The national health and nutrition survey calculates that as of year 2000, 64 percent of American adults were either over weight or obese. This should come as no surprise when you look at the portions being served in restaurants.
To be healthy and stay in the proper weight and body mass index (BMI) is a life long commitment. We have included a BMI chart here, and it is very simple to use. Find your height in the left vertical column and go across the table until you reach your weight. Where those two intersect is your BMI. This is the accurate estimate of the amount of your body fat. The ideal BMI is between 19 and 24; overweight is between 25 and 30; obese is anything over 30.
Waist circumference is also very important; it signifies abdominal fat. Your health is at risk if your waist circumference is 32 inches or more for women and 37 inches or more for men. A measurement of 35 inches or more for women and 40 inches plus for men puts you at high risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Some Easy Steps Toward A Healthy Lifestyle
Take small baby steps every day to reach your goal of health and weight. Do not go shopping on an empty stomach.
“Early to bed and early to rise makes you healthy, wealthy and wise.” Get up at 5AM, go out in the yard or open up a window (weather permitting of course - not a good idea in January/February in Chicago) and take deep breaths for 15-20 minutes to fill up your lungs with fresh morning oxygen.
Thank the Lord for waking you up, for food and shelter, and ask for a safe, productive and great day. You must always wake up with a positive attitude, a smile on your face and implant positive thoughts for every negative thought.
The best time to exercise is in the morning as it sets the pace for your metabolism for the day. Drink two glasses of cold water with lemon and work out for 60 minutes every day. I divide the time in cardio and resistance exercises equally. This is difficult to do, but to be healthy you have to develop a discipline of regular exercise and healthy eating.
Dress up and put on make-up for a beautiful smile, walk straight with chest out and abdomen in. Walk with confident steps and with your chin up. Greet everybody with a genuine smile and a firm (not bone crushing) hand shake. (Life is too short to be a sour puss.) Keep moving all day to keep your metabolism active. Take stairs instead of elevators, park your car far from the crowd (the car will be safer and you will have the opportunity to walk and burn more calories).
Laughter is also a great healthy medicine. A new study found that laughter triggers the release of nitricoxide which relaxes blood vessels and improves the blood flow. Join a laughter club or find a way to laugh at least 15 minutes per day. (I like to watch Everybody Loves Raymond to take the day's stress out.)
A massage is relaxing as well as great for your body, skin and health. You must find time to get a relaxing massage at least 2 times a month. Social bonding is good for health. Make friends, and talk to family, friends, or relatives at least once a day. Pick up the phone and talk, or take your dog out for a walk and converse with neighbors.
Eat 3 meals and 3 snacks every day. Take a brisk 30 minute walk after dinner. Most important of all is to get good nights sleep. Read a nice book rather than television.
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