"He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has
everything." -Arabian Proverb
1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your
body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and
escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids;
toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that
moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a
stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time.
It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute
aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's
great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more.
Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!
2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other
fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and
sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese,
milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts
and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and
sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are
available in lower fat versions such as substitute
butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the
day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!
3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since
1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was
harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing
their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently,
we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens.
Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars
in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn
your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance
of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just
one cigarette…. the next one.
4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many
forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to
think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing
something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the
beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend;
play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a
funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut.
Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or
getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when
possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think
pink clouds….then float on them.
5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least
avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing
in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares.
Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise
indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good.
Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good
pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought
for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth,
and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the
tune daily.
6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and
help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes.
Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.
7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between
longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why.
Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more
health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the
day: Floss and be your body's boss.
8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a
day (two for men) can help protect against heart
disease, more than that can cause other health problems
such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for
the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.
9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and
healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life.
Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're
smiling or singing.
10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one.
But just because one or both of your parents died young
in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the
genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow
these basic tips for healthy living and you can better
control your own destiny.
