If I were to ask a large group of people, “By a show of hands, how many of you want to be
healthy?” I could almost guarantee that not a single hand would be down. However, if I were to
ask the same group of people, “How many of you would be willing to do whatever it takes to be
healthy?” I could assure you that hands will start to go down.
Why is that? Being healthy is not only about having the know-how; it also takes work ethic,
perseverance, willpower, and commitment.
Recently, I was speaking to one of my friends about her health and she shared with me some of
the challenges she faces with being healthy and remaining an active student on her campus. She
confessed to me that while she wanted to maintain her health, most of her days were consumed
with running around campus, attending class, meetings and rehearsals, doing homework,
studying, eating and exercising when she found the time.
For her, making time for her health clearly was not the first thing on her to do list. Making time
for what’s important is essential for good health. Here are three practical ways to help you stay
healthy:
Make your body the priority: As self-centered as this advice may seem, making your body a
priority is absolutely key to being healthy.
I like to think of my body like a car. If I do not put gas in my car, my car will not function. If I
put the wrong kind of gas into my car, eventually, my car will experience problems. Similarly, if
I do not give my body the right food, it will not have the required energy to support itself and I
put my health at risk.
Paying attention to when your body is saying that it is hungry or when it is full, for example, is
essential for maintaining good health.
Plan Ahead: A big part of being healthy is planning ahead. I have never met any healthy person
who is altogether haphazard about exercise, eating and other aspects of basic health. Over
planning every moment of one’s day can become excessive. However, I think it’s important to
consider how to maximize the time in a day for one’s best health.
Without such planning it is easier, I would argue, for one to engage in unhealthy behaviors/
eating. Planning ahead gives one the opportunity to make the right choices in the future.
Anticipating drawbacks in advance is pivotal for successful health. For example, if I know that I
will be running all day, I have a few choices to make: do I prepare to eat something beforehand,
or do I deprive myself, and eat later?
Invest in your health: What you put in is what you will get out. It’s just that simple. The
“investment” I am talking about here is not strictly monetary. Rather, it includes investing things
like time, energy and commitment into your health. Making small meaningful deposits into large
meaningful investments will only enhance your future. Buy that book, take that walk, and make
that schedule – commit to your best health!
I truly believe that if success were easy, everyone would be successful. In the same way, while
being healthy requires self-management skills, intentional planning and self-discipline, the
consequences are awfully rewarding.
When it comes down to it, you and only you are responsible for your health. Therefore, begin
living your best life now!
Lazarus Lynch can be reached by email at lynchle01@mail.buffalostate.edu.