Health vs. Fitness, Part II
Choose health! Aways!
When given the choice between health or fitness, I choose health every time. Hands down.
The reason? Despite however fit I may be, if I'm unhealthy, my quality of life will not be what it could be. If I'm unhealthy, not only will my fitness deteriorate, everything within and about me will deteriorate as I slide down the slippery slopes of energy depletion, pain, stiffness, cognitive degeneration, and physical deterioration.
Protect and bolster your health. (I cannot overemphasize this!)
Provided below are the principal health practices and strategies I implement every day. The hope in my practicing them is that not only will I live a long life, but I'll feel well and energetic well into old age. Two months ago, I turned 52; I'm hoping to make it to 120 some day (November 12, 2085).
The Principal Heath Practices and Strategies I Implement Every Day:
I go to bed early (830p).
I get up early (3a).
I take a 30- to 45-min nap almost every day.
I brush and floss at least twice a day.
I take an icey-cold shower in the morning on every day of the week except Wednesday and Sunday.
I practice Wim Hof breathing every morning except Wednesday and Sunday.
I fast one day a week on Wednesday.
I use the toilet often: seven or eight times a day, and pretty much like clock work. (My apologies if I'm sharing too much private information. Older folks are allowed to talk about such things.)
I always eat breakfast. Speaking of eating, I follow the advice of Michael Pollan: I eat real (pure) food, mostly plants, and not too much.
I drink about a gallon of water every day.
I take 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar twice a day.
I drink a cup of green tea every morning.
I drink a cup of bone broth every morning.
I take supplements (Magnesium Citrate, B6, D3, B12, C, Zinc, Milk Thistle, and Alpha Lipoic Acid) to make up for what I may be missing in my food. Regarding supplements, during the winter months, I super load-up on C and Zinc.
I don't use (to avoid anything, like painful feelings) food, stimulants, depressants, or alcohol. I'm 100% caffeine free, and I drink a little wine only on special occasions.
I pray and meditate every day and throughout the day.
I listen to music I enjoy throughout the day.
When I feel pain, rejection, or embarrassment (or any host of other difficult feelings), I stay with what I'm feeling and don't run from it.
I write. A lot.
I stretch. A lot.
I practice my Egoscue postural exercises (www.egoscue.com) a lot. I do all of them every day; about half of them, I do multiple times a day.
I train in martial arts (for health protection) every day except on Wednesday and Sunday.
I invert (hang upside down) for several minutes three times a week.
I bounce on my mini-tramp for several minutes three times a week.
I forgive those who hurt me. I live by the slogan: "You are forgiven, even before you act."
I live with purpose. I know why I exist, and, as such, I live accordingly.
I spend time with those I love who are in this area.
I tell those I love how much I love them and what they've meant to me in my life.
I don't spend much money.
I move healthily. A lot.
I change postures. A lot.
I sit for no longer than 20 minutes at a time.
I walk approximately 2 miles a day. Most of it happens during my morning prayer time.
I do quirky things and make fun of myself when I'm out in public. Related to this, I care very little about the snap judgments and fickle opinions of others.
I do mostly only what I want to do. Even the various things I do to support myself (paid work, etc.) are really just hobbies to me.
I listen. A lot.
I read. A lot.
I play. A lot.
I think, feel, and dream. A lot.
I traverse obstacles and stairs mindfully. (In my life, it's amazing how many times I've hurt myself bumping into things or stumbling on the stairs [especially when I'm sleepy]. The less this happens, the better. Hence, why I take mindful approach to traversing such things.)
I invite God to be a part of every spect of my day...even my innermost thoughts and feelings.
I don't accept illness or disease. I relax and fight it with prayer, laughter, and surrendered living.
IKIGAI Weekly Blog Schedule (per The Training Trinity):
Mondays: Meditative Prayer
Wednesdays: Holistic Discipline
Fridays: Martial Arts Practice
www.templemartialartstraining.com
