"There is no need for hysteria," he said. Men get angry. Women get hysterical.

"Stop worrying," he said. Men ask questions. Women worry.

"Calm Down," he said. Men are adamant. Women are overwrought.

Assumptions. Expectations. Labels. They diminish us when others apply them. We sabotage ourselves when we buy them.

"It is probably time to say that the largest scope for change still lies in men's attitude toward women, and in women's attitude toward themselves." ~Vera Brittain~

Furthermore:

Men get annoyed. Women get bitchy.

Men are aggressive. Women get pushy.

Men are ambitious. Women are clawing.

Men assess their lives. Women have empty nest syndrome.

If a man is impotent, it's the women's fault.

If a woman is frigid, she isn't trying.

Men are assertive. Women are uppity.

Men who are assaulted are victims. Women who are raped caused it.

Men have moods. Women have periods.

Men are concerned. Women are anxious.

Men analyze people. Women gossip.

His doctor says it's job related stress. Herdoctor says it's nerves.

His doctor prescribes tennis. Her doctor prescribes Valium.

If a man is overworked, he is a go-getter. If a woman is overworked, she is disorganized.

Men pay attention to detail. Women dither.

Men take charge. Women take over.

Battering husbands need help. Battered wives ask for it.

Fathers move away. Women desert their children.

Older men are experienced. Older women are over the hill.

Men react. Women over-react.

A happily single man is glamorous. A happily single woman is neurotic.

Older men look distinguished. Older women look dowdy.

Men communicate. Women talk to much.

This list was fun. Labels are not.

Niki Scott really hit the nail on the head with this powerful piece showing what many of us have experienced:

The same behavior is viewed and labeled differently, depending on whether the person exhibiting it is a male or female.

Conscious of it or not, we all have a basic attitude toward life and living.

This is expressed and lived out through countless thoughts, beliefs and assumptions that profoundly affect not only the way we see things and other people, but also how we unconsciously invite other people to "see" and respond to our selves. Our attitudes drive all sorts of choices - regardless of our awareness. Can you make any kind of claim to self-knowledge without knowing what your basic attitudes are?

Take a moment to do a check on your beliefs towards some things:

• Exercise
• Eating Habits
• Faith
• The Power of Your Own Life
• Change as a Possibility

Your attitude is contagious!

Your attitudes shape your inner world and profoundly affect the world around you. Attitude is expressed through "presence" before a single word is spoken. Your presence, your attitude affects the people and situations around you - no matter how powerless you may be feeling.

You are affecting other people constantly. When your attitude is out of sync with your actions, it's your attitude that will leave the strongest and most lasting impression. Create attitudes that support your most profound vision of life. Let your behavior and choices support that vision and enjoy the changes!

On our daily calendar from September 29th... we found a great reminder: "There is no difference between happiness and sadness, except the content. They both will come, they both will go. It is what we do with them that makes the difference.

Make a choice today of an attitude of growth and change!

Is there a difference?

The American College of Sports Medicine does not think so. The guidelines are the same, regardless of gender.

You really do need to follow basic guidelines for health:

• Get 60 minutes of aerobic activity 5 - 6 days per week.
• Strengthen the major muscle groups 2 - 3 times per week.
• Eat a diet of lean protein, vegetables, fruit and whole grains, in accordance to your own needs.
• Sleep. Between 6 - 8 hours a night.
• Drink enough clean water every day. (roughly half your body weight, in ounces)

There is just no way around it.

That is the basic care and maintenance of a human body. We need sleep to allow healing, we need good food to feed our bodies, we need to MOVE in order to keep moving. We need enough water to stay hydrated and flush out our overworked, under appreciated bladder. (Pay no attention to the hype over any liquid is fine... your bladder doesn't think so!)

Of course there are different needs and abilities - and we need to be flexible enough to allow that "I" do not do the same exercise and "you". That is great!

If you are wondering where to start, I still recommend these books. They are a good starting place, or timely refresher:

Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, and Sexy - Until you're 80 and Beyond by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge, MD

Younger Next Year for Women: Live Strong, Fit and Sexy - Until You're 80 and Beyond by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge, MD

The hormone information in the books is already outdated. If you want a newer 'read', I suggest the following book that is our featured article this month:

Screaming To Be Heard by Elizabeth Lee Vliet, MD