Nigerians and Health

Its so funny... I feel like Nigerians are the Fittest of the Fit. The Nigerians still alive that were born in Nigeria or grew up in Nigeria are the creme de la creme. I say this because If we have such a high infant mortality and maternal mortality rate (those who survived are lucky). Also, our health system is so shot that if you have anything greater than headache or malaria, you may not survive, even malaria  you may not survive. So really the Nigerians who are here are the ones who were healthy or lucky or smart enough to survive. No wonder I have such a great immune system.

(DISCLAIMER: Just because you are Nigerian and Alive doesnt mean you are immune from everything. Get regular checkups, eat well and live well)

I have a feeling however that a lot of Nigerians feel, because they are Nigerian, they are strong and dont need to get regular check-ups. Many guy friends I know dont go for yearly check ups and the girls only go for gyno visits.

The reality is that even if we are young, we still need to be conscious of our health. Young men, get checked for testicular cancer, women cervical cancer. Take flu seriously. Get tested everything o! You dont want to know when its too late. I heard a story of a nurse who was too busy working to even get mammogram. She died of Breast Cancer because she didnt catch it until it was too late. Dont wait for something to knock you down before you go to the doctor. Also dont think your stomach is lined with steel. You cant just eat anything,  you cant eat stews you have left out on the stove all week or rice that has been sitting there.

Eat well. Dont go for large portions. Before you know it, you will be 45 with heart problems. Cut out the palm oil and salt. Cut out the excessive meat consumption. EAT more fruits and veggies... not just veggie in soups and stews, but salads.. spinach salad, carrots, etc.

DONT SMOKE!!!!! Do you wanna die?! It may look cool, but so does tight rope walking and both are very dangerous!

Limit your drinking, beer bellies are not cute for men or women, nor is liver cirrosis... google it cus i'm not ready to go into details about that

STOP SHOUTING... ooops was I too loud? Caps mean you are shouting.. "stop shouting"... Stop screaming on phones, shouting at kids, shouting at friends and significant others, stop the drama, your life is not a Nollywood movie... take it easy... the more you take it easy, the more you decrease the stress and decrease high blood pressure.

Keep playing soccer with friends. Thats a good cardio and as African Guys love soccer, its a perfect pass time to keep in your routine that will help you maintain healthy lifestyle... WOMEN... get in the game too! Just because you are grown doesnt mean you are too posh to play soccer. If you have kids, go play with your children. Its not a man's thing. Ladies stay in shape o! If its not soccer, then do Pilates or dance classes, hip-hop, samba, salsa, jazz, etc. Men are very visual creatures, keep that brazilian (aka Nigerian) beach body  for your hubby if you have one, and most of all for  yourself.

Anyway

Living Well Lifestyle Diet (Day 1)

So I've started my Living well Lifestyle Diet (LWLD). I'm sure you are wondering, what is that! and who its by... Well I made it up! And it's just a diet for my whole life. I'm dedicated to eating healthy, working out, having healthy relationships, promoting peace of mind and peace in my life, etc. This means decrease the stress, sleep well, exercise, eat well, no alcohol!!!!

So far I'm finding it a little hard to do it, but I'm encouraged. This weekend I went bowling. This is actually a nice exercise and fun too. It helps remove the stress. But  of course today is Monday. Monday means deadlines, work, stress. So what I decided to do is do what I can, and leave what I cannot do until tomorrow. I will go home, run, shower, and work a little more from home, then go to sleep at an acceptable hour! Yay!

In terms of food, I've stocked really healthy things at home! Carrots, celery, oatmeal (I love it), Bountiful Morning Cereal, and I have cut out red meats and fowl. Its a pescetarian lifestyle. I eat more Fish, Shell Fish, Eggs and veggies. I am actually sticking to the restrictions, the problem is I forgot to restrict myself from eating candy.

Today I started off well with Quaker Oats Oat meal. I mistakenly left my lunch at home and immediately l went for KitKats and Reese's Cups. This is very bad. I am including no candies to my diet.

As far as working out, I am doing great! I park my car off campus and force myself to do a 15min walk daily to and from my car with my bookbag on. This is good because some days I cant get a workout in.

I have to force myself tho to try to take steps again and sometimes bike to school. My lateness disease (lol its not a disease, I'm just always late to everything) keeps me from biking to school alot because I find myself in a rush late for meetings.

In terms of more positive relationships, I'm trying to be more patient... with friends, family, co-workers. I'm trying to be less snippy, more smilie, less busy, more available, less tired, more vibrant, less argumentative, more open-minded.

Some things are not worth going into debate over, agree to disagree, avoid toxic people, learn to say  NO once in a while, take time for ME, and most of all take time for GOD! Majority of things I'm doing personally in this LWLD come out of  the Book of Proverbs.

Anyway I feel positive about this Living well Lifestyle Diet! It's helping me be an all round better person. If I can Eat Well, Live Well, Be Well, then I think I can Feel Well. I'll keep you posted!