A Healthy Body Makes us Great

Two Opinions on Uncovering our Greatness

This a monthly column on becoming a great human being and has two opinions on the subject from western and eastern part of the world namely Michael Thallium from Spain and Dr Amit Nagpal from India.

Michael Thallium, India

I must admit I had to pick a fight with myself to overcome some resistance to write this article. I have been struggling with my weight for a number of years already. And although I achieved some results in the past when I took care of what I eat and when I did some physical exercise, I’m still not happy with it. Sometimes I have people saying to me (not only about this topic, but many others): “Come on, you’re a coach!” And that implicitly means “Hey, you are not allowed to make any mistakes!” Well, ladies and gentlemen, yes, coaches make mistakes too, and in my case a lot! And this doesn’t prevent me from stating that a healthy body makes us great!

I’m not going to talk about a healthy body just from the aesthic point of view. As the Latin adagio goes “Nulla aethica sine aesthetica; nulla aesthetica sine aethica” (No aethics without aesthetics; no aesthetic without aethics). That leads me to a holistic approach. When I say “healthy body” I mean the body of an “integrative” person, a person who integrates his four main intelligences: body (physical), mind (intelectual), heart (emotional) and spirit (spiritual). That means that in order to have a healthy body we have to work on those four areas, not only the physical.

However, I would like to focus on just one issue today: nutrition. And I must apologise to all those people in the world who have little or even nothing to eat. If you are one of them and you ever happen to read this article, I apologise if you consider it a bit frivolous to speak about a kind of nutrition which concerns more to the developed world, those countries (a minority in the world) where there is wealth in comparison to the majority of regions in the world which are poorer.

If you think about it, eating is one of the most “intimate” relationships we have everyday. We are not aware that everytime we eat, we are taking something from outside (external) and putting it in our bodies. Food transforms and becomes part of ourselves. At this very moment, we are relating to the rest of the world. We just think of food, but it’s not just food. In the wealthy countries there is a number of economic-wealth related diseases which could be prevented and even stopped dead if we would pay more attention to what we eat: obesity, coronary artery diseases, cancer...

I don’t know if you ever heard of The China Study, but I recommend you to read what Dr. T. Colin Campbell has to say about nutrition and economic wealth related diseases. It all started in India back in 1968 when two researches, T. V. Madhavan and C. Gopalan, found that the aflatoxin (a carcinogenic substance) in combination with 20% of animal protein in the diet of a group of lab rats would lead to the development of liver cancer whereas another group of rats eating just 5% of animal protein wouldn’t develop that disease. There was no doubt: nutrition was related to cancer. However, this research did not seem to be taken into account in the “wealthy” countries. Years later, Dr T. Colin Campbell, who did take that research into account, came to the same conclusion in humans. His project, known as the China Study, produced more than 8,000 statistically significant associations between various dietary factors and disease. To make it short: “People who ate the most animal-based foods got the most chronic disease... People who ate the most plant-based foods were the healthiest and tended to avoid chronic disease.

In the “wealthy” countries we tend to use drugs to solve any health problem. And we don’t realise that just by changing some eating habits and becoming more aware of the foods we put in our bodies, we would save money and be healthier. Have you ever heard of Dr Caldwell Esselstyn? He has done more to cure coronary artery diseases than any other physician. He used to be a surgeon, but one day he decided to try a less aggressive way to prevent and reverse disease by using nutrition and avoiding surgery. His results were simply incredible! He achieved what no surgery had ever achieved! Again, his diet was plant-based.

I’m not a vegetarian, neither a vegan. I don’t eat much animal protein and, specially after researching a bit on this topic, I try to avoid animal protein. I’m not telling that you should become a vegetarian, although I recommend you to read about that China Study and see  the benefits for yourself of a better nutrition. Enough data and facts are out there to come to your own conclusions. One thing seems to stand out: a plant-based diet is much healthier. So, when possible, I avoid eating “any thing which has a face and teeth”. If you don’t like reading books or studies, because you find it boring, then you can watch a documentary called “Planeat” (http://planeat.tv/): “Nothing changes the planet as much as the way we eat.”

Regardless where you are in the world now, either in a wealthy region or a poor region, I would just be happy if reading this article has helped you question some of your food habits and become an even greater person. Remember: a healthy body will make you great! Think about it when you put that next morsel in your mouth.

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Brief Profile

Michael Thallium is a Global and Greatness Coach based in Spain. Michael has spent many years of his life traveling around many countries and continents, sailing the seas and flying the skies all over the world. Since 2008 he is dedicated to his passions namely coaching, language & communication and music.

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Dr Amit Nagpal, India

“You have been provided with a perfect body to house your soul for a few brief moments in eternity. So regardless of its size, shape, colour, you can honour it by eating healthy, exercising, listening to your body’s needs and treating it with dignity and love.” Wayne Dyer

A Healthy body makes us great. Does it? Well! I think so. Let us go through the post and see if you agree. We will focus on two issues, why there is a need to be healthy and how can you stay healthy.

Eat Healthy

The first thing for a healthy body is to eat healthy and nutritious food. Fast food is also called junk food, so I don’t need to say more. You can take vitamin or mineral supplements but make sure they are within prescribed limits (It is better to consult your physician). In developed countries a disease called ‘vitaminisation ‘has been reported, which results from excess vitamin intake. Nutraceuticals is a new term which has come up and is a combination of nutrition plus pharmaceuticals.

Exercise

Exercise regularly. Understand your body’s unique needs. Walking and swimming are some of the best exercises. Find a partner. Dance along with music. Make yourself a little more self-disciplined by announcing your goals to friends through social media. Take a walk in the nature or run with your dog, if you wish. Find out something which you enjoy and ‘Just Do It’.

Listen to your Body’s Needs

In India, Vipassana meditation is practiced, which is all about listening to your body. You are required to concentrate your attention/energy at different points of the body which helps you in feeling the sensations (and sometimes hidden pain/discomfort). Dr Sonica Krishan who is an expert in Indian medicine (Ayurveda) talks of Dosha Healing and finding the unique structure and problems of our bodies.

Treat it with Dignity and Love

Treat your body with dignity and love. Respect the gift of God which houses your mind and soul. Once you become conscious of each thought, you are treating your mind with dignity. Once you become conscious of each morsel of food, you are treating your body with dignity. Once you become conscious of your inter-connectedness with the Universe (and life), you are treating your soul with dignity.

All is well. There is no need to hurry. Start taking baby steps. Just remember to breathe consciously, the Universe will take care and support you for the rest.

By the way, do you agree a healthy body makes us great? Do let us know through your comments.

“Take great care of yourself. The better off you are, the more you will be able to give to others. Create an extraordinary life- an ordinary life to which you have added just that extra little bit od dedication, commitment and love.” Tony Robbins
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Brief Profile

Dr Amit Nagpal is a Personal Branding Consultant & Global Success Coach. He is based in New Delhi, India and specializes in personal branding with a holistic touch. His philosophy is, "Enlarge as a Human Being, Excel asa Social Media Being and Evolve as a Personal Brand.