Dear Chilliwops,
“To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear,” Buddha.
When I was a young bloke (not that many years ago really) I was extremely active, playing footy, running, swimming, fishing, diving, playing tennis, bush walking and bike riding. Phew, it makes me a little tired just thinking about all of that at the moment. I worked hard at keeping in reasonable shape, not because I wanted to maintain a healthy body but more because I enjoyed sport and an active lifestyle.
In my earlier letters I talked – perhaps indirectly – about maintaining a healthy mind. Maintaining fitness is about maintaining a healthy mind and body. Keeping the body in good health is as much about eating the right food, as it is about keeping fit.
As you might know, Nanna drives a nice car that uses diesel fuel. One day a few years ago when Nanna needed fuel she pulled into the service station and refueled, not noticing that some idiot (I know that is not a nice word to use but it aptly describes the unknown person) had placed the “Unleaded” hose into the “Diesel” slot. As a consequence Nanna refilled her car with the wrong fuel. Fortunately the diesel mechanic one block away was quickly able to drain the car fuel tank and fuel lines and ensure no damage was done. Had she driven the car with the wrong fuel the motor would have seized.
Putting the right fuel into your tank is important to maintain good health. I think you know what I mean but to be sure, by “fuel” I mean good food and good fluids. Occasionally it is okay to spoil yourself and have a treat but even then one should only consume in moderation. Do not eat or drink anything to excess and avoid “fast food” or processed food takeaways, soft drinks loaded with sugar and food loaded with salt.
You must exercise self-control. Self-control is not something you have to learn; it is already within your power. You just have to practice it. You simply have to think about it. Politely say “no thank you” when offered one drink too many, or one potato chip too many.
A few years ago I was with some Australian businessmen in the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague. We had a business meeting with a man who lived in a very large house and we were fortunate enough to be able to stay at his house for a night. Before we went there my friends warned me that our host likes to drink a great deal of the most common and preferred alcoholic drink of his country and he expects his guests to do the same. “Not to have a drink with our host would be offensive,” I was told, “and bad for our business.”
The drink is called slivovice. It is made from plums and is high in alcohol content. When a drink was poured for me after our business meeting (a tradition apparently) I was careful not to offend our host and drank what was put in front of me. But thereafter, when our host went to the bathroom as he frequently did, I filled my glass with water. Because slivovice is a clear liquid our host thought I was drinking the same as he was.
I wasn’t impolite but I knew when to stop. It is a pity the others didn’t because they all woke up the next morning with very sore heads! Hmmm, not good fuel but it was their fuel tank not mine fortunately.
My message – it is a question of being in control, in control of your thoughts. Think your way through the problem you face: how not to offend your host or your friends whilst at the same time limiting your consumption. In the end you might have to simply say, “No thank you.” Or possibly don’t even start, depending on the circumstances.
So take control of your “fuel”. Eat healthily. If you are unsure of your diet as you get older consult a dietician or another health professional.
Just as importantly start some serious activity. If you find running, attending the gymnasium, cycling, swimming, or any other of the more common physical activities tedious or too arduous for you find something else physical, preferably outdoors, that you enjoy. But do something. As perhaps the wisest of all people once said, keeping “the body in good health is a duty.”
Small activities and small targets can help. Your targets don’t always have to be big or competitive in character. What about going for a walk on a daily basis. Take the stairs where an elevator is also available. How many shopping centres or other public places have stairs situated near an elevator? Most do. Choose the stairs every time; it is not hard but it has to be a conscious decision.
Find a routine that is not arduous but is fun. Perhaps you have a friend you can invite to join you in your daily routine. That will make it even more fun.
Fitness is also important in limiting your stress levels. Stress is believed to be one of the biggest causes of heart disease and cancer. But I don’t intend to be morbid or negative in my letters. I thought I would just mention that fact in passing. It is a fact of life and can’t be ignored.
Maintaining a reasonable level of physical fitness – by that I don’t mean you have to be an iron man or woman – will limit the stress you experience on a daily basis. You will feel less stressed over your schoolwork or about your job or any other of your activities throughout life.
So, you need to be rational about your diet, health and fitness. Be in control. Avoid processed foods, eat healthily, if you allow yourself a treat and there is nothing wrong with that, avoid too much of it. For most unhealthy things there are usually healthy alternatives.
The actress and author Marilu Henner once wrote, “Being in control of your life and having realistic expectations about your day-to-day challenges are the keys to stress management, which is perhaps the most important ingredient to living a happy, healthy and rewarding life.”
So it is not just your Popple that writes these things – this comes from a highly intelligent woman. Marilu’s comment is consistent with what I have written in this letter. Being in control is the key isn’t it?
Until next time.
Love always,
Your Popple.
*Anton Clever is well into his seventh decade … a former teacher, soldier, farm hand, lawyer and businessman (not in that order). He has travelled extensively for business and for international clients. More recently he has started writing … currently a thriller (which will probably not be worthy of publication, he says) and has written but not published a series of “postcards” from various places (specifically, Victoria, Papua New Guinea, France, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Iran) referring to experiences in those places. He has also written for several magazines on unusual subjects but matters worthy of debate.
