george burns lived to be 100, he ate four prunes at bedtime,three for sure,it's a good fiber source,if you start it, you will not be disappointed with the end result.

When it comes to junk food I imagine how much exercise it will take to burn it off. If I'm not willing to work it off it's not worth the extra effort to carry the fat around. Ever try carrying around two 10 pound bags for even a day? It really curbs my enthusiasm for unhealthy calories.

i look at my family members that cannot do what people 10 years older than them can do and it made me quit smoking and start jogging and working out on a regular basis. my husband once said to me "don't you feel like you are in a special group of people now that we are working out". I LOVE IT

Try to stop worrying about all the little things you can't change. A good attitude even in trying times is a help.

I get my rest, even squeezing in a nap here and there as needed.
I take my multi vitamins and calcium tablets daily.
I go to the doctor for checkups annually, and get my mammograms faithfully.
Most of all, I try to be at peace with everyone, as much as I am able. Its amazing what a clean conscience can do for our health.

Water, water, water. I drink enough each day so that my urine is clear. And I keep a positive attitude. Thoughts affect your health for sure!

Stand tall, smile because it lifts the spirit, don't do ANYTHING in excess, be generous and plan your life around health. Invest in your health, not in sickness. Don't start dying when you're alive. Take one day at a time and live a full life.

Eat healthy foods and wash hands often.

About eight years ago I was diagnosed with a very rare neurological disease called Chronic Immune Demylinating Polyneuropathy. I walked out of work one day and fell down and could not get up. I was rushed to the Emergency Room, and then admitted and spent about two months in the hospital having tests, exams, poking, prodding, etc. When the diagnoses came it was devastating. I had/have a neurological disease called Chronic Immune Demylinating Polyneuropathy. I was told that it was "nerve Death" that begins in your fingers and toes adn works itself inward, literally stripping the sheath covering your nerves, and they quite literally "short circuit". This disease would work itself inward and leave me unable to function. i don't just mean not be able to walk, but unable to hold a fork, unable to wash myself, and at the very worst I was living in a nursing home losing even my ability to move my mouth enough to chew or even speak clearly. I was 28, married and looking forward to the rest of my life, and in one fall my whole world changed. My husband and I were devastated. Fortunately, I have a best friend who has M.S., and I was hooked up with her doctor. I began a long road of therapies, the most helpful being Intravenous Immunoglobulin treatments that left me completely drained for at least a day or two later. I do believe that these treatments , along with my strong faith in God, saved my life. My husband and I kept working, he at his job--me at my therapies, and after many months I was released from the hopital with a wheelchair, lots of medication and a strong desire to prove these doctors wrong! I Would walk again. A team consisting of an occupational therapist and a physical therapist came to my home several times a week. With both of them together they could pick me up and get me into the tub to bath me, work on my speech, and also give me physical therapy. Not to mention I was on ALOT of medications. Now many years later, as well as another disease to battle, alchoholism, I can say that I live a clean healthy life. I don't smoke or drink, however I can walk, speak, and I live a fairly normal life. The true secret I have for staying healthy, though, is having a positive attitude, and a strong will. Oh, personally I wouldn't discount having a ture faith in God. I am Roman Catholic, but I feel that it's not the religion that gives you the strength, it's the faith in the higher power. I live every day knowing that my last step taken may literally be my last step period. My disease is not cured, merely in remission. And yes, it has returned once, and I worked myself back up on my two feet again. But I have faith in God and faith in myself. Oh, and I'm pretty hard headed, and I think that worked in my favor as well. But willpower is everthing!!

I take vitamin and mineral IV solutions to help manage my firbromylgia pain and low energy

Move every day whether it is running, lifting weights, taking an extra lap around the mall, whatever. Drink filtered water, laugh a lot, work and play hard, be thankful for what you have AND what you don't have ( like poverty, a broken leg, etc.). Most of all, don't take life so seriously. You aren't going to get out of it alive so live it up now.

Mine would be exercising at least 5 times a week! Cardio and weight training. I just do tapes at home, but it is so much fun and I never get bored. Exercising gives me so much energy (way more than most people).

