Be Healthy First and Foremost

It is so critically important that you take stewardship over your health so that you can simply be healthy. God wants you to be your absolute best and to take care of yourself. It is more important that you be healthy.

That does not mean that you should not look your best. I just want you to remember that as people we come in a million different sizes and shapes. Just because maybe you are not as thin as you wish does not mean that you have to look any less than your best.

As you continue to exercise, your physical body will change. Remember that absolutely everyone has something that they wish they can change. Don't get beguiled into believing that there are some that think they are perfect from head to toe.

As your body begins to change, you will want to continue to exercise even that much more. However, the real benefit and what really matters is what is happening on the inside with your health in terms of your heart, cholesterol, metabolism etc.

Just whatever you do make sure that you continue your exercise program and food intake program. Remember that Psalms 139:14 says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God did not err when he created you. Check out this great resource by Joyce Meyer.

Exercise And Eating Right Is About Your Health

There are so many different types of diseases that the risk greatly increases because of being overweight and poor nutrition. It really is quite simple the way that you treat your body is the way your body will treat you.

You continually put in junk, then you raise your risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. If you are continually lazy and do not exercise you open the door to be overweight, which puts extra pressure on your organs.

Make a decision before God that you will begin to eat better and to exercise. If for no other reason do it so that you can live longer and more healthy. Take care of yourself physically and you will feel better about your life spiritually, mentally and emotionally.

If you don't take care of yourself, then neither can anyone else. Learn to make small modifications and take small victories at a time, but make the decision to eat right and exercise.

Check out the audio

Put Down the Salt Shaker

Salt is something that is overly consumed as a nation. It is in our foods in astronomical amounts. It is a perservative that is put in foods during the manufacturing process. Anything that has a expiration date that seems like 'forever'. Take time to learn the truth about food in Jill Fullerton's book Truth About Food

Take the time to read labels. Anything with sodium is also salt. Salt in 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Although some salt is required for our bodies to function, as a nation we eat way too much salt. Salt and sodium greatly increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Daily intake of sodium should not exceed 2400 miligrams which is about 1 teaspoon. We get this already in the foods that we eat. Processed foods are notorious for having large quantities of salt.

We can lower our salt intake and still bring out the flavor by the following these basic guidelines.
1. Use fresh ingredients.
2. Choose low sodium.
3. Stop putting salt in the pot when cooking pasta
4. Use fresh meat.
5. Choose fresh chicken and turkey.
6. Use lower and reduced sodium cheeses.
7. Use no salt canned vegetables and soups.
8. Use hot and cold cereals low in sodium.
9. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables.
10. Use herbs, spices, garlic, onion powder, and other seasonings.

So get rid of your salt shaker, try your food first and re think your usage of salt and sodium in order to reduce your risk for high blood pressure and hypertension.

Stroke Prevention

We all know that strokes devastate many people and prevention is key. The risk factors of stroke include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity and being over weight.Check out this blood pressure monitor so that you can keep track of your blood pressure at home.

We all know that high cholesterol and blood pressure have a lot to do with family history and how much we exercise. However, it also has a lot to do with our food intake. Often times before our doctor will prescribe medication they will inquire on our eating and exercise habits.

It is up to you to go to the doctor on a regular basis to properly screen and test for these risk factors. You must be proactive and know your levels. Not paying attention to them can put you at high risk for diseases such as stroke.

This is the core reason, that I continue to write these articles. I am flat out tired of people not being healthy and neglecting to take care of themselves. Take notice of changes in your temple and report them to your doctor.