This is the first of several articles in our
First Newsletter about my
thoughts about the important things we need to consider if we are to life long, healthy
and productive lives. This article will consider the
question: Why we don’t take better care of ourselves? To be honest
this was the first article I wrote in 1998 in the San Antonio Health & Fitness
Guide. Nothing has changed!!
During the past 25 years that I have been a surgeon, I
have always been amazed at how uncommon it is to meet a person who truly has
made the lifestyle commitments needed to achieve Optimal Health and maintain
peak mental and physical performance.
I have usually been involved with patients at
late stages of various diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer and lung
diseases. When I look at their medical history, it is usually very easy, in
retrospect, to see that most of them made very bad lifestyle choices along the
way. Sometimes the choices were made because of lack of knowledge of the bad
health effects of certain habits. For most however, the health risks of these
habits were well known.
So, Why don’t we take better care of these
bodies that are capable of giving us such pleasure if we only take care of them?
Unlike mechanical things, our bodies have
constant repair mechanisms which are very efficient at keeping us healthy. Why
don’t we develop even the simple habits which we know are good for us?
I think the reason is based on a lack of self
respect, self esteem, call it self love. If we truly valued ourselves as unique
and wonderful creations, capable of living extraordinary and productive lives we
would act differently.
One of my favorite books is written by Og Mandino,
a well known motivational author. The book is entitled
“The Greatest Secret in
the World”.
In the first part of the book he asks us to look
at our world and find things around us that are lovable. You can love the rain,
the sun, the old, the ugly, the poor and he writes, “ …. most of all I will
love myself. For when I do I will zealously inspect all things which enter my
body, my mind, my soul and my heart. “
That’s it. It is that simple. Value yourself,
love your self. You are worth it. Make your health a priority. The Staff
of Inside Outside has made their decision and we stand ready to help you when
you make yours. This newsletter is part of their dream to help you with your
quest for Optimal Health.
Everything in life starts
with a decision.
The
"Inside Outside Way of Life"
