Feeling Healthy: Is the effort worth it?

Each day, I hear how difficult it is for individuals to focus on their eating and exercise plan. Fatigue gets in the way. Work gets in the way. Planning meals seems "too difficult". Documenting our eating seems "too difficult", or "we don't have time". The process of being healthy for many seems "just too difficult to maintain for any length of time."

But have you ever considered the consequences? Recently, while in Vancouver, I unexpectedly came into contact with a rather nasty Norwalk Virus. I was left very dehydrated and weak the following day. This was a horrible feeling.....to be dependent on others to make broth, go out and buy Gatorade, prepare toast. Basically, I felt useless. However, within 24 hrs, after much salt and fluid I felt ‘alive' again. I went for a glorious 1 hour easy bike ride to Stanley Park, enjoying the ocean the trees and watching the people. No longer was I an invalid, lying around on the couch waiting for my next ‘feeding'. It was on that ride that I realized how important it is to be healthy.

To a great extent, our health is in our own hands. Don't wait for diabetes to happen. Don't wait for your joints to develop arthritis, don't accept fatigue and stress as being part of the human existence.

You see, if all we do is eat nutritiously and truly watch our portions, we will all feel more energetic. If we then add in regular activity, our quality of life will improve immensely. Energy will soar. Self esteem will soar. Personal relationships will improve. With these results in mind, how difficult is it to plan out what you are going to eat tomorrow or when you will fit in that 30 minute walk? (yes, you do have time) Does it really take that long to document your food? (If you don't, you don't really have any idea of how much you ate, when you ate, or if you had some slips but just forgot).

Our health is so precious and our society seems to steer us toward food, TV and computers. This only results in low energy levels, no muscle strength, no physical endurance and basically no pleasures other than those dictated by Hollywood. It's time you set out on your own path to health. Don't turn 50 and discover that you aren't able to travel, ride a bike or go for a walk.

I guess a lot of what I'm trying to say is ‘what is your perception of health?' Is it being able to walk without shortness of breath or joint pain? Is it fitting into a smaller pair of pants? Is it feeling good about yourself when you look in the mirror? (I don't mean Hollywood thin, just the fact that you made an effort and you are looking at a smaller version than what you were) Is it fewer trips to the doctor for a diabetic or blood pressure check? Is it just finally saying "I did it"? Is it walking in next spring's 10 km walk at the National Capital marathon, knowing that you never thought you could do it?

Think about it. Your health is important. There is nothing that is more important than our health, both now and in the future. Yes it takes mental work and physical work, but the benefits are huge. Be prepared to do whatever it takes until you feel good about yourself. Be prepared for setbacks - this is normal. Most importantly look to the future. How do you want to feel and look in 1 year? 10 years?

Doing nothing is not an option.You can do it. Just hang in there. Don't ever give up trying.

Dr Doug