TAKING THE HEART-HEALTHY PROGRAM ON THE ROAD: DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT
There are certain things you just take for granted. You don’t think about doing them, they’re just part of your life. You brush your teeth every single day. You bathe at least once a day. You have a string of rituals that have become integral in your life that are done “for your own good”, as your parents told you and you told your children.
A long time ago you had to be reminded to brush your teeth and to wash behind your ears. Today such activities are a part of life. Would you leave home without your toothbrush? Of course not. So why leave home without your commitment to diet and exercise?
During the first few months of modifying your lifestyle, you no doubt will wish you could forget all about getting your daily exercise or cutting back on fat and cholesterol. It takes time to form new habits, whether good or bad.
But once that habit is formed, it becomes second nature. Try going a day or two without brushing your teeth. It’ll drive you nuts. You’ll want to brush! In time, you’ll feel the same way about diet and exercise.
Exercise, especially, becomes addictive. After several months of regular activity, you’ll look forward to your workouts. You’ll miss exercise if you can’t do it.
In 1989 I broke five ribs while water skiing, attempting a trick to impress my kids. The doctor advised no strenuous exercise for six weeks. I hated it, and couldn’t wait for those ribs to heal so I could get back to my sweaty workouts that make me feel so good for the rest of the day. I actually went through a sort of withdrawal, with irritable feelings and general sluggishness. I’ve become addicted to exercise, and I plan to exercise for the rest of my life whether at home or on the road.
The same goes for my diet. Gone are the days when I’d drool over greasy french fries and barbecued ribs. In fact, when I do eat some fatty foods, I feel queasy. I’ve grown to prefer broiled foods over those that are fried. To me, skim milk is the way milk should taste; whole milk tastes greasy and not at all refreshing. Again, it’s a matter of what one becomes accustomed to.
Sure, it’ll take some time, but by this time next year you’ll no more pack your luggage without your healthy habits than without your toothbrush. Have a nice trip!
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Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol
