What do you do to stay healthy or fit?
By ilyzium
@ilyzium (1197)
Canada
December 12, 2009 11:44am CST
People that know me have said that I've always been a die hard gym rat and one of those obsessive people when it comes to staying fit. I however disagree. My theory is that we have just one life here on this planet, and one body so why wouldn't you want to take the best care of your body? Plus I like to take care of myself for me and for the hubby, because I like him to appreciate how I look. I eat a high fibre low fat diet, or Mediterranean I suppose with tons of fruit, veggies. I rarely eat fried food or sweets and try to eat foods in their "natural" state. I also drink several litres of water a day, take all my necessary supplements and vitamins. I also exercise 4-5 x/week and keep my weight at a healthy level. I also wear sunscreen daily and use skin creams. Especially now during the holidays, I'm trying to make sure that I get some extra exercise in so that I'll be less inclined to gain weight. I also try to remain happy and positive and avoid all negativity or negative people. How about you?
2 people like this
9 responses
@ilyzium (1197)
• Canada
12 Dec 09
Hey good for you that you jog every day, that's something you know. A lot of people out there don't ever exercise and are couch potatoes, so it could be a lot worse you know. I know my sister in law has never exercised a day in her life, well after she finished high school that is. She's overweight and just hates to sweat so that is her excuse.
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
12 Dec 09
When I belonged to a gym I was there all the time. I would try and join one close to my home so I didn't have the excuse that it was too far. When I first started going to an exercise class it was with a friend and we wouldn't go unless we had time to go eat after. I stuck with it (not the eating after part) and she didn't. Now I try to exercise at home every day. I don't belong to a gym anymore, and I don't think I could as I am now handicapped. I still try and exercise everyday to keep what muscles I have left flexible and I have to pull myself around with my arms a lot so I try to keep them strong. Also if I were to gain weight it would be harder on my arms and I can't afford to buy a new wardrobe. I really think I would be a lot worse if I wasn't in pretty good shape to begin with. The only thing you can do for a lot of diseases is exercise. I probably don't eat as well as I should. I love sweets but I do drink a lot of water.
@ilyzium (1197)
• Canada
12 Dec 09
Hello Cerebellum,
Well I'm glad that you're in good shape to begin with because if you weren't it would be a lot more tiring lugging your body weight around like that. And yes I can imagine that you get lots of upper body work with pulling your own body around. True, it's expensive to buy a new wardrobe so just keep up with what you're doing then. Ok, well at least you do drink lots of water as well. You know that's true that exercise is one of the top things you can do to avoid getting diseases, very true. I actually have an acquaintance of mine that keeps getting cancers back and forth, though she does manage to beat them every time. Anyway, the Doctors have said that she would be in much worse condition had she not been physically active and eating well before, so those two factors are crucial in staying healthy. Well I think those as well as staying positive, as hard as that can be at times. Have a nice day. :)
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
13 Dec 09
I have a friend that has been diagnosed with cancer a few times. This last time she had to have a masectomy (I'm not sure how to spell it) she doesn't get much formal exercise, but she skis a lot and that kind of thing. She does have a very good outlook though and I'm sure that helps a lot.
I have gone to therapy a few sessions and it helped for a little while. It was good if only to do something different. It also gives me different exercises to do instead of the same ones everyday. I do all the exercises that I did there, but they seemed to work better there.
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
16 Dec 09
First of all, one thing I am very careful about is not to take unhealthy food, things that increase blood pressure, for instance. Then, secondly, I try to do physical exercises as much as time permits. One of the ways I like is jogging outdoors, whenever the weather permits. Thirdly, here is a way I have found to be very helpful to keep healthy, that is "Yoga Meditation". I practise meditation every evening. It is very helpful for mental as well as physical health.
@ilyzium (1197)
• Canada
20 Dec 09
You have some interesting suggestions there. Yes it's important not to consume unhealthy foods, especially if hypertension runs in your family. I agree it's always good to do lots of exercise and being outdoors is always a bonus. I myself enjoy jogging outside too, though not when it's raining. Good for you about doing your yoga meditation. I've recently started doing meditation but it's not exactly "yoga", but yes meditation is very important for your mental health.
@reneh2o (87)
• United States
14 Dec 09
OK- let me tell you what I do to stay healthy..I don't exercise even though I know I should..but Ive made it through this cold season and even the swine flu in my family without getting sick..
This is what I take daily...cod liver oil, flaxseed oil and Vit D (highest mlg you can find or get at least 10 mins of sun each day).....Green tea every morning (the good kind from a place like Teavana) and if you even feel any kind of sickness coming on...raw crushsed garlic w/some juice until symptoms are gone..
