Build Yourself a Better Body

by Michael Corthell

How to build a better body? That is the question. The next question: How can you live longer and enjoy a better quality of life? The answer to both? We make wise choices about the foods we eat and the amount of excise we get. We just maintain our 'machine' properly.  

Your building materials and fuel.

It is certainly true that 'we are what we eat'. ''So then if I eat an all plants diet with absolutely no meat do I become a vegetable?'' No, you get a better, longer-lasting body, science has proved that.

Eating right and exercising properly are the right things to do, most of us know this. 

How do we start? Make up your mind to start taking good care of your 'machine'.  Set small, measurable goals that will help you get to your overall larger goal.

Keep a food and exercise journal. Measuring your progress is great feedback.

Stop eating animal flesh and processed junk food. Eat only nutritious whole foods. This is the best diet.

Try new foods. Why not? You might find a new favorite.

Find a partner. Team up with a friend and hold each other accountable for eating healthy. Two heads and two wills are better than one. 

Eat every three hours. This helps your body stay in balance.

Prep it and keep it on hand. Keep your good, whole foods ready for you to eat at all times.

Do not buy bad foods, ever. Keep them out of your house.

Always keep snacks with you or in the car. Apple, banana, homemade trail mix etc. (don't forget the water!) Going out to eat? Choose a restaurant that serves what you can eat.

Always eat in moderation. You know what that means: DO NOT stuff yourself!

That is the eating right part, simplified. For more detailed information watch the video at the end of this article and visit this page. When you become victorious over your body and mind, who in the world can exercise power over you? Those who rule themselves rule their worlds.

Your mechanical maintenance.

Disclaimer: ''It wise to talk to a doctor if you have any questions about your health or plan to start more vigorous workouts, especially if you haven't been active recently.'' Use good, common sense—in all things.

Warm up the machine. Take five to 10 minutes to warm up (and cool down properly afterward).

Start Slow! Plan to start slowly and boost your activity level gradually unless you are already exercising frequently and vigorously.

Moderation (again in all things). Be aware that training too hard or too often can cause overuse injuries like stress fractures, stiff or sore joints and muscles, and inflamed tendons and ligaments.

Mix it up too. Different kinds of activities.

Listen to your body. Hold off on exercise when you're sick or feeling very fatigued. Stop if you are faint or have severe pain. 

Stay hydrated. For most people, simply drinking plenty of water is sufficient. But if you're working out and sweating choose drinks that replace fluids plus essential electrolytes.

Wear the right clothes. Choose clothes and shoes made for how you exercise. Pay attention to your shoes.

For strength training, use good form — always. When first starting use no weight, or very light weights when learning how. Never give up good form by hurrying.  

Be mindful of the weather. Exercising vigorously in hot, humid conditions is dangerous. It can lead to serious overheating and dehydration. Slow your pace when the temperature rises above 70°F. Watch for signs of overheating, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, faintness, cramps, or palpitations. Cold out? Dress properly for cold-weather workouts to avoid hypothermia. Don't forget your gloves, hats or mittens!

Sleep and relaxation. Get the proper amount that is right for you. 

Those are the basics. For more info use Google or go here.

You are in charge of your health, your total health — mind, body and spirit. That means taking responsibility for every aspect of your healing journey.

It may seem difficult in the beginning, but it is worth the effort, it really is. Start by taking the first steps. Soon you will see that you and your life become incredibly empowered.

Powered up, and feeling good, you are ready to get things done—you can change the world!

Get Dr. Greger's How Not Tod Die Cookbook He is the physician behind the trusted and wildly popular website Nutritionfacts.org, and author of the New York Times bestselling book How Not to Die, comes a beautifully-designed, comprehensive cookbook complete with more than 120 recipes for delicious, life-saving, plant-based meals, snacks, and beverages.

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7 Billion (All of Us) Well

Dean Ornish, M.D.

Dean Ornish, M.D., is the founder and president of the non-profit Preventive Medicine Research Institute and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. For over 34 years, he has directed clinical research demonstrating that comprehensive lifestyle changes may begin to reverse severe coronary heart disease, without drugs or surgery.

He was appointed by President Clinton to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy and by President Obama to the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health. He was selected as one of the "TIME 100" in integrative medicine and by Forbes as "one of the seven most powerful teachers in the world." He received his medical training from the Baylor College of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and the Massachusetts General Hospital. He earned a B.A. in Humanities summa cum laude from the University of Texas in Austin.