Trying to be a #HealthyDad

I was an athlete. A svelte, muscular athlete. I played football, gloriously scoring touchdowns from my position as running back. I played basketball and could soar, on occasion, to the hoop for layups. But, I was most successful running track. I was fast, and was even recruited to run at the collegiate level. But, I stopped playing sports. I stopped caring for my body. I have now spent have my life not in ideal shape. I have decided that needs to change now. I must model good eating habits and exercise routines for my daughter. I want to be around for the long haul and see my daughter's first big performance on the stage and or field, witness her acceptance to college, and maybe tie the knot with that special someone after walking her down the aisle. So, I need to avoid diabetes, which runs in my family. I need to get yearly check ups and not the fear the doctor if something else emerge. I will take vitamins and use other types of preventative care. Yes, I need to be a #HealthyDad! 

It is essential to remember that health insurance is an important way to protect you and your family in the event of injury or illness. So, you must make your health care plan work for you and have a healthy future with preventative health care benefits. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its sister plans are working diligently to make sure that Americans are not only aware of their health care options, but also to learn how to make the most out of them. Plans available in the Health Insurance Marketplace offer what are called essential health benefits: ambulatory patient services; emergency services; hospitalization; maternity and newborn care; mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment; prescription drugs; rehabilitative and health maintenance services and devices; laboratory services; preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management; and pediatric services, as well as oral and vision care.  

Wouldn’t it be nice to get expert advice right from your home computer or mobile device? With Telehealth, you can. Telehealth is bringing back the old-fashioned house call – but in real time and with today’s finger-tip ease. With telehealth, and apps like LiveHealth Online, families can easily access quality health care through video conversations with board-certified physicians, without the hefty cost that can come with office visits. It’s clinical facetime for when your doctor’s office is closed. To learn more about LiveHealth Online, visit www.livehealthonline.com. You can register by downloading the app from iTunes or Google Play store and signing-up in one quick step.

Our health issues don’t necessarily follow a schedule. Many of my fellow parents have awakened in the middle of the night with a sick child, struggling what to do to care for him or her. There are times when we want someone to weigh in quickly. The team of experienced registered nurses on 24/7 NurseLine is always available to help you assess symptoms and decide whether you should see the doctor, go to the ER or visit an urgent care center.

Thanks to Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, who sponsored the campaign and WellPoint, Inc., which compensated me for this post, for including dads in this important discussion about family health care. My views are based solely on my experience as a parent, and not as a medical professional.

I'm proud to be a part of the #healthydad campaign. Make sure you head over to https://www.facebook.com/healthydads (and like the page!) to learn more about the campaign and its sponsors. There is also a fantastic contest I hope some of you will participate in. Head over to that Healthy Dads FB page for all the details and post a video from a site like Vine, Instagram, or YouTube that shows what you believe makes one a #healthydad. Don't forget to tell your friends about your video and this contest on social media. You might just win one of five $100 Amazon Gift Cards! Pretty cool, right? 

Finally, please follow and support my journey to be in better shape at 42 than I was at 22. Share your stories of success and uphill climbs with me. I'm going to do this for my daughter, my wife, and for me! #HealthyDad!

image.jpg
Posted on October 14, 2014 .