Is My Lifestyle Killing Me?

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In our youth, we’re often told that we only live once. “Live life to the fullest!” they scream. Though these cliches for enjoying life are fun to embrace at the time, ultimately, they do more harm than good. Living a life full of exciting experiences and interesting adventures is one thing, but taking it to an extreme steals the very life you’re trying to live. This one body you have is your ride for life. Cherish it. The alternative is sickness, disease, pain, and possibly dying young. My mom died when she was only 59 because of the things I’m about to share with you. Yeah, it’s that real…and that important. You might want to ask yourself this: “Is my lifestyle killing me?”.

Acknowledge the aspects of your life that might be holding you back from true health. Furthermore, it’s imperative to take action on what you know you need to change. Don’t wait for the perfect time…it may never come, and stop making excuses! I’ve listed the top 4 health-killers that each person on this planet needs to consider eliminating from his or her life. Let’s live! Period.

Smoking

Look, I’m not judging anyone. I have smoked before…I get it. And, I knew the risks and dangers but did it anyway. So, I know you’ve probably heard, countless times, that you should quit. You likely can even spout off the top medical consequences of nicotine and cigarette smoke, and the statistics to go with it.

Our society is constantly bombarded with information about the risks of smoking but, regardless of the onslaught, it can be difficult to make the decision to quit. Some people are more motivated by all the money they will save on cigarettes if they stop. It often helps to set a financial goal and save for a specific event or prize, like a vacation or new car. You get a healthier body, extended life expectancy, and a great new gift for yourself!

Drinking Too Much

Alcohol in moderation isn’t the best thing for you but isn’t considered “killer” at that point.  Studies have even shown that drinking a glass of red wine a day has health benefits for us. However, when it gets out of hand, you are literally stealing your own future. Unlike with drugs, alcohol addictions can creep in slowly, making it difficult to perceive a problem. 

The first stage of turning a problem around is realizing that you’re drinking too much and that it is negatively impacting your life and health. It’s more than possible to handle mild alcohol issues on your own or with help from friends and family. In fact, many choose this route and, ultimately, have success.

That said, if things don’t seem to get better, it’s important to seek outside help to stop the cycle of destruction. Contact a support group or a rehabilitation facility, such as www.BeachsideRehab.com, that specializes in alcohol dependency. 

Eating Poorly

While it’s fun to occasionally treat ourselves to rich, unhealthy foods, doing so, too often, can be a slippery slope to a killer lifestyle. After all, it’s far easier to create bad habits than good ones. If you’re unsure about how healthy you’re currently eating, keep a food diary to track everything you put in your mouth. Seeing exactly what you’re doing will give clarity about any potential dangers or bad habits. A poor diet makes us far more susceptible to heart problems later in life, as well as diabetes, certain types of cancer, and other health problems. 

Not Moving

Oh, wait, I’m not done. There is that issue of not moving enough. Yeah, walking to the kitchen to get that double cheeseburger or the casual stroll into your favorite restaurant is not enough exercise to keep your body healthy. This is one of those things that goes much better if you start slowly, though.

First, set a doable goal. Research healthy weight, body fat, and core strength numbers for your age and body type. Then, create a plan to get you moving more. I like to write down all of my daily activity in a journal. Or, if you want a digital format, try apps like MyFitnessPal to keep your record.

Getting healthier doesn’t mean you have to do everything perfectly. As much as I enjoy living a healthy lifestyle, I still make exceptions from time to time. Do what you can to honor your body now and, I guarantee, you will feel better and start seeing positive changes to your overall health. Remember, there are people who love you and want you to be around for a long time. Be well, my friends.

**** This post is strictly informational and is not meant to replace the advice of your health care provider. Women’s lifelink, it’s owners, administrators, contributors, affiliates, vendors, authors and editors do not claim that this information will diagnose, treat, or improve any condition or disease.