The main purpose of this page is to help you improve your health. Also as a testimonial to the Lord God and all others who have helped me.
Aspects of Health
When you think about health you need to take in all types of health. These are physical, mental, social, spiritual, and even financial. Physical health you can improve mostly by exercise, good diet, and lifestyle. Vitamins, minerals, and herbs also help. Mental health can be improved by reading. Social health can be improved by just more interaction with people. Spiritual health can be improved by prayer and meditation. All these types of health are correlated though. If you are doing poorly in one thing, it will affect the others. The good thing is that if you are doing great in one facet of health it will also improve the others.
Spiritual Health
The most important part of health to me is the spiritual side. I believe you can draw more energy from God than anything else. He will help you improve every other type of health, if you become closer to him. I was raised going to Church for the first fifteen years of my life. I always thought it was boring and I wanted to be somewhere else. Even though I felt this way; I prayed almost every day and tried to worship in my own way. I did plenty of bad things as I was growing up, which I regret nowadays. Just the little bit of a relationship I had with God helped me through a very difficult time. I have had asthma and allergies all my life. I took Theodur twice a day and chloritrimeton three times a day. I also had to go get allergy shots twice a week. It seemed as if I was allergic to everything. Around the age of 17 (I am 28 now), my doctor told me that I would have to take medicine and receive shots for the rest of my life. I did not like feeling this was forced on me and it made me angry. I started exercising everyday and taking vitamins. After about a half of a year I did not need to take medicine or receive shots anymore. This was a gift from God, because things could have went wrong. If I would have had pushed myself too hard, I could have had an asthma attack and possibly got seriously hurt. God helped me pace myself and helped me have the strength to get through this. This also started me on a lifelong mission to learn more about all aspects of health. Reading books, magazines, articles, watching videos, and taking martial arts. The thing is I was not as thankful as I should have been about this occurrence until recently. In Late Dec 2005, I was sent two people(God bless Jess and Pamela) that told me about how they were changing personally. I could hear a happiness in their voice and see a glow in their presence. I could just tell that they were close to God. This is when I thought that I really needed to become closer to God. If they could do it, why couldn't I? I started doing what I knew best when I wanted to learn something new, which is reading. I started reading the Bible and even researched religious topics on the internet. The more I learn; the more things I have to be thankful for. If you get a chance I truly recommend reading anything by Joyce Meyer, especially Battlefield of the Mind and the Battlefield of the Mind devotional. God bless my Mom, Dad, and Step-Mom for always living a great example for me to follow. 5/18/2020 I Have not logged into this page for literally over 10 years. I wanted to also say God Bless my teenager, my soon to be wife, and her teenager; they have made my life much happier. I highly recommend Perry Noble the pastor of Second Chance Church. He has taught me a lot of things. Down to earth, great speaker, realistic, and emphasizes relationship with Christ over organized religion. Link is down at the bottom.
Physical Health
Physical health is definitely needed to feel good, be able to work, and be able to protect your family. The first main thing I remember learning about was in school during health class and gym. One of my major regrets is I should have paid more attention in school. Later on I had to learn some things, I should have already knew. I started taking Tae Kwon Do right around the time I was 18, this was a great foundation for exercise. It provided me a way to get in good shape and be able to defend myself if ever needed. I took this for almost a year, but due to a shoulder injury(not caused by Tae Kwon Do class) I quit. I lacked the motivation to go back, but I continued studying through books. About the age of 23 I went back and started over at white belt. I just obtained 1st degree black belt in August 2005. I have been teaching one class for my head instructor each week since late August 2005. You truly do not learn something until you teach it to someone else. Proper diet can be learned from books and even free articles on the internet. I tend to really like the Harvard Food Pyramid. This is a great foundation to go by. It is not a fad diet, it is a lifestyle. There is a web link at the bottom for the Harvard Food Pyramid. If nothing else though I would say-
1) Drink more water(Divide your bodyweight in pounds by 2, this is how many ounces you need to drink. EX- you weigh 160lbs / 2 = drink 80 ounces).
2) Eat More lean Protein - such as fish, grilled or baked poultry, whey or soy protein shakes.
3) Eat more vegetables.
