Wednesday, July 27, 2011

My Goals for Leading a Healthy Life

The older I get the more I realize how important it is to try and stay healthy. I have always been somewhat aware of foods that are not good for you and I have always known that exercise can improve one’s health. This realization really hit home after I had two brothers to have heart attacks. I knew at that time that I needed to make some changes as far as my health was concerned that would help me not only feel better but improve my quality of life in the future. I also knew if I wanted to keep fishing two and three days a week I needed to stay fit to the point where I could last the better part of a day on a stream wading or sitting in a boat casting most of the day. So I decided four years ago to accomplish a number of goals each day.
The first thing I did was to set up an exercise routine. This is something I do three times a week, usually 1 ½ hour, of cardio and light weights at our local gym. This not only helps me stay fit but it also gives me a chance to converse with some of the locals. Most of the time the conversations centers around football or fishing which of course I love to talk about.
I try to eat three healthy meals a day, especially at breakfast. I have read that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Lunch and dinner consist of low cal foods with a heavy portion of veggies. Substitute fruits for sweets and no carbonated drinks. When I say “no” I do break the rule once in a while, but not often. My wife and I stay away from heavy fat foods and eat very little red meat. In other words, this would be a boring buffet for some.
Keep stress levels to a minimum. Try not to let certain things bother you to the point you lay awake at night and dwell on it. Use exercise to relieve stress, and another way to relieve stress for me is to go fishing. I do know when I am on the water nothing else matters but landing that fish.
Stay in touch with your body, in other words, know your blood pressure and cholesterol, have it checked at least every three months if you are on medication. For all of us guys know your PSA reading to combat prostate cancer. I had a brother to die of Colin Cancer, some years ago so I make it a point to have a colonoscopy once every five years. Take a baby aspirin once a day, because this can help prevent a heart attack and stroke.
Make sure you get enough sleep. Some individuals don’t require as much sleep as others, for me 8 hours is plenty to keep me going strong the next day.
As I told you my wife and I break the rules sometimes when we are eating out and on a trip. I know that living healthy is harder to do if your wife and you as a husband are not willing to follow a healthy lifestyle.  My wife has been a big reason I have stuck to this plan because she cooks healthy meals and we both go to the gym together. In other words, we have each other as a support person. I guess I could say I have been blessed with a great lady, who is not only my wife but my best friend. Feel free to add your own suggestions for living healthy.

13 comments:

  1. That last paragraph may hold the most important ingredient of all...good relationships.

    Great post, keep it up!

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  2. I quickly realized you were living a healthy lifestyle when we went fishing together. Maybe I can get you to drink a Coke to celebrate catching a big ol' Spot sometime this fall. My only thoughts for eating healthy is to eat a wide variety of different foods... be adventurous, because you never know what positive effects you may be missing from different vitamins and other nutrients if you don't eat certain things.

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  3. Jay
    I do break the rules sometimes, but as I stated in the post, not often. As for cokes you will be surprised to know I drink a regular coke with my brother the other day while were crappie fishing, of course he didn't have water in the cooler. I will be making a trip to Bear Creek to wade with my nephew in three weeks. If you are interested just let me know.

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  4. Jeff
    I only wish I started doing this early in life. I played all sports in high school which is one thing that kept me fit and even on into college, but once you get married and settle down jobs and life in general take over.

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  5. EMB
    I agree with you, I know I am one lucky guy.

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  6. Really good advice, something we should all think about as we go through our days.

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  7. Sanders
    I guess it all gets down to will power, if one has will they can do this, without paying someone to help you lose the weight and stay in shape.

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  8. Let me know when, and which Bear Creek... I think there are a few with that name in our region.

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  9. Stellar post Bill. Great advice on all points.

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  10. Great advice and you learn something new everyday'

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  11. Ty
    Let's hope that more individuals get into the healthly life style mode. thanks for the comment

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  12. Troutdawg
    I am still learning about a healthly lifestyle myself. I think the key is the have the will power to stick to it. Thanks for the comment

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