Dr. Tim Ramirez | Pacifica Wellness Optimal Well Being Blog

Our trainer is called Dr. Tim.

He helps to keep us fit and trim.

He treats body and soul

And loves the phrase “Rock and Roll.”

Whatever would we do without him?

I noticed when my parents were aging that the conversations often revolved around their aches and pains and/or current medical issues.  I made a mental note to NOT do that as I grew older.  Fast forward to now…I am in my sixties and, to my horror, I find myself engaging in those same conversations with my peers!!!!  YIKES!!!!  It’s happening to me and I need to pay attention.  Now we all know Dr. Tim’s philosophy of “No excuses, only success,” and it occurs to me I am not following that very well.  So, I start reflecting back on my workouts the past few months and realize I complain A LOT about many of the challenges he presents to me.  I love to joke around, so I rationalize it’s just humor and a chance to give him a hard time.  Then one day, I casually mention that the exercises I am doing hurt my “bad thumb” or my “bad back” and Dr. Tim barks, “No bad thumb/back!!!”  I didn’t think too much about it until later when I realized what he was trying to do (he probably doesn’t think I even noticed his tactic because it was very subtle) was get my attention about focusing on our aches and pains too much.  It made me think about all the little complaints I throw out without even being aware of it and  made me think about recent conversations with friends that were approaching those dreaded conversations my parents had so many years ago.  I was becoming an ‘old lady,’ the very thing I am combating everyday with my Dr. Tim regimen of good nutritional eating, positive thinking and exercise!

 I am now making an effort to stop doing that, which I imagine will make his job much easier!  I decided to blog this because I’ll bet their are many people out there who are, unknowingly, falling into that complaining mode as age creeps up on them.  Maybe this will help…  I guess I’ll just have to find another way to give Dr. Tim a hard time!!

How did it get to be the end of January already? It seems just days ago that I was sitting in a restaurant in the Midwest with 3 dear friends at the holidays. I was sipping a martini whilst feeling a tinge of guilt over the empty calories when one of my friends mentioned that I looked really fit. First of all, we all love each other, but we’re not prone to commenting on each other’s looks. Secondly, I was amazed that the state of my fitness was noticeable due to the heavy winter clothes I was wearing.  Her comment made me think about some of the lessons that I’ve learned from Dr. Tim about total health. It’s much more than looking good in a bathing suit. It involves strengthening your body, mind and spirit. When you’re doing something good for yourself, it practically emanates from your pores. I returned from my trip looking forward to my workouts in the new year.

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and Dr. Tim decides that it’s time to get on the scale. Yikes. It’s one thing to think and talk about fitness; it’s another thing to see the numbers staring back at you. So, OK, bye bye empty calories, hello salmon and broccoli. Since my motto for this year is “Things will be fine in 2009,” I renewed my commitment to follow the food plan more closely.

The next week at the gym there are just three of us for an early evening sesssion. We notice that Dr. T is obsessed with the number “250.” Everything we did was a set of 250: abs, arms, legs, more abs. While he was consulting with a client, we kept hearing 250 more of this or that. Towards the end of the session, Dr. Tim joins us on the red ball to do more abs. I’m exhausted so I’ve lost count of what we’ve done in total, but I keep hearing 250 more. I’m doing the vocal count for the group while Dr. Tim keeps a running commentary about how we’ve nearly completed the first month of the new year. Then he said our last set of abs will be 109. That’s an odd number, I think to myself. He proceeds to announce to us that, in honor of the new year, we will have done 2,009 abs exercises this evening.

 Things will be, nay, things ARE fine in 2009.

All the Very Best Wishes for a Blessed, Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Happy New Year in 2009!

Above and beyond the pleasant ritual of good will and best wishes, here’s wishing that you’ll have success facing the oncoming personal successes, and global successes and the inevitable personal and global difficulties that are certainly present, but not insurmountable. Human beings are great at coming out of adversity, having centuries of experience with wars, invasions, plagues, poverty, tyrants and tragedy.

