The 7 Steps to Health

As originally published by the Canadian Cancer Society, 2005 (www.cancer.ca)

1. Be a non-smoker and avoid second-hand smoke.
2. Eat 5-10 servings of vegetables and fruit a day.  Choose high fiber, lower fat foods.  If you drink alcohol, limit your intake to 1-2 drinks a day.
3. Be physically active on a regular basis: this will also help you maintain a healthy body weight.
4. Protect yourself and your family from the sun.
5. Follow cancer screening guidelines.
6. Visit your doctor or dentist if you notice any changes in your normal state of health.
7. Follow health and safety instructions at home and at work when using, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials.

I challenge you to ask yourself these questions:

1. How many of the seven steps do you follow? If there are some you don’t follow ask yourself why not?
2. Most people do not follow all seven steps to health.  Identify at least two reasons you think this is true.
3. What steps should be taken to promote better health practices in your own life or the lives of those you love?

Remember anything worth doing is worth fighting for and anything that helps to create a better you -is worth doing.