Beatrice's Preventative Practices

After reviewing the self assessment on p. 57, in our text book, I am relieved I practice all or most of the preventative practices. Before I began the preventative practices, I took a physical to determine where my health level was leading. Because I never drank alcohol, smoked nor ever tried illicit drugs, I felt confident I was a healthy individual. I breastfed my children and took vitamins daily. Exercise was also implemented in my daily activities; however, I remained fatigued and exhausted. After talking to my primary care provider, regarding my fatigue and exhaustion, she advised me to take an allergy test. Though I believe I may have had cancer because I was doing everything possible to enhance the quality of my life, my primary care thought other wise. To my surprise, she was on to something. As doubtful as I was, I took the test believing my case was completely different. I was convenience a simple allergy test would not determine why I was constantly fatigued and exhausted. As it turned out, we are what we eat. I am allergic to wheat and refined sugar tends to cause headaches which may have explained the irritability. Taking the allergy test improved my outlook tremendously. Removing the wheat and sugar from my diet changed my life. I lost fifteen pounds in four months. The weight around my mid section appeared to disappear. The wrinkles I began to have around my mouth disappeared and most of all, I was able to sleep nine hours nightly. At age 40, I feel healthier and alive more so than in my early twenties.
As I have been married for twenty years, I am bless to say at year twenty, nonviolent methods work best in our home. Though we have our share of disagreements, our home does not tolerate violence. We believe a home is a place to rest and feel comfortable. We somehow manage to respect one another's differences. It is important because we have children watching what we say and do. As a preventative, I cannot tell my children do as I say and not as I do. I believe that is impossible.
I take an annual physical and encourage my older children to do the same. I am a firm believer one is never too young to take care of his or her health. We attempt to eat organic foods often and have the basic proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats. That goes without saying we do have our share of treats. We also have a gym membership so as not to have excuses not to work off the treats which includes rock climbing, swimming, basketball, racquetball, aerobics, hiking, bicycling and muscles building.
Am I super woman? Absolutely not. I simply do not enjoy going to the hospital unless absolutely necessary. I decided my life is most important to me. I often practice yoga, meditation and relaxation as part of my preventative practices. I have good days and not so good; however, I will do what ever it takes to reach 100 years of age.