The Only Fountain of Youth

Several years ago, I attended my aunt’s funeral service. She was fairly young but passed away because of her preventable health conditions such as diabetes and obesity (to name a few). Anyhow, there I was sitting and listening to the minister’s eulogy and message as he went on telling the audience how God told my aunt that “it was time to come home (to heaven)”. I knew of her poor eating habits and lack of physical exercise, therefore it was very difficult and rather disappointing to swallow his premise. What if her severe lack of exercise coupled with her terrible food decisions were the catalysts to her demise?… Moving on…

Last week, megastar Michael Jackson left us at a very young age of fifty years old. Despite the 750 million albums sold and the possibility of furthering his influence and potential to the rest of the world, we all can at least agree with one thing:his death came about prematurely. Surgery, implants, Botox, stomach tuck or even make-up will not hide your shortcomings as they relate to your overall health. True health and fitness are the only ways to prevent disease and escape an untimely death.

I don’t want to make any speculations or theories as to what happened, for this is not the aim of this blog. Therefore, I am not making any assumptions or adding to the gossip as to how one of the most popular figures on the face of the planet meet his demise. Michael was overwhelmed with ridiculous gossip during his life, so I’m sure the rumors have not ceased because he is no longer with us. We can probably only put our finger on what did not happen.

But, being that he or anyone for the matter, would pass away when they’re still young in age gives reason to believe that it could have been preventable. This shocking occurrence is nothing new but happens all of the time. What am I talking about? Death from or the onset of preventable ailments and disease. It is our number one priority to take control of our personal fitness in order to live and ultimately reach our fullest potential.

What is a preventable ailment or disease?

Any of a group of illnesses that can be averted through health care measures such as vaccination or healthful behaviors, such as exercise is defined as preventable ailments and disease. For example, obesity hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes and colon cancer are illnesses that can easily be prevented through exercise and wise nutritional choices. Even the rate of wrinkles and poor joints during the process of old age can be prevented by fitness.

How do poor healthy habits bring on premature death, other ailments and old age?

Despite what your doctor will have you to believe, diabetes, high blood pressure and some cancers are not directly hereditary. If your parents grew up eating greasy food and they continue to eat greasy foods, more than likely you’ll eat greasy foods. In addition, the by-products of consuming greasy foods will probably follow generation to generation. This is how ailments are passed on from generation to generation – through learned behavior.

Nutrition
Now, let’s take diabetes for example. The abundance of sugar in your blood stream due to consuming candy, soda and other foods high in simple carbohydrates makes your pancreas work overtime as a buffer in order to even out the high levels within your blood. Over time, your pancreas becomes “wiped out” and stops producing insulin, which was the counterbalance of your high sugar diet. As a result, now you have diabetes. This is how the lack of proper nutrition brings on the fruition of a preventable disease.

John Candy (October 31, 1950 – March 4, 1994)

Physical Exercise

Exercise and resistance training does not only help you to have a sexy stomach, big muscles or run for longer periods. It also prevents you from attaining ailments such as osteoporosis and heart disease. It is known that weight training (resistance training) drastically improves bone density while cardiovascular exercise improves your heart and cardiovascular system, all which help us to live longer. Without engaging in regular exercise and cardiovascular training, the possibility of setting yourself up for the onset of a future disease like heart disease is rather high.

No matter what you do in life, whether you like it or not, your health and fitness are primary. The things that you do in life are dependant on your health and fitness. I know we’re all busy people with the daily responsibilities of work, school, parenting and making upcoming decisions, but understand that you will not be able to fulfill these responsibilities unless you take control of your health and fitness. You will have to answer to your health needs one day if you continue to ignore them.

Ways to improve your health and prevent early disease and death.

1. Do your cardio: According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) it is recommended that one should do thirty minutes of cardiovascular exercise four to six times per week. Cardio exercise is considered to be something that improves the circulatory system such as walking, running, biking or boxing. It also includes yard work, painting or playing with the kids. Being this is a minimum exercise requirement, there should be no excuse for you to not begin doing this today. Cardio is known to prevent heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart attack etc.

2. Resistance Training: In addition to preventing you from developing the list of ailments mentioned above, it is proven that resistance training also helps to prevent osteoporosis and stimulate your metabolism, thus lowering the chances of obesity and cardiovascular ailments. One of my most disciplined clients (and she’s middle aged!) has a workout you can try that will add years to your life! Check it out!

3. Make smarter nutritional choices: If you know that eating foods high in sodium, simple sugar and fat are detrimental to your health, then you know that not eating these foods are beneficial to your health. A general macronutrient ration for what you should take in (in calories) is 55-30-15. This means 55% of your total caloric intake should consist of complex carbohydrates (wheat, grains, vegetables), 35% of protein (lean chicken, fish and other meats) and 15% of good fats (omega 3 FA’s, fish oil, nuts). This ratio will help you to maintain optimal health and overall body function.

4. Watch what you eat: Many foods that we eat contain excessive levels of hormones in order to make the food, such as chicken, bigger. These chemicals, along with carcinogens are consumed when we eat these foods. As a result, intestinal cancers, high triglyceride levels and even premature puberty are issues to consider when eating these foods on a regular basis.

Luther Vandross (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005)

5. Minimize and eliminate your alcohol consumption and other drug use: This is a no-brainer so I’m not going to elaborate and hit you over the head with this one. “Just Say No.”

6. Be happy and don’t sweat the negative stuff: Life hits us with so many curve balls that its amazing that we’re still able to get up at times. But, did you know that stress encourages obesity and high blood pressure – all of which are precursors to other critical ailments? Exercise releases the good hormones that make us happy. So, once again, exercise and stop stressing and you’ll live a long time.

7. Take a multi-vitamin: The typical American diet lacks all of the basic vitamins and micronutrients necessary for efficient human function. As a result, over 85% of all people living in the US are deficient in at least one vitamin or nutrient. Invest in a multi-vitamin that contains at least 100% of the Recommended Daily Values (RDA) of each vitamin. This should give you all of the vitamins you are missing from your regular diet. Go to my recommended website at http://physiques.getprograde.com/ for all of your vitamin and supplement needs.

Well, I’ll always miss MJ. He was definately an inspiration to me and epitomized a sense of undying hard work. His death was an example of how we all need to take control of our personal health in order to be the best for another day.

Make it happen,

Damon Reio

Tags: bell, Boot Camp, boot camp in st. pete, bootcamp, bootcamps, cardio workout, circuit training, damon reio, fat loss routine, fat loss workout, fitness, Foutnain of Youth Workout, interval training, jackson, kettle, kettle bell workout, kettlebell, kettlebell routine, michael, michael jackson, personal trainer, st. pete boot camp, st. pete bootcamp, st. pete fitness, st. petersburg boot camp, st. petersburg bootcamp