MAINTENANCE CHECKS

It is common knowledge that if you are a homeowner or drive a car you must routinely keep up with regular maintenance schedules to ensure that operationally the integrity and efficiency is maximized.  For instance, we are advised to check our oil levels in our vehicles and keep up with regular oil changes to mitigate any serious engine problems that can occur. 

Similarly, with our personal hygiene, we are strongly advised by our dentists to routinely see our hygienists every 6 months to a year to remove plaque build up to safeguard our oral health to avoid decay, gum recession and other inflammatory issues that stem from poor habits and food choices.  Evidence has shown that failure to adhere to routine brushing, flossing and professional cleaning check ups, can not only lead to oral cavities but the accumulation of plaque/inflammation over time can migrate from our mouths internally to cause a myriad of health problems. 

When we speak of a car, house or maintaining our teeth, there seems to be a tangible awareness from most of the public, that failing to adhere to consistent maintenance of these dispensable items can be very disruptive to our day to day lives. There seems to be more of an awareness and an urgency to stay up on routinely servicing these items but maintaining /sustaining our overall health is often sadly compromised. 

For most of us, we will make the needed sacrifices to avoid losing a tooth or all our teeth overtime, but we fail to prioritize daily, a healthy lifestyle through dietary and lifestyle interventions.  If we unfortunately encounter problems with our house, the car breaks down or we lose a set of teeth overtime, all these items are replaceable.  There is a set of dentures at your nearest orthodontist that you could get fitted for or a retainer that can fill the void of a lost tooth to maintain function or be more aesthetically appealing.  These are all dispensable items that are replacement on demand but consequently our other organs and systems are not.

As a personal trainer for years and the owner of a family based supplement store called Shroomspa, my passion in live has always been to not only keep up on my own personal health/fitness routine but pass on my vast years of knowledge to others, to ensure they take accountability for there temple(body) and do the things they need to do daily to maximize the operation of a indispensable machine.   I am sure everyone reading this blog has heard the phrase, “garbage in, garbage out?” This could not be more accurate as often the dietary and lifestyle choices we choose to or NOT TO CHOOSE, has huge ramifications either positively or negatively on our overall health.  Just as we place emphasis on checking our oil in our cars, how much more prudent should we all be in being good stewards of our entire body. 

This starts with recognizing the importance of maintaining overall health and taking the first step or initiating a daily plan to build, maintain and sustain overall vitality in our bodies. For instance, a first step could be, lacing up a new pair of runners and begin walking everyday.  The Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity per week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more, and muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week.  The aerobic goal can be achieved with walking 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.  Another sound strategy is taking inventory of your pantry and your fridge to ensure that you are consuming a healthy-whole food diet.  Lastly, I am a big believer in supplementing a healthy diet with vitamins/minerals as your insurance policy for those missing elements that often are negated in our food chain. 

In closing, I am 100% on board with maintaining routine check ups on your house, car and teeth but failing to prioritize daily dietary/lifestyle strategies will inevitably result in deficient performance which can lead to catastrophic health consequences.  Take strides to be pro active with your health today and check your internal DIP STICK.

Be Blessed, Whole and Healthy!!!