Life has always had devastation and life has always known celebration, to say the least… life is resilience, life is innovation, life is dedication and life is perseverance. Health, relationships, finances and confidence are all important, but not all equal. Your health is the foundation for all that is of value and worth. We all need to take an active role in being healthy, our health is our responsibility, we are the master commanders of our body, our attitude and our spirit. Treat your body, mind and spirit with the respect and adoration it deserves and you will be rewarded. Relationships are better when you’re feeling healthy. Finances are more robust when you’re feeling healthy. Confidence is stronger when you’re feeling healthy. The one thing we truly control is our own actions or inactions.

Some of us may be sick, some of us may be sad, some of us may be scared. But… all of us have one thing in common. We CAN and we WILL come out of any adversity. We are all somehow, some way pre programmed to rise to the occasion regardless of circumstance, obstacle or fear. We are all perfect creatures with perfect bodies and genius minds. Human beings are amazing creatures. We can all choose to live healthier, We can all choose to be happier, we can all choose to have greater courage. Every behavior and every action is a choice. Our choices result in outcomes. All outcomes have a measurable result that can be translated into an adversity or success. We should always learn from the adversity face and be grateful for the success we experience. Adversity or success should bring all of us to meditate on the true values of our life, reflect on how we can be better human beings, and enlighten us on how we can make the world just a little bit better for everyone and everything. This meditation and reflection can make us better human beings. We can focus more attention to what’s going on right around us, focus more attention to our own life’s purpose and pay less attention to the media and what they are saying to us or trying to sell us…. Joy in life is being more open to human, animal and environmental relationships. You already know what is meaningful, you already know what is valuable. The joy of sharing, the joy of giving, the joy of LIVING!
Tomorrow we’ll look back and say that what’s been happening right now in the world is actually good for us, it is exactly what we needed in this moment in time….. there are no coincidences, there are no accidents. What is happening now is what is shaping our future. Is your future predictable? ABSOLUTELY & POSITIVELY YES! Your future is predicated on the very choices you’re making right now – or not making! Choosing to be healthy, choosing to be giving, choosing to be full of kindness takes effort & work, but the reward is personal peace and fulfillment. Now that’s what I call winning the lottery! Surviving this life is easy, a thriving life is labor intensive, but well worth the effort. People around you are worth the effort. You’re worth the effort.
Every living moment is an opportunity to reposition things into their right order of priority! Every moment is a new opportunity to succeed. Take a personal inventory of what is really important to you. Nurture and cultivate what is important and enjoy the beauty that blossoms before you.

Make some JOY in your life, sing louder, stop and actually smell a flower, dance more often, take a walk in the rain, go to the beach in January, give a smile to someone with a frown, hold the door open for a stranger, let the driver go in front of you with a welcoming wave, open your arms to a positive energy that is readily available and abundant on this big round planet we live on.

We are all earth’s creatures created by a higher source with a totally innate full time connection to all things living, past and about to be. Kindness is our gift to give so that we may be given the gift of eternal wealth.

Of all the words of tongue and pen, the saddest are; what could have been. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you know you can accomplish right now. This is your life, this is your time to thrive, your time to live, your time to shine. Be the light that illuminates your own path, it is in you, the light is in all of us. Best of Luck in the New Year, and “In Bocca all lupo” (e crepi!) as they say in Italian!

Cheers to the evolution that is your personal revolution.
There are no excuses, ONLY SUCCESS!

