Do you know the top ten causes for death? You will
recognize them all.

Here they are.
1. Heart disease
2. Cancer
3. Stroke
4. Lower-respiratory diseases
5. Injury (mostly car accidents)
6. Diabetes
7. Flu and pneumonia
8. Alzheimer's disease
9. Kidney disease
10. Infection
Source: 1999-2001 mortality statistics from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention

Most of us want to live long, productive, pain free lives.

So, then, why are so many people dying from heart disease,
cancer and strokes - most of which can be prevented through
lifestyle changes?

***Health Is More Than Just Physical***

Health is defined in Webster's dictionary as "sound
physical or mental condition". Did you notice this
definition only includes physical health and mental health?
What about emotional health and spiritual health? So many
times I separate my life into different "file folders".

I have a folder for exercise and diet, a folder for my
relationship with God, a folder for my social life, and
another folder for my emotions..can anyone else relate? I
try to fix my exercise and diet without addressing my
emotions. Or I try to overcome a difficult relationship in
my "social folder" without addressing my relationship with
God.

I try to separate myself -- my emotions, my mind, my spirit
and my body into different parts. And it just doesn't
work.

***Water, Ice & Steam - The Same Substance In Different
Forms***

Let's take the example of water. It has different functions
as water, ice and steam, but it is still the same basic
molecular substance. H2O.

Similarly, I believe each one of us has different parts -
our emotions, mind, spirit and body, but they all
interrelate to one another. They can't be separated.
Picture three circles. Now picture them all overlapping. I
believe the three circles are your emotions, mind and body
and where they all overlap - the core of your being - is
your spirit. Your deepest beliefs and desires.

Have you ever noticed that when you feel depressed it is
harder to exercise? Or if you suffer from physical pain it
is harder to concentrate mentally on your work?

***Fitness Trends - Yoga, Pilates & Wellness***

I believe one reason Yoga & Pilates have become popular
fitness trends is because they try to incorporate some form
of spirituality. They realize the "key" to improved health
is not just physical.

There's another popular trend called "wellness". Instead of
only addressing exercise, wellness also addresses other
aspects of our life, such as emotional and mental health.

"The concept of total wellness recognizes that our every
thought, word, and behavior affects our greater health and
well-being. And we, in turn, are affected not only
emotionally but also physically and spiritually." -- Greg
Anderson

***Unlock Your Potential With This Key -
Spirituality!***

Our bodies "were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about
our bodies.. Don't you realize that your bodies are actually
parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which belongs
to Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never!.... Or don't
you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,
who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not
belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So
you must honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:13,
15,19-20 (NIV)

What is the key to improving your physical health? Honor
God with your body. It is as simple as that.

But, just because it is simple, does not mean it is always
easy. How can you honor God with the foods you eat and the
physical energy you have (or don't have)? You can honor
God with your body with the choices you make each day. One
of the main reasons I exercise is to have more physical
energy for my daily tasks and to not feel so tired in the
mornings.

Honor God with your body.

In closing, remember that "physical training is of some
value, but godliness has value for all things, holding
promise for both the present life and the life to come."
1Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

Shelley Hitz. P.T. is the founder of Exercise Advice
offering Online Fitness Coaching. She can be reached at
www.abs-exercise-advice.com/absball where you can find
out how to get a free abs workout.


About the Author
Shelley is a licensed Physical Therapist who is committed to helping others reach their potential through online fitness coaching. She and her husband have been missionaries in Belize, Central America for two years where Shelley helped children with disabilities and their families through an organization called CARE Belize.