WARNING TO MEN

Ok, I may be going out on a limb here … but … I’ve decided to get out my silk covered, duvet filled, lavender smelling boxing gloves.

No one can deny the dedication and commitment our beloved men have when it comes to taking care of their cars. Men know about the importance of keeping their machines properly maintained to achieve maximum performance and to avoid having problems. They also know that neglecting the problem can cause further damage and even result in costly repairs. Every man knows that you have to change the oil, put in new filters and top off the different fluids … in the appropriate holes. He will make an appointment for the necessary seasonal adjustments and yearly tune-ups if he can’t do it himself. He will probably invest in an application of protective undercoating as well as a proper cleaning and polish. He will feel good about himself for doing what has to be done … even if it costs money … a worthy investment! Maintenance is a given; you have to do it to assure the longevity of your machine.

So why, pray tell, is it so difficult to make the leap from taking care of your car to taking care of yourself? Please forgive me for being so forthright but many, if not most of you are not taking the question of your health very seriously. Why? I am giving you time to think here. Please skip the excuses. I suspect cultural conditioning – women nurture, men provide – to be the main (unconscious) culprit. The other, denial.

MYTHS

• Men are invincible. Nooo! You have to eat vegetables, do exercise and take care of your health too.
• To be “healthy” takes the fun out of life. Nooo! Being sick takes the fun out of life.
• It won’t happen to me. It could! As we live longer, the chances for chronic disease and ill health increase due to long term neglect, and the accumulated effects of poor nutrition, lack of exercise, too much stress, as well as genetic predisposition and environmental toxins.

I am sorry. This problem of having to take responsibility for your health will not go away. You must simply accept it. Your health is entirely up to you. No two ways about it. As your trainer I must remind you to choose to eat better, drink and smoke less, exercise more, stretch more, breathe more … be more in touch with your feelings and your vulnerability. Only by accepting your vulnerability, will you fully embrace the need to make change and find the courage to act. Please do. And please act before it is too late. So, go for your seasonal tune-ups and yearly check up. Give yourself the maintenance treatment; use high grade products and services (worthy investment) … don’t neglect those little problems which could cause damage and costly repairs … protect the longevity of your vehicle which motors you around life.

In the past months I have communicated many practical ways to take action for your health, and, for greater well being and joy. Review them on my website, click on Blog. Now … for all you men out there making the effort to exercise, improve your eating habits or quit smoking, I give you … 5 gold stars!

I decided to write this article in support of all the women who, over the last 10 years, have expressed their heart-felt concern about their husbands becoming ill or dying prematurely, as a result of neglecting their health. So long for now… with love.