Why have I allowed myself to get into this shape? Have you ever said that? With life comes responsibility and with decisions comes consequences. Its your choice today to do something positive. Tomorrow it may be out of your hands. There are three underlying emotions that keep you from taking better care of yourself: denial, pride, and laziness. Consciously or subconsciously, this threesome is the root of why most Americans have allowed themselves to get in the shape they are in. Are you one of them? Chances are sooner or later one or all three will be riding with you in the car to the hospital. Have you found yourself saying these things? My diet is not that bad. A few trips to the fast food joint once in awhile wont hurt. My blood pressure is fine today. It wouldnt hurt if I skipped a day of taking my medication. My New Years resolution next month is to get in better shape. Why have I let myself get this out of shape? DENIAL It wont happen to meno way, no how! Unfortunately, it is what we cannot see that is killing us. Our insides are getting eaten away because of our lack of exercise and poor eating habits. Society is so concerned with extreme makeover television shows that we have been caught off guard with the silent killers: heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Even if the outside looks good, the damage is still done inside our bodies. Over time we have made ourselves feel comfortable with certain lifestyle habits. We overlook the long-term consequences of our behaviors. We see things going on around us, but we continue to put off exercise and eating better for another day. Out of the three, Denial is the sneakiest beast of them all. PRIDE Do not let them see you sweat or show any signs of weakness. Ever find yourself saying one of these? If I cannot do it on my own, then I will not do it at all. Just the very fact of having to take better care of me, irritates me. Ill put off my check up until next fall. Ever have any of these thoughts? Denials brother, Pride, may not be the sneakiest, but he is the strongest personality of the boys. Having too much pride costs millions of lives every year in any arena you can imagine, especially in health and the aging process. While pride may be the strongest emotion out of the three, he always seems to lose. His ego gets the best of him and aging finally wins out in the end. LAZINESS Ill start tomorrow on my exercise program. Exercise and eating right takes discipline, and planning. For some, thats too much to ask. If thats you, you may be missing out on a really wonderful healthy quality filled life. But, does that really matter to you? Why is America the fattest nation in the world? Laziness! Its just that simple. If you think a pill, surgery, or wishful thinking is going to replace hard work you have been HAD by the media. It takes hard consistent work. Having Lazy as a friend may cost you your life someday. Why are most countries healthier and thinner than us? They are more active and more resourceful. One out of three of you will break a bone. Half of you are on the verge of obesity and diabetes. A third of you will suffer a heart attack. Half of you will end up in a nursing home. And most of you are not living a life filled with confidence, good sleeping patterns, high energy or happiness. Why now? You tell mewhy not now? Do the math! Numbers do not lie. You either accept the road less traveled or you face the consequences. Its just that simple. This may resemble a scare tactic, but the bottom line is this is the reality. You either pay the price now by putting in some effort and time, or you pay the doctor bill later. If you think for one second you are exempt, above reproach, or just relying on luck or faith, think again. Your best defense is a good offense. Why now? Denial, Pride and Lazy will always creep in to make you miserable. |
