Owner’s Manual For Your Body- How to Fuel It and Move It!

Life can sometimes be funny- you get owner’s manuals for the car, microwave, and DVD player. However, you have never been given an owner’s manual for the most important and complex thing you have- YOUR BODY! This article is a short owner’s manual that is simple to read with no complicated diagrams to follow. It will help you keep your body healthy so it can do the things you want it to.

 Fuel- Are you using the right “blend” to get the best performance? Do you try to drive on “empty”?

•The amount of fuel you need every day depends on you age, gender, size, and activity just like your car.
•Eat a variety of foods to give your body the right balance or blend of fuels. Do not eat too much or not enough of any food group. Variety helps your body get the over 40 nutrients it needs.
•Empty fuel tank? Start the day by fueling your body with breakfast. Just like a car will not run on empty- neither will your body so eat breakfast to give your body the energy it needs to run.
•Keep the fuel system from getting clogged up and running smoothly. Eat foods with fiber- you can get fiber from some breads, beans, fruits, and vegetables.
•Tune into fullness- eat until you are satisfied not “stuffed.”

Deflate the spare tire- what is your waist circumference?• -Males- waist circumference best if 40 inches or less.
•-Females- (non- pregnant)- waist circumference best if 35 inches or less.

Watch the “warning lights” are they flashing?
•Read labels- Read it before you eat it.

Limit saturated fats and trans fatty acids.
Are you watching your portions? Check the labels for what one portion is.
Fluid check!- Drink enough liquids. Just like your car needs water, your body needs fluids to stay hydrated.
Are some of your parts creaking from under use? Just like a car which has not been used for awhile- it may not start easily and be sluggish.
•It is recommended that you get at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.

If you have parked yourself in a spot too long (+ become a couch potato) start physical activity slowly; start with a light stretch then walk for 5 minutes and then gradually add 2-3 minutes per week.
Physical activity includes anything that gets you moving- you do not need a special exercise room to stay in shape. It can be walking, running, or playing sports.
Are your pipes clogged?
•Stop smoking. Smoking is the highest preventable cause of disability and early death. Quitting can reduce your risk of many serious diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, emphysema, + osteoporosis.
•It does not matter how long you have been smoking- quitting can make a difference to your health.

Perform regular maintenance and watch the instrument panel.
•You know your body best so if there are any changes- you will notice them. Do monthly exams- breast exams if you are a female and testicle exams if you are a male.

Warranty
If you checked under your hood- what would you see? Would your warranty be valid or terminated due to negligence of not following the directions in the owner’s manual?

If you took care of your body, like your car, would it work better and would you live longer? You can not trade in your body for a new on like you can a car.

By W. O’Donnell, Health Educator, Eyman Meadows. ASPC