We talk about how important diet is to your life and your health, but it also factors in to your lifespan - that is, how long you can expect to live. Here are some tips to follow that will keep your health optimal and prevent sickness and disease.

1. Avoid Tobacco. The number of carcinogens in cigarrettes and other tobacco products is very high. Some estimates show the count to be as high as 200 known carcinogens - cancer-causing agents. Elimintating tobacco will immediately add years to your life.
2. Limit Alcohol Intake. While some alcohol may be beneficial - red wine has been touted to have benefits to the heart and blood - that doesn't mean that more is better. Too much alcohol may effect your brain power (ever heard that alcohol kills brain cells?), also breaks down collagen which translates to sagging or wrinkled skin, and with long-term use can damage organs (the liver). So, in moderation!
3. Get Adequate Sleep. Studies show that those who aren't sleeping enough are more inclined to carry extra pounds (overweight?), not to mention an inability to problem solve and think at their optimal level. When you're tired, you may tend to make more mistakes, be less motivated, and accident-prone. Get somewhere between 6-8 hours. If you have a good diet and follow #1 and 2 above, you are more likely to wake up well-rested.

Medifast

Get medifast for weight loss, health, a healthy diet, and a diet plan. Medifast is a product that helps you lose weight. There are benefits to using Medifast in your diet, and can be used for weight loss. Phase 1 - 5 & 1 Program for Weight Loss 5 Medifast Meals per Day Over 50 meals to choose from - shakes, bars, drinks, oatmeals, chili, soups, pudding and more. 1 "Lean and Green" Meal per Day Lean Meat: 7 ounces of chicken, turkey of fish, or 5 ounces of lean beef, pork or lamb. Grill, bake or poach meats using non-stick spray. Salt, pepper, herbs and spices may be added if desired. You may also use 1 - 2 teaspoons of condiments such as ketchup, mustard or barbecue sauce. Salad or Vegetables: Either 2 cups of salad greens (any kind) and up to ½ cups raw vegetables, or up to 1 ½ cups cooked vegetables.

Medifast Diet

You may also use 1 - 2 tablespoons of Media low-fat or non-fat dressing.Phase 2 - BeSlim™ Philosophy of Lifelong Weight Control Once you have reached your healthy weight, your Health Advisor will help transition you to the BeSlim™ philosophy of lifelong weight control. The BeSlim™ philosophy is a part of the Take Shape for Life program that incorporates key behaviors mastered by those who lost significant amounts of weight and kept their weight off for years. These key behaviors include: Breakfast (eating Breakfast every day) - High quality fuel, such as our delicious Medifast oatmeal, cappuccino, or chai latte, is essential to start your day the right way. Exercise - Continued exercise increases metabolism, provides strength, flexibility, and mental clarity.

Medifast Nutrition

Support - Your Health Advisor is here to help you reach and maintain your goals, providing the coaching, tools, education, and caring support you will need along the way. Low-fat meals 5-6 times a day - Eating frequently, controlling portion and total calories, especially those from fat, are critical for success. Individual Plan - Create an individual plan to help you achieve an optimal healthy lifestyle and build the skills and strategies you need to cope with modern life. Monitor your weight - Weigh yourself on a regular basis to maintain optimal weight. Catch it before it becomes a challenge! Join the BeSlim™ Club today and set your life in motion! Introducing the New BeSlim Club & Rewards Program! Optimal Health is its own reward, but how about earning a bonus or two along the way? You’re on a journey to Optimal Health. You’ve made a commitment to lose weight and keep it off! You’ve earned the right to celebrate your success! The new Take Shape For Life BeSlim Club & Rewards Program is your ticket there. The BeSlim Club & Rewards Program is Take Shape For Life's progressive savings program, offering clients and Health Coaches an easy way to obtain their Medifast Meals at a savings, with exciting rewards you can earn along the way! The longer you are member of the BeSlim™ Club, the more significant your savings are and the more rewards points you’ll earn. When you join the Take Shape For Life BeSlim Club & Rewards Program, you: Enjoy your favorite Medifast Meals all month long, with orders conveniently shipped right to your door Save on your meal purchases and enjoy increased savings the longer you’re on the program Earn points towards exclusive rewards that promote healthy living Receive coupons for special savings. Enrich your life as you achieve Optimal Health Available to all, the BeSlim™ Club is a great way for individuals learning and practicing the BeSlim™ philosophy. Every time you order, you earn points towards healthful rewards. Here’s how: There’s no minimum purchase required. Redeem your reward points* for exclusive Take Shape For Life merchandise, including: Apparel, Exercise Equipment, Spa Trips, And more! Join the BeSlim Club today! Simplify Your Life -- — Receive automatic monthly shipments of your favorite Medifast Meals; Save Your Money — Enjoy savings that increase the longer you are a club member; Earn Just Rewards— Select from an array of rewards that promote healthy living and a healthy lifestyle.

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Medifast Diet
4. Find a Job you Love. Believe it or not, if you're dreading going to work you're just cutting years off your life not to mention life off of your years. Why do something that you aren't passionate about? If you can't find and do what you love, then at least list all of the great things about your current job that make it enjoyable. Listing things like 'I get to work inside in a comfortable environment', 'I get paid vacactions and benefits', and so on, can make you appreciate even the simplest of things about your job. But don't wait to start looking for that something that you feel truly passionate about. In the end, you will enjoy looking back at your life's experiences knowing you got to do what you loved!
5. Have Faith. While there seems to be a minority of voices that would like to remove God and any mention of Him from schools, stadiums, work places, court houses, and government offices, the reality is that those who live with some sort of Faith in a higher power - be it God, a Creator, Buddha, whoever - are going to live more peacefully, have better health, and a higher longevity.
6. Exercise Regularly. I don't need to tell you how important this is, books have been written about the thousands of different ways to exercise. Exercise use to be a part of life and no one called it exercise. That's because we used to farm and hunt almost everyday to get food and survive. Now we can sit all day and earn a living, so we have to find time to 'exercise'.  This will help keep support good health in every way - lower stress levels, increase energy, and make you look great!
7. Eat a Healthy Diet. A diet that is rich with fruits and vegetables is the best. Everything comes second to that food group believe it or not. If you need a meal plan to go with your fruits and vegetables, we like Medifast. The other side of a healthy diet is avoiding those foods and beverages that will add stress to your body and take off years of your life - fast foods, soft drinks, processed foods; foods with MSG, high amounts of sugar, or fat. There are more things to avoid than foods to eat. That actually makes your diet easier, but sometimes makes avoiding the unhealthy difficult. Do it anyway. You will feel empowered and healthy!
8. Take Antioxidants. While there are many ways to supplement your diet, it is important that you do it with the intention of giving your body antioxidants for the prevention of sickness and disease. We like Juice Plus+ which is made by juicing 7 fruits and 8 vegetables (all different), dried and put into a capsule. There are others but this is one we recommend. Do it because there is a 99% chance your diet alone is not providing you with enough nutrients and antioxidants.
9. Set a Major Goal. Having a major goal in your life will keep you looking forward not backward. It's great to wake up and be able to say you're working on something that is bigger than you, greater than one person could achieve alone, greater than could be done in one lifetime. Remember, no matter how tarnished your past, your future remains spotless!
10. Smile Often. There are many benefits to smiling - for you, a person you smile to, and even those who see it. Everyone feels better when there are people smiling. Your immune system will get a boost from smiling and so will everyone else's! Afterall, you may as well be smiling and enjoying life while you're here!

One last note about your life today that will help remind you to do what you love:

'Discipline weighs ounces and regret weighs tons'