Physical Theory

The most important thing to understand is that if your spiritual energy is not strong, you can not control any of your other energies especially your physical energy. For the record, if you read any magazine about diet pills, milkshakes, fancy exercise equipment, or whatever the current fad, the primary thing noted is that for best results, you must do proper dieting and exercising. It makes you wonder if any of the fifty pound weight loss was really due to the wonder drugs or the proper dieting and exercising. At this moment, I would like to suggest that weight loss treats the symptom and not the cause. Regaining spiritual control through proper breathing exercises should be able to help lose weight, reduce stress, and keep the weight off. I have just started meditating consistently and I feel so much better. Spiritual balance should be sought through the traditional means of developing a relationship with either a higher power or the spiritual universe.

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Physical Strategy

1. Understand the true concept of weight loss or maintaining your current weight.

How: The straightforward concept is to burn more calories than you take in e.g. create a calorie deficit in your body such that the body will burn existing fat instead of storing fat from your current diet. It is said that the best way to weight loss is to control your diet, then use exercise for other health benefits. Here is some additional information. Go to the library or buy a book from a college bookstore that is used to for the health class. For maintaining weight, stay active. Dieting means controlling what you eat and not starving yourself. Many things in life are about moderation. Here's something interesting, the closer you eat to natural fruits and vegetables, the greater the potential for weight loss.

Why: Weight loss not only improves physical appearance and self-esteem, but it improves overall health as well as helping us deal with stress. There are many good health books out there. I like this book: Fourth Edition LIFETIME: Physical Fitness & Wellness, A Personalized Program by Werner W.K. Hoeger and Sharon A. Hoeger. This is the book that I used for my health class. You do not have to buy it, but I think it is a good and very comprehensive book to thumb through the next time that you are at the bookstore.

2. Eat healthier.

How: Improve your water intake. Just like the planet is mostly covered by water, humans are mostly filled with water. It's good for the skin also. Grilled is better than fried. Avoid flour products. Eat more natural fruits and vegetables. By the way, self-acceptance is a major spiritual component for weight loss. So, if you go off your plan, whatever it may be, don't add more weight to your body because of the emotional butt kicking you are giving yourself with all of the guilt of going off the plan. Just try again the next day. Also, A good book to get is "Vegetarians for Dummies". By the way, you don't have to be a vegetarian to get this book. Smile... Also, make sure that if you are not eating red meat that you are still getting your iron.

Why: Healthier living makes for a healthier life.

3. Exercise.

How: Exercise routine requires discipline. It is important to understand your personality. If you are disciplined enough or really that busy, then a home gym or exercise tapes may be for you. Otherwise join a gym or go to your apartment gym. You can also get family and friends to work out with you to keep you motivated. The keys are variety and something that you will enjoy. Also, if the weather permits for your area, you can simply invest in a nice pair of walking shoes and some shorts and t-shirts and go walking.

Why: We are mobile creatures. Not only that, even with life stresses, it is still great to be alive; So exercise.

4. Treat yourself.

How: If you have a sweet tooth, satisfy it! Just don't overdo it. Remember life is about moderation.

Why: Don't deprive yourself of living and enjoying the pleasures of life. At the same time, don't use the 'you only live once' cliché as an excuse to be a pig.

5. See a doctor regularly.

How: Contact your doctor or ask your family or friends to refer you to a good doctor.

Why: It is said that you should have a thorough physical every two years. This includes eyes, teethe, hearing, cholesterol levels, etc. One of the best ways to take care of your body is through preventive maintenance and early detection.

6. Take supplements.

How: Some health stores, have vitamin, mineral, and other guides e.g. what is the supplement and what is it used for.  Dr. Weil might be a book for you to consider. He talks about the different supplements.

Why: To make sure that your body is getting the proper nutrition. Here are the supplements that I used to take. Now, I take GNC Mega Men multi-vitamin, Cranberry extract, and Vitamin C. The below items are just FYI. The key is healthy experimentation to find out what works for you. By the way, you should find out your blood type and get the Eat Right for Your Blood Type book. I found that it does help.

Chlorella- whole food to help rid the body of toxins. It is such a good colon and liver cleanser that I am moving towards this being my only supplement. I will more than likely stop taking a multi-vitamin and my other supplements because of this product. I eat alot of processed foods; so this supplement is ideal for me. Chlorella is essentially chlorophyll which converts to vitamin A which leads to your body being able to push nonsense e.g. garbage out of your system.

Siberian Ginseng and Ginkgo Biloba- mental and physical energy, immune system, and mental alertness.

Chromium picolinate, CoQ10, Alpha Lipoic Acid- metabolism. Alpha lipoic is definitely a good one to consider if you are a diabetic.

High potency multi-vitamin from Walmart- OneSource.