When we bring up the subject of being healthy, the first thing we usually think of is our diet. While this is something we surely need to put our emphasis on, it is not the only health issue we need to be concerned about.

Actually I believe there are approximately six health issues we need to be concerned about. I will review each of those and indicate the importance of each of them.

1. Diet – It seems that the U.S. population in general doesn't really know what a healthy diet is and many of them are not as concerned as they should be. Eating fast food and processed food seems to be the norm in America and here is why we have become one of the top sickest nations in the world.

Eating fresh vegetables and fresh fruits should be a major part of our regular daily diet. Frozen and processed vegetables and fruits should not be considered a healthy option.

When selecting meat as part of our diet it's important to switch from grain fed to grass fed meat. Every cell and every system of our bodies will function better when we eat products from animals raised on grass. It's not likely you will find this kind of meat in your local grocery. You will probably need to find it in an organic market.

2. Exercise – there are different opinions of what kind of exercise is best. Some sources encourage jogging, some believe a brisk walk is adequate and others believe it's best to join a YMCA or health club and do a variety of exercises.

Dr. William Campbell Douglas, II believes that the first way to keep your muscles strong later in life is to get moderate exercise. He is not talking about running yourself ragged five days a week. If you are over 65, all you really need is a long walk once daily, a half-mile out and a half-mile back.

He believes working your upper body you can purchase five-pound dumb bells and exercise with those. Squats and toe-ups will suffice for the lower body.

One thing that everyone recommends is no matter what kind of exercise program you chose; exercise in any form is better than no exercise at all.

3. Nutritional supplements – this subject becomes very controversial. A recent study released found vitamins chock full of antioxidants have no effect at all on patient's mortality risks, for good or otherwise.

As a matter of fact the study involving some 181,000 patients detected a higher risk of death among those taking vitamins. Many of these type studies done involved diseased populations with a variety of health issues, not healthy peo0ple who take vitamins to preserve and enhance their good health.

Mainstream medicine and Big Pharma are always throwing punches at vitamins because people are finding they work to enhance their health. They are beginning to realize that poisonous drugs are not the right answer anymore.

4. Stress Management – If you feel tired and stressed out, this is a common occurrence among many people. One of the most common problems doctors hear from their patients is that they feel fatigued, anxious or depressed.

Many have trouble sleeping even though they are exhausted. The underlying cause is "adrenal burnout." It's the result of racing through life with a constantly aroused nervous system.

There are many ways recommended to address this problem and it is important you find the best choice for you and it should not be drug related. That will only makes the problem worse.

I have found relaxing programs available on CD's or stretching and breathing programs have worked very well for me.

5. Weight management – Here is a subject that is becoming a national problem. A staggering 61% of American adults currently meet the scientific definition of obesity. And it's actually putting them at increased risk of heart disease, stroke, arthritis, depression and several forms of cancer.

Obesity rates among U.S. adults have gone up 30% since the late 1970's. Meanwhile, just one third of U.S. adults meet expert's recommendations for at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days per week.

You must adopt a healthy eating plan and adhere to it if you want to develop and maintain a healthy body. And of course a regular exercise program should be part of your plan,too.

It seems to me the real culprit here is that people love to have instant gratification when it comes to food. Which means if it taste good, no matter how healthy it is, they are going to eat it anyway.

My idea is, I want to be sure it's healthy first, then the next choice I make is it is also taste good, too. Take charge of your personal health before it takes charge of you. That's the best choice you will ever make for having a healthy body and extending your life for many more years.

To your good health,

Sonny Julius

Sonnyj@theSunnySenior.com

www.AHealthyLifeForSure.com