Would you make changes to your lifestyle NOW if you knew you would live longer and better?
Did you know that the 4 major causes of death in the US are mostly preventable? That’s right, around 80% of deaths from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer can be prevented! How long and how well do you want to live?
First thing, stop smoking. You know that smoking is bad for you. Cigarettes lower your body’s ability to function properly. Don’t take my word for it – read up on it at the American Lung Society’s website http://www.lungusa.org/stop-smoking/ and the American Cancer Society’s site http://www.cancer.org/. This one change could be the most important thing you ever do. And one of the toughest.
Next, you might need to shed some extra weight. Being overweight may make you more susceptible to certain cancers as well as increasing your risk of diabetes. Being overweight puts extra stress on your joints and increases your risk factors for a lot of other health problems. Start slowly – try to lose just 10 pounds.
Drink plenty of good, clean water (here’s one option bit.ly/9gz7ts). Toxins get stored along with your fat cells, so as you lose weight (hopefully just fat and not muscle) you also release these toxins back into your system. Water will help flush them out. Not having enough water affects you in many ways – ability to concentrate, feeling hungry when you are really thirsty, lack of energy, etc.
Get more active. Exercise has a lot of benefits and it actually gives you more energy. Increasing your activity level reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and yes, even cancer! Walk, bike, dance, find something that gets you moving!
If you have existing conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, manage them closely. Keep your body as strong as it can be. Read more at the American Diabetes Association’s web site http://www.diabetes.org/.
Improve your diet. Eat less saturated fats and more grains, fruits, and vegetables. I know you have heard this before! Read more at the American Heart Association’s website http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/. Try to buy organic food whenever you can. Pesticides and hormones added to food can cause problems of their own. Read more at the Environmental Working Group’s web site http://www.ewg.org/ourfood.
Get your cholesterol levels down; the bad cholesterol that is. You can do this naturally with an FDA approved product bit.ly/aV4CE8. Oddly enough, alfalfa can help clean out the plaque build-up in your arteries. Watch your sodium intake too.
Your goal is to be as healthy as you can be so your body can ward off attacks. Imagine not getting sick in the first place. That’s easier on your wallet for one thing, which will likely reduce some stress. It also beats getting sick and then fighting to get better. Prevention is the key! If you don’t believe me, read more about the spread of a new germ that is resistant to antibiotics – you don’t want to catch this one: http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/medical/2010-09-17-1Asuperbug17_ST_N.htm.
Eliminate toxic exposures in the home. It makes sense, when you stop to think about it, that spraying cleaners with toxic chemicals in them all over your home, day after day, year after year, is going to have an affect on your health. Don’t think you use any products with toxic chemicals? Go to the National Institutes of Health website http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm and look up your favorite cleaners. Odds are, they are slowly poisoning you and your family. Use green, safe cleaners; here’s a sample of what I use bit.ly/awUEs1.
Have regular check-ups with your doctor. Take charge of your health. Keep on top of things. Early detection of a problem will help you get back on track.
Let’s sum it up. Quit smoking. Lose some weight. Eat well. Drink clean water. Exercise. Keep healthy (diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels well-managed). Go green with your cleaners. Take one step at a time and find yourself living a vibrant, long life!
