You Can Live Well

Kahlil Carmichael MAPCC, MDIV, CPT is the pastor of Live Well Church, in Somerset, New Jersey. He is a fitness specialist at The Fitness Doctor, a fitness and wellness consulting company; and the author of 50 Tips for a Better You. He is a contributor to Guideposts magazine. His first publication, Living Longer Living Better, is available now. Go to www.livewellchurch.org for more information.

Finish 2023 with Strength and Begin 2024 with power!

As a fitness expert, I often encourage clients to care for themselves first. It seems selfish, but the fact is that self-care is necessary and essential to your wellbeing. If you are a caregiver, mother, father, daughter, or son—what happens to those for whom you care if you become unable to because of sickness or ignoring your medical needs? Regular medical appointments, meditation time, massages, and facials—these are all important to your self-care.

Part of living well is giving our bodies and minds what they need to operate at peak condition. This includes exercise to strengthen your muscular and circulatory system. I encourage you to consider hiring a personal fitness trainer to assist in reaching your fitness goals. You may think this is inessential, but you can’t afford not to! I understand the cost of personal training can sometimes be a concern, but by reallocating some entertainment dollars toward personal training, you can make it more affordable. Additionally, many personal trainers offer package deals or discounts for longer term commitments.

Investing in your physical fitness can lead to improved overall health, increased energy levels, and potentially reduced healthcare costs in the future. With careful planning and budgeting, personal training can be a worthwhile investment in your health and fitness journey.

Eating well goes hand-in-hand with an exercise program. While you may treat yourself a little more during the holidays, the two-pronged approach of a controlled diet and a reasonable exercise plan will keep you from going completely off the rails. Balance is possible, even during the holiday season. Celebrating the holidays and being with loved ones are wonderful things. And a little restraint can help limit the regret you may feel from overdoing it at the dessert table.

Here are some reminders to help you to live well all year long:

• Be well—the first of the year, schedule your annual/bi-annual appointments with your dentist, OB/GYN, and primary care physician for your annual health screenings. With standard tests, your doctors can identify the development of chronic medical conditions. Chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes can be dangerous, so please see your doctor for a checkup.
• Rest Up—Do you wake up after a night’s sleep feeling tired? Your body needs an adequate amount of REM, light sleep, and deep sleep to feel rested and allow your body to perform all of the processes required to heal itself. Speak with your doctor if you are having an issue with rest.
• Move well—Exercise is essential to your well-being. Consider hiring a trainer, and get 20-30 minutes of aerobic activity daily by walking and taking the stairs.

You can live well! Let’s finish 2023 with strength and begin 2024 with power! Get fit, live well, and prosper.