YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH (c)
C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D.

Surely by now you know the essentials for health:
1. Positive attitude to choose best habits
2. Weight? normal–Body Mass Index? 18-24
3. Eat 5 servings fruits or veggies daily,MINIMUM
4. No smoking
5. Exercise at least 30 minutes 5 days a week

Only 3% of Americans have all these habits!! If all Americans adopted these habits, health and longevity would improve strikingly. Average life expectancy would increase from 78 to 100! Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer would decrease dramatically. There would be no medical/health cost crisis!!!

I speak a minimum of once a month to groups of people who theoretically are most interested in health. Even with these individuals, not more than 25% have the essential habits!? To me, health is so important that I would not chance losing health because of sloppy choices. My motivation is and always has been to stay as healthy as possible. I think I was born with that motivation. My biggest question in life is why most people do not have the motivation to take personal responsibility for their health?

All the supplements in the world cannot begin to substitute for the basic essentials. All the psychotherapy in the world cannot force anyone to adopt the essential habits.I know from a survey a couple of years ago that even my e-news readers are no better on average than the best groups to whom I speak.

WHAT WILL MOTIVATE YOU TO ADOPT AND CONTINUE FOR LIFE THESE ESSENTIAL HABITS? I would love to hear suggestions.