Why Your Health Is Your Wealth

Everyone wants to live a long life. 100,120 or more. is it possible? With better healthcare and scientific discoveries and development, like stemcells for regeneration, anything is possible.

There are places in Japan where living to be 100 years old is the most natural event in life. These lovely people live on organic food, like soy (tofu) and lead an almost stress-free lives. They are happy and content. How many of us can actually get to that level?

We can actually start by taking a step back and assess our current lifestyle and ask ourselves; have I reached the level that I want to be? Have I done half the things that I planned to do while I was in my idealistic youth? Or has time passed by and I don't remember doing anything worthwhile?

Just imagine that you have found a way to live to 100 years old. Chances are, you are plagued with brittle bones, have numerous cardiovascular diseases, have diabetes, can't walk and are bedridden, lost 50% of your sight and drool constantly. Your children or grandchildren have to take care of you 24/7 and spend thousands of dollars of medical care just to keep you alive. Or worse, send you to an old folks home. Based on this scenario, I'd rather not live that long! It's not a pretty picture but that IS the reality of it.

Many of us have good intentions to improve our lives. Some of us start off the new year with a new resolution to eat better (you can't start healthy eating at the end of the year-there are too many temptations!) Maybe we even decide to join a gym and hire a personal trainer. How many of us actually accomplish all that we set out to do? 85% will fall off the wagon after a month. Are we over-estimating our ability? I think so.

Desire is the strongest motivation there is. With desire comes motivation. Along with motivation is determination and commitment. If you have these four elements, you are on the right track. Tomorrow, I'll talk a little about how we can go about improving our health meter gently and realistically without shocking our body into resistance. We'll also talk about the most important aspect of changing our life - the Little Voice Management.

Why Do People Fail?

This is a famous quote: "When You Fail To Plan, You Plan To Fail". If we use improving health as an example, many of us start off with a bang with high hopes and renewed vigor only to crash when expectations are not met and results come to a halt. Planning big comes with small steps. You can't get from point A to B if you don't have a roadmap. Consider the following:

1) What is the overall goal to be accomplished within 6 months? Make it realistic. If you have 50 lbs to lose, break it down to losing 1lb a week. This translates to 24-30lbs in 6 months. Be patient. The faster the weight loss, the faster it will creep back.

2) Plan your goal on a monthly basis. If you would love to complete a marathon without collapsing and you can't even run up a flight of stairs, start with a slow jog or fast walk in the park for half hour. Increase the distance (maybe 1/2 a mile) when your stamina has improved. Only you will know and only your body will tell you. Listen to it. Many of us dismiss little signs that are important to our well-being.

3) Break it down further to weekly goals. If, for instance, you want to increase your water intake by the end of this week, don't aim for 8 glasses if you have only managed 2 glasses a day! Water is not easy to gulp down in large quantities if you are not accustomed to it. Not to mention the side effects of going to the loo every few hours. Take smaller steps. Your body will adjust gently and the transition will be easier.

4) Allow for slip ups. Let's face it. We ALL fall of the wagon sometimes. The important thing is not to beat yourself silly if you do. For instance, you have decided to eat 5 smaller and more nutritious meals a day, instead of the normal 3 meals and 2 unhealthy snacks. If you slip up on one meal, don't use it as an excuse to blow the whole plan. Don't drastically cut back on the next meal either. Just continue as planned and if you still feel guilty, just add another 10 minutes to your workout plan. Consistency is the key.

5) Say "No" to your loved ones. Some people abhor change, especially if it affects their lifestyle or those around them. Of course, your family and friends may have good intentions but subconsciously they may also try to sabotage your efforts to change and urge you to have that piece of cake or beer and not to be such a "stick-in-the-mud". Politely say no thanks, have your orange juice or low fat yogurt and change the subject. Or better yet, change your friends.

6) Be aware of The Little Voice. This is your conscience speaking. Or the devil within. Whatever you may call it, it's that little whiny squeak that tells you you are "not strong enough" or "have that chocolate fudge sundae. Nobody's looking". You know what I mean. Most of us are not even aware this voice exists! Well it does and it's there to sabotage your every effort unless you learn to control it. Next time, when it speaks, be aware of its existence. Before you complete the sentence "I don't think I can...... (change the word 'resist') eat that yucky lard-laden fried chicken. It's disgusting!".

7) Love yourself. It sounds simple but is it easy to do? I've seen people who can't even utter these words "I love me." It's not selfish. It's a necessity for one's self esteem and well being. If you are a mother, you know what I'm talking about. Taking care of your children and your husband's need will be the top of your priority. Let's not forget the house needing to be spotless and being the perfect hostess to your husband's business guests. When you put yourself last, your self-worth takes a plunge and it will reflect in all parts of your life. Your children will be the first to tell you that.

8) Release your inner child. Sound likes something from a Tony Robbins seminar but it's true! When we grow up, life takes over. Our career, family, our home, did I mention career? I won't tell you to stop and smell the roses but I will tell you it's okay to join your kids on the swing at the park and laugh at yourself every now and then. And smile at strangers. Not a sneer, a genuine happy smile. Don't expect a smile in return but if you do get one, be glad to know that you have given a reason to let someone else smile in return.

Don't let life take over. Take over life.