Mark Twain once said, “The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not.” Is that what you think about health?

I want to talk about your health today, and perhaps in the next several blogs. Everyone wants to be healthy and most of us want to lose weight. But you may wonder why I would be talking about health. Maybe you’ve been to my recipe page and seen all that sugar and butter. Well, in spite of my sweet tooth, I am thankful to be healthy and have been pretty much the same weight for decades, though I could certainly lose a few pounds and exercise more.

I’m not setting myself up as a standard, but I hosted a health program on TLN called “Balanced Health.” I learned a lot from my co-host and physicians and other guests we had on. So I’d like to share some of this information about making better choices that might help you be healthier and, who knows, maybe even live longer. Even simple lifestyle changes can impact your health. Making SMALL changes can make a BIG difference in how you feel. You will often hear me say that SMALL equals BIG. So don’t be afraid to keep reading. As my co-host Joe says, “You don’t have to eat tree bark and sing “Cum by Yah” to be healthy.

Before I get to specifics, I want to give you what I call the building blocks for good health. Because without these three, all the other healthy things you do might not matter.

A friend of mine had a remarkable mother named Anna. She was healthy and independent until the day she moved on to heaven at the age of 95. What was Anna’s secret? First, she was a woman of prayer. She had a close relationship with the Lord and taught Sunday school until the age of 88. Second, she had a positive attitude. She always saw the glass half full. And, way ahead of her times, Anna was very health conscious. Her family lived in North Dakota and in those harsh winters, fresh fruits and veggies were hard to come by. So Anna made all the children take sea kelp tablets because that was the only supplements she knew about. What a role model! I believe the principles of Anna’s life provide a firm foundation for good health.

So again, here are the Building Blocks for Good Health:

A close relationship with the Lord. Yes, spirituality and physical health are closely interrelated. Research has shown that people who practice their religious faith regularly appear to be healthier than people who never go to church.

A positive attitude. Anna chose to see the good—not the bad. Negativity, criticism, gossip, and worry are all unhealthy. They can lead to depression and physical problems.

Being proactive about health. Unlike Anna, we are more educated about health than any other generation, and have more help available. Good health is really not rocket science. But we do need to be intentional and proactive.

Be sure and check out my upcoming blogs on topics such as:

How to make better choices when you shop for food
How to deal with the constant temptation and convenience of fast food
How to succeed in your weight loss program
And much, much more.

Hey, God never intended for us to deny ourselves the blessings he has provided. And that includes an occasional Hot Fudge Sundae! If you’re watching on YouTube, go to my blog site for my secrets for weight control. And don’t forget, I’m here for you.

Shirley’s Secrets for Weight Control

Eat Less; Think Portions. Don’t eat until you get hungry. Stop eating before you feel completely full. When you eat out, take half your meal home. If you must cheat, order a child’s ice cream, or have a little soda with lots of ice and DO NOT get refills. You don’t have to clean your plate. Your wasted food will not feed the hungry children of Africa.

Keep healthy snacks on hand. Most weight-loss plans fail not due to lack of discipline or desire, but lack of planning. Healthy snacking is okay, so have better choices available. Keep raw almonds (only a few at a time), fruit, and low fat snacks in the house and car. If you crave a snack in the evening, have a cup of herb tea and one or two small, low-fat cookies or low-fat popcorn. SMALL portions make a BIG difference.

Eat a small apple and drink a glass of water 30 minutes before meals. It will cut your appetite and make it easier to eat reasonable portions.

Stay on top of weight gain. Stay on top of weight gain. Most women tend to gain pounds as we age and approach menopause. Weigh yourself at least once a week and don’t wait until you have gained ten or more pounds to make changes.

Use a healthy meal supplement to replace one meal. I have the Total Living Berry Drink (www.kylea.com) instead of breakfast. You should never skip breakfast, but a health drink that includes vitamins and other supplements is a good meal. I add a piece of fruit and it satisfies my desire to eat but keeps calorie intake small.

Send your personal weight loss tips to me and I’ll share them on the blog.

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