Thank you Dr. Aaronson for the Work You Have Done

Thank you Dr. Aaronson for the work you have done.

"Dear Dr. Aaronson, I want to write and thank you for the work you have done with our Family Medicine residents. I have received very positive feedback on evaluations from our residents, indicating that they enjoy learning from you and working with you. Thank you so very much for participating in the education of our residents. We appreciate you!"

Staircase at the University -- Morrissey on YouTube

Dr. Michael Aaronson, Nephrologist at Lincoln Nephrology and Hypertension responds:

"The pleasure, the privilege is mine."

There is a light that never goes out -- Morrissey The Smiths on YouTube

The front cover. Thank you Dr. Aaronson.

Fitbit Allergic? Not Reading Right? Wear Around Ankle Securely Using Proven Method Demonstrated by Dr. Michael Aaronson.

Are you allergic to the Google Fitbit band? Do you find when you wear the device on your wrist your steps don't record accurately (for example when shopping and pushing a cart, are you getting credit for your steps)? Also, do you want to get "credit" for steps when you are riding your exercise bike (using setups such as Kinomap)?

Dr. Michael Aaronson shows you how to secure the Google Fitbit around your ankle, over your sock, using this proven method.

Importantly, you won't lose the device. It's secure. For this demonstration, I'm using the Google Fitbit Inspire, but all the devices should work in theory. Note, you will likely lose the heart rate functionality. You might consider using a Wahoo TIKR heart rate monitor as an alternative.

Let's go:

Necessary equipment: an additional large, bottom wristband is included in the box. Both the top and bottom wristbands are meant to be swapped when using the Google Fitbit on the wrist. For this setup, you want to attach both in order for the ankle attachment to be secure. See above how the 2 holes can be threaded using a Velcro strap that you will need to purchase to complete the connection.

Helpful hint: if you have a large ankle you may need two Velcro straps, connecting them together for extra length.

The next step is to thread the Velcro band through the wrist bands.

Which leg do I attach my Google Fitbit? The right. However, either leg will work.

"Have you seen him go, though?" Boy racer -- Morrissey on YouTube

Next step: crisscross the strap to attach the Google Fitbit securely to your ankle. See how it makes an "X"? You can tighten as much as you want. Don't cut off your circulation when you make the final connection. After losing a few Google Fitbits from faulty connections, I wanted a system that would not fail me. This step is the secret which keeps the device on your body. 

Helpful suggestion for Google: maybe include an ankle strap similar to the one above in the box? It may improve your market share versus your competitor the Apple Watch! ;-)

Finally, Velcro the strap together. The Google Fitbit fits perfectly. For clarity, the Inspire is on the right and the Velcroed strap is on the left. Congratulations! You are done!

I attach the strap every morning, disconnect in the evening, and charge the Fitbit at night. Once you get the hang of it, this connection takes no time at all to set up.

Other thoughts: some people want to use the Google Fitbit to record their sleep. This setup does successfully record sleep at night, if you wish to have that information.  I have had no bluetooth connection problems. It really works great and should be considered an option for those who have a Fitbit allergy or for those who have Fitbits that do not accurately record their steps when worn on the wrist.

Dr. Aaronson thanks the Huskers for supporting Patients at Bryan Health

Dr. Michael Aaronson thanks the team for supporting patients at Bryan Health

"There's a place in the sun for anyone who has the will to chase one, and I think I have found mine." -- Morrissey on YouTube

They Might Be Giants.

@Bryan_Health
@huskers
@Morrissey

Dr. Aaronson Helps you Convert Watts to Calories to Make Sense of Your Stationary Bike Workout

Dr. Aaronson rides his stationary bike for an average of 1 hour at an average Wattage of 104 resulting in 374 calories burned.

Power has become the holy grail of assessing your bike workout. That's the metric that propels you forward when you use games like Rouvy and Zwift.  But what does that mean in terms of energy expenditure with respect to calories?

If you are exercising to lose weight and become healthier, calories burned during your routine may be of importance to you. I enjoy using online apps such as Rouvy, Zwift, and Trainer Road not only to help me achieve my exercise goals but also to prevent boredom. An example: TrainerRoad can provide an average power and give you the total time of your bicycle ride which can be plugged into the above online calculator to help you easily calculate calories expended.

Here is the link to the Watts to Calories Converter Calculator. I find this link so helpful, I bookmarked it myself for my own personal use!

Here is the calculation if you prefer to do your own math:
energy (kcal) = avg power (Watts) X duration (hours) X 3.6

So let's do some math to see if exercise in addition to dietary restriction helps with weight loss.

• There are 3500 calories in a pound.
• If you exercise at 100 watts for an hour 5 times a week, you will burn approximately one pound every 2 weeks: 374 calories times 10 sessions equals 3740 calories.
• To lose weight, you must control your food consumption. There are multiple strategies to do this.
• One strategy is to use a system like MyFitnessPal to help you track your progress (see my link Wearables, Apps, and Weight Loss. How Much Weight has Dr. Michael Aaronson Lost? to learn more). This approach should help you start losing weight over time, as your doctor may have prescribed.
• If you increase the intensity of your workout, you will burn your calories quicker. For example: if you average 150 watts an hour you will burn 540 calories an hour.

All of this said, please remember to pace yourself when exercising. If you get injured, you will not be able to exercise at all.  Safety first!

Keeping it Simple

Dr. Aaronson suggests you keep it simple.

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." — Dr. Seuss

Dr. Michael Aaronson Receives Internal Medicine Board Certificate

Michael Lee Aaronson receives new Board of Internal Medicine Certificate,  dated 2019, after passing his recertification examination in Internal Medicine. 

Summarized,  personalized letter from Richard J.  Baron,  MD,  MACP,  President and CEO of The American Board of Internal Medicine to Michael L. Aaronson,  MD:

Get Your Blood Pressure to Target

Dr. Aaronson is a straight shooter.

Get your blood pressure to the recommended targets. Book your appointment now!

Lifelong Learning and on Being a Polymath

Charlie Munger, Vice Chairman of
Berkshire Hathaway in Nebraska

Advice I Gave a Non-Compliant Patient With High Blood Pressure

Words of wisdom from 
a former Creighton
Medical School
Individual Faculty School 
of Medicine Assistant Professor
 of Medicine to a 
Non-Compliant Patient

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