We are told we should establish good dietary habits and exercise regularly, all in the interest of good health. At some point, many of us will take the initiative to make these lifestyle changes. For a while, the effort to eat a healthful diet and exercise seem worth while. Then, some of us question why we even bother with these new lifestyle habits. One frequent conclusion is that “I don’t have time for this.”

We will make time for things that are a priority to us. We will make time to maintain our cars so they can take us from point A to point B. We will make time to maintain our homes so they look nice and are comfortable to live in. There is no arguing that we need our cars to get to work and we need a place to live. However, we often take our good health for granted. Without good health, we will not be able to earn a paycheck. Without that paycheck, we cannot afford to fix our cars, maintain our homes, or purchase the needs and wants that make our life pleasurable. As long as we feel good, then, we assume, there must be no reason to put any time into our health.

The body is very resilient and it can take a fair amount of neglect. If neglected long enough, our bodies will send us a message that our health is no longer in need of maintenance, but that repair is essential. Good health just doesn’t take care of itself, and it is most often lost by assuming that it will. Many lifestyle habits are the foundation to good health and the quality of life. Sound dietary habits and exercise are a big part of that foundation.

Physicians and other health professionals cannot keep us healthy. They can give us the tools necessary to get our health back when an illness strikes, but we are the ones who must put the plan into action. That same reasoning also applies to keeping us healthy. We are becoming more health conscious and are focusing on prevention. That means we must put some time and effort into our health. For some of us, finding time to eat right and exercise can be a challenge. Anything that is worth while will require some effort and time from us. Isn’t our health worth the time and effort? After all, we only have one body. We cannot go out and buy another one.

Copyright© 1999-2006 Kevin Kelly, LRD. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.

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