You Can Be Healthy at Any Size

Did you know it's possible to be healthy at any size? A new study confirms that you don't have to be thin to be fit.

According to Steven Blair, director of research at the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas, "There is a misdirected obsession with weight and weight loss. The focus is all wrong. It's fitness that is the key."

Blair's study shows that trim people who don't exercise have twice the death rate of larger people who do exercise. You don't need to lose one pound to be healthy, but you do need to:

Move. Take your eyes off your scale and move your body in enjoyable ways. Dance. Stretch. Garden. Park a few extra steps away. Walk for five minutes a day. Start where you are, begin slowly and pick up the pace as your fitness level grows. Make a 1 percent change now, and in 100 days you'll be at a dramatically different fitness level.

Drink. Drink water -- not coffee, wine or soda -- just water. Experiment and you'll find that water intake makes a huge difference in your energy level. Here's the formula: Divide your weight in half to get the number of ounces of water you need each day. If you weigh 200 pounds, you need about 100 ounces of water -- about eight, 12-ounce glasses.

Rest. Most people need a minimum of eight hours of sleep per night, yet most of us are sleep deprived. If you've been dreaming, you're likely sleeping well, since dreaming occurs during periods of deep sleep.

Eat. Do not deprive yourself of foods you especially want. Remember, there are no bad foods. Nourish yourself with nutritious choices of vegetables, fruits and lean protein. When you crave chocolate, try eating something that's good for you (like an apple), and then eat the chocolate. You may eat less, you may not, but you will become more aware of your choices.

Be current. Get excellent medical care in a timely way. If your physician sees fat and does not see you, try asking, "If I were a thin person, what would you do next?" If he or she cannot see the entire you, immediately go elsewhere. Do not avoid routine checkups. Bodies of every size need more tender loving care as we pass 40!

Be loved. Who you spend time with matters. Invest your time in people who cherish you. Make the choice to live a full, fit and bountiful life.