I can always count on Mr. Wonderful to come up with a timely subject for my blog.  Today’s quotable is, “Dear G-d, I have a problem.  My problem is me!”

Some days it feels like I spend half my time trying to convince patients that they need to change their ways in order to get healthy.  I often spend the other half of my time treating the effects of their bad habits.

An out of shape, overweight patient with diabetes ends up on lots of medications and, sometimes, has a heart attack or stroke despite my best efforts.  I know changing your lifestyle is difficult.  I am a 400 pound male struggling to live in a 180 pound body.  Yes, I love food!  All kinds of food!  I love large volumes of food.  When I designed my office, I made sure the entrance had double doors.  I figured I might need them one day.  Instead, I struggled to stay healthy and keep my weight down.  I also learned to take responsibility for my own health.

I had to take responsibility for my own health.  After all, I see the doc on a regular basis.  Every morning the doc exams me in the buff while I’m shaving, brushing my teeth and preparing for the day.  When I hit 206 pounds, my exam was looking pretty pitiful!

“Dear G-d, I have a problem.  My problem is me,” is a great starting point if you want to get healthy.   As stated in Diets and Other Unnatural Acts, the first step in developing a healthy lifestyle is to define who you are and what your problems are.  Then, and only then, can you start the process of refining yourself.

“Dear G-d, I have a problem.  My problem is me! My cholesterol is too high.”  If you have a problem with your cholesterol, follow your doc’s directions.  I bet a diet high in fiber and low in fats and cholesterol, in conjunction with regular exercise, will help.

“Dear G-d, I have a problem.  My problem is me! My back is killing me.”  Again, lifestyle changes often help as much for back pain as medications do.

“Dear G-d, I have a problem.  My problem is me! I have ED.”  Did you ever think that your ED is the result of your leading a sedentary lifestyle, having to support a 50 inch waist and being in such poor physical condition that you get short of breath walking up 1/2 a flight of stairs?  Maybe this is the year you will get involved in your own healthcare, lose weight and exercise.

“Dear G-d, I have a problem.  My problem is me!”  I’m a doctor and I’m frustrated with myself.  I’m judgmental by nature and have to be careful not to judge others harshly.  I am frustrated that I can’t find the right words to help my patients see what they are doing to themselves.

“Dear G-d, I have a problem.  My problem is me!”  There’s not enough of me to go around.  If I take the time I need to help my patients, my lobby wait-time increases and the people I need to help get angry.

“Dear G-d, I have a problem.  My problem is me!”  I love what I do and my profession.  I would be better off if I didn’t.  My love is being systematically destroyed by Medicare, Obamacare and the insurers of America.

“Dear G-d, I have a problem.  My problem is me!”  I am compelled to teach others to care for themselves.  I see patients by the day and publish at night.  There’s not enough of me to go around.  I fear I must soon give this up.  There are bills to pay!

“Dear G-d, I have a problem.  My problem is me!”  I try to stay positive but everything seems so negative.  Life is a struggle, good versus evil.

“Dear G-d, I have a problem.  My problem is me,” is a powerful prayer that offers great hope and great insight.  Look within.  Learn to live Wellthy.

Stewart Segal is a family physician who blogs at Livewellthy.org.