I’ve lived more years than I care to think, but luckily they’ve all been healthy years. Now, this didn’t happen because I have ‘good genes’ (I don’t) or because I got lucky and beat the odds (not so lucky), no, this happened because I wanted to be healthy, so I worked towards that end.
Now you might ask; Who doesn’t want to be healthy? Well dude, all you have to do is sit in the mall for 30 minutes on any given Saturday and people watch and you’ll get your answer. Obviously very few! Obesity is rampant with all its related diseases, emergency hospital visits are skyrocketing, and people with illnesses are flocking to the pharmacy in record numbers to stock up on drugs that do nothing to improve their health.
We, as a willing society, have been deluded into the complacency of health. What I mean by that is that, individually and collectively, we have a herd mentality that believes in the TV commercials and the nightly news and the hordes of so-called experts telling us what is and isn’t good for us. our health. We have given up our good common sense and the healing attributes of the human body that God has given us. Instead, we obediently take our injections, vaccinations, prescription drugs, and bad advice simply because we are told to. Few of us take the time and effort to educate ourselves on health issues.
Our health is the single most important issue facing every human being, and yet we act like it’s fashionable to be fat and out of shape. We wear our sanitary ineptitude with a badge of honor. Paradoxically, everyone will tell you if they ask you ‘I want to be healthy’. So with that assumption in place, let me explain a common sense approach to maintaining a healthy life throughout your life.
First of all, you need to start thinking for yourself. He questions the authorities that demand you, not with irreverence but with curiosity. Get the answers you need to make your own health decisions.
Decisions should always be made based on your health, not what others are doing.
Unless you are very serious about being healthy for the rest of your life and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed, you probably won’t. Being fully healthy requires living a lifestyle that is conducive to good health. This is not an infomercial for healthy living in 4 easy steps for only $29.99 + shipping and handling. This will have to be a lifelong commitment dedicated to staying healthy.
When I say healthy I mean being free from diseases and debilitating conditions, not the common cold (although you won’t get many) or the occasional bug that walks around. Although I must say that if your immune system is where it needs to be, even the common flu will have a very difficult time infecting you. When you get sick, it will be for a very short time with NO side effects.
It’s been almost 40 years since I’ve seen a doctor for a sore throat. (bad idea)
I’ve had the flu a few times and the occasional headache, but other than that, nothing. My wife is the same with no health problems. I purposefully started living my healthy lifestyle as a young adult and never strayed from the path. I firmly believe that anyone at any age can benefit from a positive lifestyle change.
The objective is clear and concise; Long live and healthy life.
Some of the things I will list here you will hate and immediately stop reading, well at least I made you think for yourself. For the rest of you, please note that I am not a doctor or medical expert, just someone who has lived a relatively long life and has walked the walk and talked. Some things are seemingly simplistic, they are not.
1. Personal strength with a wild attitude that I am worth the effort to succeed.
2. Never succumb to age, treat your body the same way at 50 as you would at 30 and it will respond if properly conditioned. (side note): I climb trees, sprint, jump from high places all the things I did as a kid, never stopped for the body to respond.
3. Demand the best for your body, don’t settle for less. Don’t put anything in or on your body that you wouldn’t want your children to do.
4. The food police will tell you what to eat or not but I will tell you this, if you eat any food in moderation with plenty of variety you will be the best for it. Specifically, I eat my share of meat, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and many desserts. Everything is in moderation with all meat not fried but cooked in another way and all vegetables and fruits free of pesticides and chemicals. Eat moderate portions at each meal, disciplining yourself not to overeat. Remember that we eat to maintain our body’s ability to function properly and for most of us we don’t need a lot of food. I think eating has become a big event where we should eat as much as we can at each session. Enjoy your food but remember that you eat because it is a necessity.
5. Drink clean water without chemical additives and drink plenty of water.
6. Avoid eating a lot of sugar and use salt in moderation.
7. Packaged foods contain preservatives and colorings that are not natural to the human body.
8. Wash (scrub) fruits and vegetables before eating, unless they are organic, as they will be loaded with chemicals.
9. Frying food is a no no due to cancer-causing carcinogens.
10. The general principle that I live by regarding what I put in my body is quite simple,
If it has a man-made substance in it, like preservatives, dyes, or any of those long scientific names that are impossible to pronounce, then I’m pretty sure I don’t want to eat it.
11. Exercise is good, but don’t overdo it, moderation applies here. I have found that walking cross country is a lot of fun and a great full body workout. Also walking my two golden retriever puppies keeps me jumping up and down. The key here is to stay active EVERY DAY, remember this is a lifestyle.
If you can do outdoor physical labor like mowing the lawn, that’s a real plus—enjoy the outdoors and reap the healthy benefits at the same time.
12. Love life and laugh a lot and often. Surround yourself with loving family and friends.
13. Stress is a killer, so it is vitally important to avoid stressful situations. I firmly believe that stress is the number one health problem in our society. Stress places a tremendous burden on our immune system to protect us from disease, and with a weakened immune system, the door is left open for all sorts of health problems.
14. Supplement with all natural supplements.
15. Last, or perhaps first, stand firm in your personal faith.
Now, what I have said is relevant to staying healthy throughout life; however, it would be a hollow existence if I weren’t married to my soul mate and totally committed to our marriage. When you can share your life with the one you love, life’s burdens melt away and happiness is easy to find.
I urge you to enroll in a health plan that does not involve government assistance or an insurance company premium; in fact, this health plan is all about you and your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Why not sign up today!