E is for Exceptional, E is for Energy, E is for Exercise- BE All You Can BE!!

This is part two of an 8 part series on total wellness. The program is called newstart, and it is a free gift to those who choose to follow it. For a quick review the 8 principals are N- nutrition, E- exercise, W-water, S-sunshine, T-temperance, A-attitude, R-rest and, last but not least, T is for trust in God. These 8 principals you will find will find you on the road to a happier, healthier life.

This is a love letter for me...the letter E and I have been having a relationship for some time now. Exercise is part of the spirit of freedom, through discipline. ( A bit of an oxymoron, I know- but so true!)  It is a way to enjoy your abilities, and challenge them, creating a possitive energy within your soul. Something that I find so infectious, I want everyone to experience the magnificence of movement, and challenging that movement to higher levels. The range of abilities the human body is capable of is something that absolutely amazes, and astounds, me!! I study endlessly to understand more and more of this remarkable "machine" and what is does and is capable of doing. Don't we all love a good game, or race....Awesome abilities our bodies have been given!!

To loose this ability is something we need to fight. And, yes you can.... It is mind over matter. Your mind controls your body!!! You have the power. It is illustrated time and time again through some remarkable human feats!! Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor...7 tours won- REMARKABLE!  I know we all can think of examples- the list in itself is remarkable. So what is stopping YOU from being remarkable?  We must learn that it is good to push our comfort zones. Of course, it is smart to make sure your doctor can approve this. However, most "modern time" diseases are totally controllable by regular cardiovascular exercise, muscle strengthening, and flexiblity and motor learning for balance and proprioception. Yes, like any athlete you can pick up the torch, and defeat diabetes, hypertension, depression, asthma, just to name a few!!! There are specific ACSM programs that have been approved by physicians in human performance labs for most modern day ailments. In fact 30 agencies that represent fitness recently presented our new president with a letter informing him of the vast difference healthy lifestyles, including the dreaded word "exercise" can make upon this countries epidemic health crisis. The president is very concerned about the BILLLIONS of dollars our sedentary lifestyle is going to be costing us!  Exercise folks, is medicine!!

Exercise can reverse the aging process, Reduce cancer rates, reduce metabolic diseases, reduce cardiovascular complications. The list is never ending. It appears human beings were created to move a lot more than we are moving. The price of exercising now versus your health later- there really is no contest to this!

Plato once said,"Lack of activity destroys the good condition of EVERY human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise saves it and preserves it." WOW!!! What he knew back then. If we could heed his advise now, think of the joy we could have. Go ahead, challenge yourselves. Get to that first step- even a small walk, stretch, and a long glass of water- no one needs to come out of the gate running!!