David Simon

Do you know the top ten causes for death? You will
recognize them all.

Here they are

1. Heart disease

2. Cancer

3. Stroke

4. Lower-respiratory diseases

5. Injury (mostly car accidents)

6. Diabetes

7. Flu and pneumonia

8. Alzheimer's disease

9. Kidney disease

10. Infection

Source: 1999-2001 mortality statistics from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention

Most of us want to live long, productive, pain free lives.

So, then, why are so many people dying from heart disease,
cancer and strokes - most of which can be prevented through
lifestyle changes?

***Health Is More Than Just Physical***

Health is defined in Webster's dictionary as "sound
physical or mental condition". Did you notice this
definition only includes physical health and mental health?
What about emotional health and spiritual health? So many
times I separate my life into different "file folders".

I have a folder for exercise and diet, a folder for my
relationship with God, a folder for my social life, and
another folder for my emotions.can anyone else relate? I
try to fix my exercise and diet without addressing my
emotions. Or I try to overcome a difficult relationship in
my "social folder" without addressing my relationship with
God.

I try to separate myself -- my emotions, my mind, my spirit
and my body into different parts. And it just doesn't
work.

***Water, Ice & Steam - The Same Substance In Different
Forms***

Let's take the example of water. It has different functions
as water, ice and steam, but it is still the same basic
molecular substance. H2O.

Similarly, I believe each one of us has different parts -
our emotions, mind, spirit and body, but they all
interrelate to one another. They can't be separated.
Picture three circles. Now picture them all overlapping. I
believe the three circles are your emotions, mind and body
and where they all overlap - the core of your being - is
your spirit. Your deepest beliefs and desires.

Have you ever noticed that when you feel depressed it is
harder to exercise? Or if you suffer from physical pain it
is harder to concentrate mentally on your work?

***Fitness Trends - Yoga, Pilates & Wellness***

I believe one reason Yoga & Pilates have become popular
fitness trends is because they try to incorporate some form
of spirituality. They realize the "key" to improved health
is not just physical.

There's another popular trend called "wellness". Instead of
only addressing exercise, wellness also addresses other
aspects of our life, such as emotional and mental health.

"The concept of total wellness recognizes that our every
thought, word, and behavior affects our greater health and
well-being. And we, in turn, are affected not only
emotionally but also physically and spiritually." -- Greg
Anderson

***Unlock Your Potential With This Key -
Spirituality!***

Our bodies "were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about
our bodies. Don't you realize that your bodies are actually
parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which belongs
to Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never!.... Or don't
you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,
who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not
belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So
you must honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:13,
15,19-20 (NIV)

What is the key to improving your physical health? Honor
God with your body. It is as simple as that.

But, just because it is simple, does not mean it is always
easy. How can you honor God with the foods you eat and the
physical energy you have (or don't have)? You can honor
God with your body with the choices you make each day. One
of the main reasons I exercise is to have more physical
energy for my daily tasks and to not feel so tired in the
mornings.

Honor God with your body.

In closing, remember that "physical training is of some
value, but godliness has value for all things, holding
promise for both the present life and the life to come."
1Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

Written by Shelley Hitz, Licensed Physical Therapist and Certified NASM Personal Trainer.
Sign up for her free Exercise Advice journal at http://www.abs-exercise-advice.com/journal.html or read more of her articles at http://www.abs-exercise-advice.com. Get your free unbelievable abs ball workout here!

Do you wonder where your power and your energy have gone? Does it seem like the endless power you had as a youth has melted away somewhere? Does it feel like old age came a little sooner than you thought it should? Take a moment to consider this: your age has nothing to do with your energy level. Neither does your sex, your job, or your social security number. These are all only labels.

You and only you create your energy level. The decisions you make every day are what drives the powerhouse inside of you that creates and determines your energy level. So lets give you some simple meat and potatoes steps that will drive your energy factor up and save you from an addiction to things like caffeine and energy drinks. Well start from the most obvious and move to the simplest and most important:

Rule Number One: Garbage In Equals Garbage Out

Do not expect to receive any energy from junk foods and junk drinks. Only living, organic foods provide real energy. This means fresh, organic and kosher prepared meats, organically prepared fruits and vegetables, and home made fresh squeezed drinks from organic fruits and vegetables. Cant always do this? Just try. Try to replace one item of food and one item you drink every day with a living, organic food. You will watch your energy level rise and your extra weight drop.

Rule Number Two: Take Your Vitamins

A multi vitamin and/or mineral combined with a daily essential fatty acid can and will round off the corners missing in your diet. Get a good brand and stick with a daily supplementation program.

Rule Number Three (last and most importantly): Maintain a Flexible and Balanced Body

Your bodys internal furnace will not create power if your body is stiff or inflexible. Flexibility is earned, not given: you have to create and maintain your own personal flexibility if you want any amount of energy and personal power. Your bodys ability to create energy and fight disease depends one hundred percent on its ability to function, and it cannot function in a stiff, inflexible body.

Take the time to learn the steps that must be learned to regain your flexibility. If you were forced to have a choice, a balanced and flexible body will go farther than an imbalanced and stiff body stuffed with expensive supplements and organic foods. Take action. Assess your flexibility and learn the simple rules and methods to regaining the flexibility and balance your body was born to have.

The most powerful foundation you can have to build a healthy body and to have an energetic life is to make certain the incredible body you were born in is functioning at the top levels it was designed to function at.

About the Author:

Dr. Bryan Brodeur has a Family Chiropractic Clinic in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, is the owner of the health web site, VitalityHouse, and the author of the fitness e-book, Vitalism.