's motd Tuesday Feb 15, 2011

[Guest guest]

HOW LONG WILL

YOU LIVE?

Tuesday, 15 February 2011

Well, I don't know about you but I

want to live to a ripe-old age like, maybe 100 years-old!

And I'm taking great care of myself today preparing

for my life's centennial celebration in about 38

years.

Over the years, I've met people

who've done some pretty horrific things to their

bodies. And those things all played a role in

shortening their lives. For instance, I knew a lady

who was a cocaine addict for many years. And I'm

sorry to say, that addiction was eventually paid for

with her life. I've also known people who

smoked cigarettes most of their lives, ended up having

lung cancer and, again, they are no longer with us.

The same is true for those people who let alcohol

consumption...consume their lives. This is

all very sad to me because these people all left this

earth...too soon.

As you know, my brother Lenny still lives in New

Orleans. He and I talk over the phone all the time.

When a person we knew as we were growing up passes

away, Lenny always lets me know. I hate getting that

kind of news. But the really sad part is that,

sometimes, the person who's passed away is close to my

age!

Earlier in this message, we talked

about some of the addictions that have shortened the

lives of people I've known. Well today, I want

to discuss another kind of addiction. And that is the

addiction so many of us have to food.

You can really do a lot of injury to your body eating

the way a lot of people eat these days. See, you must

remember that your body was not created to be

overweight. When you gain weight, you put added

pressure on your bones. And how does that additional

pressure manifest itself? Well, it takes a toll on

your back, your joints and your legs. And look down

at those hard-working feet of yours that support your

body and help you get around. What do you think all

of that added pressure does to them? When you're

overweight, you also don't breathe as well and a lot

of obese people have a hard time catching their breath

after walking even a short distance.

And what about your heart? When you're overweight, it

has to work so much harder. And let me tell you, all

of these problems are only the beginning. In addition

to all of the, your circulation slows down when you're

overweight and so does your metabolism. And what

about your energy level? Those extra pounds, while

making your weight go up, makes your energy level go

way down. All of this is no good!

Now with all of that, we still haven't gotten to the really

bad news yet. And that is, if you remain overweight,

you could end up with any number of diseases, all of

which can, in time, can snuff the life right out of

your body.

Now, I don't mean to scare you.

(Well, okay...maybe a little!) But I believe you're

already aware of the things I just shared with you

about your weight and your life expectancy. But even

with this knowledge, a lot of you aren't doing a

doggoned thing about your weight...and your health.

Your doctor has told you all of these things and, I

don't know, maybe you ignored those warnings or didn't

pay attention to what he or she was saying to you.

Well, you may not have listened to your doctor but

today, I hope you'll listen to me. I want your life

expectancy to include many, many more years. And

doing that requires that you do the right things, lose

the weight and...take better care of YOU! No, I'm not

your doctor, telling you what to do...I'm your

friend!

Get rid of the fattening foods in

your house and, along with them, get rid of the fat

trying to rob you of years from your life. Get rid of

those processed foods, many of which come in boxes,

loaded with lots of salt and preservatives. And let

me remind you that you've got to be sure and eat lots

of fruits and vegetables. They will not only help you

lose weight but will keep your body healthier,

too.

Okay, the title of this message was How Long Will

You Live? YOU DECIDE!

Love,