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I generally leave religion out of any health topics because for some reason it is very polarizing. But, this church story doesn’t have anything to do with religion.

I was sitting in church last Sunday and the pastor was a guest from St. George. He was having a fun time teasing the congregation about it being 40 degrees colder here in Salt Lake.

Now you might be thinking there was an actual explosion, but that would have made national news. This is a figurative explosion, and it was my head.

I go to church most Sundays and I go probably for a similar reason that you might go. There is just that wonderful peace and mental clarity that sweeps over me. I really like it when there are guest speakers, because there are often those little jewels of information that can dramatically alter your life in an instant.

Last Sunday, he had my full attention because he was talking about health in a indirect way. Some of the concepts for a good life can benefit you and your journey to be healthier.

Attention: Brief blog intermission here…

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There is a natural law that does NOT bend. Nature and God have set the boundaries and the rules to play by. Like other laws, you either play by the rules or pay the price. Don’t complain if you get caught.

It is the difference of having a meal of meats, fruit, and veggies versus a processed meal in a box or a can. It is the difference of having eggs in the morning versus a bowl of fruity cereal. It is the difference between eating organic versus non-organic. It is the difference in taking Wheat Germ Oil for vitamin E versus 400 I.U. of alpha-tocopherol for vitamin E.

Have you ever noticed…

…people naturally gravitate towards nature, like the mountains or the oceans. I know I do. I love living by the mountains and vacationing by the ocean. Who goes on vacation to a corn field?

I have also noticed this unrealistic resistance of people trying really hard not to let their bodies experience the wonders of nature.

This is where my head exploded in church

As the pastor was talking about saying “no” to sin, and the more times you do it, the easier it is and the more strength and power you have.

Here is the lesson within the lesson. If you apply the the same principle to your diet, it will become easier and easier. In the beginning it is really hard. But, so is any new habit or skill. As you practice you get better and better. It is called consciously incompetent. (Meaning you know enough to realize you need to learn a lot more).

The great thing is that once you become an active participant in your health and stop letting your friends or TV marketers rule your body it gets easier and easier. Eventually you become unconsciously competent. (Meaning you act in the appropriate way with out having to think about what you are doing.)

Ninja Health Skills at their best

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Catch yourself. If you hear yourself saying “I can’t do it!” It is really just a statement that you aren’t committed to do the hard work necessary. This is really the fundamental problem with health in this country.

You can do it, and you must do it, if you want to grow old gracefully.

It is a process of time.

Your life moves forward whether you like it or not. Time never stops. You will get old and die. Me, personally, I want to be waterskiing at 100 years old and enjoying hikes through the mountains. You might be thinking, “that’s not possible!”

If that is part of your vocabulary, you’ll really like the book “The Blue Zones” I’ve been in Dan Buetner’s lectures and seen the guy who was waterskiing at 100.

But, I can guarantee you, if you want to be playing with your great grandkids and goofing off when you are older rather than sitting in a much more depressing place, then following the natural way is a necessity.

How you use time is up to you. But, if you desire to grow old gracefully here are some basics.

#1 Use a chiropractor at least once a month. When your joints move freely, so do you. Also, when your nerves can send the messages around your body without hesitation or delay, your body performs all of its functions better.

#2 Drink mostly water. Every cell in your body needs water. Soda drinks rob you of life, period. These are incredibly difficult to give up. The best way, is to NOT buy them and don’t keep any soda in your house. If it is in your house, you will cave and drink it.

#3 Get some regular exercise. This isn’t new, but a good reminder to get back into a workout program, or just walk to work. It is better to be consistent with something. Couch potatoes don’t live to 100 easily.

#4 Cook more at home with real live ingredients. A box of this and a box of that doesn’t cut it. Try some really easy, basic recipes.

I got all this from a 30 minute lecture from the pulpit plus even more, but I’ll bring those other gems to you at another time.

-”Grow old gracefully”,
Dr. Altman

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