Sunday, 29 January 2023

HEALTH, SACRIFICES AND WHAT NOT

While watching Inventing Anna, I realised that Money, Power, Image & Love are what tend to motivate people. Nevertheless, you are not going to enjoy these if you are not healthy. Rightly said, "health is wealth." One that is usually not appreciated until it's no more. 



I literally intend to throw at you millions of words packed with all the major facts about health. Nope, just the facts that are needed to live a healthier life. 


The stubborn academy squad would say, why talk about health when nothing is wrong. Simply, drink, eat and enjoy life. Soon, you come to realise that health is a mocker - when your past actions catches up to you. When the overeating leads to obesity and diabetes; when the excessive alcohol use leads to alcoholic liver cirrhosis; when smoking leads to lung cancer; and when sunbathing leads to premature aging. 


The story of Mr. Ronnie Coleman, the 8x Mr. Olympia, is that of admiration and caution. One time, he lifted the 600 pound weight while squatting. Suddenly, he heard a loud pop sound that caused a sharp lower back pain. This pain radiated to his left leg, all the way to his foot. Despite this, he continued to train. It became a concern only when he realised that the pain was still there the next day. He reported to the hospital and an MRI done was done, confirming a herniated disc.

 



As Ronnie Coleman says, "If you want to be the best, you ain't going to be the best, if you don't make any sacrifices." 





In the world of bodybuilding, one would do anything to be on top, be it with the use of PEDs or Banned diuretics. But is health one to be sacrificed in the process? At that time, surgery was an option for his herniated disc, but that was not the route taken. Ronnie is a legend, however, prolonged overtraining and injuries mismanagement led him to undergoing 12 surgeries on his back, neck and hips after he retired.


The future is a reflection of past choices. So make a choice to live a healthy lifestyle. I am not advising you to be on some ridiculously expensive health regimen. Rather incorporate the simple things such as drinking lots of water, regularly exercising (at least walking 10, 000 steps a day), eating the rainbow (food with lots of fruits and vegetables), frequently washing hands (80% of all infections are spread by hands) and practicing daily gratitude and positive thinking. 



Take care of your body, it is the only place you have to live in. ~Jim Rohn


With love, 

Dr. Liz.