I use to get sick all the time until i started this regimen about 6 months ago..plus Ive drpped 5 lbs! Everyone around me gets sick but me...trust me this works!!!
@ilyzium (1197)
• Canada
14 Dec 09
That's great that you've found a formula that works for you. I forgot to mention but I also take cod liver oil, flax seed oil, and vitamin D as well. So, do you mix your crushed raw garlic in juice? No that's very interesting that you've found something that really works and good for you for staying healthy.
@pentagan12 (757)
• Philippines
19 Dec 09
Health is really difficult to maintain but we have to. I always wanted to be very healthy but I am aware that some of my life styles are not good. I don't like vegetables but i, some times try my best to like it. At first it was really difficult but as time goes by, I have come to like some such as bitter gourd, eggplant, and beans. I am still trying to like some other vegetables little by little. I also don't exercise regularly but i know this is one way of keeping myself healthy. Drinking water at least 6-8 glasses a day is another way to make us healthy because it cleanses our body and it helps get rid of wastes inside our body. I sometimes drink less than 6 glasses of water a day which is not good but I am still working hard for it. These are only few among the things I wanted to do to make my immune system stronger and to make me a healthy person.
@ilyzium (1197)
• Canada
20 Dec 09
I think if you've always maintained a healthy lifestyle, or if the people around you are into healthy living, then it's much easier to adopt. I know most of my friends are all into that, my parents or other family members, not so much. They'll cook with organic ingredients and use lots of veggies, but they don't exercise and still eat too many refined foods. You know I've never tried bitter gourd? What does that taste like?
@johnmark25 (28)
• Philippines
15 Dec 09
enough sleep, regular exercise and proper diet which makes me healthy.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
12 Dec 09
ilyzium hi I do most of what you do but I am not getting the exercise I need to lose the weight i must lose. so my only'
New Years resolution is to lose fifty pounds so must exercise
and cut back on the starches too. I eat pretty healthy and drink plenty of water too.
@ilyzium (1197)
• Canada
12 Dec 09
Hey friend,
Well I think that losing weight is always one of the top New Years resolutions for many people, which is why gym memberships and attendance are at an all time high in January. Shortly after that though people start to drop out feeling discouraged from lack of results. Yes it's very important to exercise in order to lose weight, that and eating a healthy balanced diet. My downfall I admit are sweats, but I try not to eat them that regularly and will have maybe a small piece. That's good that you eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Many people are unable to do even that. I just forgot to mention but I have a sister in law that's always complaining about needing to lose weight. She put on about 5 lbs after having 2 kids. Well, she'll never lose it because she has a loathing of sweating! Isn't that the craziest thing in the world? She hates to sweat which is why she refuses to exercise, even go for a stroll around the block!
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
14 Dec 09
I believe there are three parts to each of us: body, mind, and spirit, and that when one suffers, so do the others, so I address health from that standpoint.
I do have to take special medicine for some chronic conditions, and along with that, I have an exercise routine I do most days of the week, special juices, grains, nuts, and fruits that I eat each day. I practice good hygiene and take care of my hair and skin.
For the mind, I meditate, practice dealing with stress and negative emotion as it arises, do "belly breathing" sessions and read, do puzzles, etc.
For the spirit, I pray, I enjoy nature and people, I keep a gratitude journal, and I read and write on inspirational and spiritual matters. Faith, love, hope, and gratitude...these are good things to foster within ourselves, as well as helping others.
Karen@ilyzium (1197)
• Canada
14 Dec 09
I so agree with you 100% that in order to be healthy, we have to treat body, mind and spirit/soul. Like you I also take medicine for chronic conditions, although it's Naturopathic medicine with no side effects. Karen, is that a raw food diet that you practice? Well I know that they are popular out there. I personally haven't quite mastered them as I can't give up my protein, as in fish, chicken, yet. I do the exact things for spirit that you do. I admit I haven't quite gotten into meditating Well that is whenever I try, I fall asleep instead. lol Sounds like you have a really good health/wellness plan that evidently works for you.
@umabharti (3972)
• India
12 Dec 09
Healthy mind can keep us healthy always.Eat on time,Sleep on time,and work to keep u fit.Keeping away stress ,tensions and worries can be more helpful.Meditation can keep ur mind in balance state.Food containing proteins and vitamins and fibre.Exercise how much the body can take.give proper Rest to bring new ness.
@ilyzium (1197)
• Canada
12 Dec 09
Those are all excellent tips for staying healthy. I think that I do all of those except I confess I haven't really gotten into mediation yet. Well, every time I do try I wind up falling asleep from the boredom of trying to meditate. It's very difficult I find just staying quiet and trying to calm the mind. I don't know how people do it quite frankly.
