         |
 Food is the fuel for the body. We are very careful to put the proper gasoline in our cars, no matter what the cost. We should take the same care of our bodies regarding the fuel we put in it. It has been estimated that the money spent on "eating out", including beverages, was $334.7 billion in 1999.1 An estimated 55% of Americans are overweight and another 22% are considered obese.2 Every ten pounds of excess weight can shorten your life by up to a year.3. The average woman only needs 1200-1600 calories per day. A sedentary man only needs 1600-2400 calories per day. Anything above that is stored as fat. So, what is an easy way to figure out your ideal weight? Women, allow 100 pounds for five feet of height, and allow 5 pounds per inch of height over that. If you are big-boned, add 5%. Men, allow 100 pounds for five feet of height, and 6 pounds per inch over five feet. Add 5% if you are big-boned. Of course, the ideal thing to do would be to see a physician, but that is an easy way to approximate your ideal weight.4 1World Almanac and Book of Facts 2001, p. 133. 2Dynamic Living, Hans Diehl, DrHSC, MPH & Aileen Ludington, MD, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Hagerstown, MD, 1995, p.74. 3World Almanac and Book of Facts 2001, p. 728. 4Dynamic Living, Hans Diehl, DrHSC, MPH & Aileen Ludington, MD, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Hagerstown, MD, 1995, p.85. |
         Proper nutrition is the foundation of good health and recovery. Exercise Action is a law of life. Muscle tone and strength are lost without exertion, but exercise improves the health of body, mind, and spirit increasing vitality and health. With today's sedentary lifestyle, we are much more likely to rust out than to wear out. Because the body is 70% water, keeping well hydrated and knowing what and when to drink are essential to health. The sun is the established energy source ordained by God to sustain the cycle of life for plants and animals. Using good things moderately and avoiding the bad is obviously wise, yet often hard to practice. Temperance is a gift of God, a "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22, 23). Humans can live weeks without food, days without water, but only a few minutes without air. Your ability to work depends on your capacity to rest. Restoration requires rest because sleep allows the body to renew itself. The essence of trust is resting in the goodness of God. When trying to sleep, a clear conscience is better than the softest pillow. |