About 2 years ago I was searching around for a cheaper, quicker way to get in better shape. I found Matt Furey's website. I ordered "Combat Conditioning" first and later on ordered "Combat Abs". These are two great books. I did learn that there is no quick and easy way to get in better shape. It takes time and hard work. As it usually does in anything worth having. I give Matt Furey the credit for truly getting me first interested in Bodyweight exercise. On his website you can sign up for a free daily email which has some good health tips. Later on I found Ross Enamait's website and ordered "The Underground Guide to Warrior's Fitness". This book is the BEST all around guide to fitness, motivation and diet. I can tell Ross truly cares about helping people. Ross has actually taken the time to personally respond to all emails that I have wrote to him. This is really impressive to me, not many successful authors would do this. These books save you a lot of money in the long run, because you do not have to buy any expensive equipment to use at home. All you need is the motivation and desire to get in better shape. By the way I do not get any commission by you going to these websites, I am recommending them because they are great authors.
God Bless the people in the martial arts field that have helped me which are Master Mcelveen, Master Hamilton, Master Hart, Ross Enamait, Matt Furey, Master Scott, TJ, Todd, and Robert. Thank you.
Mental Health
Mental health is relatively simple. Read, play games, engage in conversation, and do not put toxins in your body that will affect your mind. Cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol are toxins. I am going to mention meditation here, but it is one of those things that affects everything. All you need is a quiet place, sit comfortably, breathe deeply, and focus on each breath. There are plenty of websites though you can get specific examples from.
Social Health
Social health can be improved just by spending time with people you care about. Family and friends will help you when you need them. As you should help them if they need you. If there is someone you like, talk to them. You may not get a second chance. If you want new friends or relationships and are shy try the internet. Remember with social health though you also need some personal alone time. This is needed to clear your thoughts and prevent you from wearing yourself out.
Financial Health
Financial Health affects a lot of people nowadays. Bad finances causes divorce, resentment, and stress. The stress from bad financial health causes all other sides of your health to suffer. I am not a finance wizard by any means, but I will say a few tips. Its never to early to start thinking about retirement and investments. Research on 401k, IRAs, mutual funds, bonds, and stocks. Its usually cheaper to eat at home than to go out to eat at a restaurant. If you do not know how to cook then get a family member to teach you how to fix a few of your favorite meals(A plus for social and financial health at the same time). Its okay to buy generic products. Look at what the ingredients are, they are usually exactly the same as the name brand.
My Favorite Poem
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life, there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me." The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints in the sand, it was then that I carried you." Author Unknown
Serenity Prayer
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen."
Some of my favorite quotes
Its always useful to have a few good quotes handy for daily inspiration and motivation. I even carry a couple around in my wallet.
"What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things, instead of using people and loving things." – Author Unknown.
"Nothing is impossible to a willing mind."- Samurai Maxim
"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end."- Ursula K. Le Guin
"To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill." - Sun-Tsu
"Always do the right thing. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" -Mark Twain
"I like how God answers prayers. How sHe keeps it all hidden to her chest, and only if your mentality is right, only if you can shift your own perspective, do you get how sHe is answering you- and when you show you are grateful... when you admit that here is happiness... the Love that is all engulfing comes upon you- and you see that this is not all there is to the world- and yet this is the world. You don't have to run to another country or state to see what is out there. If you know how to look it is all right now. But there are those who know how to see, and know that sometimes deeper perceptions will come in more expansive spaces, and so you prepare for a journey the right way. Knowing that you have looked closer at the world in which you live, and leave with the knowledge that now it is on God's terms and not my own terms of fear and desperation- for I feel that those terms will always keep you coming back to the place you are trying to leave from. Fear always keeps you coming back, keeps you tethered to a life you no longer wish to live. Acceptance...healing...God's love... these things illuminate the way forward and allow you to progress to another station. Allows you to see more of what was already there. That is all I have ever asked for, and I can understand it all that much better. Tests are a pain, but I like it when I do pass... it means I'm not quite dead yet to what God has in store for me. And perhaps next time, I'll be that much stronger."- Beduoin
"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move." (Matthew 17:20)
"Of all the attitudes we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing." - Zig Ziglar
"Don't worry about anything. Worrying never solved anything. All it does is distort your mind." - Milton Garland (at 103, the oldest worker in the U.S.)
