"He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has
everything." -Arabian Proverb
1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb
stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators.
Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the
lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool,
it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It
doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance
class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to
it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha
. Then
do it!
2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty
meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy
products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be
eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise,
margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts.
Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter,
fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean,
fat-burning machine
. Then be one!
3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the
Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health,
Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that
kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents
and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars
in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children
of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers.
Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette
. the next
one.
4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some
techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts.
Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a
hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a
friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny
movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten
before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult
people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think
pink clouds
.then float on them.
5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid
smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes
and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the
smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air
quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good
pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day:
'Smoke gets in your eyes'
and your mouth, and your nose and your
lungs as do pollutants
.hum the tune daily.
