As I my mention on my health-2-fitness.com homepage, I used to be an avid marathon runner. I weight trained, played handball regularly, and could do 200 plus push ups at a time. I mention this because I was very satisfied with the level of physical fitness I had attained. And yet I also apprehend how eerily close all of us are to becoming a physical debacle.

☺My demise, as I mentioned, came from the rapidly deteriorating condition of my teeth. Bacteria, as well as viruses, can become highly aggressive, and rapidly ruin your overall health, well being, and happiness in short order. My teeth became repeatedly infected and my health and fitness declined accordingly. I was dejected and frustrated, but I stand guilty of taunting invincibility, practicing bad habits, and consuming too much junk food.

☺This is a hard lesson learned. I revamped my health by having the good fortune to afford good dental treatment. Then I began an exercise regimen. At first my attempts to get right back into running failed miserably. The blow dealt to my body dead severe damage to my circulatory, skeletal, and respiratory systems. I was not the same person, just a shell of who I was and I had to accept this fact. The rigors of being a teacher for three years also wrought much damage in reconditioning.

☺It seemed like every morning, I would consume tea with a tablespoon of honey and crushed fresh garlic. The garlic assisted me in combating the large levels of unhealthy bacteria in my system and the black tea helped me fight off viruses. I also took zinc tablets, 50 to 100 mg per day as needed, to build up my immune system and ward off exhaustion.

☺Next I took the drastic step of getting up every morning and just walking on my Tread Climber for a half an hour to an hour. My top speed was a whopping, yet deliberate, 2 mph! As I walked, I read a few chapters of the Bible and then flipped through many index cards I made up with carefully selected motivational scriptures and famous quotes from such people as Gandhi, Bruce Lee, and Muhammad Ali. These became my inner motivational voices that fortified and nourished my mind.

☺Next I hopped on my Total Body Works by Joe Weider. And I did a brief routine that included chest press, rowing, inclined abdominal crunches, and pull ups. I did what I could do every day. I had to develop the consistency that eluded me by trying to get straight back into running. This plan is working very effectively as my general health is stabilizing and I realize I can only get stronger and stronger. Shortly, I will be back into my running routine without the frustrating set backs.