"You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of." - Jim Rohn
"Make your life a mission-not an intermission." - Arnold H. Glasgow
"When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing -- then we truly live life." - Greg Anderson
"If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will avoid one hundred days of sorrow." - Greg Anderson
"To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose, the next best." - William M. Thackeray
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." - Leo Buscaglia
"Your body is precious to God, as I said; YOUR BODY is HIS TEMPLE and satan will use anything he can to get you to abuse His temple. If the devil can keep your mind busy enough to ignore your own health (therefore neglecting God's temple) and if we are ignorant to the devils schemes then we are doomed to face ill health. If you really want to help someone just pray for them because sometimes a change will only come through the grace of God." - Pamela
"If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way, and then that. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you a solid answer."(James 1:5-8)
"Pray, find good work, and people to love, focus on the positives, and appreciate small things."- Author Unknown
"God has more to offer than anyone or anything. your life on earth is but a small fraction of time compared to the time you spend in Heaven if you are a good and faithful person."- Me
"Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace." Ephesians 4: 2-3
"Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it." 1 Peter 3: 9
"When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long.Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. and you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." Psalm 32: 5
"Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." James 4: 17
Small Steps and Goals
Improving your health does not need to all be done at once. Make specific goals and just concentrate on one at a time with laser like focus. Write the goals down on paper and then break it down into smaller steps then start doing it. The goals should be challenging, but not improbable. Such as losing 30 pounds in 2 weeks(this is actually dangerous losing this much weight that fast).
Sample Goals
Lose 15 pounds in 60 days
Meet 2 new people in 1 month
Go out with current friends 1 additional time a month
Learn basic Spanish in 6 months
Be able to ride 20 minutes on a bike within a month
Walk 3 miles continuosly within a month
***Read the Bible in one year***
Cut out one junk food product every week
Buy one less unnecessary item each week
Sample Fitness Program
Week #1
Monday, Wednesday and Friday- Do 20 Jumping Jacks, 10 Regular Pushups, 20 Double Crunches, and 10 Squats.
Tuesday OR Saturday- Jog in place for 2 minutes, Stretch, walk ½ mile.
Sunday, Thursday and either Tuesday or Saturday- Rest
Week #2
Monday, Wednesday and Friday - Do 25 Jumping Jacks, 15 Regular Pushups, 25 Double Crunches, and 15 Squats.
Tuesday OR Saturday- Jog in place for 3 minutes, Stretch, walk 3/4 mile.
Sunday, Thursday and either Tuesday or Saturday- Rest
Week #3
Monday, Wednesday and Friday - Do 30 Jumping Jacks, 20 Regular Pushups, 30 Double Crunches, and 20 Squats.
Tuesday OR Saturday- Jog in place for 4 minutes, Stretch, walk 1 mile.
Sunday, Thursday and either Tuesday or Saturday- Rest
Week #4
Monday, Wednesday and Friday - Do 35 Jumping Jacks, 25 Regular Pushups, 35 Double Crunches, and 25 Squats.
Tuesday OR Saturday- Jog in place for 5 minutes, Stretch, walk 1 1/4 mile.
Sunday, Thursday and either Tuesday or Saturday- Rest
Week #5
Monday, Wednesday and Friday - Do 20 Mountain Climbers, 20 Decline Pushups, 15 V-Ups, and 1 1/2 minute wall squat.
Tuesday OR Saturday- 20 jumping jacks, Stretch, walk1/4 mile, jog ¼ mile, walk ¼ mile.
Sunday, Thursday and either Tuesday or Saturday- Rest
Week #6
Monday, Wednesday and Friday - Do 26 Mountain Climbers, 25 Decline Pushups, 20 V-Ups, and 2 minute wall squat.
Tuesday OR Saturday- 25 jumping jacks, Stretch, walk1/4 mile, jog 1/2 mile
Sunday, Thursday and either Tuesday or Saturday- Rest
Week #7
Monday, Wednesday and Friday - Do 30 Mountain Climbers, 30 Decline Pushups, 25 V-Ups, and 2 1/2 minute wall squat.
Tuesday OR Saturday- 30 jumping jacks, Stretch, walk1/4 mile, jog 1/2 mile, walk ¼ mile.
Sunday, Thursday and either Tuesday or Saturday- Rest
Week #8
Monday, Wednesday and Friday - Do 36 Mountain Climbers, 35 Decline Pushups, 30 V-Ups, and 3 minute wall squat.
Tuesday OR Saturday- 35 jumping jacks, Stretch, jog 1/2 mile, walk ¼ mile, jog ¼ mile.
Sunday, Thursday and either Tuesday or Saturday- Rest
Special notes-
Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday set of exercises need to be done twice with a minimum amount of rest in-between. At most, 10 minute break in-between the first set and second set. Here is an example from week number 1. - Do 20 Jumping Jacks, 10 Regular Pushups, 20 Double Crunches, and 10 Squats. Wait 2 minutes. Then do another 20 Jumping Jacks, 10 Regular Pushups, 20 Double Crunches, and 10 Squats. This is 2 complete sets. If you can not do a particular exercise the specific number of times it is okay to take a mini-break such as 10 second break then do a few more repetitions.
