I think it is time that I start putting my health in my own hands, by making lifestyle changes, some of them small but significant, some of them huge and difficult.

One of the hardest things I ever did was to quit smoking over 2 years ago now, after smoking about a pack a day for nearly 40 years. I did it without using chemicals: no prescription drugs, no patches, no special gums. I quit cold turkey. I drank lots of water and tea, and I still have my two cups of coffee in the morning.

I thought that would be really hard – no cigarette with my morning coffee – but because somehow I was ready to quit, I didn’t have any problems after about a week when the mood swings calmed down.

Before I quit, I began to smell myself, which was really strange because most heavy smokers can’t tell that they have a permanent cigarette odour even if they shower regularly, like I do.

Fortunately, I did not put on any extra weight after quitting smoking. Many people fear the weight gain, but it really wasn’t an issue. I should lose some weight anyway, but I have been this weight now for about 9 years, since moving to Niagara.

That brings me to another lifestyle change I need to make. You see, I never needed to have a car when I lived in Scarborough, ON. The public transit system is excellent, and I did a ton of walking. I was fit.

Here in Welland and all the Niagara Region, you need a car. Everything is so spread out, public transportation is not as good, and taxis cost a fortune.

My son is in excellent shape because he doesn’t have a car yet, so if one of his buddies or I don’t drive him, he walks or cycles everywhere. So I realize that walking would be the best thing for me to slim down again and in summer I’ll go back to swimming regularly. I already have a treadmill in my office. I have no excuse. Not really.

However, it doesn’t help that I work and sometimes play on this computer. So now I am making it a point to get up every two hours and spend at least five minutes on the treadmill during the winter months. And come spring, I’m going to find a walking partner. Because I really do like the outdoors, but I prefer to have a companion with me when I walk.

The other small but really significant change for me is I’m slowly switching to organic and local foods. We have a lot of farmers around the Niagara region and some really good wineries too , and so I’ve just recently decided I’m going to start supporting local businesses a lot more.

The most important reason I have for taking more control over my own health is because I’m no longer trusting the main stream medical profession. I think the pharmaceutical companies control modern medicine and it’s all become rather fraudulent. I know a lot of people will disagree and so I won’t even argue with anyone about it. It is what it is.

So I realize that I have to stay informed, use my own intuition, start listening to my own body, begin controlling my stress, begin eating better, and exercising more. Thus I will embrace natural health.

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