Signs of Good Health…

Some people view obesity as a sign of poor health.

Others talk of acne, stretch marks, wrinkles etc. What IS “good health”? Can it be identified? Is it, also, a question of mental attitude?

It is no secret that I am overweight. One of my challenges is indeed recuperating some weight that was put on after I started again in the taxi world before going back to academics and also the after-effects of having a somewhat sweet tooth after I quit smoking.

That is just an external sign. What was however most encouraging was that at the end of 2004 I was checked at the main hospital (Rigshospitalet) in the capital of Denmark which showed that my heart was as vital as a 17 year old.

My lungs were not that good – I discovered years before. But heart rate is perfect. Blood pressure is good. After 5 months as a non-smoker breathing has improved.

If there was a point system it would count things based on external signs, but have you ever considered what your mental health will do for your body? Your positive attitude towards things CAN help you when everyone else would have given up long ago.

Likewise, it’s the optimist that shows greatest signs of stick-to-it-iveness whereas others may be good at short-range sports (sprinting, swimming etc).

Noone can define good or bad health in an unbiased way. What we can define is that you should get active in ways YOU enjoy, because that will motivate you to stay with it. When others force you, change is short-range…

Well worth remembering, I think.