Dr. John Catanzaro » God Health Body Nutrition Exercise

Are you an “agent of change”?

An agent of change refuses to stay stuck in old, worn-out patterns that rip and tear at the inspiration of life. For your help, here are five simple “agents of change” for your personal health.

1. Change your view of life

The first change is attitude. You’ve no doubt heard the phrase, “turn your frown upside down.” Being challenged on your attitude can immediately create tension, as most people feel justified on their outlook on life. I have come across many negative people that constantly want others to do what they themselves need to do. Bad attitudes lead to bad habits and make and keep company with negative experiences that cause anger, bitterness, and refusal to forgive others. Change your view of life and change your attitude as you will be much more satisfied and a pleasure to be around.

One sure way to be a proactive “agent of change” is to know Jesus Christ as personal Savior, Guide, and Friend. In other words, we as Christians are to be growing in faith and change in attitude at every moment.

2. Change the way you view your body

Body image is a problem that most people struggle with at different times in life. This can result from excess weight, aging, insulting remarks of others, insecurity in life, and many more reasons.

An agent of change in the area of body image means you refuse to believe the lies that keep you bound to the same toxic beliefs that enslave you to your “bad” body view. It’s time for action!

Whether you are skinny or fat, fit or lax, super-pumped or super-dumped, these body views are rooted in the exterior. Healthy body views are rooted in believing that as a wonderful creation, God made no mistake in creating you. All the disciplines developed to get healthy are helpful. However, change comes from your spirit and soul first.

Change always begins from the inside out. Our society teaches us that if we don’t like something about ourselves, then we should change it, but that doesn’t fix the inside where the distorted image resides. Even if you look like Barbie or Ken, if your view on the inside is negative and doesn’t change, then you will always feel defeated and dissatisfied.

3. Change the way you eat

It’s not a diet that will revolutionize your health; it’s simply making healthy exchanges on a daily basis. Here are a few key exchanges:

• Eat organic food in exchange of non-organic food.
• Eat organic, colorful fresh fruits and vegetables rich in fiber and nutrients, instead of white, processed carbs and sugars.
• Eat fish such as salmon and nuts, in particular walnuts, and flax seeds that are rich sources of healthy omega-3 fats, instead of vegetable oil.
• Eat smaller portions of food, not scarfing up everything in sight and rushing out the door.
• Keep your carb intake low and your protein intake high, instead of the usual carb and sugar overload.
• Consume at least 1 gallon of pure water daily in exchange for soda, juice, alcohol, coffee, and energy drinks. 

The internet is full of resources that can provide guidance with food choices. The basic rule of healthy eating is to eat small, balanced servings of fresh, organic, wholesome food throughout the day. If you would like further help on your journey to health, then get with a health coach to assist you in finding direction.

4. Change the way you exercise

For most people exercise is a love/hate relationship. They love the effects of exercise, the elevated mood, the jeans that fit a little looser, but they hate the time and energy (and sometimes pain) associated with exercise.

I have heard every excuse in the book and have used a few as well. There is no way to cushion the reality that poor exercise habits can lead to early death.  The variety of ways in which you can exercise or move your body are endless. Here are a few suggestions:

• Do Crossfit, a physically demanding strength and conditioning program.
• Walk on a daily basis on level ground, up some hills.
• Work outdoors.

The goal is to do something consistently that requires you to engage your body in an energizing activity to stimulate health. You can get on the path to health with just thirty minutes of vigorous walking daily. If you decide to get really ambitious and add more to your exercise routine, then it will just be icing on your imaginary cake. An agent of change in exercise sees the need to daily incorporate some form of fitness with no excuses.

5. Change the way you rest and relax

What is your definition of relaxation? Most people do not know how to relax. Some people can be more naturally gifted to relax. Whatever the case, rest and relaxation are required for vibrant health.

Relaxation is not constantly engaging with digital and social media. It is finding a place of quietness and reflection.  

I read an inspiring work from Phillip Keller entitled, “What is the Father Like?”. It changed my view of rest and I realized that I could not possibly know what the Father is like unless I rest in him first. God is the master and creator of rest. If he rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth, then surely we can find time in our schedule to rest.

Are you creating a space for rest? Do you daily come away from the noise of life to find rest? Your productivity and creativity will boost incredibly when you learn to find the balance of rest.

Let’s apply

Top 10 health tips for 2013:

1. Eat only “real” food, rather than food-flavored chemicals. On the avoid list would be trans fats, hydrogenated oils, chemical sugar substitutes (i.e. Splenda, NutraSweet, and Sweet ‘N Low), and artificial colors and/or flavors. If your great-grandparents wouldn’t recognize it as food, it probably isn’t!
2. Drink clean water about a gallon per day.
3. Breathing! That seems inherent, but do you really breathe well? Deeply? Consciously? Breathing is good for the body, mind, and spirit. 
4. Exercise. Movement of the body is crucial for proper functionality of body parts, inside and out. Strive for daily exercise.
5. Rest. To maintain balance, rest and relaxation is a must for busy people on the go. Strive for everyday rest.
6. Prioritizing. Determine what is important to you and make it a priority. In the hustle and bustle of a busy life, we too often lose sight of what is important because we’re actively engaging in what is urgent. Prioritize every day.
7. Spiritual joy. Are you a shining light for others in the dark? Is your life such that people are attracted to you for Christ’s sake?  You are more than a physical body.  Your spiritual health is tantamount to your physical, emotional, and mental well being. Look for spiritual joy in Christ.
8. Purposefulness. Being aware of God’s purpose and plan for you
9. “Just Do It!” is not just for athletes. If you’re not sure what God’s purpose is, be obedient to His word and go help someone in need.  Don’t waste time wondering what He may have in store for you; get out and do His will and His calling for you will become evident! Daily everyday doing it!
10. Community. We are a community of people. We are a community of believers in Christ. We need one another to remember Jesus. It is collectively, not individually, that we move and act as the body of Christ. Other Christians help grow us and keep us accountable. Daily everyday relationships!

Grace accountability and blessing

Speaking of “accountable” and “individuality”, these are the characteristics of an “agent of change.” Not giving up or giving in. Remaining accountable and expressing individual and purposeful decisions that will continue for a lifetime.

I challenge you to become and remain an agent of change. Don’t wait for a better time and place. Use the grace, authority, and power that Jesus gives to keep the sword of faith fighting for the blessings of health.

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