A weak mind and body will be defeated with fear and disease
There comes a time in our life when we are faced with the reality that we are at war. We are in a fight for our health, strength, and well-being.
For every one thing that is promoting health, there are ten other things fighting to keep you weak, unhealthy, and unfit.
According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 2 men have a risk of being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. 1 in 4 men have a risk of dying from cancer in their lifetime (ACS, 2016). The truth is, many of these cancers can be prevented.
Lifestyle and diet play a major role in your overall health. Where you live, work, play, and what you eat contributes to your overall health. You've heard this before, but not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, exercising and eating fruits and vegetables will help in reducing your risk for cancer and chronic diseases.
But, it is one thing to know what the right thing is and actually doing it. It is tough to live a healthy lifestyle. Look around you.
What do you see?
Everything is fighting for your attention. Billboards, flashing lights, cell phones, apps, notifications, emails...
Sadly, when you're exhausted from all the distractions, you have very little energy to participate in things that will bring about health, strength, happiness, and purpose into your life.
How important is your health and strength?
I am fascinated with the human brain. I stay on top of the latest brain research and it is incredible what the scientists are discovering about it everyday.
The brain dictates all of your behavior. You can not do anything without the brains acceptance. Once the brain has developed neuron pathways for a particular habit, it will take the path of least resistance.
Now, this is a good thing and a bad thing. It is nice to not have to remember how to ride a bike every time you get on a bike, or learn how to drive every time you want to drive somewhere. The unfortunate thing is if you want to stop a certain behavior, you're going to get some resistance.
This is where people fail. Even the best of us!
Think of all the things you like to eat, drink, and enjoy. All of this you created at some point, good or bad. To change a bad behavior (eating, drinking, smoking, etc.) you're going to have to fight yourself, your brain, to change the pattern.
Unfortunately, it is not that easy and unless you know what it is like going through Marine Corps boot camp, something I can relate to, and have a drill instructor yelling at you to keep going fighting through the pain to realize your potential, the brain will take you right back to the norm; right back to the state of being unhealthy, unfit, lack of strength and mental grit.
It is time to change all that!
It is time to build back your health, your strength, and your mental toughness.
Be great, men! Be S.T.R.O.N.G. men!
What do you think? Are men struggling with their health? How are you working on keeping yourself healthy and fit?