Secrets To Health

Secrets To Health

Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death. Proverbs 19:16

“That’s quite a list of diseases,” Elmer said. “I’m a little overwhelmed.”

“Let’s go over them one by one,” I said, pulling up a chair. “You have hypertension; that means your blood pressure is too high. Overeating and a lack of exercise cause this. Diabetes and hyperlipidemia are also related to your diet. You need to eat more fruits and vegetables—the multicolored kind—and less white food such as bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes. You should have only one serving of meat, and it should be lean, like fish or poultry. As for exercise, you need to walk three to five times a week for about thirty minutes each time. You don’t need to worry about speed, just keep moving.”

“That’s a lot to do,” Elmer said.

“You also need to give up smoking. We can try a nicotine patch or gum, and if that fails, there’s a prescription. But the old-fashioned way is just to throw your cigarettes out.”

“That’s a long list of rules and regulations. It’s like you’re giving me the Ten Commandments of Health and telling me I’ll die if I don’t do them.”

“That’s not far from the truth. If you don’t work on these problems, the first thing you can expect is a heart attack or a cardiovascular event. Having all your problems together increases your risk exponentially. The good news, however, is that it’s been shown that those who lose weight, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly improve their health and live longer lives. So just like the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament, these rules can help you.”

Many of my patients come to me hoping to learn the secret to effective weight loss or how to implement quick health fixes. They’re looking for an easy answer to a longer and healthier life. But the secret solution they’re looking for is really no secret at all.

“Proper nutrition, regular exercise, and quitting smoking are the secrets to saving your life, Elmer. Frankly, they’re better than any medication I could give you. If you follow these rules, you’ll find they don’t have to be a negative; they can be a positive that helps you extend and enjoy your life here on earth.”

TODAY’S RX

The secret to good health is to actually do the things you already know are good for you. Start today.

Father, I am weak when it comes to being disciplined. As Romans 7:19 says, “I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” Help me to make good choices so that I may live a long and healthy life.