The most important component to my staying healthy is my nightly practice of giving thanks. As corny as some people find this to be, my makeshift alter, with its photos, keepsakes, spiritual icons and candles, is the place where I go at the end of each day to quietly give thanks. Some days its been extremely tough so I thank the Universe for the sunshine and my son's good health - no matter what happens, I always, always have something to be thankful for and that I believe is what keeps me healthiest.

I am a nurse and we started a hiking group 3 years ago. We are all nurses and we call ourselves the "healing hikers" because when we get together once or twice a month to hike in the amazing Olympic Mts.of Washington State, It is a great way to destress, get exercise and enjoy our girlfriend time. We always feel energized, and refreshed, ready for the hard job of caring for patients that we do. We have done an Olympic Mountain crossing and we all grow in our experience and self confidence. We also eat really great food, share full moons and swims in high mountain lakes (sans bathing suits!!). We have forded rivers, had bear incounters and laughed until we have fallen over.
I can't even begin to tell you in this small space all the wonderful experiences we have had. But what I can say is that it has enriched our lives and made us better women, nurses and people in the process.

If you want to know more call me 360-732-4182 we would be a GREAT feature article!!

I love real simple and read it page to page.

Chris

My secret to staying healthy is to always be at peace with myself, remain positive in any situation and to drink a cup of hot lemon water daily. :)

As a wife & mother of 2 sons, I'm always trying to find ways of staying healthy. Since I make oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies often, I want to use the healthiest ingredients possible, so I substitue white with whole wheat flour, and cut 1/2 the sugar-No one even notices it.
As far as vitamins goes, I buy "Emergen-C" - a powdered vitamin drink that even my kids love(because it's sweet). If we're run down or been out and exposed to cold/flu bugs, I have everyone use a nasal spray called made by Nutribiotic, made with grapefruit seed extract. If anyone has a sore throat, Nutribiotic makes a peppermint/zinc throat spray. These three defenses have kept me healthy for 3 years-not even a cold! Even if someone in the house is ill. It works that well.
One more tip: When I feel run down, I slice 2 raw garlic cloves into my dinner for a good immune boost. You may need a breath mint the next day, but so what, at least you're healthy!

I have found switching to butter and sugar alternatives, cutting out breads and potatoes and any gooey things such as gravey, pasta with white sauces, sticky buns and such: has put all my cholestrol and lipids in line and I have more energy and I look healthier and not so drawn out. Try it, it isn't hard to change your habit-- it changes very fast. Popcorn without butter or salt, buy air popper to use. Pick up soy nuts or other nuts without salt. That easy!!!

When I have the flu or a headcold I wear a warm knit cap or scarf on my head....indoors and to bed! Eighty per cent of your body heat leaves through your head, so keeping your head warm helps your body fight the cold. Plus, a knit cap feels so good on your head when you are achy.

An inexpensive alternative to hand soap is shampoo. If necessary, thin out with water. With coupons & store sales, I rarely spend more than $0.25 - $0.50 for a large container of shampoo. About half the time, I get it for free after using a combination of coupons & sales. As a bonus, the variety of scents is great!

Feeding a toddler keeps my husband and I in check with what we eat. Our 18-month-old son wants to try eating everything we do, so I always ask myself before preparing a meal or a snack, "Is this something I would want Max to eat?" Not only does it keep us in check, but MAx has tried some amazing health food we'd never imagine he'd try! Everybody wins!

I don't get carried away with medicine or incessant hand-washing. Most of the time I let my immune system strengthen by letting it take care of a cold, a cough or an allergic reaction. I also eat plenty of vegetables and fruits and take my vitamins.

Get a flu shot every year! I drink Emer' gen-C drink every day!

My amazing relationships with my sisters keep me healthy. By having lots of laughs, leaning on each other for emotional support and giving/receiving truly honest opinions...we all will keep each other healthy for hopefully a very, very long time.

When I get bronchitis, I take 12 g. of vitamin C in 12 hours. This usually works quickly. You have to set aside a day to do it. It has side effects.