[Vegas69]

Originally Posted by glassman

Todd, thank you for resurrecting this post, funny, I've been eyeing it the last few weeks thinking of saying something, but not knowing what too say. But, anyway's, love the topic, VERY close to my heart.....

Lance, great for you. I feel like I know you from here/general forum and Investin102 and what we have in common in our lives and hobbies. looking forward to meeting you one day....

Michael from Plano, dude, serious congrats!! That is super inspiring (and hard too!!). Was thinking to myself as I was reading it and thinking, yeah, the grocery bill will be higher, but long term medical costs will go down. I'm sure of it.

As far as me goes, well, turned 50 on the 2nd. Feel good for 50, but not good enough in general. Diet is about 75% whole foods, 25% good food but processed. Funny, when I go out and eat and order a hamburger (my favorite) i get sick/nauseous, so can only eat half.

Haven't lost any weight since I last typed here, 180 trying to get to 172ish att 5'11. My doctor says don't worry about it. I just did major blood work and full physical everything came back good. But still battling energy. I'm thinking age, pace (own a small company with 10 great employees) has something to do with it. Although, I'm having problems with my stomach, I have some complactied gut issues going on. I get the runs quite easy and it has something to do with too much and not enough proteins. Nobody has been able to find out what's going on yet. So, I have a doctor, physchitrist, physiologist, Nutrionalist, and I see all (cept the physc) on a monthly basis. I've had servere ADHD/anxiety all my life, but have only sought treatment the last 5 years (being in denial of it and not thinking it really existed, knowing where all different anyways....). Trying to control the symptoms by diet in some cases is merely not enough. I'm on a clinical trial for a new med (I hate, yes hate, taking medicine, too many side effects) and while I've been on it one year (I take 1/8 the recommended dosage) the brain activity has slowed, the side effects have been ringing of the ears and jaws being clamped/locked at nite during sleep. Mental health is very important, and very much has to do with our physical health as well.....

So, summary for me, at 50, learning to "take it easy", "chill", etc..etc...Have three kids (25,23,22) our 25 year old, Christopher, just got married and is currently a mental health theripist (working on his doctorate) and just got married to a sweetie he met in graduate school. My 23 year old (Brandon)is a music teacher and very talented individual. And my 22 year old daughter (Taylor) is a pastor, just finishing up her degree in biblical studies and leadership. My wifey of 28 years is my business partner at our company, and let me tell you all, it ain't easy, but, it makes us much stronger as a couple. We've been dating for 30 years and very much into "Serving" each other, a byproduct of following Christ for 20 years). We have a very good balance and my staff at work is helping me create a less busy/stressful schedule, building a corporation is a lot of work. And the one thing I've learned from it is, IT HAS NOTHING to do with my product and how good i am with it, ITS ALL ABOUT the people, how we treat them (Customers, vendors, employees, tax people).

So, things to do for me, need more energy, must make exercise more CONSISTANT, I do it, and am in good shape, but consistancy is most important.
Gotta go to the kidney doc and get checked out, my grandpa died of renil kidney failure, my 9 year old nephew had kidney cancer three years ago, and I found out yesterday, my dad has a lemon sized tumor on one of his kidneys (he just went in the hospital Wednesday for emergence gall bladder surgery and they found a host of problems) YEs, he's bout 100 lbs overweight and lives a sedentary lifestyle, I love him dearly, but it is sickening watch someone you love decay like that, especially when you can do something about it....

As I sign out this morning, this thread is a good reminder of what we/I need to do. IF YOU HAVE YOUR HEALTH< YOU HAVE YOUR WEALTH!!!! Live well, love lots. Remember to tell your loved ones you love them and care about them, life's too short. I Have to remind myself, "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say nothing".....

Cheers all from sunny CAlifornia.......

Mike, We all have challenges with our health, no doubt! Keep fighting the good fight and learning.

I know you are a man of faith like me. Let me share something with you that I heard recently. It ties right into the simple living and contentment we've touched on is this thread. Jesus was a simple man himself. You don't read or hear about his possessions. Not a home, clothes, jewelry, nothing that I'm aware of. He was a carpenter that came to serve. I think a lot can be learned from that example alone. Complexity leads us away from our faith. Simplicity gets us closer and give us more time to be a faithful disciple.

Our mental picture absolutely affects our physical energy levels. There are times now where I recognize my attitude and what it's doing to my energy levels. A simple attitude change can turn it around if it's mentally driven. It's almost like a light switch. I think we can all agree that self management is one of life's biggest challenges. Controlling our attitudes and thoughts is no cake walk! I do believe self management is one of the big keys to success and progression. We all have bad thoughts and sour attitudes, the question is, what do you do with them? Are you capable of forgiving yourself and moving on or do they dictate your actions? I personally don't think it's possible to eliminate the sour thoughts no matter what you do. I think the key is to accept them and not berate yourself for having them, then move on and focus on a new and positive perspective. I spent an entire year working on optimism and faith. It didn't get rid of the sour thoughts, but it gave me tools and new perspectives that will serve me the rest of my life!

In regards to energy, keep experimenting with nutrition and you are 100% correct, work outs create energy and diminish stress. There are days when I am metaling fatigued and force myself to work out. I always come out of those workouts energized! I'd also make sure you are giving yourself a break from work every 2 hours. A walk around the block or a call home, etc.. We tend to work with to few breaks. Some healthy snacks in the morning and afternoon also help keep your blood sugar stay consistent. Most days, I'll kick back in my truck in the mid afternoon and close my eyes and try to clear my mind for 5-15 minutes. Many times I'll breath deeply similar to meditation. It always moves me up a notch and I'll follow it up with a green tea with some honey which is a healthy way to get a little pick me up.

Am I energetic all the time, hardly! I have made some big gains in managing my energy and making the best of my days by knowing my bodies cycles and what makes me as healthy as possible. Progress is all we can hope for.

You nailed it by saying health is wealth!