Volume 2 - Issue 3

How would you like to have a leaner, healthier and happier body? I’m sure most of you reading this would, but how many of you enjoy a life of motion? By enjoying a life of motion, I mean exercising regularly, i.e. walking, cycling, aerobics, weight lifting, rowing, running, skiing, racquetball, basketball, etc.

If you don’t exercise now, what’s stopping you? Not enough time? Exercise is boring? Not sure how to exercise? I’m sure there are a lot more excuses and/or questions, but just get started doing something active…your body will love you for it.

Did you know that mentally, if you are susceptible to stress, your body will be much better capable of dealing with stressful situations if you exercise regularly? I couldn’t have made it through eight years of college if I hadn’t exercised…the stress would have been too great!

Aside from fighting off the days stresses, exercise will help your body rid itself of toxins, increase metabolism, which in turn lowers cholesterol and lowers your chances of a heart attack and hardening of the arteries. Increased metabolism will also speed up the healing process of your body, it will burn fat more efficiently and increase your sexual desire and sexual appeal to your partner…Now that I’ve got your attention by mentioning sex, please continue to read on!

If low self-esteem is a problem, exercise is the best medicine. After following a regular regimen of exercise for a couple of weeks, you’ll like yourself sooo much more! Just think about fitting into those clothes buried in your closet that you’d love to wear again.

If your children exercise, exercise with them. If you have a dog, take if for a walk every morning and every evening. If you have a cat, buy a dog, or pretend to be looking for it as you walk around your neighborhood several times. If your spouse exercises, exercise with him/her or drag them out with you if they don’t exercise. Just exercise.

As I’m sure you’re all aware, there are no quick fixes to replace the healthful benefits of exercise. You don’t have to rush out and buy the latest fad TV exercise equipment that promises amazing results with 2 minutes a day, 3 days per week…they’re lying to you. Nothing is free…If you want a happy, healthy, exercised body, you have to work for it.

For any aerobic activity to be beneficial you need a minimum of twenty minutes of an elevated heart rate to gain a benefit; 5 minutes, 4 times per day will not benefit you like one 20 minute session of intensity!

Starting these healthful practices in our youth creates patterns or habits that are difficult to deviate from in adult-hood; if your kids don’t exercise, get them started immediately. A non-active child will more than likely grow-up to be a non-active adult. Lack of exercise leads to obesity which leads to heart disease, arterial disease, low back pain, knee pain/problems, foot pain/problems, and the list goes on.

Health is a constant and unyielding process, not a destination. Research has already shown that young athletic girls form stronger bones than those who are less energetic. Forming stronger bones in childhood has shown to carry the benefits all the way into that individuals "golden years," making them less likely to have osteoporosis. Are we generating a future society of fragile beings by not insisting on regular exercise?

Take charge of your life and the direction of your health…It’s easy if you follow a few simple rules.

1. Proper diet: consume and enjoy a natural diet (organic grains, vegetables and fruits). Don’t be too hard on yourself though; every so often splurge (just a little).
2. Proper exercise: if you’re not use to exercising, start out s-l-o-w-l-y at first, then work up to your goal. Try walking briskly for ten minutes, twice per day. As you feel your ready to progress, increase it by five minutes. Once you’re in shape aerobically, try incorporating some light weight lifting and then gradually increasing the weights you’re lifting. Your on your way to better health and a better life.
3. Proper rest: you should get enough sleep so that you feel rested; generally, the younger you are, the more sleep you require…this is when your body is growing!
4. Proper goal setting: no great mind every accomplished its’ greatness without a plan. Write down on paper how you are going to obtain this new wonderful body that you desire.
5. Proper nerve function: make sure all parts of your body get the signals they’re supposed to. You’re body can’t function properly or be 100% healthy if it’s not getting the proper messages from your brain. Check with your chiropractor on a regular basis to make sure everything is functioning properly. You can also review with him/her your plan for a healthier you…they may be able to give you some wonderful insight!