All exercises were chosen because each exercise works several muscles at one time, simple to perform, and are able to be done with no exercise equipment. This is a lot more efficient.
The Monday/Wednesday/Friday exercises starting at week 5 are changed to cover any of the body’s natural adaptability to performing the same exercises. Also they are more advanced than the week 1-4 exercises.
All exercises need to be done in a completely controlled fashion, especially stretching.
Most of these exercises can be found on youtube showing a tutorial of someone doing them. Below is a link to pushups and squats.
Everyday you should do some sort of meditation and remember to pray.
Some Inspirational Movies
"Joshua"
"What Dreams May Come"
"The Ten Commandments"
"Pay it Forward"
"Michael"
"The Gospel Of John"
"Remember the Titans"
"Powder"
Some Inspirational Books
The Bible
"The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren
"The Greatest Salesman in The World" by Og Mandino
"Deadly Emotions" by Don Colbert
Anything by Joyce Meyer
Anything by Norman Vincent Peale
Here is the best Scripture Union email I have received to date. All of them are good though. Their link is below.
"PRAY
Lord, cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit so that I may worthily worship You now.
READ
How often do you criticize someone or complain under your breath? Think about how you would feel if the people you moaned about could hear your words. God can.
Matthew 5:21-26
[21] "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' [22] But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brotherwill be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. [23] "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, [24] leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. [25] "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. [26] I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
NIV
REFLECT
How does Jesus raise the standard of relationships here?
We thought yesterday about how we sometimes lower God's standards to match the way we live, rather than vice versa. Today's reading shows Jesus doing apparently the complete opposite - raising the standards even higher. He takes the command not to murder and extends it to include even being angry, or being rude to someone, or having unresolved relationship issues (21-24). Jesus points out that it is not only murder that takes away life - but that wrong words or actions can lead to someone's life not being worth living. In this passage, Jesus is telling us that faith affects all our relationships - it is impossible to love God while hating or hurting a fellow human being. We've all known that holding bitter thoughts against someone usually hurts us more than it hurts them, and that it is better to "keep short accounts" (25,26) with one another - resolving issues that might otherwise fester. Yet, despite knowing this, we sometimes let ourselves off the hook by believing that simply thinking wrong thoughts about someone is better than actually hurting them. Wrong, says Jesus. We might as well have committed murder, because of what it does to us, and to our relationship with God.
APPLY
Is there anyone with whom I have a strained relationship and with whom I should try to reconcile today? How can I avoid such a situation in the future? How is my relationship with God right now? Is there any sin I need to confess?
PRAY
Lord Jesus, give me the determination to "keep short accounts" in my relationships with others and with You."
GREAT STORY
GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED
Don't start reading this one until you've got more than 3 or 4 minutes to just "scan" over it. It deserves some time for reflection.
If you like this story please repost in a blog, email, and/or bulletin.
I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.
He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, "Are you there, God?" he said. "Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed..."I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.
He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.
He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.
The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.
He does not seem dissatisfied.
He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.
And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside.
"That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!" Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.
His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights. And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.
He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.
His life is simple.
He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.
He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere.
And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an "educated" person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.
Kevin won't be surprised at all!
When you read this story, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is powerful.
FRIENDS ARE ANGELS WHO LIFT US TO OUR FEET WHEN OUR
WINGS HAVE TROUBLE REMEMBERING HOW TO FLY.
ABOUT ME
Carl
My Qualifications:
Certified Natural Health Consultant
Certified Self Defense Instructor
Second Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
Extensive Study in Health Videos
Extensive Study in Health Books
My Interests:
Movies, Music, Martial Arts, Fitness, Reading
If you are reading this page, and need help with anything. I will be happy to give you advice to the best of my knowledge. Message me at My Myspace page. Thank you for visiting Improve Your Health. If you liked this webpage please pass it along to friends and family. Also if you have your own webpage, we may be able to do a reciprocal link.
Bible Verse of the Day
(This site in the Web Ring is owned by Carl Altman)
Ginseng FAQ - Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Ginseng
Good Health And Other Sites
Ross Enamait - My Favorite Health Author
Great Descriptions of Exercises, Health Articles, Diet, etc.
Excellent Health Supplements and Other Products
Matt Furey - A Health Expert
Men's Health
New Friends at Myspace
Good Free Daily Bible Email- Scripture Union
Description of Harvard Food Pyramid
Answers to a lot of hard spiritual questions
My Blogs
Squats Tutorial
Push ups tutorial
MY RELIGION
Second Chance Church
