposed to be concerned with ordering a chicken parm sub because it has gluten and cheese in it. Also, when you cut out all foods that cause inflammation, you will probably lose weight – which may lead to people telling you that you need to gain weight.
Focusing on the right exercises as opposed to just lifting weights.
Many men think that the type of exercise they should be focusing on is lifting weights. Especially when it comes to healing from chronic illness, exercising in the form of yoga, cardio, stretching, and meditation (mental exercise) are important and a gentler form of exercise. (I do a bit of everything).
To hear more from Justin, follow him at @justinisnotadoctor!