Happy New Year!
Dr. Tim

In March, 2008, I found myself unable to walk more than 1/2 a block and I could only go up stairs, one at a time!  Yikes!!!  I’m thinking to myself, I’m only 61 and I can’t do the one exercise I love more than any others–walking–how sad.  It was due to severe hip pain which had been building for ~8 months.  I had a trainer and he was doing his best to “fix” it, but it just kept getting worse.  I thought I probably needed a hip replacement as I have so much arthritis and I couldn’t get the Orthopod’s office to call me back!!  So, I’m at dinner with friends and they observe my pitiful gait, suggesting I go see Dr. Tim.  When I ask who he is, they say he’s a Chiropractor, and I stop them right there!  No way, I say, I don’t like Chiropractors–they’re dangerous!!  They immediately start to try and describe why he is different and now I’m interested enough to write down his name, still skeptical.  After several attempts to reach this man, I give up.  Then, I ask a good friend, who she has been going to for several years, you know, I say, the guy who keeps you golfing.  She says, “Oh, you mean Dr. Tim??”  I’m thinking, oh great, the guy I can’t seem to get a hold of!!!  Perfect!!  So I ask her how one reaches this guy and she says you need to call Rose.  WHO’S ROSE????  Geeeeeeeeeez.  So, she gives me the ‘magic’ number to call and I finally talk to Rose and make an appointment where I find out my problem is the piriformus (sp?) muscle in my hip.  That was early March…it is now December, 2008, and I walk 8 miles a day and have lost 48 pounds with Dr. Tim’s therapy, exercise program, nutrition counseling and guidance.  I cannot believe it.  He has helped me through so many things with his spiritual wisdom and support, including the recent death of my mother.  Dr. Tim is FAR more than a Chiropractor and he utilizes all of his Eastern/Western medical knowledge and skills when working with you.  I truly believe people come into our lives for a reason; there are no accidents.  My life has been changed forever, as has my husband’s, with the help of these wonderful people (Dr. Tim and Rose), and I have a friend for life!

So one night I’m working out at PW when Dr. Tim hands me the red boxing gloves. “Good,” I think. It was a stressful day and I like the idea of punching something without suffering consequences. I’m pretty much in the zone, but I notice Dr. Tim telling another client to do some chin-ups. Another thought: I’m glad he’s the one who has to do them and not me. Punch, punch, punch; down on the floor for some push-ups, still glad I don’t have to do chin-ups. Then I hear Dr. Tim telling me it’s time for my chin-ups. Surely he’s jesting. No such luck. I look up at the bar and wonder how I’m going to accomplish this. Not only do I have to reach for it, but I need to step up on a bench to do so. One step, two steps, I’m on the bench. I lift my arms to grab the bar. This isn’t going to happen, I’m sure. “Don’t panic, Romey; I’ve got you. You can do it,” says Dr. Tim. What have I got to lose? Hands gripping the bar, I take a deep breath. I feel Dr. Tim’s arms around my legs. Exhaling, trying to pull up, all of a sudden I feel my feet leave the bench. “One more time, Romey.” I did it again! I know that I never would have accomplished this had Dr. Tim not lent a great deal of assistance, but he made me feel as though I had done it all by myself. We never accomplish anything in this world without some help from someone, but we never know how much we can do until we rise to the occasion and accept the hand that is outstretched to us.

When I’m working out at the gym, I’m able to be very focused. It’s a pleasant chance to be on the other side of the decision-making process. Dr. Tim tells us what to do, and I just do it. This past week, he had a few of us doing a certain exercise that was really difficult for me due to a certain physical limitation of mine. I quietly did my best, but it was painful and disappointing at the same time. Dr. Tim was his usual encouraging self, without bringing undue attention to the situation. Still, I found myself near tears because it hurts more than muscles when your body won’t do what you want it to do. After the set was done, he called me over to the bench press. Have you ever noticed how powerful you feel when you’re working on that machine? I felt great after I did 3 sets. I went from despair to victory in a few short minutes. I’m sure this was not unplanned by Dr. Tim. He knew by looking at me that I felt awful by not being able to do the one exercise well; I’m sure he also wanted me to end my session on a high note. He achieved his goal. I’m sharing this because if you’re not lucky enough to have Dr. Tim in your life, I hope you’re able to find a trainer who will not only help you to strengthen your body but will also lift your spirit. To me, one is as important as the other. 

