HEALTH AND FITNESS continued
Election Year Is Here
And You’re Elected!
by Mark C. Ford, CPT
To what? You might ask. Well, the ballot is
really quite simple but important. You just need
to vote "yes" or "no" to the following:
1. I will achieve and maintain a healthy
HEALTH AND FITNESS con't. next column
weight.
2. I will get a physical exam including blood
work.
3. If a smoker, I will quit. If not, I will not start.
4. I will consume alcohol moderately if at all
and never before driving.
5. I will participate in some type of physical
activity each day.
Now let’s look at each item on the agenda
individually so you are sure to make a wise
decision.
1. Weight Control. This one really is easier
than many people think. Common sense and
a little self discipline can go a long way in
deciding what and when to eat. Nutritional
labeling is also available to help you choose
food and snacks that will benefit you the most
and help you avoid items that are detrimental.
Gradual weight reduction is also recommended
as opposed to crash diets which generally do
more harm than good.
2. Physical Exam. Everyone should get an
exam every 12 months even if you feel fine.
Most health insurers will cover the exam under
the wellness provision in the policy. It’s also
important that you keep track of Glucose (sugar)
and Cholesterol levels to name a few. These tests
simply require a small blood sample which is
easy and relatively pain–free. Blood Pressure
should also be monitored as High Blood Pressure
generally does not have any symptoms but can
have a devastating effect on your health overall.
3. Tobacco Use. I think the research is rather
conclusive that tobacco and good health simply
don’t mix. You’ll notice I didn’t say just smoking
here. Chewing tobacco and snuff can be just as
harmful as smoking. And the new Vapeing craze
is beginning to look like something to be avoided
as well. Let's face it, the only thing you really
want entering you respiratory system via your
lungs is good clean oxygen. I hate it particularly
when I see a younger person smoking. They
were made well–aware of the dangers and
simply choose not to listen. I’m afraid they will
be sorry some day.
4. Alcohol. I read somewhere that the
fermentation process was probably the worst
discovery in history as far as its effect on human
beings. More lives have been lost and destroyed
worldwide by alcohol abuse than all the wars
combined. So alcohol should be consumed in
moderation if at all and, of course, never when
you’ll be occupying the driver’s seat.
5. Physical Activity. I don’t believe anyone
really wants to be a couch potato. It’s just a lot
easier than getting up and doing something. But
I have also seen inactive people greatly improve
their physical well being by establishing a
routine of activity. This eventually becomes the
norm as opposed to staring at a screen several
hours a day. You can also become a role model for
friends and family who eventually may join you.
OK, so the votes are in, and the polls have
closed. Now let’s check the results. I’m assuming
that everyone voted "yes" to all 5 items on the
ballot, which means you have been elected in
a landslide victory. You’re probably wondering
what you have won. Well, if you did indeed vote
“yes” to all 5, and you actually adopt each plank
in the platform, then you have elected to live
a longer, happier and healthier life. I don’t see
how you could come up with a better candidate
than that. ☐
Mark Ford is an ACE (American Counsel
on Exercise) Certified Personal Trainer who
specializes in training individuals age 50 and
older in the comfort of their homes. He can be
reached at (910) 975-2572 or mford42@nc.rr.com.
FROM THE FRONTPORCH con't from p.3
to set time to rest. Rest doesn’t mean being on
your phone. Rest is having no stimulation.
Do you focus on both short term and long
term goals? I focus on short term goals that flow
into long term goals. An overnight success takes
10 years. Time is a building block to reach your
goals. It takes daily work to get to where you
want to be. Everyone dies. Everyone gets old.
I don’t want to look back and wish I had used
my time wisely. We are supposed to be good
stewards of everything we have.
JOE, age 50, owner Star Ridge Aquatics, LLC
Finish this sentence. Time is...Fleeting.
When you think about time, any other
thoughts? Past = Wasted. Future = Not enough.
The past 20 years of my life were wasted as I
focused on things that didn’t deserve my focus.
The last 20 years is the past, and I’m not looking
back. It’s now time to lay the foundation for the
next 20 and make the most of it.
Any thoughts on the New Year? I’m changing
things in my life. I am getting ready to build a
new house and a new life.
How can we make the best use our time?
Focus. You need to look at the tasks at hand,
whether business or personal, and focus that
time. Make lists; check them off.
Do you feel that time goes slow or fast? Lately,
it is going fast. Very fast. I feel that I don’t have
enough time to get everything done.
How would you encourage young people?
First of all, define your goals, dreams and
desires. Know what you want and then go after
it full force.
How can one accomplish such goals?
Eliminate the waste. There are many things
people do on a regular basis, that are a complete
waste of time. People need to be looking at
where they want to be at 30, at 50 and at 70. You
can‘t wait to start those goals when you are 50.
You have to start now.
And Joe is right. In losing my dad at the
young age of 56, it’s about time we understand
the gift. As Benjamin so graciously reminded,
“You’ll never get back the time you’ve spent,
so make sure you’ve spent it wisely...just keep
moving forward.”
One constant from childhood to retirement
remains that we never have enough time. In
seeking to make the most of every single day,
I recognize the gift, the vapor described, the
inhale, exhale, gone. And in this recognition, it’s
about time, we make our time count. As Wesley
so beautifully said, “Time is very special!”
Matthew, “Never stopping!” And Nicolas,
“Time is a gift!” Benjamin, “Time is valuable!”
Jonathan, “Time is a measure and a number, but
it is very limited.” In looking forward to the new
year of 2020 Joe encourages, “It’s now time to
lay the foundation for the next 20 and make the
most of it!”
Here’s to 2020 and to the next 20 if we are so
blessed! CHEERS! ☐
Make your time count!
No. 137 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. p.35
link
/sandhillsweekenddental.com