Prioritizing Long-term Health.
“Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat”
- Sun Tzu
Establishing a consistent and effective health regimen can be challenging, and it is often unclear which strategies are the most effective. For the average person, it can be difficult to determine which exercises, diet regimens, and recovery methods are necessary to achieve their goals, resulting in a long list of tactics with no clear strategy. Our approach to health and fitness goals typically differs from our approach to most other life problems.
We usually have a long-term vision or goal for various aspects, such as relationships, finances, or career. However, health often takes a back seat in our long-term strategic planning. This is a problem because good health is the foundation for achieving and sustaining all other aspects of life. Therefore, we need to prioritize our health in our long-term planning to position ourselves to accomplish our goals.
Think of the following:
At or near retirement…
I want to be able to get out of a chair with ease
I want to go on a walk, hike, or jog without assistance
I want to be able to carry my own groceries and make my own food
I want to walk up a flight of stairs or an escalator
I want to travel by driving and flying
I want to be intimate with my partner
I want to play and interact socially with my grandchildren
Most people would agree with these statements, however, the challenge is we typically take these activities for granted given most of us are able to complete them now with ease. This wiring isn’t uncommon because humans are incentivized to be short-term thinkers. While this behavior would serve us well in simpler times, it can amplify our demise now, as most people will naturally live longer than their predecessors, given societal technological advancements. The challenge now is, how do we decrease the inverse relationship between duration of life and quality of life?
Each month we will provide guidance on how to optimize your health with a long-term perspective in mind. We will provide you with strategies backed by REAL data and science (i.e., no pseudo science, no fads, no get fit and healthy quick schemes). My guidance will be centered around four (4) key themes, which are crucial in increasing long-term health.
Each of these themes are interconnected and influence each other. Depending on your current situation, one might require more attention than the other. It's important to understand that these themes are not static but rather dynamic and will likely experience some level of imbalance throughout your life. The ultimate objective is to maintain an optimal balance between these four themes.
Sources Referenced
MIT Technology Review: Long-Term vs. Short Term Thinking
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new health regimen or making any changes to your diet or lifestyle. The author and publisher of this blog post are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any suggestions or recommendations discussed herein.