I have come to love my workouts with Dr. Tim, not only for the physical benefits, but also for the stress-relieving benefits. I’ve been working long hours for some time now, and I try my best to get to PW 2 or 3 times a week. The one thing that got me through an especially hectic Tuesday recently was the thought that I’d get a good workout that night. I left the house as usual in the morning, loaded down with my accoutrements of the day. It was a heavy load so I just assumed that I had everything that I’d need. I made it through the day, drove to the gym, opened the trunk—no gym bag! I couldn’t believe it: In nearly 4 years I’ve never forgotten my gym bag. I was so sure I had put it in the trunk that morning. What to do now, I wondered. I decided to go in anyway just to say hello and let Dr. Tim know that my intentions, at least, were good. I walked in and, with great embarrassment, told Dr. Tim of my dilemma. I should have known better than to think that all was lost. Dr. T keeps a stash of workout clothes on hand for just these situations. As it happens, I keep a spare pair of workout shoes in my car (In the event I get stranded somewhere, at least I’d have a comfy pair of shoes to wear to seek help!). Between the two of us, I was able to put together an exercise ensemble. As usual, it was a great workout and I left feeling especially good for having been able to find a solution to my problem. To top it off, I had an opportunity to practice Dr. T’s motto: No excuses, only success!!!  

We’ve all heard the phrase. Perhaps we’ve never really thought of how it relates to oneself. Recently I learned that two people who are very close to me were told that they have a pre-diabetic condition. This was discovered during a routine blood test. They will need to follow a strict diet and exercise plan in the hope that the condition can be controlled without medication. It was a turning point in their lives. Their news reminded me of the results from my blood test of a few months ago. Luckily, I was pronounced in excellent health. I was grateful for the news, but what struck me the most was that my cholesterol had dropped by 20 points. My numbers have always been in the low to normal range, but this was quite unexpected. I can only think it’s the result of having followed Dr. Tim’s food plan. My reason for starting with the plan was strictly for weight loss. The bonus was seeing how the plan affected me on the inside as well as on the outside. I was doing more good for myself than I realized. It’s always better to do something by choice rather than being forced, don’t you think? Just a little food for thought.

It’s been a week of highs and lows for me. I spent the holiday weekend having a pity party, the reasons for which I shall keep to myself. Suffice it to say that I couldn’t wait for my Tuesday session with Dr. Tim. It was great, of course; but then he wanted us to get on the scale for a check-in. I was disappointed to see that I’d put on some weight. Dr. Tim reminded me that muscle weighs more than fat, but it was little consolation to me because we live in a world where numbers matter. I’m still wearing clothes that are two sizes smaller than before I started this journey, so I’m sure there’s merit to the theory. What the number meant to me is that it’s not enough to follow the food plan “in spirit.” I need to follow it exactly to get and stay where I want to be.

The stress of the work week had me looking forward to my Thursday session. Unfortunately, I had to work late, so I missed it. However, the good doctor had Saturday hours this week, so I had a good, long workout. Dr. Tim took me to a new level of achievement while I was working my arms. Each time he had me increase the weights, he also increased the reps (usually, it’s the other way around). I did it! I’ve recently gone from 3 lbs to 5 lbs. This time I did a set with 12.5 lbs. WOW! I thought if I can do this, I can take anything that my job throws at me. The icing on the cake is when two of the regulars at the gym commented to me on how hard I was working and how strong I was. The comments were totally unsolicited and came at separate times. I had no idea that these guys paid any attention to me. How generous of them to take the time to compliment my efforts. I left the gym that day grateful for Dr. Tim and the sense of community that permeates PW.

My week started on a low and ended on a high. In fact, now that I think about it, there were actually more highs than lows. It ended up being a good week after all.