Samson and Hercules Part 3

Let’s jump to someone approaching their sixth decade of life. Is it too late to achieve, optimum mental and physical health? I don’t think so as long as we make a few assumptions. First, one cannot be burdened with having a chronic physical debilitating disease or injury as in certain types of cancer or heart disease. Second, one cannot have a major diagnosis of mental retardation, depression, anxiety, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s. Third, one must be motivated in putting in the work and in establishing goals with realistic expectations for suberb physical and mental health. Fourth, one must have a positive emotional support network. Fifth, the positive ratio of positive expectations to negative expectations may set the bar correctly for successful goal achievement. And as Freud said, one must be able to love and to work for a healthy emotional state. If these assumptions are not met, the following will fall on deaf ears. “I can” is a more preferable psychological state than “I can’t” with its negative, self-defeating emotional overlay. The following is a snapshot of what it takes to become Samson or Hercules, like. First, the individual would have a Body Mass Index (BMI) index ranging from 18.5 up to 25. The formula is mass in pounds divided by height squared multiplied by 703 [mass lb. /height2 in x 703]. This formula classifies underweight, overweight and obesity in adults. Second, the individual should be able to incorporate or assimilate information and have the ability to accommodate or follow through with information provided. When it comes to proper nutrition, sugar intake, dietary fat, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, cholesterol intake, carbohydrate intake, protein intake, sodium intake, alcohol consumption, significant minerals, vital antioxidants, etc., there is much published information available for those interested and able to take in the necessary recommendations. The problem for most is related to an early history of biasness or a faulty rational belief system-“they used to say coffee was bad for you.” In essence, if the information is dissonant or seen as unfavorably biased against your way of thinking or belief structure, that individual will either discount the information using rationalization or a denial defense or will not even contemplate or listen to that information for consideration. The person’s thinking process is simply stuck in the mud. This example amounts to a major barrier that interferes with any change. The barrier is too tall, thick, strong, rigid, long lasting and unsurmountable. To Be Continued