Blogger Kristina Collins wrote on February 11 about three great steps for reducing the risk of cancer. Her suggestions -- eat well, get fit, and stop smoking -- are such good tips and could certainly account for major health changes in those who heed this advice. Each one of these recommended lifestyle alterations is a major undertaking. And if you're like me and find big, swift, sweeping changes a sure recipe for defeat, then this short to-do list may seem a bit intimidating. So I'd like to offer a bit of my own advice for accomplishing these health feats -- take baby steps.
Kristina has taken baby steps. She first quit smoking -- I'm not sure there's anything small about this success, however -- and now she's taking on membership at a gym. Cutting down on red wine comes next, she says, as she pursues a life driven by health.
I have just recently taken a baby step myself. I stopped drinking soda -- or pop as I called it before relocating from Ohio to Florida. I'd known for some time I wanted to rid myself of the sugar that comes packaged in my favorite drinks -- Dr. Pepper and root beer -- but for some reason, I was dragging my feet when it came to giving up this vice. Yet I did it. I stopped drinking soda, replaced it with water, and now have no desire for sugary drinks of any kind.
I am a creature of habit. I know this because I spent years drinking only water. But when cancer struck, I turned to the carbonation of soft drinks to settle my upset stomach. With time, my stomach stopped bothering me. But I didn't stop drinking soda. I kept drinking it for no other reason than pure habit. And when I convinced myself this practice was not necessary in my life, I cut it out.
Perhaps I'll tackle chocolate next. Or exercising more. Who knows. I'm just happy I accomplished one small task. And I hope you'll consider taking baby steps in your pursuits for better health. Just remember, we didn't hop up one day and start sprinting in infancy. It took years to fine-tune our ability to run on our own. And it may take years to carve out a healthful way of living.
1. I simply wanted to say Thank you to all Bloggers. For you to take time out of your day to help others, is a very unselfish act. Having gone through physical tests yourselves, and being 1st and 2nd time survivors of cancer and other diseases, has obviously driven you. You have much strength and desire to reach out, open doors for people to communicate to each other. Without you, what would we do?
I have met a few people with these same qualities, few and far between. So, I have the utmost respect and admiration for each and every one of you, your knowledge, ability to share and care for perfect strangers, again, is such an unselfish act.
You are number one in my book. Thanks to all, peace, love, and good health to everyone.
Take care, Sincerely, Jason
p.s. This is one of my bad nights, writing and sharing seems to take my mind off of my own physical problems. Thank you for alowing me to write at any time. JC
Posted at 6:15AM on Feb 17th 2007 by Jason Chambers