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By Willie Brown
I recently had a birthday, and my doctor was impressed with results of my physical exam. While I was happy with the report, I must say my state of health had more to do with a lifetime of building good habits than any amount of luck.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am an advocate of working out, and have done so consistently for decades. Despite my busy schedule, travelling and the stress that comes with running a business, I have managed to avoid some of the chronic health conditions experienced by friends and family around my age.
We all know people, or we may have direct experience with a sudden illness, such as a stroke, heart disease or diabetes. One minute, you’re fine. The next, you or someone you know is being rushed to ER.
But medical emergencies don’t usually happen out of the blue. A lot of “sudden” illnesses are the result of bad habits, persisted in, over time.
Now that the weather is getting warmer, it’s a perfect time to get outside move your body more. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise there is. Just about everyone can do it and it doesn’t require any money or special equipment. Being out in the sun for even a short amount of time will increase your Vitamin D, which is good for strengthening bones and teeth.
When it comes to staying healthy and maintaining a busy lifestyle, building consistent good habits is the key. Good habits build you up, bad habits break you down.
It doesn’t require a lot of work, but you need to be patient with yourself and organized. A few hours a week can make a world of difference. Here is what has worked for me.
Have consistent meal times. If you’re used to skipping meals, start by scheduling meals in your calendar. If you take your lunch to work, make it the night before. If you plan to cook dinner, take meat out of the freezer so it will be thawed when it’s time to cook. Ideally, cook a few meals at a time and reheat at your convenience.
Make it easier to stay hydrated. Give yourself a visual reminder by filling your water bottle first thing in the morning or the last thing at night. Keep a water bottle by your bed or in your backpack so you don’t have to think about it.
Stock up on supplements. Eating fast food or skipping meals deprives you of vital nutrients. This is where vitamins, minerals and herbs come in. Don’t rely on food alone. Follow up with supplements. Again, put them where you can find them—by your bed, near your coffee maker, or wherever you are likely to remember to take them.
Schedule workouts. Look at your daily routine and figure out the best time to fit in a walk or session at the gym. Decide how many days a week you can work out, and for how long. The most important thing is that you get started.
No matter how young or old you are, it’s never too late to start improving your health. It’s an investment that will pay you back in ways that cannot be measured.
To your health!
