Give Yourself a Reason
Without a reason, most of us would not make the effort to walk beyond a trip to the store. The distractions are many, including watching TV, gaming, or just reading a book.
Good health requires us to face some simple facts and do some simple acts.
Our bodies were made to work not just sit. Atrophy comes from being inactive. That is a condition of becoming weaker. You feel tired. And your muscles get flabby.
The other extreme is hypertrophy, where muscles are tight and strengthened and fat is used up, leading to a lean body with more energy to do what you want to do.
The fact that exercise is necessary to feel better rubs some people the wrong way. However, let yourself go and when you have a heart attack, the first thing your doctor will say is that you need to start walking to get better.
Fear of having a heart attack is not a good reason to exercise. The best reasons are fun reasons! That would include being able to carry the fishing poles and the tackle box to the pier, play golf longer, play pickleball better, ride a bicycle longer, hike a trail in the mountains, etc.
Eat for Health
Many foods taste great but are not very good for your health. They include fried food, food with high sugar content, food with a high percentage of fat, or foods that contain ingredients that are hard to digest or not natural to eat.
An easy way to start eating better would be to include eating less processed foods and eating more raw fruits and vegetables. Most of us, also, eat too much meat and not enough fiber. So, be conscious of the variety and the amount of each type of meat you eat. Keep it simple to eat for better health. Remember the old saying, “An apple a day will keep the doctor away.” This is your chance to prove that is true!
Benefits Related to a Healthy Body
Besides being fit for fun, a healthy body will help you sleep better, live longer, work better, give you more energy, and make you more aware of the benefits of exercise and the discomforts that come with not exercising.
Remember, without exercising you will take in more calories than you burn. The extra calories, of course, turn to fat. Observe your body and you can see the extra fat accumulating. Are you not alarmed?
Beside the numbers game, being healthy will help you have a better attitude toward each day. Every day is much better if you feel like doing something!
Mind and Spirit
Good blood flow, which comes from aerobic exercise like walking, swimming, and biking, will aid your mind.
Your mind needs rest. And, after exercise, like a long walk, you will sleep better. Many will say they are tired when they go to bed anyway. However, without exercise, they will wake up tired since they do not work to get their blood flowing well to feed their brain. Do the research.
Your brain is what keeps you alive. Take care of it!
Your mind helps you plan each day. A healthy mind will help you be more productive. A healthy mind will help your employment. You will do a better job when you understand the instructions and can focus on what needs to be done.
Good health could help you earn more money over your working career. It will help you have the energy and be more willing to learn new skills and grow in your responsibilities.
However, learn to keep things in perspective. Inside for God and outside for people. Stay close to God in prayer, in private. Then, be loving and caring to the people around you as you reflect on what God has done for you inside.
Fit for Work
Learn to work. Learn where to work. Know the benefits of work.
Yes, a job pays for work. However, they only pay well for those who work well.
Notice I did not say work hard and long hours. Work smart, with a healthy mind looking for better ways to work.
Good health habits, like exercise and eating well, will lead to more energy and help you get enough rest to be alert on the job. That will help to keep you in a job longer.
Technology changes and you will need to change with it. That will require more learning and a healthy mind to endure the changes.
Fit for the Future
Health issues accumulate unless you address them. Blood sugar levels, cholesterol, joint pain, cataracts, hearing loss, skin blemishes (potential skin cancer), and the list goes on. Just ask your grandma, unless you are the grandma and already know, firsthand!
Learn to read your body. Look yourself over. Ask yourself how you feel. Do you have pains, if so, where? Are they getting better or worse? Are you talking to your doctor? No one knows you like you know you. Ask questions and find out what to do about it.
Your effort to stay healthy will not be easy. But it will be worth it. You will carry your body into retirement. And, I do not want to hear you say, “If I had known that I would live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.”
I want you to plan on living long. Take the time to learn how and make the effort to exercise and eat well and you will live long and well, after retirement.
And be able to enjoy it!
Others Depend on Your Health
Hopefully, you have friends and family who like and want you to be around. They depend on your help, your conversation, or your income.
That should be reason enough to work on your health. And, yes, it is work.
Most advertising relates to making your life easier, more comfortable. Then, I come along and say to exercise and plan your meals.
The benefits of exercise will far outweigh any sore muscles along the way. Your body will function better, and you will enjoy life more. Your family will like your energy and your good attitude. Your employer will appreciate your willingness to work and do a good job.
And, if you marry well, your spouse will be glad to have you around for many years of enjoyment in retirement!