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A Better You
by Jo Ann
Fore
Healthy
for Life
I
don’t know that he was the first person who
said it, but Mickey Mantle knew what he was talking
about when he said, “If I had known I was going
to live this long, I’d have taken better care
of myself.”
It’s an ageless regret.
Lord Northington, Lord Chancellor of Great Britain
in 1765 was reported to say – when gout overtook
him -- “If I had known these legs of mine were
to carry a lord chancellor, I would have taken better
care of them when I was a lad.”
I’m
on a personal journey to recover my health. And,
in the midst of my difficult journey to healing,
I agree with both Mickey and Lord Northington.
Taking
care of our health is important. Michael Hyek, Ph.D.
explains that many of us fail to recognize the importance
of good health, until we lose it. “You know
that physical activity and exercise is important and
you should do it,” states Hyek. “The average
person can probably name ten things that they know,
or have heard, about the benefits (of good health);
yet it still doesn’t motivate them to take action.”
There
are countless reasons – excuses – why we
don’t take better care of ourselves. Have you
found yourself using any of these?
1. “I just
don’t have the time.”
With micro-managed
lives, we feel the pressure of trying to squeeze in
extra time to focus on our health; and usually opt
for the easy way out.
2. “It simply isn’t
convenient!”
Let’s face it – all
restaurants aren’t geared towards healthy eating.
Sometimes, it’s much easier to grab a burger
when you’re in a hurry than to scan a menu for
something that’s good for you.
3. “I just
don’t like the way healthy food tastes.”
We’ve
developed our own personal tastes, and trained our
appetite to appreciate only things that please our
senses, but usually these things are sweet or fattening.
4. “It
costs too much money.”
Healthy living
is an investment – weight loss plans, fitness
centers, healthy food, supplements, it all costs money – and
we don’t want to spend the extra money.
But
the benefits of living an active, healthy, and energized
life far outweigh the excuses. Besides, not taking
care of ourselves catches up to us. Our body tells
on us. Mine is telling on me now. Years of neglecting
my physical and nutritional needs have taken its toll
on my body. I truly wish I’d taken better care
of the legs that now carry me.
I
had two common surgeries this past year: Gall bladder
surgery in January and a hysterectomy in February.
Unfortunately, my recovery wasn’t common. I
suffered nerve pain that wouldn’t
go away. I sought medical advice from eight different
physicians, and was treated at four different hospitals
in less than a year. My lifestyle changed dramatically.
Previously a multi-tasking, energetic dynamo, I now
spent most of my time at home, or at the doctor’s
office.
We
eventually discovered the culprit: Scar tissue with
an entrapped nerve. However, a major problem evolved
when my body couldn’t withstand the physical
therapy needed to release the scar tissue. Each time
we began treatment on it, the debilitating pain flared
up again. Digging deeper for answers, we ascertained
gross nutritional deficiencies that required attention.
The
good news: It’s never too late to start taking
better care of yourself. It’s taking me a lot
longer than those healthier than me, but I will recover.
My body will heal. And one of the most important factors
in my healing journey is going beyond the normal efforts
of trying to eat better, getting in some exercising,
and getting adequate rest. I found a doctor who is
willing to address more than my basic lab results.
One who believes that nutrition is a cornerstone to
good health. My doctor has pioneered innovative techniques
in functional neuroscience and is involved in producing
valuable research in the healing of profound neurological
problems.
Yet,
it took some time to find a doctor of this caliber.
It also took energy, and yes, money. These are some
of the same reasons – excuses – I
used to not take care of myself along the way: Time,
energy and money. Oh how I wish I hadn’t allowed
the loss of my health to be my motivator in overcoming
the excuses to take better care of myself.
Let’s
face it, we are living longer. It’s time now
to start taking better care of ourselves.
Jo
Ann Fore welcomes your comments about this article or suggestions
for material you would like to see in future articles.
Email her at: JoAnnFore@msn.com. A
Better You is published every Saturday.
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